Volksfahren: VW/Audi/Porsche

Porsche and VW Marriage Analysis

Canadian publication, Report on Business, has a tasty read on the marriage of VW and Porsche and how it will help -- or possibly hinder -- VW's attempt to kick Toyota from the #1 position. It's a long road ahead, and these are not two companies that have always gotten along with each other...

It's hard to say whether ownership by Porsche will help VW's North American, and global, ambitions. So far it looks like Porsche will benefit more than VW from the deal, one that seems driven by the European Union's proposed emissions standards. Because of their powerful engines, the Porsche sports cars and SUVs produce vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Re-engineering the engines to meet the new EU standards would be impossible, unless Porsche decided to reinvent itself as an econo-box maker. The solution is to buy a car maker - VW - with much lower carbon dioxide emissions. When the Porsches are rolled into the VW lineup, the average fleet emissions should fall to a level that will keep the EU's green police at bay.

[ Report on Business ]

TDI Cup Dates Announced

Racing is cool. Diesel is cool. Put them together in a single spec-class and you have a whole new level of cool:

Volkswagen of America and SCCA Pro Racing have announced the eight dates comprising the 2008 schedule of the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race series.

Making its debut on American shores this summer, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series is an innovative approach to motorsports. The Jetta TDI Cup is composed of 30 factory-prepared and managed 2008 clean-diesel Jetta TDIs, piloted by talented drivers aged 16 to 26, who are relative unknowns in the industry. Volkswagen’s goal is to find the driver with the most talent and help them break into the world of professional motorsports.

VW Sponsors 2008 Summer Olympic Games

Volkswagen has signed on to be the official vehicle of the 2009 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This includes sending a fleet of Audis, Volkswagens and Skodas for the committees. Visiting groups may not be able to breathe in Beijing from all the pollution, but at least they'll be rolling in Teutonic style. Here's the official PR:

More than 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries will be competing in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing from 8-24 August, 2008. Athletes will be competing for gold, silver and bronze in 28 disciplines. Volkswagen is supporting the Organisation Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (BOCOG) as national main sponsor.

As exclusive automobile partner, the Volkswagen Group will be providing the Organisation Committee with a fleet of about 6,000 vehicles. It consists of 4,350 Volkswagens, 650 Skodas and 1,000 Audi-brand cars.

The company in Wolfsburg will be presenting itself during the Olympic Games with a showcase on the Olympic grounds. Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda will each present two models in the 2,000 square-metre-large pavilion under the mottos "Present and Future" (Volkswagen), "Past and Present" (Audi) and "Past and Future" (Skoda).

Volkswagen will be making a further contribution with its support of the international torch relay. An extensive fleet of vehicles will accompany the torch bearers along the legs through Greece and China. Volkswagen is involved world-wide as sponsor of the National Olympic Committees in Algeria, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Slovania.

For the first time in history of the Olympic Games, this mega sports event is being held in the People's Republic of China. Four million visitors are expected. Participation as a national main sponsor is an important component in the Volkswagen Group's strategy for successful involvement Asia's most important car market.

2009 Scirocco Breaks Cover

VW has officially given the green light to the 2009 Scirocco. Formerly seen as the IROC concept, the production model retains numerous cues from the bright green show car. Built on the Golf platform, VW is expecting to sell around 25,000 units per year.

Autoweek is reporting that the base four-cylinder, front-wheel drive model will start at around $28,000 and go up from there. The top-end edition will feature a 280hp 3.6-liter V6 and all-wheel drive. Yes, please! Though, this uber-luxe model isn't expected to arrive until well after the initial launch.

Inside the car is a much sportier trim than current-gen cars. One particularly cutting-edge feature, expected to make its way to the production model, is the Google 3D navigation software.

Is it bound for US shores? No official word on that as of yet. However, there has been rumblings that it will be a Euro-only model to start. That, would be a travesty.

More pics after the jump.

2007 Eos Reviewed

It seems like everyone is rushing to bring out a convertible hardtop this year. The first one I ever saw was a couple years ago, when the Mercedes Benz 550 SLK came out. But that’s a $100,000 car, and it wasn’t until last winter that the Volvo C70 came out at about $40,000 – still on the high side for the average buyer. But now you can get a Mazda MX-5 Miata and a Pontiac G6 with the same kind of roof, and Volkswagen has just joined the parade with their all-new Eos. All these cars are under the magic $30,000 price point, and all should sell well.

But in this new and rapidly expanding segment, the Eos is special. The high end will always belong to Benz and its peers, and Volvo has a dedicated following as well. The MX-5 is a two-seater and aimed at a totally different market. That leaves the G6 as the only real competition for the Eos – and frankly, that’s no competition at all. Like too many General Motors products these days, the G6 feels flimsy and tinny and it’s underpowered. By contrast, the Eos is nothing short of amazing.