Hofele-Design Rocks the New Volkswagen Touareg II with Royal GT 470

And the train of Volkswagen Touareg tuners continues to grow. The latest to join the German SUV’s tuning fan club is Hofele-Design with its new Royal GT 470. The upgrade package is comprehensive and includes modifications to the exterior, interior as well as the chassis and the available V6 diesel.

The tuning shop’s aero kit comprises of a new front apron with integrated LEDs on both corners, matching wheel arch extensions, side skirts and a rear apron housing a diffuser and a choice of two different sets of exhaust tail pipe designs. A hood scoop, Hofele-Design’s bespoke front grille and 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels complete the changes.

Read more »

VW Premieres Sharan and Passat Variant Emergency Vehicles at the 2011 RETTmobil

After Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Volkswagen also revealed its dedicated lineup at the annual RETTmobil exhibition, which is dedicated to emergency and rescue vehicles. The Wolfsburg-based manufacturer premiered the Sharan and Passat Variant as emergency vehicles together with new features for its range of specialty cars. Read more »

Volkswagen Introduces New Accessories for the Touareg

Volkswagen has launched a new range of aftermarket accessories for the Touareg SUV. Among other features, there’s a new underbody protection kit for the front and the back of the Touareg. Available in a two-tone design (black and silver), the kit promises to protect the underbody of the SUV from solid objects as well as from heavy dirt. Buyers can also opt for wide plastic protections for the wheel arches which are available either in black or in the same color as the vehicle.

Read more »

Volkswagen Intros New R-Line Sport Package for Touareg SUV

Volkswagen Touareg shoppers now have one more box to tick on the options list as the German automaker has released the third and final R-Line package for the luxury SUV model, aptly called 'Exterior'. As its name suggests, the new package gives the Touareg a more aggressive appearance on the outside. It includes a bodykit with a front apron, chunky side skirts, a bespoke roof spoiler and a rear apron that incorporates a diffuser in a matte black finish with openings for the chrome tail pipes.

The exterior styling kit can be combined with the two other available packages, and in particular the standard R-Line, which includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a sports suspension, stainless steel door sill plates, a sports steering wheel with decorative inserts in piano black, stainless steel pedals and aluminum trim on the dashboard, and the R-Line Plus that adds sports seats in a two-tone leather finish.

The R-Line Exterior package is available on all models except the Hybrid, and in true VW-fashion, pricing depends on the engine option with the kit costing (in Germany) €1,840 when ordered on the V8 TDI and €2,200 on the V6 petrol model.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Volkswagen Brings Some Bling to Qatar with Touareg Gold Edition and Street-Legal Race Touareg Concepts

The Volkswagen Group's Qatar Motor Show rollout continues in full force today, as the German automaker lifted the veil off two all-new SUV concept cars bearing the Touareg nameplate. The Race Touareg 3 Qatar is a street legal version of the racecar that took part in this year’s Dakar competition, while the Touareg Gold Edition is a one-of-kind special decorated with 24-carat gold parts.

So, different cars for different needs, although we’re pretty sure that there are plenty of thrill seeking sheiks with a gold fetish out there interested in buying both, should the concepts ever make it into series production.

Powered by an unspecified 310HP engine, the Race Touareg 3 is a no compromise beast capable to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than six seconds, built with know-how acquired in one of the toughest rally races in the world.

To make it road legal, Volkswagen slightly modified the 2-meter wide body and replaced the competition model’s 16-inch wheels with more appealing 18-inch BBS alloys painted in gold. The same color is found on the “Race Touareg” inscription on the vehicle’s sides, while VW claims that the “Morning Magic” white paintjob also has a slight gold shimmer to it.

Inside, the only thing left untouched from the racecar is the safety cage. Everything else was completely redesigned, as the Germans were striving to create a so-called “stealth look”. True to its driving machine designation, the Race Touareg 3 comes with Recaro bucket seats, sporty steering wheel, digital instrument panel and a sequential gearbox. Many of these elements are dressed in high quality materials, such as carbon fiber and Nappa leather.

While the Race Touareg is all about performance, the 360HP Golden Edition redefines bling with its gold-plated 22-inch wheels, roof rails, protective guard strips, window frames, mirror caps, boot sill trim and parts of the fascia. The finishing touches are represented by the same “Magic Morning” body color and “Touareg V8” inscription.

The interior is an ode to opulence with most of the dials, switches and other elements receiving the 24-carat gold treatment, complemented by Walnut Burr accents and exquisite leather. The seats are wrapped in cream Nappa leather with ornamental stitching, while the dashboard is trimmed in contrasting, natural brown leather.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

VW wants to Expand its SUV Line-up, Plans to Triple U.S. Sales by 2018

Volkswagen hasn’t given up on its plans to become the world’s biggest automaker and for that it needs to sell more cars in the U.S. The Germans want to triple their American sales in the next seven years and one solution is to expand their SUV line-up in order to catch up to GM and Toyota.

“We will be looking to really grow, particularly in the compact SUV segment”, VW's U.S. chief Jonathan Browning told Bloomberg news. “Over time, I think there's also scope for growth in terms of a larger SUV within the portfolio”.

Volkswagen sold 20,946 Tiguans and 4,713 Touaregs in the U.S. last year, which is insignificant compared to the total of 3.3 million SUVs delivered in the country.

“VW is simply not a player in the American SUV segment”, said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. “Their models aren't being recognized as sufficiently competitive”.

The automaker is exploring other means to increase its sales as well, one of them being the all-new New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS), which is set to debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show.

The yet to be named model will be assembled at the company’s new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with deliveries programmed to start in the third quarter of 2011.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

VW wants to Expand its SUV Line-up, Plans to Triple U.S. Sales by 2018

Volkswagen hasn’t given up on its plans to become the world’s biggest automaker and for that it needs to sell more cars in the U.S. The Germans want to triple their American sales in the next seven years and one solution is to expand their SUV line-up in order to catch up to GM and Toyota.

“We will be looking to really grow, particularly in the compact SUV segment”, VW's U.S. chief Jonathan Browning told Bloomberg news. “Over time, I think there's also scope for growth in terms of a larger SUV within the portfolio”.

Volkswagen sold 20,946 Tiguans and 4,713 Touaregs in the U.S. last year, which is insignificant compared to the total of 3.3 million SUVs delivered in the country.

“VW is simply not a player in the American SUV segment”, said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. “Their models aren't being recognized as sufficiently competitive”.

The automaker is exploring other means to increase its sales as well, one of them being the all-new New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS), which is set to debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show.

The yet to be named model will be assembled at the company’s new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with deliveries programmed to start in the third quarter of 2011.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

ABT Sportsline Presents Discrete Tuning Package for 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

According to ABT, the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg should be tuned without diluting its distinct character. As a result, the Bavarian specialist concentrated on increasing the power of the German SUV, while keeping the exterior changes to a minimum.

“More power wouldn’t hurt with a car as diverse as this, but it was important for us that the tuning suited the characteristics of the Touareg”, the company’s general manager, Christian Abt, explained.

Tipping the scales at 2.5 tons, the Touareg is certainly no featherweight, so adding more power and torque to the mix is probably a good idea. Engineers developed the ABT Power kit for 3.0-liter diesel V6, which increases peak output from 240 hp to 282 hp. The second stage of the engine conversion is called Power S and delivers 310 hp.

Garnished with a similar power upgrade, the 4.2-liter V8 diesel also benefits from extra oomph, churning out 385 hp (+45 ponies) and an even more impressive 870 Nm (642 lb-ft) of mountain-moving torque (+70 Nm or 52 lb-ft).

As mentioned previously, exterior appointments are discrete as they are limited to a new front grille, rear wing and rear apron, alongside a 4-pipe exhaust system. ABT BR or CR wheels, which can be specified in various sizes up to 22 inches complete the finishing touch.

By Csaba Daradics

The new ABT Touareg – dates and facts
ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm, V6
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 282 PS/207 kW (standard: 240 PS/177 kW)
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm, V6
Performance tuning: ABT POWER S
Performance: 310 PS/228 kW (standard: 240 PS/177 kW)
Engine: 4.2 TDI, 4134 ccm, V8
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 385 PS/283 kW (standard: 340 PS/250 kW)
ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front grille
ABT rear spoiler
ABT rear skirt
ABT EXHAUST SYSTEM
ABT 4-pipe-exhaust-system
ABT SPORTS WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
ABT BR and CR up to 22 inch

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

ABT Sportsline Presents Discrete Tuning Package for 2011 Volkswagen Touareg

According to ABT, the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg should be tuned without diluting its distinct character. As a result, the Bavarian specialist concentrated on increasing the power of the German SUV, while keeping the exterior changes to a minimum.

“More power wouldn’t hurt with a car as diverse as this, but it was important for us that the tuning suited the characteristics of the Touareg”, the company’s general manager, Christian Abt, explained.

Tipping the scales at 2.5 tons, the Touareg is certainly no featherweight, so adding more power and torque to the mix is probably a good idea. Engineers developed the ABT Power kit for 3.0-liter diesel V6, which increases peak output from 240 hp to 282 hp. The second stage of the engine conversion is called Power S and delivers 310 hp.

Garnished with a similar power upgrade, the 4.2-liter V8 diesel also benefits from extra oomph, churning out 385 hp (+45 ponies) and an even more impressive 870 Nm (642 lb-ft) of mountain-moving torque (+70 Nm or 52 lb-ft).

As mentioned previously, exterior appointments are discrete as they are limited to a new front grille, rear wing and rear apron, alongside a 4-pipe exhaust system. ABT BR or CR wheels, which can be specified in various sizes up to 22 inches complete the finishing touch.

By Csaba Daradics

The new ABT Touareg – dates and facts
ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm, V6
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 282 PS/207 kW (standard: 240 PS/177 kW)
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm, V6
Performance tuning: ABT POWER S
Performance: 310 PS/228 kW (standard: 240 PS/177 kW)
Engine: 4.2 TDI, 4134 ccm, V8
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 385 PS/283 kW (standard: 340 PS/250 kW)
ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front grille
ABT rear spoiler
ABT rear skirt
ABT EXHAUST SYSTEM
ABT 4-pipe-exhaust-system
ABT SPORTS WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
ABT BR and CR up to 22 inch

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Volkswagen Service Personnel make use of Virtual X-Ray Vision Tech

At some point, every child would like to be a superhero with X-ray vision. Adults too, though they would use the ability for very different purposes... Until now, only a select few, like TSA personnel, have had the opportunity to see what’s it like to have superhuman vision.

Volkswagen is changing this by introducing the “Augmented Reality” technology designed to offer its service personnel a virtual X-ray-like view of the car. According to the automaker, employees will make use of this technology to improve their training and knowledge of the cars.

“Augmented Reality” utilizes a video-based positioning software to determine the position of the image projector and viewer in relation to the studied vehicle. That means that computer-generated details can be projected with extreme precision onto the car’s body, thus giving the onlooker the opportunity to study what’s under the sheetmetal without ever opening the bonnet.

“Three-dimensional design data is projected onto the surfaces of a production vehicle, in the correct position and in perspective even from different viewing angles. This creates a kind of 'virtual x-ray vision' for the viewer, which enables them to see otherwise hidden components and structures inside the vehicle” explained Prof. Jürgen Leohold, Head of Volkswagen Group Research.

The system also allows for individual components or component designations to be placed over or, if necessary, to project other prepared animations onto the vehicle.

This technology was first used on the Touareg Hybrid, shown in the gallery below, during training sessions for importer instructors and for service training on the new Sharan as well.

The new tgechnology was developed in-house by Volkswagen Group Research and Volkswagen Service Academy and its use is going to be extended in the near future for international training, vehicle development, production planning and even marketing.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________