Volkswagen has just announced its plans for an expanded use of electric and hybrid technologies beginning with the VW Touareg Hybrid.  The hybrid SUV will be introduced in Geneva, while the company readies a test run of 500 electric versions of the 2011 Volkswagen Golf.

The test fleet will pave the way for Volkswagen’s future, according to VW chairman Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn. “A hybrid version of the Jetta for the US market follows in [August] 2012. Starting in 2013, the E-UP goes into production,” Winterkorn said in a press release.

The hybrid Passat is expected to be launched in August 2013, while the Golf Hybrid is set for an October 2013…

A new teaser image of the 2011 Volkswagen Sharan has been posted up on VW’s German website a week before its scheduled unveiling in Geneva.

The all-new second-generation MPV has a front end design in compliance with VW’s current design paradigm as seen in VW’s newest models. The 2011 Sharan also appears to be riding on a new set of wheels.  Although it has not yet been confirmed, the MPV is likely to feature a third row bench and sliding rear doors.

Expected to be released on the market in July, the new Volkswagen Sharan currently however is not sold in North America. The Chrysler-based Town and Country named as the Routan…

Photos and details of the new 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI have been released. The fifth generation Polo GTI will be officially unveiled both as a three- and five-door at Geneva next month.

The 2011 Polo GTI uses both the twin-charged 1.4-liter TSI engine and seven-speed DSG transmission from the Seat Ibiza Cupra. With steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters on the GTI, the engine utilizes a supercharger from idle to 3,000 rpm at which point the turbocharger kicks in providing 180 PS (132 kW / 178 hp) at 6,200 rpm and 184 lbs ft (249 Nm) of torque from 2,000 rpm. The next-gen Polo GTI sprints from 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds before…

After General Motor’s announcement of its intent in making EV technology one of its core competencies late last month, Volkswagen now follows suit with its production and design of its electric vehicle drivetrains shifted in-house.

VW plans to design and build its electric vehicle drivetrains in-house, starting everything from electric motors to battery packs. The move could give VW a leg up on the competition and will give the German automaker more stability as it won’t have to rely on outside suppliers for major vehicle components.

As VW’s head of electric vehicles Karl-Thomas Neumann told Automotive News, “We are systematically taking the path leading to the electric vehicle.” The new strategy will…

An all-new, redesigned 2011 Toureg has been revealed by VW. Dubbed as the most technically innovative Volkswagen ever created, the Toureg had numerous modifications for a more improved efficiency and less emissions.

New design features for the 2011 Toureg include a new grille, a shapely profile and unique taillights. Other highlights list a standard 6.5 inch touchscreen, a 6-disc CD changer, an available GPS navigation system and a variety of wood trim.

Weighing 208 kilograms (459 pounds) less than its predecessor, the 2011 Touareg offers a choice of FSI, TDI, TSI, and Hybrid engines. Unfortunately, the V8 petrol, V10 TDI, and W12 engines are no longer offered. All the engines send power…

Volkswagen has announced that they will be setting up a new performance-oriented division for the company. The announcement was made at a European driving event for the Volkswagen Golf R.

Planned to compete with similar divisions at other automakers, an unnamed executive told Inside Line, “BMW has its M, Mercedes has AMG, and our sibling Audi has Quattro. This new R division will be our Quattro.”

R GmbH, a limited liability company, will be set up inside the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany.  In addition to representing the sportiest models in the VW range, it will be an expanded version of the VW Individual programme, which currently offers sporty add-on accessories and…

Photos of the new generation 2011 VW Toureg has been previously leaked out before the official debut of the said car model. The images show a scale replica of the vehicle with a revised fascia.

The boxy front fascia of the Toureg has been replaced with a rounder look and chrome accents. The front-end changes bring the vehicle more inline with the new design paradigm seen on some of the company’s most recent vehicles. The latest Toureg sports a windshield installed at a greater incline, leaning towards an available dual-pane sunroof.

The 2011 Toureg will probably get TSI and TDI engines, as well as a 240-horsepower 3.0 liter diesel, and a 290-horsepower…

The Volkswagen Polo Dragster—tweaked by AME Racing—elicited booming applause, whistles and cheers as it sped through a 9.398 quarter mile at 238 km/h.

The Polo Dragster was fitted with a 1,032 horsepower turbocharged 1.9-liter 16V engine from AME Racing. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the engine produces up to 702 ft.lb (950 Nm) of torque. The car accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.3 seconds before reaching its alleged top speed of nearly 300 km/h (186.4 mph).

The feat took place over the summer at the Euro Speedway Lausitz in Schipkau, Germany.

A new R-Line equipment package has been released by Volkswagen for the Passat. The package, which will not include any mechanical tuning, will give the Passat a race-inspired look by adding to it some nice equipment.

The R-Line package will include a new body-colored front spoiler with fog lights, and matching side skirts. The rear lights will get smoked coverings. Also added are 17-inch Mallory alloys wrapped in 235/45 tires. Eighteen-inch wheels are also available.

A three-spoke, multifunction, leather-wrapped steering wheel is also added, as well as alulminum tread plates and park assist.

The new Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line with the six-manual Passat CC 2.0 TDI will start at €2,200.

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Volkswagen is launching a new special edition of their Tiguan: the Tiguan Track & Avenue. The new Tiguan is designed to appeal to customers who want a luxurious yet strong-looking SUV.

The exterior modifications begin with the 25-degree front end, with an off-road styling, that now includes Bi-Xenon headlights and fog lights.  The diffuser, now in silver, looks to match the same colored trim on the doors.  Riding on 19-inch Savannah alloys, the vehicle itself is available in Oryx White Pearl Effect or Island Grey Pearl Effect.

The interior features sport seats lined in ultra-soft leather. The same leather is used for the door inserts. Driver and passengers should stay entertained by…

Volkswagen announces the Final Editions of the New Beetle and the New Convertible. The announcement marks the last of Volkswagen’s current generation of the iconic models.

The Final Editions acquires an exclusive Aquarius Blue paint with a black-painted roof on the coupe, and a two-tone Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint scheme with a white top on the convertible. Both Editions will also sport individually numbered steering wheels and badges outside. Both the coupe and the convertible will have a full sport suspension and special 17-inch wheels.

The Final Editions both will be fitted with a 2.5 Liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, the engine…

Images of the 2011 Volkswagen Amarok have been released Tuesday morning, two weeks ahead of its official debut. The 2011 Amarok resembles the Volkswagen’s Concept Pickup that was launched a year ago, but it chose a conventional body-on-frame construction with separate cab and box sections instead of the Ridgeline-like integrated body.

The 2.0 Liter common rail injection diesel motor delivers 163 horsepower and 295 pound feet of torque. After a few months after the launch, a more economical version with 122 horsepower and 250 pound feet will be added to the lineup. A choice between AWD and RWD will also be available to the customers. In the AWD, power is split…

The Volkswagen’s new compact sedan has been seen sneaking through the European countryside. Internally known as the New Compact Sedan (NCS), the updated Jetta will be based on the fifth-generation Jetta platform.

The new Jetta units will likely be produced at the Puebla, Mexico plant of Volkswagen.

The car manufacturer also aims to sell 160,000 units of the new Jetta annually, hoping that some of the Corolla and Civic buyers will be swayed to convert to the new Jetta with its lower bas price.

The new Jetta is said to measure slightly longer and wider than its predecessor. An all-wheel drive option may also be offered for the sedan. As to the engine,…