Modular Transverse Matrix (Modularer Querbaukasten) or MQB for short, is the name Volkswagen’s new paltform that will underpin various models from VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat.

Technical details of the system are catastrophically boring, but it results in a significant cost saving for VW group.The first cars to use this system are the successor to the Audi A3 and the next generation Golf, the Mk7

At the Volkswagen brand alone, it will cover Polo, Beetle, Golf, Scirocco, Jetta, Tiguan, Touran, Sharan, Passat and Volkswagen CC. MQB enables the manufacturer to practically build all these models on the same production line. They might differ in wheelbase and track width, but the flexibility of this technology makes it possible to produce all models together.

Within the Group, the MQB developed under the auspices of the Volkswagen brand is supplemented by the Modular Longitudinal System (MLB) from Audi, the Modular Standard System (MSB) with Porsche as the competence centre and finally the ‘New Small Family’ – the most compact vehicle model series with the Volkswagen up!, SEAT Mii and ŠKODA Citigo.

Now buckle up for some deep technical details. We tried to read it all, but we nodded off half way thorough!

One of the prominent characteristics of the Modular Transverse Matrix is the uniform mounting position of all engines. Two systems integrated in the MQB strategy which play a key role here are the modular petrol engine system (MOB) with the new EA211 engine series (60 to 150 PS) – this range includes the world’s first four-cylinder engine with cylinder deactivation (ACT) – and the modular diesel engine system (MDB) with the new EA288 engine series (90 to 190 PS). In one fell swoop, the new engine series will reduce the Group’s engine and gearbox variants in the MQB system by approximately 90 per cent, without a detrimental effect. On the contrary; in addition to standardising conventional internal combustion engines, the MQB also enables an identical mounting position for all current alternative drive concepts without limitations – from natural gas and hybrid versions to the pure electric drive. Volkswagen has already announced the launch of the latter within the MQB in 2013 in the new Golf Blue-e-Motion.

The MQB opens up new opportunities at the Volkswagen Group, allowing it to produce high-volume and niche models at the highest quality and extremely competitive costs over the long term and worldwide – vehicles that are individually tailored to the requirements of very diverse markets such as Europe, China and America, as well as emerging markets such as India. In parallel, the Volkswagen Group will significantly reduce vehicle weights with the launch of the first MQB model series and will introduce 20 innovations in the areas of safety and infotainment, which until now were reserved for higher vehicle segments.

They include the new multicollision brake; after an initial collision, it helps to reduce the intensity of secondary collisions by automatically initiated braking. Very recently, ADAC awarded this system the ‘Yellow Angel’ award for innovations. The multicollision brake will be standard equipment in the next generations of the Audi A3 and the Golf.

Right on schedule German tuner B&B come up with an upgrade package for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

Visually, there’s not much to it. You only get a set of 19 or 20-inch wheels and some stripes and graphics. It’s the engine lineup that’s been keeping the tuner busy.

Starting with the 1.4TSI engine, B&B fiddles with the ECU software and offers an upgrade from 160 hp to 210 hp & 285 Nm (136 lb-ft) or 225 hp & 310 Nm (228 lb-ft). The next stage includes using a better turbo system and sports exhaust system, for a total output of 240 hp & 340 Nm (251 lb-ft).

The 2.0 liter Turbo engine also receives a thorough upgrade program with no less than five stages. Through a series of ECU, turbocharger, intercooler and exhausts modifications, the standard 203 hp output is raised to 240 hp, 250 hp, 265 hp, 295 hp and 320 hp. The latter enables the car to hit 00 km/h from zero in 5.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h.

B&B also provides a high performance braking system.

A group of unidentified investors who backed Porsche in its VW takeover attempt back in 2008 are now suing the German automaker for damages they suffered from the failure.

Porsche itself has been suffering from the ramifications of its failed attempt since then, as they racked up more than 10 billion euros of debt and was forced to agree to combine with VW as a result.

And now this lot come along. Here’s their argument: “Porsche gained control over the price of VW common stock as it secretly built enormous derivative positions covering almost all of VW’s freely traded shares, then triggered a massive short squeeze, and finally released billions of euros worth of shares into the short squeeze for its own profit“

So they filed a lawsuit in the court of Stuttgart, seeking about 2 billion euros in damages.

Rueters has apparenlty identified the plaintiffs as Elliott Associates, L.P., Elliott International, L.P., The Liverpool Limited Partnership, Perry Partners L.P., Perry Partners International, Inc., DE Shaw Valence International Inc., and York Capital Management Europe (UK) Advisors, LLP.

Porsche’s only comment so far: “The accusations are not justified and we reject them“

Source: Autonews

Not sure exactly why, maybe for funsies, but MR Car Design has fitted a VW Caddy with a sophisticated air suspension system.

The system can adjust the ride height on both axles independently automatically or using a remote control. Some of the uses MR says can be imagined for this system is lowering the car in a few seconds for disabled people easy access, or keeping the car level while carrying heavy load.

To make the car look cooler when dropped, the tuner has also fitted it with Rotiform-alloy wheels (8.5 x 19 inches) with 225/35-19 tires.

Can’t wait to see what MR Car Design has in mind for the VW Amarok pickup truck!

The standard Golf GTI too boring for you? No problem. Schmidt Revolution has just the kit to spice things up a bit.

They start with the 200-hp engine and fit it with STO-chip tuning’s latest codes and algorithms, high performance air intake system, and some new exhausts with central 70-mm tailpipes like the Golf R32. That’ll do it for 275 hp max output.

This GTI also gets the R32 rear apron, and Schmidt revolution19-inch Gotham wheels (8,5 x19 inches front and 9×19 inches rear) with 225/35R19 Marangoni M-power tires on all four corers. The wheels are garnished with red detailing and clear outer lip.

Other features of this hotted-up GTI include front lip, side skirts, and an all-in-one Kenwood DNX520VBT  navigation system.

VW Cross Coupe was one of the most exciting cars revealed today at the Tokyo Motor Show. This four-door GT crossover might not look all that brilliant, but everything about it promises a very fun car. The powerful hybrid powertrain, 4×4 system, flexible interior, big wheels, low roof, it’s all very nice. We think Volkswagen should put this car into production. Watch some footage of the car in action after the jump.

Just out of the blue Volkswagen turned up at the Tokyo Motor Show with a new coupe crossover concept, called simply the Cross Coupe.

The plug-in hybrid coupe SUV thingy is the first VW to feature their new ‘modular transverse matrix’, whatever that is, and looks pretty much production ready. It seems like a sizeable machine in the pictures, but it is actually shorter than a Tiguan.

The car measures at 4,345 mm in length, with a width of 1,868 mm and height of 1,523 mm. But offers a 2,630 mm wheelbase which is 26 mm longer than the Tiguan.

The Cross Coupe is apparently a good off-roader as well, with short overhangs front and rear and high ground clearance. What’s more, front angle of approach is 24.2 degrees and at the rear 32.5 degrees, and it’s got a sophisticated all-wheel drive system with ‘electric drive shaft’.

The hybrid powertrain in this car consists of two electric motors (one front and one rear) which generate 40 kW / 180 Nm of torque and 85 kW / 270 Nm respectively, and a TSI direct injection turbo petrol engine. With a total output of 265 PS, the Cross Coupé can accelerate to 62 mph in just seven seconds and on to a top speed of 125 mph. Its EV range is about 40 km.

All around, a very nice package. But it’s not likely to give Range Rover Evoque any reasons to be worried.

With the great interest pickup enthusiasts showed to the Amarok, VW decided to expand its lineup with a new singlecab version.

Volkswagen calls this a “classic workhorse” referring to the car’s versatility and functionality for the tough conditions in industry, construction and agriculture. The heavy duty suspension enables a maximum load rating of up to 1.248 tonnes

The singlecab Amarok has a load bed that has been extended to 2,205 millimetres and is 65 cm longer than that of the double cab. To put that into perspective, VW sets an example: This pickup can easily accommodate two Euro pallets crosswise, one behind the other, leaving another 60 cm of bed length available.

Engine-wise, you get the 2.0-litre TDI engine with 90 kW / 122 PS and as bi-turbo with 120 kW / 163 PS, which can be had with rear wheel drive or selectable four-wheel drive 4MOTION with reduction gearing – both in connection with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The 122 PS version of Amarol averages 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres, which is equal to a CO2 output of 189 g/km. That is pretty good for a hardworking pickup.

Visually, you get a front bumper painted to match the colour of the vehicle, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels. The car can also be specified with navigation system. Pricing for the Amarok singlecab starts from 19,500 EURO for the rear-drive 122PS version in Germany.

The hotted-up VW Beetle R concept, revealed in Frankfurt earlier this year, will go into production after putting up a good show in Los Angeles.

Seeing as USA is the primary market for the new gen Beetle, VW officials are looking at the L.A. Autoshow audience for feedback. They say that’s the decider if the car make it into production or not.

Americans embraced the normal Beetle very well, so why wouldn’t they like a sporty version of the car with swollen arches, bigger air intakes and a wing at the back, especially as it has four tailpipes! The car’s interior is garnished with sports seats and aluminum accents.

So the car is almost certainly slated for production. That said, Autocar reports the final production version will look a bit more tamed than the R concept. It will still get the 260 hp 2.0 liter turbo engine out of Golf/Scirocco R.

Granted, those 16 won’t be as comfortable as they like. But it’s good to know in case of an emergency you can carry that many in such a tiny car!

In this publicity stunt Volkswagen stuffed sixteen of its employees inside an up! Apart from the two in the trunk, the other fourteen inside the cabin do not really seem to be having a good time.

They crammed four people on front seats, one sat on the dashboard, and seven on the back seats. It’s not an official record, but still pretty amazing for a car that is just 3.5 meters long.

These good people suffered from this trouble exercise to prove that you will be quite comfortable with the up! in day to day driving.

Volkswagen released pricing details of the new Beetle for the UK market as the order books open.

At launch, there will be two engines to choose from – a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission and a 1.4-litre 160 PS TSI with a six-speed manual gearbox – ad three trim levels of Beetle, Design and Sport. Three other engines – a 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion Technology 105 PS, 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS and 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS – will be joining the line-up later in 2012

Pricing starts £16,490at and first deliveries expected in spring 2012.

As for the equipments of each trim, standard Beetle comes with air conditioning, remote central locking, an RCD 310 CD system with DAB radio and rear Isofix seat preparation. The Design model comes with 17-inch alloy wheels in a choice of two styles, Bluetooth telephone preparation with MDI (multi-device interface) iPod connectivity, front fog lights, an alarm, an RCD 510 DAB CD/radio, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel and body-coloured door and dashboard panels.

The high-spec Sport offers 18-inch alloys in a choice of two styles, tinted glass, cruise control, sports seats, parking sensors, gloss black door mirrors, dashboard and door panel and 2Zone electronic climate control.

Optional extras include a kicking 400w audio system with a a subwoofer, and switchable three-colour illumination surrounding the front loudspeakers, Keyless Access, satellite navigation systems, a panoramic sunroof and bi-xenon headlights.

To increase the appeal of the little Polo, Volkswagen announced new R0Line packages for it.

The Exterior R-Line kit, priced from €1,450 on the Comfortline and €1,010 on Highline models, include a body kit consisting of a sporty grille in high-gloss black, R-Lie sporty bumpers with fog lamps at front and a big tailpipe and a diffuser at the back, as well as roof spoiler and side skirts.

It also comes with 16-inch Mallory wheels, while 17-inch rims are also available. You also get some R badges.

The R Plus package covers the interior and add items like leather sports seats with Alcantara or Kyalami, aluminum pedals and steering wheels badge, which is also leather-wrapped, side sills and chrome R badges, as well as black roof lining.

The R Pus package costs €855 on the Comfortline and €450 on the Highline model.

VW via WCF

The latest VW Touareg is a handsome SUV and it looks especially fine in widebody kits. JE Design has come up with a new one for it.

The kit is pretty substantial, but looks familiar to those who’ve seen other JE’s works. It’s got a sport front grille, revised bumpers, chin spoiler, fog lights, side skirts, flared arches, rear diffuser and four big tailpipes.

Also part of the package are the 22-inch alloy wheels which are pretty simple in design, yet very elegant.The suspension is also lowered by 35mm and that gives the car a killer side view as seen in the picture above.

For the interior, JE offers plenty of Alcantara in the same color as the exterior. This too is a very nice touch.

As for the engines, they upgrade the 340 hp 4.2-litre TDI V8 engine to 410 hp and an enormous 900 Nm of torque. Thanks to that the big Touareg can now accelerate form 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 269 km/h.

Volkswagen revealed a number of different concept cars based on the up! city car at this year’s IAA. But among them the Cross up! is most likely to make it into production as the five-door up!

For the five-door up! VW decided not jut add the rear doors, but to differentiate the car over the three-door version by giving it styling cues of an SUV, including suspension raised by 15 mm all round. The five-door looks chunkier than the three-door.

To mention other changes over the base car, front air intake is also modified, with a honeycomb grille that is distinctly larger, especially towards the bottom.

VW apparenlty wanted this car to really be a crossover kind of thing, because they’ve also fitted it with silver-coloured underbody protection at both ends, roof rails, and 16inch alloy wheels. So you don’t get the same car with just two extra doors, it is actually a whole new experience, more versatile and more functional than the three-door up!

Order books for the three-door up! will open in October with the first models arriving in the UK in spring 2012.  The five-door model will follow later in the year.

From 2012 Volkswagen will offer the Amarok pickup truck with an 8-speed automatic transmission option.

It’s not about showing off that car makers put more gears in their boxes anymore. These units have undeniable performance and economic advantages. In Amarok’s case, when combined with BlueMotion Technology it’ll deliver greater ride comfort and good off-road skills with a level of fuel consumption below that of the same model with a manual gearbox.

Equipped with permanent 4-wheel drive and a new132 kW / 180 PS 2.0-litre bi-turbo TDI engine, the 8-speed Amarok does 7.6 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km. The 8th gear was configured as a fuel-saving overdrive gear that operates at reduced engine speed.

Performance-wise, 0 to 100 km/h is irrelevant for a diesel-powered pickup truck. What you need is good in-gear acceleration, and the Amarok does 80 to 120 km/h in 8.5 seconds, and tops 179 km/h.

Also thanks to the automatic gearbox, the Amarok’s towing capacity has now been increased to 3.2 metric tonnes.

Today we featured a couple of good commercials, and this one is possibly the best of the lot! This very simple ad for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI delivers the message that you can cover such long distances on one tank that between the trips to the pumps you can learn a new language! When it comes to commercials, VW’s still got it.

Volkswagen unveiled the hotted up version of the new Beetle, in concept form, at Frankfurt Motor Show.

The high-performance Beetle R comes with a body kit featuring new bumpers at front and rear, rear diffuser and a tall rear wing, wider fenders, “Serious Grey” pain job, 20-inch “Talladega” alloy wheels, and blue brake callipers in R design. The wheels, and the design of the body kit on the whole, are inspired by VW’s Golf R and Scirocco R.

Inside the cabin you get motorsport shell seats in gray nubuck leather, upholstered in black Nappa leather, with R logos and space blue stitching. You also get Black High Gloss and aluminum accents ad trims for more sporty feeling.

No word on performance figures, but since this car is similar to the the R members of VW family, Golf and Scirocco, it should have 260+ hp.

Volkswagen really is not helping the new Beetle with the commercials and TV campaigns it’s planning. First they likened the car to a disgusting bug, then put it on Oprah, then in a Britney Spears music video, and now this high five commercial. Following this pattern you can’t help but think this car is for those who have no interest in their dignity.

We’re just playing! The Beetle’s alright. Check out the new commercial after the jump.

]]> http://www.motorward.com/2011/09/2012-vw-beetle-high-five-commercial/feed/ 3 http://www.motorward.com/2011/09/golf-gti-edition-35-on-sale-in-uk/ http://www.motorward.com/2011/09/golf-gti-edition-35-on-sale-in-uk/#comments Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:33:22 +0000 Arman Barari http://www.motorward.com/?p=25537

Edition 35 celebrates the 35th anniversary of the hot hatch daddy, Golf GTI. Volkswagen says it doesn’t mean the car is having a midlife crisis! Far from it actually…

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 235 PS (25 more than the standard GTI) and 300 Nm (221 lbs ft) of torque, the car is more alive and stronger than ever. Standstill to 62 mph takes 6.6 seconds and top speed is 153 mph, while the average fuel consumption remains a very reasonable 34.9 mpg on the combined economy cycle.

As for the unique features of this edition, bespoke exterior styling changes include a more sporty bodykit incorporating new side skirts and a revised front bumper which sits below bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.  Unique lightweight 18-inch ‘Watkins Glen’ alloy wheels, finished in ‘Dark Steel’ or – at no additional cost – silver, distinguish this model from the standard GTI, along with an Edition 35 badge on the front wing, gloss black door mirror casings, rear windows with 90 per cent tinted glass and rear tinted LED lights.

Golf GTI Edition 35 line-up with pricing

Turns out Audi Urban Concept is not the only weird thing at this year’s IAA, because Volkswagen is bringing this, the NILS concept.

Like the Audi, the NILS is a compact urban commuter powered by electricity and features a bubble cockpit, wing doors and free-standing wheels. Unlike the Audi two it can only carry one person, the driver. VW says it’s like a Formula 1 car with the driver in the middle and the engine at the back! Well, yea, but…

NILS is a very compact car that requires extremely little space in traffic.  It is only 3.04 metres long – making it about 50 cm shorter than the new Volkswagen up! – just 0.39 metres wide from wheel to wheel, and a mere 1.2 metres tall. The wheels are of size 17-inch, with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.

NILS is powered by electric motor with a reasonably small 15 kW nominal power and short-term peak power of 25 kW.  A lithium-ion battery supplies the electric motor with energy.  The battery capacity (5.3 kWh) enables driving ranges of up to 65 km, depending on the style of driving. Thanks to the lightweight of 460 kg, it has a top speed of 130 km/h, and can accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds.

There you go then, the future of urban commuting. Can ya’ll dig it?!

The instrument cluster is a seven-inch TFT display.  The vehicle’s speed is shown digitally in the middle, while energy flow is represented by bars.  Another graphic display offers information on the driving range.  The second central instrument is a mobile multifunctional device like the one used in the new up!: the Portable Infotainment Device (PID).  It is snapped into theA-pillar to the right of the instrument cluster.  Via touchscreen, the driver controls functions related to Navigation, Radio, Media, Telephone, Trip computer and – to preconfigure the driving range – ‘Eco.  The PID computes the expected driving range, then it not only displays the route on the map display, but also the radius and thereby the destinations that can be reached using the current battery charge.