Tag: VW

Volkswagen I.D. Countdown: e-Hatchback Confirmed For Late-2019 Production Start

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Volkswagen To Bring the I.D. Crozz-Based Production Model to the U.S. in 20202 VW Arteon Takes on C-Class and Alfa Giulia in Weird Comparison3 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Gets R-Line Body Kit in America4 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Gets Dark Teaser Ahead of NAIAS Debut5 Golf GTI Safety Features Used to Stop Criminals in Weird French Commercial
Up next

Elon Musk Is Sending his Tesla Roadster to Mars Because He Can

Volkswagen I.D. Countdown: e-Hatchback Confirmed For Late-2019 Production Start

4 Dec 2017, 12:02 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

The Modularer Elektrobaukasten is a huge leap forward for the Volkswagen Group, probably bigger than the MQB is for the current crop of front-engine, front- and all-wheel-drive models. Shortened to MEB, the modular platform will enter production at the end of 2019 at the Zwickau plant in Germany, with the first electric vehicle of the I.D. family.
81 photosThe countdown started today at the MEB Supplier Summit, with Volkswagen confirming that more than 100 suppliers have been nominated within the framework of the electric offensive. Coincidence or not, 100 weeks are left until VW AG embraces e-mobility at full speed.
In addition to the I.D. hatchback, previewed by the Golf-sized concept of the same name, the Elektrobaukasten will be employed by an additional 31 models from Audi, Skoda, SEAT, and other group-owned brands. “Volkswagen brand alone will be offering more than 20 all-electric models by 2022 and will be investing about €6 billion in e-mobility over the next five years,” declared head honcho Herbert Diess.
Following the I.D. hatchback, the MEB-based Volkswagen lineup will welcome the I.D. Buzz (electric Microbus) and I.D. Crozz (electric crossover). The Wolfsburg-based automaker expects to have built more than 100,000 MEB vehicles by the closure of 2020. The secret to this output is the reduced complexity of the platform and the modularity, with Elektrobaukasten capable of front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive applications.
“We intend to work together [with our suppliers] to ensure that Europe is ahead in the global race to the lead in e-mobility,” added Diess, a strategy that “will enable us to write a new chapter in the history of the automobile.” Reading between the lines, this claim is a subtle middle finger salute to Elon Musk’s endless boasting and Tesla’s failure to ramp up Model 3 production.
As part of today’s announcement, Volkswagen confirmed that MEB electric vehicles will make their way to the United States and China from 2020 onwards.

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Who's Your Number One?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

VOLKSWAGEN models:VOLKSWAGEN up! 5 doors MiniVOLKSWAGEN up! 3 doors MiniVOLKSWAGEN up! GTI MiniVOLKSWAGEN Jetta CompactVOLKSWAGEN Polo GTI CompactAll VOLKSWAGEN models

Volkswagen Production Milestone: 6 Million Vehicles Manufactured In One Year

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Volkswagen Passat Facelift Coming in 2018 With Arteon Styling2 Doug DeMuro Reviews a Phaeton, the $120,000 Volkswagen3 2019 Volkswagen Touareg Revealed in Full by Latest Spy Photos4 2018 VW Golf GTI Vs. 2016 VW Golf GTI Track Test Has an Unexpected Conclusion5 2018 Volkswagen Touareg Reportedly Set For Debut In April
Up next

At Least Three Powertrains Are Considered For The Porsche Mission E

Volkswagen Production Milestone: 6 Million Vehicles Manufactured In One Year

30 Dec 2017, 12:43 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

The Volkswagen Group is the world’s largest automaker by sales volume, delivering 10.3 million vehicles in 2016. Production, as expected, is another area where the Wolfsburg-based company is at the top of its game.
10 photosWith a few days to go until 2017 turns to 2018, the Volkswagen brand (not group) announced that it had produced six million vehicles in the current calendar year. It’s a production record made possible by 50-plus plants located in 14 countries, and a product portfolio of 60-plus models.

“More than six million vehicles produced in 12 months – there is one thing that this shows above all: our plants and employees are continually improving their production competence. We have top teams in production which successfully master growing demand from customers,” declared Thomas Ulbrich, whose role is that of Member of the Board of Management of the German brand responsible for Production & Logistics.
Volkswagen highlights that the models which made the production record possible are the Jetta, followed by the Golf, Santana, Passat, and Polo. These are all nameplates with tradition for the brand, though newcomers also had a say in the result, especially the Tiguan, T-Roc, and the Arteon.
This year’s result brings the total number of Volkswagen vehicles produced to more than 150 million since the first-ever Bettle rolled off the line 72 years ago. And thanks to the Transform 2025+ strategy, the German automaker is planning even bigger things in the immediate future.
In the first phase of the plan, Volkswagen intends to strengthen its presence in the sport utility vehicle and crossover segments by introducing 19 new models by 2020. The second phase, meanwhile, will see the brand go on the electric offensive with the I.D. family of models. Underpinned by the MEB vehicle architecture, three models are already confirmed for launch in the first instance: the I.D. hatchback, I.D. Crozz crossover, and I.D. Buzz van.

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

Who's Your Number One?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

VOLKSWAGEN models:VOLKSWAGEN up! 5 doors MiniVOLKSWAGEN up! 3 doors MiniVOLKSWAGEN up! GTI MiniVOLKSWAGEN Jetta CompactVOLKSWAGEN Polo GTI CompactAll VOLKSWAGEN models

Toyota And Mazda Choose Huntsville, Alabama For U.S. Factory

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Aston Martin Returns To Newport Pagnell With DB4 GT Continuation2 Volkswagen Production Milestone: 6 Million Vehicles Manufactured In One Year3 This Is The Welding Line Where The U.S.-spec 2019 Ford Ranger Will Be Made4 Ford Ramps Up Fiesta Production To Meet Strong Demand In Europe5 Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand
Up next

Harley-Davidson Applies For Two More Model Trademarks

Toyota And Mazda Choose Huntsville, Alabama For U.S. Factory

10 Jan 2018, 19:31 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

A whopping $1.6 billion. That’s how much Toyota and Mazda will invest in setting up a production plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Announced in May 2016, the U.S.-based joint factory will open its doors in 2021 and will see up to 4,000 workers churn out up to 300,000 vehicles per year.
50 photosLocated approximately 150 miles from the Tuscaloosa site operated by Mercedes-Benz and 15 miles from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc., the Huntsville facility is described by both parties as a “mutually beneficial long-term partnership.” What that means is, Toyota will acquire 5.05 percent of Mazda, whilst Mazda will get 0.25 percent.
Toyota’s 11th manufacturing plant in the United States, and the second in Alabama, will welcome the next generation of the Toyota Corolla to its assembly line. Mazda, meanwhile, announced that it’s working with the North American office “to introduce a totally new and different type of SUV,” a damn cryptic choice of words if you think about it for a minute.
The State of Alabama is, at the present moment, the 5th largest manufacturer of cars of light trucks in the U.S. of A. More than 150 tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers are supporting the industry, translating to something in the ballpark of 57,000 automotive manufacturing jobs in the Cotton State.
“The partnership between Mazda and Toyota will expand innovative automotive manufacturing in Alabama,” said governor Kay Ivey. “Their decision to locate this new facility in Huntsville is a testament to the talented workforce in our state. We are proud that this partnership puts Alabama on the forefront of technology in this dynamic global industry.”
Other than the new production plant, Mazda and Toyota are joined at the hip. First there’s electrification technology the two will share, then there’s the rotary extender engine, but that’s not all. If the wildest of rumors are to be believed, the next-generation Mazda6 is expected to go rear-wheel-drive thanks to the Toyota-developed FR platform. The same backbone is anticipated to help the RX-9 rotary sports car happen.

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Who's Your Number One?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

TOYOTA models:TOYOTA Avalon LargeTOYOTA Prius c CompactTOYOTA Land Cruiser 150 Medium SUVTOYOTA Sequoia Large SUVTOYOTA Auris Touring CompactAll TOYOTA models

2018 Lamborghini Urus Partially Revealed On The Assembly Line

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Lamborghini Urus Sounds AMG-Like on the Road in Latest Spy Video2 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Drops First 1/4-Mile Run3 Vandalized Lamborghini Aventador “Cheater” Wrap Is Pure Genius4 Chrome Red Lamborghini Aventador S Turns Matte Purple in Amazing Wrap Swap5 UPDATE: Random Guy Jumps On Lamborghini Aventador SV in San Francisco
Up next

Base-Spec Koenigsegg Regera Rendered as The Poor Man's Hypercar

2018 Lamborghini Urus Partially Revealed On The Assembly Line

18 Oct 2017, 11:46 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

The House of the Raging Bull is proud of its ongoing strategic investment program, which sees the Sant’Agata Bolognese facility expand from 80,000 to 160,000 square meters. Without beating around the bush, most of the money was poured into an all-new factory, which will handle production of the Urus.
17 photosIn fact, pilot production is already underway, with the following video teasing many bits and bobs of the “Super SUV” that will likely take the Nurburgring record from the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. And the bottom line is, Lamborghini intends to double its production output to 7,000 vehicles per year.
Other than the all-new assembly line, finishing department, and office building, the investment also brings worth an all-new test track with thirteen different surfaces specific to sport utility vehicles. Dubbed Manifattura Lamborghini, the Urus-building factory and its annexes were completed in 18 months. And as expected, the facility relies heavily on robots and automation.
The line that handles Urus production is called Industry 4.0 and is dedicated to the SUV that shares its underpinnings with the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and Bentley Bentayga. From the video of the Manifattura Lamborghini, it’s easy to spot at least three unfinished Urus vehicles. The one on the assembly line features carbon ceramic brakes, which is a must in a hefty sport utility vehicle.
The clip further treats us to the design of the five-spoke alloy wheels and the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 developed by Porsche, as well as the side profile and front fascia of the Urus. It’s no LM002, but according to Lamborghini, the technology built into the Urus makes it properly capable in off-road scenarios.
Packing at least 650 horsepower and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Urus will be followed by a plug-in hybrid model in the near future. As a brief refresher, the Italian automaker will take the veils off the all-new SUV on December 4 at the Sant’Agata Bolognese site.

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Who's Your Number One?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

LAMBORGHINI models:LAMBORGHINI Urus Medium SUVLAMBORGHINI Aventador S Roadster ExoticLAMBORGHINI Huracan Performante ExoticLAMBORGHINI Huracan LP 580-2 Spyder (RWD) ExoticLAMBORGHINI Huracan LP 580-2 (RWD) ExoticAll LAMBORGHINI models

U.S.-spec 2018 Nissan Leaf Starts Production In Smyrna, Tennessee

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Infiniti EV Geared Toward Performance Coming To 2018 Detroit Motor Show2 Official: 2018 Nissan Leaf 60 kWh Range Will Be Better Than 225 Miles
Up next

Plug-In Hybrid Porsche 911 Coming by 2024, CEO Confirms

U.S.-spec 2018 Nissan Leaf Starts Production In Smyrna, Tennessee

6 Dec 2017, 0:13 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

Also assembled in Japan and the United Kingdom, the Nissan Leaf has re-started production at the Smyrna, Tennessee plant in the United States. The cars assembled there which will serve the U.S. public in the market for an affordable electric vehicle.
13 photos”We're committed to vehicle electrification and manufacturing in the United States,” commented Jeff Younginer, the vice president of manufacturing at Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant. “With the Leaf's low starting price and latest suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, we're excited to ramp up production and bring the Leaf to market next month.”
Pricing information of the second-generation Leaf in U.S. specification has been announcedt, with the new kid on the block offering more than 150 miles of range for $29,990. The 2017 model, which is still available on dealer lots, starts from $30,680 and offers as many as 107 miles of range.
The world’s best-selling electric vehicle is more capable thanks to many improvements to the platform and battery, with the latter now offering a capacity of 40 kWh. Next year, Nissan will sweeten the deal with a 60 kWh battery, translating to a driving range of more than 225 miles according to executive VP of global sales and marketing Daniele Schillaci.
Nissan’s second-generation Leaf is off to a fantastic start, with the all-electric model accumulating more than 23,000 orders on a global level in its first month of availability. Japan was the first market to open the order books on October 2, and it’s responsible for 19k of all first-month orders.
As part of the Alliance 2022 business plan, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi trio plans to launch no less than 12 electric vehicles that will utilize common platforms and components. In addition to this eco-friendly promise, Nissan and the gang will introduce 40 vehicles with autonomous drive technology, even though ProPilot is still far from Level 5 autonomy.
The Leaf hatchback and Rogue utility vehicle both offer ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s most advanced semi-autonomous driving system to date.
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Who's Your Number One?
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

NISSAN models:NISSAN Kicks CrossoverNISSAN Leaf CompactNISSAN Micra 5 Doors MiniNISSAN Rogue Small SUVNISSAN X-Trail CrossoverAll NISSAN models

2019 BMW X5 (G05) Coming Next Summer, Launching In Q3 2018

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 2019 BMW M2 Competition Battles Porsches and AMGs on the Nurburgring2 2018 BMW i8 Roadster Teased Once More Ahead Of L.A. Premiere3 Is the BMW M550i xDrive Faster than a Lexus GS F?4 2019 BMW X3 M Storms Nurburgring, Debut Imminent
Up next

Florida Skateboarder Jumps on Audi R8 V10 Plus, Misses the Landing

2019 BMW X5 (G05) Coming Next Summer, Launching In Q3 2018

14 Nov 2017, 10:11 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

The X5 is one of the most successful members of the BMW lineup, with the mid-size sport utility vehicle being popular in Europe and the United States alike. Now in its third generation, the X5 prepares to make way for the fourth-generation model in the guise of the G05 X5. According to the latest reports, the newcomer should be presented in the summer of 2018.
31 photosWhat that means is, the F15 X5 won’t live to see the Life Cycle Impulse. And in turn, what that means is that the F15 X5 boasts one of the fastest turnarounds in recent memory for the BMW Group. But then again, it’d be foolish for the Bavarian automaker to milk out the current model as the X3 got overhauled from the ground up and the X7 is right around the corner. The question is, what is there to expect from the G05 X5?
First things first, the modular platform BMW calls CLAR serves as the backbone of the mid-size SUV. Wider and longer than the F15, the G05 will drop a few pounds compared to its predecessor, thus helping with both gas mileage and handling. Engine-wise, nothing much will change from the current model when it comes to the number of cylinders and number of gears in the ZF-sourced transmission. From a four-cylinder turbo displacing 2.0 liters in the xDrive40e plug-in hybrid to the 4.4L twin-turbo V8 in the X5 M, diversity is the name of the game.
From a design standpoint, the G05 X5 borrows styling from the latest-generation X3 and the Concept X7 iPerformance. The upright fascia is complemented by larger kidney grilles, while the roofline and quarter panels at the rear give the next-gen X5 a more hunkered-down stance.
BMW is already testing pre-production prototypes of the G05 at the Nurburgring and on the public roads, so here’s hope the newcomer touches down in the summer of 2018. According to BMW Blog, the current-generation X5 is scheduled to end production at the Spartanburg plant “in July 2018.”

Who's Your Number One?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

BMW models:BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (F45) CompactBMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) CompactBMW i8 Roadster Roadster & ConvertibleBMW i8 CoupeBMW M3 CS (F80) MediumAll BMW models

Volkswagen Pulls The Plug On The Scirocco, Mk4 Reportedly In The Offing As An EV

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Is the 2018 Volkswagen Arteon Having a Slice of the Audi A5 Sportback's Pie?2 2018 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Will Be DSG-Only in Its Last Model Year3 Golf R With RS3 2.5-Liter Engine Runs 10s Quarter-Mile4 Scirocco VLN Nurburgring Near-Crash Is a Thing of Beauty and Luck5 Volkswagen Will Stop Making the Golf in Mexico in 2019
Up next

Gorgeous Black Porsche 911 R with Red Stripes Is Up For Grabs

Volkswagen Pulls The Plug On The Scirocco, Mk4 Reportedly In The Offing As An EV

15 Oct 2017, 8:34 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

Previewed by the IROC Concept in 2006, the Scirocco is officially dead. Produced in Portugal since 2008, the sports compact hatchback had it coming for a long time now. So what gives?
25 photosWell, bear in mind the Scirocco shares the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform with the fifth-generation Golf. And as a brief refresher, the Golf Mk5 entered production in 2004, so yeah, the underpinnings are obviously old. But that’s not all there is to the downfall of the Scirocco Mk3. Far from it, in fact.
The Scirocco R may be the crowning achievement of the range, but in comparison to the Golf R, the go-faster model didn’t feature 4Motion all-wheel-drive. With 276 hp (280 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) sent to the front wheels, you can bet your sweet bippy it’s hard to push the R to its limits.
Volkswagen didn’t offer a formal announcement about the Scirocco’s demise, though confirmation comes from the German configurator of the 3-door hatchback. “The Scirocco can no longer be ordered with individual equipment. However, finished vehicles are available for you,” and that’s basically that.
Volkswagen offers the remaining Scirocco inventory in three trim levels, with prices starting at 24,950 euros for the entry-level specification. Der Scirocco “Sound” is 28,250 euros, while the range-topping Scirocco GTS is 31,825 euros. That’s right, ladies and gents, the most powerful Scirocco currently on sale has 220 ponies to play with, which is 10 less than the Golf GTI offers.
To make matters worse, the Golf GTI is €2k cheaper than the Scirocco GTS. Particularly in an SUV-driven market, the Scirocco didn’t make sense anymore from a commercial standpoint, especially if you consider how capable the Golf 7.5 is in GTI and R specifications. And on that sad, sad note, all is not lost.
Reports in the motoring media suggest Volkswagen might be interested in bringing back the Scirocco at some point in the future, riding on the MEB platform. With an all-electric powertrain, the Scirocco Mk4 is expected to be offered in two configurations. The entry-level model will reportedly make use of a 170-PS electric motor, while the Scirocco R is supposed to get a twin-motor powertrain rated at 300 PS. Word has it the Scirocco EV will offer 200 miles at the least (322 kilometers), 375 miles tops (604 kilometers).

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Who's Your Number One?
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

VOLKSWAGEN models:VOLKSWAGEN up! 5 doors MiniVOLKSWAGEN up! 3 doors MiniVOLKSWAGEN up! GTI MiniVOLKSWAGEN Jetta CompactVOLKSWAGEN Polo GTI CompactAll VOLKSWAGEN models

BMW i3 Production Hits 100,000 Units, i8 Roadster To Be Made In Leipzig

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 750 HP BMW M5 vs. McLaren 570S Drag Race Is Confusing2 BMW F90 M5 Chosen As 2018 MotoGP Safety Car, Previews M5 M Performance Parts3 BMW i8 vs. Audi R8 Spyder: Two Different Supercars That Get Under Your Skin4 2019 BMW X4 M40i Spied Near The Nurburgring, To Offer More Rear Headroom5 2018 BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer Facelift Spied Up Close and Personal
Up next

Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Teases McLaren F1-Clone Cockpit for Its Supercar

BMW i3 Production Hits 100,000 Units, i8 Roadster To Be Made In Leipzig

30 Oct 2017, 14:15 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

Inaugurated in 2010, the Leipzig plant in Germany is where BMW manufactures the i3 and i8. The former celebrates a production milestone after the 100,000th i3 rolled off the assembly line, while the i8 family will usher in the Roadster in 2018. And similar to the coupe, it will also be built in Leipzig.
85 photosThese announcements were made by plant director Hans-Peter Kemser and chairman of the Board of Management, Harald Kruger, as the launch of the BMW Battery Storage Farm. Essentially a storage unit comprised of 700 batteries sourced from used i3s, the eco-friendly setup is connected to the plant’s wind turbines, and it’s integrated with the public power grid of Saxony.
Moving back to cars, the i3 is currently produced at a rate of approximately 120 vehicles per day. In regard to production, the number of i3s manufactured in 2016 totals 26,631, sensibly more than the 2,783 i8s built in the same period. The ratio will likely soldier on in 2018, when the i8 Roadster will be added to the range, breathing new life into the brand’s plug-in hybrid flagship.
According to Kruger, BMW will offer no less than 25 models with electrified drivetrains by 2025, including the long-anticipated i5 and the iNext. “With BMW i as our spearhead, we intend to remain the leading premium supplier of electro-mobility going forward,” declared the official. Speaking of electro-mobility going forward, the 530e iPerformance is the first BMW to be offered with wireless charging capability, a feature that’ll become available next year.
While the i8 Roadster is too expensive for the reach of mere mortals who want to go green, the i3 is more than adequate for those in the market for a premium-oriented EV and range-extended electric vehicle. According to an undisclosed tipster, the i3 will receive a battery upgrade sometime in 2018, which is expected to offer 42.5 kWh capacity and a much-needed boost in driving range.

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Who's Your Number One?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

BMW models:BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (F45) CompactBMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) CompactBMW i8 Roadster Roadster & ConvertibleBMW i8 CoupeBMW M3 CS (F80) MediumAll BMW models

Skoda Expands Karoq Production To Second Plant

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Skoda Fabia Geneva Debut Teased by Official Sketch2 Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI Doing 4×4 Snow Drifts Is Just Weird3 Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 HP Acceleration Test: Slightly Faster Than Claimed4 Skoda Fabia WRC Special Editon Has Green Wheels and 1.4 Turbo5 Skoda Remembers 1100 OHC Racing Car On Its 60th Birthday
Up next

Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 911 GT3 RS Has 918 Spyder Liquid Metal Chrome Blue Hue

Skoda Expands Karoq Production To Second Plant

23 Jan 2018, 9:57 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

Mlada Boleslav may be the stomping ground of Skoda, but the Karoq’s place of origin is Kvasiny. But as demand for the compact-sized crossover keeps on growing, the automaker sees fit to add the all-new Karoq to the Mlada Boleslav plant too, effective January 2018.
33 photos“We are proud to have established Mlada Boleslav – beside Kvasiny – as a further production site for the Karoq in the Czech Republic,” declared Michael Oeljeklaus, board member for production and logistics at Skoda Auto. “The high demand for our SUV models underlines the fact that we have launched the right vehicles at the right time.”
When all is said and done, the Karoq is more appealing than the Yeti it replaces, whichever way you look at it. With pricing from less than €20,000 for the front-wheel-drive model with a manual transmission and the 115-horsepower 1.0 TSI, the newcomer bridges the gap between the best-selling Octavia and Kodiaq. A smaller crossover (subcompact in size), based on the SEAT Arona, will be added to the lineup in 2019.
To keep up with demand, Skoda poured lots of money into Mlada Boleslav to sustain production. On full song, the factory is capable of producing 320 examples of the Karoq on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is, no other Skoda except for the Karoq is made in two Czech plants, and that’s saying something about the model’s commercial success.
In addition to value for money and ample space, the Karoq is gifted with Kodiaq-infused styling and the dynamic capabilities of Volkswagen’s MQB platform. Customers who want the best Skoda can offer are offered optional extras that include LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, a fully customizable digital instrument cluster, and the seven-speed DSG gearbox.
At the present moment, the most powerful Karoq is the 1.5 TSI and 2.0 TDI, both rated at 110 kW. Research and development head Christian Strube is advocating for a hotter Karoq, though it remains to be seen if the higher-ups will give him the go-ahead for the RS.

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

Who's Your Number One?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

SKODA models:SKODA Karoq Small SUVSKODA Citigo 3 doors MiniSKODA Citigo 5 doors MiniSKODA Octavia Combi RS MediumSKODA Octavia Combi 4×4 MediumAll SKODA models

BMW M8 Confirmed For Debut In 2018, EV Offensive Goes Crazy

autoevolution

cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green

Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms

Masthead
RSS Feeds

More on this:1 Audi RS3 Vs. BMW M2 Is an Uneven Drag Race with Even Results2 Spyshots: 2019 BMW 8 Series Shows More Skin, Prototype Has Imposing Stance3 It's Fast, But Has the 2018 BMW M5 Lost Its Character?4 2018 BMW M550d xDrive (G30) Is a Fast Quad-Turbo Diesel in POV Test Drive5 Carbon Fiber Rocket Bunny E46 BMW M3 Is Another Kind of Restomod
Up next

2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Daily Driver Is a Dusty Devil

BMW M8 Confirmed For Debut In 2018, EV Offensive Goes Crazy

6 Dec 2017, 15:18 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

When BMW took the veils off the Concept 8 Series, a few jaws dropped for at least two reasons. One of them is the return of the 8 Series, and the other is the get-up-and-go the M8 promises from the 4.4-liter V8 engine.
17 photosExpected to develop more suck-squeeze-bang-blow than the 600-horsepower S63B44T4 in the F90 M5, the twin-turbo eight-cylinder plant will give the German automaker’s flagship the performance one would expect from a luxurious grand tourer with sporting credentials.
So when will we get to see the M8 doing its best to fend off the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe (and Cabriolet)? According to Harald Kruger, the chairman of the board of management at BMW, sometime next year production of the all-new 8 Series Coupe and M8 will kick off at the automaker’s Dingolfing plant in Germany.
Kruger also confirmed the X7 for 2018, the company's largest sport utility vehicle to date. “These are our goals for the luxury class,” further added the official, referring to “a higher segment share. A significant increase in sales and revenues.”
BMW also has big plans for the i brand, with the iX3 already confirmed on a previous occasion. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s Kruger again: “We have not only secured the naming rights for BMW i – from i1 to i9. We also hold the rights for BMW X – from iX1 to iX9.”

If that sounds like overkill, it probably is. But when you think about it, securing your intellectual property is the safest thing to do as an automaker, even if some of those models are far off from production reality. The i9, iX8, iX9, all three of them serve as perfect cases in point.
The strategic focus for the BMW Group is electrification, with the Bavarian automaker expecting to deliver its 100,000th electrified vehicle before Christmas, adding to a figure that totals close to 200,000 cars. By 2025, BMW will offer 25 electrified models, of which 12 are all-electric vehicles.

Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed

New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends

German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America

On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing

Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History

Who's Your Number One?
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1

Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century

BMW models:BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (F45) CompactBMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) CompactBMW i8 Roadster Roadster & ConvertibleBMW i8 CoupeBMW M3 CS (F80) MediumAll BMW models