Not to be outdone by Lamborghini's recent investment in an advanced composites lab at the University of Washington, Volkswagen has announced its own $5.75 million outlay to underwrite a new joint effort at Stanford University aimed at accelerating all types of automotive-related technologies. Officially...
Speaking at an industry gathering in Munich last week, Volkswagen AG CEO Martin Winterkorn confirmed that the automaker plans to introduce its first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) in 2013. The new car will be based on the firm's "New Small Family" platform that was originally displayed...
Volkswagen AG has confirmed that its new Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid model will be joining the U.S. lineup within the next 24 months. This gasoline-electric variant is set to launch in Europe next year when the mid-size Touareg undergoes it first revamp since being introduced in 2004. However, we're not...
The 2009 Dakar Rally was always going to be an event of destiny. Following its cancellation last year due to the potential for terrorist attacks at points along its traditional route through Africa, the event born as the Paris-Dakar in 1980 was transplanted to the wilds of Argentina and Chile for 2009...
One hybrid package and two 50-state diesels have been singled out for overall excellence in the 15th annual Top 10 Best Engines list compiled by the industry trade publication Ward's AutoWorld. The sole hybrid to make it is the gas/electric combination used in the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (and its...
Volkswagen grabbed one more accolade for its outstanding clean-diesel technology when the new Jetta TDI was named Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal. In presenting the award to Stefan Jacoby, Volkswagen of America's CEO, the magazine's publisher Ron Cogan noted that this mid-size...
The 41st running of the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 this weekend will open a new era in its grueling endurance competition when a pair of VW Touareg TDI Trophy Trucks introduces clean diesel to the powertrain technology mix. This environmentally-friendly off-road warrior will be driven by two veterans...
While confirming that there's a place for modern electric vehicles on the highways of tomorrow, Juergen Leohold, chief research officer at the Volkswagen Group recently told the DPA news agency in Wolfsburg not to expect too much market penetration anytime in the near future. Leohold noted that ongoing...