Listen to this article In March 2021, Volkswagen was eager to announce that the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, and Passat would all get next-generation models . That statement might have been a bit premature in the case of the compact hatchback/wagon duo as the company's newly appointed CEO remains cautious about the Golf's future. In an interview with the German paper Welt , Thomas Schäfer said a decision about developing a ninth-generation model has not been taken yet. Skoda's former head honcho took the reins of the VW core brand on April 1 this year and is questioning the Golf's future because of increasing costs with the development of cars equipped with combustion engines. Euro 7 regulations are expected to arrive in the coming years, and these will drive up the prices of an ICE-powered car by €3,000 to €5,000, according to Schäfer. He went on to say the end is nigh for €10,000 cars in Europe because making combustion engines comply with the stricter legislation regarding … [Read more...] about VW Golf 9 In Doubt Due To Rising Costs With Development Of ICE Cars
Volkswagen
VW Golf R With 600-HP Five-Cylinder Engine Sounds Like Group B Heaven
Listen to this article Close your eyes for a moment. Not now, obviously, but after you read this article. Click play on the above video before you do, and imagine yourself at one of the chilly stages of the 1984 Rallye Monte Carlo. The sound of a ridiculously boosted five-cylinder engine is barely audible, but it quickly crescendos to a roar as Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer fly past, their Audi S1 Quattro Group B rally car barely under control. Actually, bump the video ahead a few seconds and then click play. Listening to this race-prepped Volkswagen Golf R going full-throttle just might take you back in time, to a moment when the turbocharged inline-five ruled the global racing scene. Yes, Audi's famous five-cylinder has graced many models since the wild days of Group B rally racing, but every time we hear one in a performance setting, we see the chunky old Quattro in our mind's eye, blitzing through stages. Flash forward nearly 40 years, and we have this … [Read more...] about VW Golf R With 600-HP Five-Cylinder Engine Sounds Like Group B Heaven
2023 Fiat Fastback Revealed To Take Coupe-SUVs Mainstream
Listen to this article Fiat Brazil's answer to the Volkswagen Nivus (sold in Europe as the Taigo) has arrived in the form of the new Fastback after a namesake concept unveiled back in November 2018. It's a small SUV beaten with the coupe stick and mechanically related to the Pulse by riding on the same MLA platform. It's essentially an evolution of the MP1 architecture used for the Argo and Cronos. Technical specifications have yet to be revealed, but it should be similar in size to the Pulse . The latter is 4.1 meters (161.4 inches) long, 1.77 meters (69.8 inches) wide, and 1,57 meters (62.2 inches) tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2.53 meters (99.7 inches). The new Fiat Fastback seems to have longer overhangs and we'd argue it could use a set of larger wheels. Because of the sloping roofline, the coupe-SUV is unlikely to match the Pulse's 370-liter (13 cubic feet) cargo capacity. Our colleagues at Motor1.com Brazil believe the local launch is scheduled for … [Read more...] about 2023 Fiat Fastback Revealed To Take Coupe-SUVs Mainstream
Opel Astra Electric Hot Hatch In The Works To Rival VW ID.3 GTX
Listen to this article The current sixth generation Opel Astra has been on sale in Europe since November last year, though limited availability has been affecting negatively its sales across the continent. However, soon the automaker will spice up the C-segment model’s lineup with an all-electric version scheduled to arrive at the brand’s showrooms next year. It seems that the executives from Russelsheim are even considering a hot hatch version of that car. The Astra EV is currently under development based on Stellantis’ EMP2 V3 platform, which can underpin vehicles with combustion, plug-in, and battery-powered powertrains. While nothing is official in terms of a zero-emissions hot hatch, Vauxhall’s design boss Mark Adams recently hinted in an interview with TopGear that something is in the cards. As a reminder, Vauxhall is Opel’s UK division, which sells the same cars in RHD configuration. Gallery: 2022 Opel Astra 12 Photos … [Read more...] about Opel Astra Electric Hot Hatch In The Works To Rival VW ID.3 GTX
Why Red Bull and Porsche’s F1 green light has been delayed again
Listen to this article The two parties are set to enter a partnership under the next generation of power unit rules after the Volkswagen Group advisory board gave the nod for Porsche and its sister brand, Audi, to explore entering F1 earlier this year. The deal will see Porsche take a 50% stake in Red Bull’s F1 operation , as confirmed in legal paperwork that emerged in Morocco towards the end of last month. The documents also claimed the deal could be announced as early as today, 4th August, but the green light has still not been given. Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner said in Hungary there was still a “lengthy process” to go through before any possible deal could be announced, noting the “caveats” surrounding Porsche’s status as a new engine manufacturer and what concessions it may get. The VW Group has been reluctant to given final approval until the engine rules for 2026 are finalised, meaning so long as the regulations remain unfinished, Red Bull and Porsche’s … [Read more...] about Why Red Bull and Porsche’s F1 green light has been delayed again
Most Midsize Cars Fail New IIHS Side-Impact Crash Rating
Listen to this article There aren't many new midsize cars on the market today, but updated crash-test standards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) suggest most don't fare well in a real-world side-impact collision. In this instance, real world represents vehicles that are quite common on roads these days – crossovers and SUVs. The new side-impact test uses a heavier impact barrier weighing 4,200 pounds, compared to 3,300 pounds for the previous test. The barrier speed is also up to 37 mph versus 31 mph, generating 82 percent more energy at impact than the prior method. The changes were made after data from actual collisions showed more severe damage than expected based on current testing criteria. IIHS says the updated test better simulates a side collision with a typical SUV. Gallery: 2023 Subaru Outback Refresh 10 Photos As a result, … [Read more...] about Most Midsize Cars Fail New IIHS Side-Impact Crash Rating
2023 VW ID.4 Debuts With New Base Trim Starting At $38,790
Listen to this article The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 arrives with a new entry-level Standard grade and updates throughout the trim levels. VW is now building the EV in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The improved model goes on sale this fall. All grades of the ID.4 look a bit different for the 2023 model year. The exterior now comes with gloss black trim on the front bumper. Inside, there's a 12-inch infotainment screen across the lineup, rather than the 10-inch display from the previous base trim. The forward collision warning system gains cyclist detection, and the safety tech suite gets Park Assist Plus. Gallery: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD: First Drive 48 Photos The new ID.4 Standard starts at $38,790 after the $1,295 destination fee, which is $3,735 less than the base model from the 2022 model year. This trim level comes with a 62-kilowatt-hour battery pack, rather … [Read more...] about 2023 VW ID.4 Debuts With New Base Trim Starting At $38,790
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Bookings Cross 20,000 Units – Strong Hybrid Variant Equally In Demand
Home Four wheelers oi-Athul By Athul Published: Thursday, August 4, 2022, 11:22 [IST] Maruti Suzuki has opened bookings for its newly launched Grand Vitara SUV. This SUV rivals the likes of other C-segment SUVs such as Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, and MG Astor in India. Despite the highly competitive segment, the upcoming Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV has bagged 20,000 bookings, out of which almost half of the total number of bookings are for the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara equipped with the strong hybrid powertrain. The success of the Grand Vitara SUV will give the Indo-Japanese automaker lot of confidence in introducing more premium cars in India - Traditionally a segment Maruti Suzuki has failed to replicate the success of its more affordable models. One of the reasons for the success of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV could be attributed to its powertrain options … [Read more...] about Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Bookings Cross 20,000 Units – Strong Hybrid Variant Equally In Demand
Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands In India (July 2022) – Maruti Continues To Dominate
Home Four wheelers oi-Dennis Abraham James By Dennis Abraham James Published: Thursday, August 4, 2022, 13:45 [IST] Car sales in India rose by 17.10 per cent in July 2022 compared to the same period last year while Month-over-Month sales also rose by 6.38 per cent compared to June 2022. A total of 3,41,302 passenger vehicles were sold in India last month, rising by 49,838 units (17.10 per cent) Y-o-Y compared to July 2021, when 2,91,464 vehicles found homes. M-o-M numbers for July were also in the black, rising by 20,456 units (6.38 per cent) compared to the 3,20,846 cars and SUVs that found homes in June 2022. Rank Brand Jul-22 Jul-21 Growth (%) YoY 1 Maruti 1,42,850 1,33,732 6.82 2 Hyundai 50,500 48,042 5.12 3 Tata 47,505 30,185 57.38 4 Mahindra 28,053 21,046 33.29 5 Kia 22,022 15,016 46.66 6 Toyota 19,693 13,105 … [Read more...] about Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands In India (July 2022) – Maruti Continues To Dominate