168,000 VW Jetta, VW Golf and Audi A3 Diesel Models Recalled in the U.S. Amidst Fire Concerns

The Volkswagen Group of America issued a voluntary safety recall on 159,884 diesel-powered VW Jetta and Jetta SportWagens manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, and Golf models built from May 2009 through September 2011, and nearly 9,000 Audi A3 diesel models made from September 2009 through September 2011.

All the aforementioned vehicles are equipped with the German group's 2.0-liter TDi diesel engine. The company said that certain vibrations could potentially result in a fuel line cracking. The defect could cause a fuel leak, which in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.

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VW Posts 35% Jump in U.S. Sales in June, Jetta Demand up 121%

The Volkswagen brand has reported U.S. sales of 28,444 units in June 2011 recording a 35.1 percent increase over the same month a year ago. The German firm’s year-to-date-sales are up by 22.3 percent compared to 2010 at 154,125 units.

The most impressive increase in sales comes from the new Jetta, which was introduced to the American market in October 2010. The compact sedan’s U.S. sales totaled 14,513 units in June (+120.9%) and 76,498 cars from the beginning of the year, an increase of 77.2 percent over the same period in 2010.

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Was ist das? Strange Volkswagen-Skoda Hybrid Spied in Munich

Roman Jagatić is the latest addition to our ever-growing list of readers-turned-into spy photographers. Roman stumbled upon this strange looking Volkswagen-Skoda hybrid prototype parked at a gas station in Munich, Germany. The test car appears to combine a modified body of a Skoda Octavia with a Volkswagen front end.

While we do not have a definite answer to what it may be, possible scenarios include a test car for a new Skoda Octavia and a prototype for a Volkswagen-badged model for select markets outside Europe.

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VW Salesman Likes to Bang and Jump on Doors

As the adage goes, there is no such thing as bad publicity and it is better to be reviled and even mocked at than to be ignored. In the case of Larry Roesch Volkswagon (that’s how the name of the German automaker is spelled on the dealer’s Youtube account), making the automotive ridiculist was intentional to grab some media and customer attention. And since we’re here talking about it, you could say that their goal has been achieved…

The VW dealer has published a series of intentionally cheap and corny commercials starring one of the company’s salesmen, Nick Pontarelli. In two of the videos, Pontarelli abuses a Volkswagen Golf GTI and a Jetta by forcefully shutting and climbing onto the doors to prove the cars' ‘German’ strength and quality. His final statement is “try that with a Hyundai or a Honda”. Watch the clips after the break.

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2011 VW Jetta Recalled in the States Over Wiring Glitch

Volkswagen has announced a voluntary recall for its 2011 model year Jetta sedan in the USA due to a defect in the wiring system controlling the anti-theft alarm system and horn. The German company said that in some instances an electric short in the horn could, which in turn could cause the engine to stall, adding that no injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of this problem. Read more »

VW Addresses Jetta Complaints with New GLI Model that gets 200HP and Euro Suspension

When American buyers learned that the European market version of the Jetta came with better and more modern engines, improved materials and a four-link rear suspension system similar to that fitted to the Golf, they felt somewhat let down - even though these changes came with a hefty price increase for European consumers. Now, VW is trying to address some of these concerns with the presentation of the new Jetta GLI, which debuts today at the Chicago Auto Show.

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VW Releases UK Pricing for New Jetta Saloon, Available with Turbocharged Petrol and Diesel Engines

Today, Volkswagen announced UK pricing information for its new Jetta sedan that is available to order now, with first customer deliveries due in May. In Europe, the Jetta is offered exclusively with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with on-the-road prices starting from £16,960 (US$27,350) for the entry-level S 1.4-litre TSI 122HP model and top out at £22,320 ($35,990) for the Sport 2.0-litre TDI 140HP with a DSG transmission.

There are three trim levels to choose from (S, SE and Sport), with all models fitted with air conditioning, an MP3 compatible CD stereo, six airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), an alarm and folding rear seats as standard.

Powering the Jetta is a range of TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Currently, two petrol engines are offered, 1.4-liter TSI with 122-horses and a twincharged 1.4-litre TSI unit developing 160HP.

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Chrysler and Volkswagen Issue Massive Recalls on Separate Issues

Chrysler and Volkswagen have issued massive recalls, affecting a combined total of almost 600,000 vehicles. The American automaker is recalling 367,350-2008MY Chrysler Town and Country/Dodge Caravan MPVs, while Wolfsburg’s finest will notify 228,236 owners of Golf, Jetta sedan, Jetta Sportwagen, New Beetle and Rabbit models, manufactured between 2006 and 2010 that their vehicles are being called in.

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H&R puts a little backbone into the New 2011 VW Jetta VI

Suspension aficionados H&R have gotten their hands on the new Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 and decided to give it a once-over with some low-key modifications. After the Jetta arrived at H&R's US headquarters, the first pieces to get the ax were the springs (obviously).

Now, the brand new Jetta VI rides 1.3 inches lower thanks to a set of Sport springs in order to help the small sedan handle a bit better. The next items to go were the rims, which were replaced with 19x8.5 O.Z. Superturismo LM wheels (and TRAK + wheel spacers) to complement the car's handling and appearance.

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VW Teases Jetta R with 3.6L V6-Powered, All-Wheel-Drive Prototype

Volkswagen's new 2011 Jetta has just landed on European shores, but the Germans already have new plans for it. During the European press launch, the media got a taste of the Jetta R with a special prototype fitted with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, six-speed DSG transmission and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

As you can see in the pictures, the V6 prototype's body has not been altered yet. Only the bigger wheels and four-tail pipes at the back signal that there's something going on here.

Should it make into production, you can rest assured that the R division will dress-up the Jetta with a body kit, probably featuring more aggressive spoilers, lowered side sills and other R goodies, plus interior appointments. We reckon racing seats, sportier steering wheels and pedals are safe bets.

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Volkswagen Launches the New Jetta in Europe [Updated Gallery]

After the USA , Europe is also getting the new Volkswagen Jetta sedan, with prices starting from €20,900, equal (but not comparable due to different taxation policies etc) to US$28,984 with the current exchange rates.

Even though the Jetta is the best-selling European car in the U.S. with up to 110,000 examples sold annually, the compact sedan's predecessors haven't really enjoyed the same success across the pond. However, the German automaker hopes that the new generation of the model will prove more appealing to European buyers.

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VW Planning Plug-in Jetta as well as Passat, Golf and Jetta Hybrid Models

Together with the unveiling of the fully-electric Golf Blue-e-Motion prototype at a special event in Berlin today, Volkswagen also outlined its future product plans for sustainable mobility.

According to Volkswagen, in 2013, the production Golf Blue-e-Motion that's powered by a 115HP electric motor will be joined by the new Up blue-e-motion city car (previewed by the Up! concept series) and the technically closely-related Jetta blue-e-motion.

In the same timeframe, the Lavida blue-e-motion sedan, which was shown in concept form at last week's Beijing Motor Show, will also launch in China.

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Volkswagen Presents E-Lavida Study at Beijing Show

Volkswagen is gauging Chinese customer reaction to electric cars with the world premiere of a battery-powered version of its Golf-based Lavida sedan. Called the 'E-Lavida', the concept study is the VW group's first ever e-car completely designed and produced in China. Details on the E-Lavida remain scarce, but the company did release a bunch of photos of the car that you can check out after the break.

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Photoshop Based on Detroit Show NCC Concept

When we first saw Volkswagen's New Compact Coupe (NCC) concept car at this month's Detroit Auto Show, two things came to mind: 1) The design study looks too close to production to be just another concept, and 2) If someone added an extra set of doors at the back, we'd get a pretty good idea of what the next generation Jetta will look like.

Well, apparently, the second thought was also shared by our Brazilian friend Eduardo Oliveira from 'Irmaododecio' who went ahead and photoshoped the NCC into the 2011 VW Jetta saloon.

Aside from adding a pair of doors, Eduardo also stretched out the body and fiddled around with the roof and the front-end of the vehicle which now looks more production-like thanks to the restyled headlights, and upper and lower grilles.

And if you don't believe that the photoshop and consequently the NCC are very close to the actual production model that's expectedto hit the market within the next year or so , then just take a moment to check out this spy video of the 2011 VW Jetta that was caught testing in California.

Via: Irmaododecio

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Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept

VW New Compact Coupe: Poor Man's Audi A5 Coupe Hints at Production Model Based on New Jetta

What you're looking at here is the Volkswagen New Compac Coupe (NCC) concept that we first told you about this past weekend. Based on the next generation Jetta sedan (forget about the Polo nonsense that has been making the rounds on the internet...), the NCC made its world premiere today at the Detroit motor show and it previews a production version that will expand VW's portfolio in North America and other parts of the world.

The German firm positions the NCC concept, which comes with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, between the not-for-North America Scirocco Coupe and the CC hardtop convertible.

Although it features the same length ( 4.54 meters or 178.5 inches) and width (1.78 meters or 70.1 inches) as the current Jetta, the NCC is two inches lower at 1.41 meters or 55.6 inches and has a three-inch longer wheelbase at 2.65 meters or 104.4 inches.

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VW Jetta Coupe Concept to Debut at Detroit Auto Show, Previews Sedan and Coupe Production Models

Those of you that are disgruntled with VW's decision to not bring the sexy Scirocco Coupe over to the States might find some comfort in the German firm's plans to stage the world debut of an all-new sporty coupe at next week's 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Called New Compact Coupe or NCC for short, the show car will give American consumers their first taste of an upcoming two-door coupe model that's based on the next generation Jetta four-door sedan and is destined primarily for the U.S. market.

Our sources tell us that the NCC concept is in fact an almost production-ready version of the Jetta Coupe though we're not sure if the German firm will actually use this name when the car is launched onto the market within the next year or so.

Similar in size with the current Jetta sedan, the two-door concept model will also showcase a new hybrid powertrain comprising of a small displacement four-cylinder TSI petrol unit and an electric motor that may find its way into the Jetta and the Golf in the very near future.

PS: Even though many car websites and blogs are claiming / assuming that the above drawing is / may be official, fact is, it's a Carscoop sketch...

VIDEO: 2011 VW Jetta Sedan Spied in the U.S.A

Volkswagen is continuing the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter model in North America, the 2011 Jetta that was captured here undergoing testing in Death Valley California. The camouflaged prototype model seen in the spy video suggests that the new Jetta will boast all-new sheetmetal with a pinch of Audi A4 styling cues in the profile and rear-end.

Underneath the skin, the German firm's new compact-size sedan will most likely use bits and pieces from the Golf VI which in turn is largely based on the fifth-generation Golf.

In the States, we'll definitely see the 2011 Jetta being offered with VW's latest 2.0 TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Even though there have been rumors circulating about VW's lively yet fuel efficient 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder petrol with outputs ranging from 122HP to 170HP, chances are the Germans will continue to equip the base model with the outdated, but cheap to produce, 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol.

Edmunds reported that the VW's Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla challenger could make its auto show debut as early as this month's gathering in Detroit, but this has yet to be confirmed by Volkswagen.

Via: Edmunds

VW to Showcase Jetta, Passat CC and Tiguan SUV Concepts at SEMA

For the 2008 SEMA show Volkswagen will bring to Las Vegas a triplet of concept cars based on the Jetta TDI, Passat CC and the new Tiguan SUV respectively as well as an example of its 2009 Jetta TDI Cup race car (pictured above). The most interesting proposal appears to be the Tiguan Performance Concept. According to VW, the Tiguan study's appearance is upgraded with an exterior body kit while power comes from a 4-cylinder engine equipped with a three-stage turbo kit that helps it deliver an output of 312HP. The German automaker has yet to release any other details or pictures, but stay tuned on Carscoop as we'll update this story as soon as we have more information.

Video: VW Reveals More Details on its U.S. Market Sedan

In spite of the industrywide crisis VW is pulling ahead with its plans to build its first U.S. production facility in more than 20 years in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it will produce a mid-size sedan designed specifically for North American consumers. Following the initial announcement in July, VW invited to Germany the Governor of the State of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen accompanied by a 50-strong delegation that included Chattanooga's Mayor, Ron Littlefield, and media representatives from the region. -Continued

During last week's presentation in Berlin, VW officials revealed the core values (see video below) of their forthcoming sedan codenamed NMS which stands for "New Midsize Sedan". The vehicle, that could possibly serve as a replacement for either the Passat or the Jetta in VW's North American range, will be offered with both FSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines. According to VW officials, among the requirements that must be met in order to satisfy U.S. consumers is the size and number of cupholders in the interior...

Work at the 2,000-employee, $1 billion manufacturing plant at Enterprise South industrial park in Chattanooga is scheduled to begin in November with the first vehicles expected to roll off the production lines in early 2011. Overall, VW plans to build around 150,000 vehicles a year at its new facility in Tennessee. As for when we'll get our first glimpse of the NMS, Carscoop's sources report that VW most likely show off the car at the Detroit Auto Show in 2010.

(Video via: WRBCTV)

PRODUCT CONCEPT NMS

Market Requirements to Be Met:

• Spacious legroom
• Large trunk volume
• Number and size of cupholders
• ABS with front and rear disc brakes
• Airbags front/rear
• Child seat anchors
• High performance radio
• Interface for mobile devices

Volkswagen NMS Attributes:

• Superior driving dynamics
  
• Dynamic powetrain / acceleration
  
• Double clutch transmission (DSG)
  
• FSI engines
  
• TDI Engines
  
• Superior design transporting sustainable values
  

VW’s Jetta Diesel Models Eligible for $1,300 Tax Credit

The Internal Revenue Service – IRS for short, has issued a certification letter affirming that Volkswagen’s new Jetta TDI diesel-powered Sedan and Sportwagen models qualify for the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit. Money-wise, that means that buyers of the specific vehicles are eligible for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit. -Continued

“The $1,300 tax credit provides an even greater value to the upcoming Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America. “Our clean diesel vehicles offer consumers the fuel efficiency that they’re looking for while providing power, utility, performance, safety and excellent value.” Now, if VW could only find a way to drop diesel prices in the U.S. to the same level as gasoline...