Rides : Volkswagen to unveil production Golf GTI Cabriolet in Geneva

If you were watching the news out of Wörthersee last year, you may recall the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept pictured above. The show car debuted at the annual Volkswagen fan-fest in Austria, alongside an even hotter Golf R Cabriolet and a whole mess of other machinery from the burgeoning German auto empire. But that was the last we heard of it ... until now.

Reports coming in from across the pond indicate that Volkswagen is planning to actually build the GTI Cabrio, and that it will unveil the production version at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month. Although Volkswagen has offered the GTI's engine in versions of the Golf Cabriolet and Eos in some markets, this would only be the second time that a full-on GTI convertible will be offered from the factory, complete with the suspension and other bits that go along with it.

Word has it that the GTI Cabrio would be the final swan song for the current sixth-generation Golf before it's replaced next year. But if that's not enough, VW is also tipped to be preparing the hotter 268-horsepower, all-wheel-drive Golf R Cabrio for production as well.

Rides : VW Golf GTI by Schmidt Revolution

The German aftermarket specialists at Schmidt Revolution have taken on a new project based on the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5.

Even if this isn’t actually the newest generation of the Volkswagen Golf, the Mk5 is proving once again that it still has a word to say to petrol heads and this latest upgrade package is making the vehicle even more irresistible. According to the German tuners at Schmidt Revolution, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is coming with a sport tuned suspension, an original R32 rear bumper, a dual exhaust system, 19 inch wheels wrapped in Marangoni tires and a Kenwood navigation system.

“The fifth series of Volkswagen Golf comes in the showrooms in the autumn of 2003, however, it has been formed in the course of only five years just to be replaced by its successor Golf VI. A year later, in 2004, the VW makes an addition to its collection and presents the Golf V in the GTI version. Under the slogan myth GTI it should join the first generation, the original GTI. Various details inside and out - e.g. a special radiator grille with honeycomb mesh and red trim, black side skirts, plaid seats, aluminum inserts, and private Tacho design - are ‘taken over” plainly’, as the automaker says in the official press release.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5 made by Schmidt Revolution is being powered by the 2.0 liter TFSI engine which has been equipped with an optimized ECU and a modified air intake, allowing the unit to develop a total output of 271 horsepower which is 74 HP more than the standard model.

Rides : VW to revive the Microbus

One of the most famous cars of the 60s, the Volkswagen Microbus, will be revived as a modern version of the German MPV, with the Bulli electric concept hitting the production line in 2014.

The new model which will enter the VW line-up won’t be a simple people carrier or an MPV, but a “cult car”, a true “grandson” of the Microbus.

“As a designer, I am convinced by this idea. We don’t have a space for another conventional MPV bit this one would be desirable on a different level, combining practicality with the heritage appeal”, said Walter de’Silva, group design chief.

The five-seater car which is just a little bigger than the Polo will be based on the Bulli electric MPV concept which was presented by Volkswagen in Geneva last March.
According to AutoCar, the “revived Microbus” is believed to hit the production line at the VW Puebla, Mexico plant, where the cabriolet version of the Beetle is scheduled for early next year.

Rides - Tech : Microsoft partners with Vw for multimedia solutions

Microsoft said it had signed a patent licensing agreement with e.solutions, giving the Volkswagen group software supplier access to its new Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) technology.

exFAT delivers a significant leap forward in the size of media files that can be stored on a broad range of consumer electronic devices and increases the speed with which they can be accessed. exFAT will give car owners additional and reliable resources for bringing multimedia content into their vehicles.
The agreement is the first of its kind that Microsoft has forged within the automotive sector. The company is developing technologies for a new multimedia platform that will reportedly provide a longer menu of infotainment options while reducing drivers’ distraction.
Using exFAT technology will help e.solutions follow future consumer electronics developments while delivering an outstanding multimedia experience.

“In-vehicle electronics breakthroughs have continued at an accelerated pace, opening the door for new opportunities,” said Uwe Reder, managing director at e.solutions. “exFAT gives us the opportunity to functionally integrate and innovate, providing our customers with a full-featured driving experience.”

Rides : VW recalls 2011 Jettas because honking the horn turns them off

Remember that whole silly thing with Toyota where they forgot to put working brakes in their cars? Yeah, that was stupid of them. But Volkswagon might have done Toyota one better with their latest gaffe.
Horns on 2011 Jettas are actually causing the cars to turn off.
And, as such, VW has recalled almost 71,000 Jettas, per Chicago Breaking Biz.

Under certain rare circumstances using the horn could cause a short circuit that would, in turn, cause an electronic part called a converter box to disconnect from the car’s power supply, a VW spokeswoman said.

Sure, brakes that don’t work are bad, but you at least know when you get in a Toyota, there’s a good chance that you end up as a flaming ball of fire. With a Jetta, you expect great mileage, quality German engineering, and random thumbs-ups from hippies walking down the street.
Instead, if you get cut off by some jerkstore in an SUV (that was me, by the way), you’ll honk angrily and end up stalled out in the middle of the street, likely getting rear-ended or, even worse, pulling your car to the side of the road and walking five miles to get gas only to return to your car and realize that you’re not actually out of gas.
So, yes, it’s pretty much the most horrible thing ever, except for the fact that if you own a Jetta, you probably believe that horns should only be used in the event of an absolute emergency.
So perhaps this is actually a safety thing.

Rides - Bmw, Mercedes-Benz and Vw can’t meet the demand due to parts shortages

2011 Vw Golf R

Although rising sales might be a good news for car manufacturers, it appears that it beginning to be a problem them. The first victim is Volkswagen, who announced that it will halt production at its main factory in Wolfsburg on Monday due to a shortage of engines and other parts. Same problem is seen at other German manufacturers such as Bmw, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The main problem is that auto suppliers didn’t actually got out of the recession.

“Electronics are particularly tight. It's a real problem and it's growing.” said Lars Holmqvist, CEO of European auto suppliers association Clepa. And it appears that the demand will continue to grow as Volkswagen aims to increase deliveries in 2011 with 5 percent after it posted record sales of 7.14 million vehicles in 2010.

Moreover, Bmw and Daimler are also boosting 2011 capacity in order to meet the demand. “The supply situation is no doubt extremely strained at the moment,” Porsche spokesman Dirk Erat said. “It's very important that nothing goes wrong; the chain of logistics must be kept running.”

Volkswagen Recalls 228,000 Vehicles For Fire Risk

Volkswagen is recalling more than 228,000 vehicles, including 37,000 in Canada.

Among them 2007-2009 model year Golf, Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Rabbit and 2006-2010 New Beetle small cars.

VW says on all of the recalled vehicles except the New Beetle, a small plastic tab in the windshield wiper fluid reservoir could rub against a fuel supply line under the hood

. A fuel leak could develop and lead to fires.

Volkswagen To Bring Golf R To US Shores In 2012

The European Golf R is simply the most powerful Volkswagen sports performance vehicle ever built.

The car delivers the ultimate Volkswagen driving experience with dynamic handling, refined road manners and unprecedented power for a Golf. It is Volkswagen's performance halo vehicle, and at the request of VW enthusiasts, the company is bringing it to the U.S. in 2012.

Key attributes:
• 2.0L turbocharged engine with significant hp increase over GTI
• 4th generation Haldex 4Motion - all wheel drive
• Increased rotor diameter translating to improved braking
• Sport tuned ESP
• Upgraded sport tuned suspension
• 2 door or 4 door
• Manual Transmission Only
• Unique 18" alloy wheels
• Unique steering wheel
• Unique interior trim
• Exterior R model badge and bodykit
• R model shift knob
• R model door sills
• R model front and rear fascia with dual, center exit, exhaust