Hot Hybrids in Detroit: Proof that Green Can be Fun?
Sporty entries into the hybrid class prove green doesn’t have to be lame - no offense to those of our readers driving a Prius or Insight. (Remember, you too can have a stylish ride) Honda and VW have everyone talking 0-60 times with their sporty hybrid entries, the CR-Z and NCC.
Volkswagen claims some pretty impressive performance specs for the NCC. Even with an estimated 45 mpg combined fuel economy rating, VW predicts the NCC will reach 60 from zero in just over 8 seconds, with a top speed of 141 mph. It’s got to be one of the coolest looking hybrid concepts to date too.
Honda’s CR-Z is expected to have some soul too, at least, compared to “other” hybrids. Although it’s specs aren’t quite as impressive they are more likely the real deal. The CR-Z is being shown in production form at Detroit, and is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. later this year. Read more
VW Number One Automaker…for Now
From Leftlane News:
Well ahead of VW’s initial projection of becoming the world’s largest automaker by 2018, it has now officially surpassed Toyota Motor Corp. worldwide in unit production this year.
Over the weekend, German reports put VW Group at 4.4 million units for the first nine months of 2009, where Toyota has manufactured only 4.0 million units. This change is believed to be largely due to the success of government scrappage schemes that boded well with VW models.
VW Group’s sales for 2009 are up by 34 percent in the first nine months, totaling 622,853 units. VW’s Skoda brand in particular enjoyed the greatest growth in Germany with Fabia sales up by 92.4 percent, as well as Octavia sales up by 20.4 percent.
Although the scrappage schemes are believed to have played a role in VW’s early success, VW continues to do well along with the rest of the automotive industry in the German market in particular. The German market saw a 26.1 percent growth in registrations in October, despite the end of scrappage schemes in September.
Another major shift in world production was noted with Ford surpassing GM as the world’s third largest automaker. Ford reported 3.7 million units produced in the first nine months of 2009, with GM trailing only slightly with 3.6 million units produced.
Volkswagen flips the half pipe
Image source: Wikimedia.org
A crazy stunt caught on tape of a Volkswagen successfully flipping a half pipe inspires all stuntmen to push the limits. The question arises, was this a legitimate stunt? Some say it’s CGI, while others believe it is real. We have no way of telling, so the choice is yours. Comment your thoughts below, but first let me fill you in on some physics. By estimating the speed, weight of the vehicle, and launch trajectory it does suggest this stunt is possible. All half pipes have a small lip at the top which if hit properly would induce force in the direction to flip the vehicle. Compressing the suspension at the bottom of the pipe and releasing at the top perfectly timed by adjusting speed of the vehicle could actually give enough push to flip this vehicle.
What do you think? Is it possible this stunt is real? Or maybe it is just a CGI dream and good marketing by the tire sponsor Bridgestone? We really don’t know, but it is positive this is one awesome display. Whether it is real or not, kudos to the developers of this stunt video. This is the most awesome action a V dub has seen since the 1970’s! Read more
VW America Chief Plans for Global Dominance
VW’s US head, Stefan Jacoby, is not hiding his wild ambition for the German giant. Justin Hyde of The Detroit Free Press quoted Jacoby as saying: “We want to be the No. 1 automaker globally. Not everybody believes in this goal. We believe in this vision we have, and we are working very hard on its realization.”
Entailing that vision will mean VW improving is US offerings, pushing the “blue” (diesel) mantra further, and improving the poor reputation VWs have received in reliability. VW will be replacing the Passat with a new midsize family sedan built in North America, as well as create a new midsize crossover to better compete with the likes of the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. The VW overhaul will reportedly be completed by the 2012 production year.
VW Becomes a German Savior
VW has reportedly contracted the Karmann group for the development of a large number of electric vehicles. The €10,000,000 business agreement has provided enough capital for Karmann to remain in business after nearly approaching total liquidation. The vehicle and the total quantity remain unclear.
VW may also acquire a controlling stake in the Porsche firm. Porsche’s CEO, Wendelin Wiedeking, tried to grab a majority hold of the VW-Audi Group, but failed to generate enough funds. Porsche has since gone in deep debt for the borrowed cash and lost sales. Porsche lost a plea for state support earlier in the year.
Karmann Goes Kaput
The Karmann design house is no more. After wrangling with the economic downturn, the longtime coachbuilder will be nothing more than a name in the pages of automotive history.
-
Social Groups
-
Sponsors
-
