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(from Volkswagen Press Release) Key aspects: Volkswagen presents world exclusive Touareg in Qatar

Touareg Gold Edition: 24-carat gold makes this SUV one-of-a-kind

Wolfsburg / Doha, 26 January 2011 – At the first Qatar Motor Show (26 – 29 January), Volkswagen is presenting two exclusive SUV concept cars for the first time. The common denominator of these all-wheel drive vehicles: No compromises! Show car number 1 is a slightly tamer version of the Touareg 3 that started in the Dakar Rally at the beginning of January; this 228 kW / 310 PS Volkswagen could very well be the world’s most talented street-legal SUV. Show car number 2 is the Touareg Gold Edition – many of its parts have been upgraded with 24-carat gold; this 265 kW Volkswagen (360 PS) is debuting as one of the highest quality SUVs ever. The cost of these concept cars? Priceless. Yet…

Touareg Gold Edition

The Touareg Gold Edition would certainly be able to handle a journey around the world – but bear in mind, this car should only be parked where there is good surveillance. That is because – living up its name – certain areas of this SUV are upgraded with 24-carat gold. On the outside, they include the custom designed 22-inch wheels, roof rails, protective guard strips and window frames, mirror caps and parts of the air intake frame, “Touareg V8″ signature and boot sill trim. Like the Race Touareg 3 Qatar, this SUV is also painted in “Magic Morning” body colour.

Inside, 24-carat gold also adorns many of the car’s accents and switches, making the entire car unique. The interior design itself has a pleasant, bright appearance in the “Luna” trim colour. The Alcantara roofliner shows this colour as does the Nappa leather of the seats, which is decorated with ornamental stitch detailing.

On the other hand, the dashboard is trimmed in a natural brown leather; contrasting seams in “Magnolia” colour perfect the colour scheme. Natural brown with leather inserts in “Luna” adorn the floor mats. Automotive craftsmanship at its finest is reflected in the Walnut Burr accents with genuine gold marquetry – also crafted into an ornamental pattern. This is in keeping with the general image of the Touareg, which – in the “normal” production version – is one of the most sophisticated SUVs in the world.

So much for those high hopes.

The A3, Audi’s entry-level vehicle for North America, has run into a brick wall–figuratively speaking.  Audi had hoped to invest more resources in the upscale hatch, beginning with worldwide distribution of its 2.0 L diesel four, then bringing new bodystyles and trim levels for US buyers.  Sadly, that’s been put on hold due to a global downturn in sales.

Edmunds is reporting that production at the main factory in Ingolstadt will be temporarily halted due to the drop in demand.  Germany’s cash-for-clunkers program ran its course and is being blamed for the sudden drop-off in sales.  As Leftlane was quick to put out, the A3 is a pretty old vehicle by today’s standards.  With fresh compact competition coming from Japan to Audi’s native Germany, a new A3 is overdue.

We’d still welcome an RS3 on these shores.  We don’t know how much that’d do for Audi’s bottom line, but it’d make us happy.

Looks like the announcement earlier this week that VW was the world’s top-selling automakers was premature.  Turns out Toyota still holds the crown.  The VW numbers included sales from partner companies, including those which the German giant holds only a small stake in.  By using the same standard, Toyota’s overall sales would run at a rate of just under five million vehicles–or a half-million more than VW.  Anyone else think this is over-complicating a very simple question: Who’s selling the most cars?

Porsche’s chief executive officer Wendelin Wiedeking has been fired from the German car company.  Wiedeking’s departure is met with that of the company’s chief financial officer, Holge Härter.  The two men were “immediately” retired from their posts after months of falling sales and deepening debt.

Wiedeking has been with Porsche for sixteen years and orchestrated the firm’s expansion into sport-utility vehicles and sedans.  But Wiedeking’s failed attempt to seize a majority stake in VW left Porsche €9,000,000,000 in debt.  Porsche now may become a subsidiary to Volskwagen after being rejected for a state loan.

Wiedeking will leave with a €50,000,000 severance package.  Härter will receive €12,000,000.  Michael Macht, production director, will take the position as company CEO.  Macht, age forty-eight, has been with Porsche since 1990 and has overseen engineering and logistics.

Audi is making a wonderful thing even better with the addition of a 5.2 L V-10 to the R8 sports car.  Making the company halo a blessing for the German marque (and a thorn for its Lamborghini property), the 5.2 is accompanied with all-wheel-drive and 525 peak horsepower.  The R8 now has larger scoops, modified LED headlamps, and slightly lower sills.  The R8′s 0-60 time is slashed to 3.9 sec. and its top speed is set at 196 mph.  Pricing is set at $147,000 for the base manual and $156,000 for the R-Tronic.

Audi will be pulling its A1 sub-compact and new A8 from a Frankfurt debut.  Both cars were scheduled for a flashy premiere, but word is Audi execs want to spread out the new product showings for other expos in the season.  The Frankfurt event will instead spotlight the A5 Sportback.

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.

VW Beetle For Sale

The Southeast Automotive Media Organization has handed out awards for the best concepts of 2009.  Award winning vehicles are held as positive examples of the future of the industry.  Concepts are to be more than design studies, but practical works that will be applied to the road.

The Fisker Sunset earned the Production Preview Vehicle Award.  The Fisker, which we briefly covered awhile ago, uses a special Q-Drive plug-in hybrid system.  Mileage is targeted to be as high as 100 mpg, with a 50 mile all-electric starting range.  The Sunset itself will be a four-passenger hardtop convertible, estimated to retail in the neighborhood of $100,000.

VW’s BlueSport won the award for best concept car overall.  The BlueSport is a diesel-powered roadster intended to bring excellent fuel economy to a nimble and sporty ride.  The BlueSport was rumored to have been canceled, but recent reports have since hit the Web stating development has resumed.

The Kia Soul’ster won Concept Truck of the Year.  The Soul’ster is an open-air, off-road variant of the recent Soul hatchback.  Akin to the Wrangler, the Soul’ster aims to bring outdoor roadgoing pleasure at a reasonable price.

The Cadillac Converj finished the run with the Specialty Concept Vehicle Award.  The award may sound like a consolation prize, but its purpose is to honor an example of outstanding technology for the future.  The Converj is a luxury coupe borrowing the GM Voltech extended-range hybrid system.  That will amount to a 40 mi. all-electric range (where then the gas/electric system steps in) and a 100 mph top speed.  The Converj’s beautiful shape and favorable impressions have allowed it to move into the early stages of development.

Audi execs are concerned their market strategy may be too narrow.  Audi has been pushing hard over the past ten years to match wits with Mercedes-Benz and BMW.  Thanks to racing dominance, beautiful styling on its productions, and an esteemed rep for interior refinement, Audi’s gained the highest level of status in its century of existence.  But now Audi management is worried that BMW’s expanded offerings, notably in North America, are pushing it further behind.  In just over the past two years, BMW has introduced the 1 series, the X6 crossover, the 3 series diesel, a 7 series update, and a new Z4 roadster to US audiences.  BMW isn’t letting off there: it’s looking to break-in the 5 diesel, roll out an X6 hybrid, and widen the 1 series lineup.

Audi hasn’t rested on its laurels in the US over the same period, with an improved A4, new A5, and the R8 sports car.  Audi does selectively offer the Q5 TDi and wants to spread its US diesel offerings to include the A3 and A4.  Audi’s VW owners want to test the diesel waters some more before committing to the effort.  VW has the Jetta TDi and will be releasing the Golf diesel within the next two years.

This isn’t the only setback: Audi wants to get its A1 subcompact out as soon as possible, but debate’s raging over just how wide the equipment range will be.  There are some hoping to adjust the A3 to properly combat the BMW 1 series from its somewhat restrained form; but broadening the A1 arsenal could threaten A3 sales.  Audi management is also uncertain on how much to invest in hybrid technology over the traditional diesel.

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