Archive for January, 2011

Today, Volkswagen (re)confirmed that it jumped on the plug-in hybrid bandwagon with an introduction of a concept model, XL1, at Qatar’s Auto Show. This concept Volkswagen XL1 is an upgraded version of L1 (another hybrid concept previously announced by VW).

Specific information about Volkswagen XL1 is still a but fuzzy, but below are the details that emerged so far.

Volkswagen XL1 Details:

• Dual plug-in hybrid and diesel engine
• Estimated 313 MPGs
• Rear-wheel drive with overall 0.186 drag coefficient
• Target product year: 2013

Volkswagen XL1 Pictures:

According to the Wall Street Journal’s auto sales data, there were a little over 11.5 million cars and light-trucks sold in the United States in 2010. Volkswagen’s market share was around 3.1%. The breakdown looks as follows:

• 2.2% – Volkswagen
• 0.9% – Audi

However, despite such a small market share, Volkswagen Jetta made a list of top 20 cars sold in December 2010 with almost 13,000 vehicles sold.

Volkswagen’s market share has grown by approximately 0.1%. While this does not look like a lot, Volkswagen has been taking many important steps over 2010 in order to grow its market share and push its models in the market.

2010 Auto Sales (in %)

The news is officially out! Volkswagen’s New Midsize Sedan we recently reported on is actually going to be sold under “Passat” brand. We are also getting additional information about the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat.

2012 Volkswagen Passat specs:

• 2.5L  or 3.6L V6 engine
• S, SE and SEL trim levels (all models expected to be luxurious)
• 43 MPG (estimated 800 miles driving range on a full tank)
• Stylish, modern look
• Starting price around $20k

2012 Volkswagen Passat will be manufactured in the United States. It is going to be the first model to roll off Volkswagen’s new Chattanooga plant in Tennessee. The new 2012 Passat is expected to hit dealer showrooms by the end of 2011.

2012 Volkswagen Passat pictures:

Volkswagen is widely expected to announce a rollout of a new model sedan in a few days. The announcement should be made at Detroit’s 2011 Auto Show (first major auto show of 2011). Not much information has been released by Volkswagen so far, but here’s what we know:

• New mid-size sedan is expected to replace Volkswagen Passat in the long run
• The new sedan is likely to have an aggressive-sporty look
• The name of the car is unknown
• Pricetag, engine specs are all unknown at this point
• Some sketches have been released by Volkswagen previsouly

New Volkswagen sedan sketch:

Date of the announcement: January 10, 2011

Stay tuned…!

If you’re Volkswagen fanatic (like we are!) – you’d want to know everything that’s happening to your favorite brand. Below are the tools of the 21st century to make that happen. Enjoy!

Volkswagen on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/volkswagen

Volkswagen on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/volkswagen

Volkswagen on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/volkswagen

As always, check out Volkswagen Blog for the latest on Volkswagen models, Volkswagen recalls and other VW information.