Sixth-Generation VW Golf GTI Headed to the US this Summer

VW has announced that the sixth-generation of the iconic VW Golf GTI will be hitting dealerships in Germany in a few days. The more exciting news is that the new GTI will be available in North America by late summer.

The Mark VI builds upon the successes of the current generation with slightly more aggressive styling and a front-end similar to the Scirocco. The GTI is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 210 horsepower (up 10). It reaches 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds. The GTI is available with either a six-speed manual or the six-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG). The DSG equipped GTI achieves the same 0-62 mph time as the manual.

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Detroit 3 pull out of 2009 Tokyo Motor Show

Filed under: Trends, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Chrysler, LLC., Ford, GM

Word that Detroit automakers are pulling out of this year's Tokyo Motor Show may strike some as retribution for Japanese automakers' very public failure to show at this year's North American International Auto Show. After all, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki all pulled out of the Detroit show, right? In reality, the true answer is less conspiratorial and more financial in nature. Exhibiting at a major show requires a seven-figure outlay (General Motors reportedly spent $2 million for their presence at the 2007 Tokyo show), and none of the Detroit 3 have what could be called a major presence in the Japanese market.

No matter the reason, GM and Chrysler are now confirming that they have pulled out of October's Tokyo Motor Show, and word is that Ford didn't meet last year's sign-up deadline, so they probably won't be in attendance, either. Given the high cost associated with building and staffing an international auto show stand - not to mention diminishing crowds and increased exposure through other forms of media (*ahem*) - this sort of story is likely to become more and more common until industry and the wider economy sorts itself out. In fact, if recent reports are accurate, the entire Tokyo Motor Show is itself in doubt.

[Source: Automotive News- sub. req'd.]

Detroit 3 pull out of 2009 Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wolfgang Bernhard is back... at Magna?

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

This is the man who brought the world the Dodge Tomahawk and advised the three-headed dog in its acquisition of Chrysler from the Germans. Former Chrysler Chief Operating Officer Wolfgang Bernhard is apparently working in an advisory role to Magna International at is tries to find its way through the morass that is today's auto industry. Automotive News reports that Bernhard is currently focusing on Magna's Russian business. More than half of Magna's business is currently with U.S.-based automakers, which are going through a particularly hard time right now in case you hadn't noticed. Magna wants to increase its overseas sales and that's where Bernhard comes in. It's not known yet if Bernhard will take up a full-time spot with Magna, but we for one would like to see him back in the role of a major power player in the global auto industry.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Wolfgang Bernhard is back... at Magna? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Germany’s E-Wolf Is Targetting Ferrari With New Electric Supercar

It seems these days that a new electric sports car concept is announced almost every month but it’s not often that we get to see the actual concept in the metal, so to speak, or in the case of the new E1, in the carbon-fiber composite. The E1 electric roadster is the latest creation of German firm E-Wolf and it is just one of two new electric vehicles from the company, with the latter vehicle set to compete with the likes of Ferrari in the performance arena.

Working in partnership with the Saxony Lightweight Center and the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology at the Technical University of Dresden, E-Wolf unveiled its street-legal E1 roadster at the recent 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show and plans to add the E2 supercar to its lineup in about two years.

The key to the cars’ performance is a light weight structure. In the case of the E1, the entire chassis weighs in at just 1,102-pounds but this comes at a cost as the vehicle can only accommodate drivers weighing up to 150-pounds.

Power comes from a 150-horsepower AC induction motor with 185-pound-feet of torque. This is enough to propel the E1 from 0-62 mph in less than five seconds and see it reach a top speed of 143 mph. An array of lithium-ion batteries will see the E1 drive up to 200-miles on a single charge.

While the E1 can be bought today at a price of €150,000 (approximately $218,818), E-Wolf is also working on an E2 supercar due in 2011.

The E2 will feature four electric motors, one in each wheel, delivering a combined output of 544-horsepower and 737-pound-feet of torque–All this in a chassis that is expected to weigh around 2,000-pounds.

So far the E2 only exists in computer-generated rendering form but its designers promise the car will be able to reach a top speed of 155 mph. Hopefully the production version will stay true to the concept’s lines.

Originally post at Motorauthority.com

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RideLust Random: Kavinsky’s Testarossa Overdrive

Kavinsky is a zombie in need of revenge, killed when he crashed his Ferrari Testarossa in 1986. His records are the story of his first steps in the world of the living dead.

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Electric-Powered MINI E Delayed Due to High Demand

BMW had hoped to release the electric powered MINI E early this year, but due to overwhelming demand the release has been delayed until April. BMW has received 1,800 applications for the car, but only plans on producing 450 units. The high number of applications have delayed the process.

Since only 450 units are going to be produced BMW now has to go through the task of notifying most of the interested parties that they will not be receiving the vehicle. In order to qualify for the MINI E, a potential driver must live in Los Angeles, New York or New Jersey. In addition the driver must have a lockable garage that can accept a built-in charger to charge the MINI and lastly they must be willing to pay $850 a month to lease the car for a year.

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