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[MysteRy]

Volkswagen News

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Officially Starts at $18,395
 

2012-06-13 :Hyundai has announced the pricing for the all-new 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, which starts at $18,395. The new five-door version of the popular Elantra will go head to head with other models like the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf.

The new Elantra GT represents the evolution of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language and is our version of the Hyundai i30 that is sold in Europe. The Elantra GT is powered by a 148 horsepower 1.8L four-cylinder that is mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It gets up to 39 mpg on the highway. Hyundai also claims that the Elantra GT has more passenger and maximum cargo volume than Focus, Mazda3, Golf and Toyota Matrix.



The Elantra GT with the manual transmission starts at $18,395, adding an automatic transmission pushes the base price up to $19,395. The top Elantra GT model will set you back $24,495, but it comes equipped with the automatic transmission, panoramic sunroof, navigation system, leather seats, rearview camera, 17-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension.



The 2013 Elantra GT will begin arriving in dealerships later this month.

[MysteRy]

Volkswagen News

7 performance cars for less than $30,000 part two: Honda Civic Si vs. Volkswagen GTI
Published on 6/12/2012
 

It's hard to fathom, but it's been more than a decade since the peak of the sport-compact craze saw modified Honda Civics cluttering the streets. Enthusiasts salivated over a Type R that wasn't (and still isn't) available on our shores, instead having to settle for the Si. Fast-forward to today and the debut of the ninth-generation Civic for the 2012 model year brings a new Si.

A 2.4-liter engine replaces the previous 2.0-liter for 201 hp and a healthy torque jump of 31 lb-ft to 170 lb-ft, but this comes at the expense of 1,000 rpm at the top end, for a 7,000-rpm redline. A six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential remain on the standard menu.

With our test car shod in Michelin Pilot Exalto summer tires, the Si puts the power down well out of corners. It still understeers when pressed, but even so, the Civic is capable of carrying plenty of speed through sweepers, with noticeable lean from a suspension that strikes a pleasing balance between performance and daily comfort. Throw in the smooth engine, slick gearbox, well-tuned clutch and brakes that held up well, and all of our testers were more than willing to take the Si out for a few more laps.

No sport-compact discussion is complete without the Volkswagen GTI, however. The definitive hot hatchback is still relevant a couple of years removed from its last major update, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. That extra punch helped the GTI edge the Si in the speed tests. To 60 mph, the Honda needed 7.21 seconds, the Volkswagen just 7.05 seconds. The quarter-mile saw the Civic stop the timer at 15.65 seconds compared with the GTI's 15.34-second run.

Those victories were soon forgotten when we hit the road course. After a half session, the GTI's brake pedal went to the floor in the turn-one transition onto the infield. The cooked brakes required nearly 143 feet to stop from 60 mph, while the Civic got the job done in 129.4 feet. Testers also weren't fond of the GTI shifter's long throws and rubbery feel compared with the Si's, nor the lightly weighted steering of the German car.

What's to like about the GTI? As mentioned, the potent engine and balanced handling are its strongest assets. Like the Civic, it tends to push in corners, but the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx rubber provides a good amount of grip.

The takeaway? The old sport-compact guard is alive and well with both the Civic Si and the GTI. And both are available in more practical, four-door body styles. But if you go with a Volkswagen, upgrade the brake fluid and pads immediately if you plan any track outings.

BASE PRICE: $23,175
DRIVETRAIN: 2.4-liter, 201-hp, 170-lb-ft I4; FWD, six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 2,877 lb
0-60 MPH: 7.21 sec (AW)
QUARTER-MILE: 15.65 sec (AW)
60-0 MPH: 129.42 ft (AW)
FUEL ECONOMY (EPA/AW): 25/24.7 mpg

2012 Volkswagen GTI 2-door
BASE PRICE: $28,615
DRIVETRAIN: 2.0-liter, 200-hp, 207-lb-ft turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3,034 lb
0-60 MPH: 7.05 sec (AW)
QUARTER-MILE: 15.34 sec (AW)
60-0 MPH: 142.68 ft (AW)
FUEL ECONOMY (EPA/AW): 25/26.3 mpg

[MysteRy]

Volkswagen News

FAW-VW begins building largest automobile testing track in China
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com
 

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai June 12) - FAW Volkswagen has officially begun work on its new automobile 'proving ground' test site in Changchun, Jilin, Beijing Business Today reported today. The state-of-the-art site will reportedly be the largest of its kind in the country. In an official statement, FAW Group Board Chairman Xu Jianyi said that the site is the result of close cooperation between his company and Volkswagen Group. It will help increase the joint venture's product development and go a long way in improving the local economy, Mr. Xu added.

The site is located in Nong'an County, approximately 70 km from the center of Changchun. A total of 140,000 sq. m. has been set aside for the site, with its facilities taking up 16,000 sq. m. The site will possess 670,000 sq. m. of test track, which will include high-speed and other tracks. It is scheduled to be fully operational by 2014. According to internal sources, the site represents an important step forward for FAW-VW's research and development ability.

VW China Executive Vice President Klaus Dierkes stated that the site is being built in adherence with the strictest of standards laid out by the German manufacturer. Upon completion, it will be China's largest and most technologically advanced testing center, and will play a key role in developing vehicles aimed specifically at Chinese consumers. The site will also help solidify VW's position as one of the leading manufacturers in the Chinese and Asia-Pacific automobile industries.

[MysteRy]

Volkswagen News

2013 Volkswagen Beetle diesel starts at $24,065
By: Jake Lingeman on 6/11/2012
 
VW
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI will have an output of 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

The diesel-powered 2013 Volkswagen Beetle will carry a sticker price of $24,065 including $770 in destination charges when it arrives in dealerships in August. It will be the first diesel Bug to hit the United States since 2006.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged oil burner will join the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine and the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine in the lineup. Like the Golf TDI hatchback, the Beetle will have an output of 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. VW says fuel economy will come in at 32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.

All three trims will come with VW's standard six-speed manual transmission with the option of the dual-clutch automatic. The base Beetles include power windows, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted controls, keyless entry and a media-device interface.


VW
The diesel-powered VW Bug will cost $24,065.

[MysteRy]

Volkswagen News

Shanghai VW's Chinese sales exceed 100000 units in May
By Carmen Lee  From Gasgoo.com  June 07, 2012
 

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai June 7) - Shanghai Volkswagen's retail sales last month totaled 100,003 units, Gasgoo.com (Chinese) reported today. The sales figure represents year-on-year growth of 13.6 percent for the joint venture.

Volkswagen brand models accounted for 81,118 sales. The near four-year-old Lavida (pictured above) remained the JV's best selling model, with a total of 18,808 units sold last month. The New Passat (pictured below) managed to bring in 15,362 orders, contributing greatly to the Passat family's monthly sales of 17,043 units. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 101,810 Passats have been sold in the country. Combined sales of the New Polo and New Cross Polo totaled 14,282 units. 13,008 Tiguans were sold, 37 percent more than last May, while sales of the new Touran were just above 2,300 units.

The remaining 18,885 sales were of Skoda vehicles. The flagship Octavia once again led the brand's sales last month, with a total of 12,036 units sold. Monthly sales of the Fabia and the Superb totaled 3,358 and 3,491 units, respectively.