Volkswagen has officially started its recently-launchedDieselution Tour last Friday, September 28, in New York City’s Ecofest at the Lincoln Center.

The primary aim of the Dieselution tour, as what was declared in its launch, is in educating the public on the importance of alternative fuels and clean diesel technology.

Keith Price, Volkswagen of America Public Relations Manager in Product and Technology, has this to assert during the Ecofest: “Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards. We want to show Americans that today’s clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the power-plants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perceptions about diesel technology.”

“As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we’re confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships.”

The Ecofest is just the first stop of the Dieselution. It is slated to tour various locations and events all around the United States. This would include environmental festivals, alternative fuel programs, auto shows, and even the much-awaited 2008 Super Bowl.

The European New Car Assessment Programme, or Euro NCAP as it is more popularly known, has just released the safety assessment results of its latest batch of vehicles. And two of the four examined vehicles are Volkswagen units, namely the new VW Tiguan and the VW Caddy.

The new VW Tiguan was the more successful of the two, garnering the coveted five-star rating for the adult occupant protection category. The vehicle also earned four stars in the child safety class and two stars in the category of pedestrian protection.

The new Tiguan tough body structure was said to have garnered perfect scores in the crash test’s side impact and pole tests. The front impact level also remained stable in the experiment, but there was the detection of possible minor knee discomforts that lowered the score.

Furthermore, it was proven how the Tiguan readily reacts to possible accidents. Upon force of impact, the Tiguan’s belt tensioners and airbags promptly deployed in accordance with the severity of the impact, hazard warning lights were activated, the doors went unlocked, interior lights switched open, and the fuel pump was deactivated.

With regards to the other examined Volkswagen unit, the VW Caddy was not able to beat the score of the Tiguan, but it was a relatively good rating nonetheless. The Caddy was given four stars in the adult occupant protection section, three stars in the child safety category, and two stars for pedestrian protection.

Volkswagen of America is going full force in its green motoring campaign. Just hours ago, Volkswagen launched its Dieselution Tour at the company’s soon to be vacated US Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The educational and environmental mobile marketing exhibit is slated to tour nationwide and would last for four fruitful months, wherein the company’s primary aim is to enlighten consumers about the powers of clean diesel and alternative fuels.

Volkswagen of America’s CEO, Stefan Jacoby, leads in promoting this prestigious event. During its official announcement, Jacoby readily declares how Volkswagen is going full force in the fight against environmental hazards: “Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards. We want to show Americans that today’s clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perception about diesel technology.”

“As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient,” Jacoby added. “Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we’re confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships.”

Browse down and read a snippet of Volkswagen’s Press Release to learn more details about the Dieselution Tour:

Using interactive displays and exhibits, the Dieselution Tour will highlight current environmental issues and showcase advances in diesel engine technology, design and performance. Starting today, the exhibit embarks on a four-month tour, making stops at events and locations around the United States, including environmental and alternative fuel festivals, auto shows and the 2008 Super Bowl.

The Dieselution Tour is centered around a 53-foot-long, double-expandable semi-trailer with exhibits and interactive displays. Elements include an “Alt Fuel/ Alt Film video area; a Dieselab with a series of interactive and video displays; a Diesel Heritage section, illustrating Volkswagen’s diesel history and leadership; a Sustainability Station, involving an interactive quiz and a Carbon Footprint Calculator; a Beyond Diesel perspective featuring SunFuel; and a Motorsports display, outlining Volkswagen’s recent history and international success in racing diesel vehicles in events like the Baja 500, Pikes Peak, and the Dakar rally.

The Dieselution Tour will also feature the 2009 Jetta TDI, Volkswagen’s new, 50-state clean diesel offering. The vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in spring of 2008. Also on display, a 3.0-liter V6 TDI Touareg, the Polo Blue Motion and the oldest Volkswagen diesel in America, a 1977 Rabbit.

Partner/sponsor companies involved in this landmark exhibit are International Truck and Engine Company and CarbonFund.org. a non-profit carbon offset provider.

Signifying Volkswagen’s environmental concern, the Dieselution Tour will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Volkswagen and Carbonfund.org recently announced a partnership to offset one year of carbon emission from each new Volkswagen sold in the U.S. from September, 2007 through January 2, 2008. In return, Volkswagen is working with Carbonfund.org to reforest land in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in northern Louisiana, a wetland ecosystem that had been largely converted to farmland.

Minster Chauffeurs, a professional chauffeur service based in Middlesborough and Darlington, has selected the Volkswagen Caravelle MPV as one of the company’s select vehicles of transportation.

This is no easy feat for the Volkswagen model as Minster Chauffeurs had to undergo an extensive feasibility study on which luxury van would best suit the company’s high-end clients. And after thorough analysis, the Volkswagen Caravelle in luxurious Executive Trim emerged as victor due to a number of winning features, some of which include the powerful five-cylinder 2.5-litre TDI PD turbodiesel engine, six-speed Tiptronic transmission, the much needed privacy glass design, as well as twin electrically operated sliding side doors.

Furthermore, another attribute that sealed the Caravelle’s victory to the management of Minster Chauffeurs is its adaptable yet highly comfortable interior space. The VW Caravelle’s floor mounted rail system enables both the second and third rows of seats to be adjusted to multiple positions for that maximum luggage or passenger space. Furthermore, the two seats in the middle row are built to rotate in order to face the rear seats, and thus create a sociable lounge-style seating arrangement perfect for teams and Executives in discussion.

When interviewed regarding their newly-chosen luxury vehicle, Managing Director of Minster Chauffeurs Hugh Millinton has only praises for this Volkswagen model: “The Caravelle has an excellent record for reliability, flexible seating arrangements and superior capacity for luggage storage even when carrying six passengers.”

“Clients who have experience of other MPVs frequently remark on the Caravelle’s smooth running and spacious, airy interior.”

Minster Chauffeurs would be using the VW Caravelle 24 hours a day in its successful enterprise of transporting its business clients to conferences, airports and events. Besides its pioneering locations in Darlington and Middlesborough, the company has also recently expanded its operation to Leeds & York, as well as in Edinburgh.

For those who prefers to experience the luxury of the VW Caravelle in a personal setting, this Volkswagen van is available in SE and Executive specifications, with a choice of two 2.5-litre five-cylinder TDI PD turbodiesel engines offering 130 or 174 PS, as well as a 3.2-litre 235 PS V6 petrol engine. On the road prices start from £24,218 excluding VAT, while worth is increased to £28,395 when VAT is already inclusive.

According to a Volkswagen spokesman, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is planning a trip to Kuala Lumpur in the weeks ahead to settle a possible deal with Malaysia over state-owned automaker Proton.

Winterkorn is said to be meeting Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a possible sale of a stake in revenue-shrinking Proton. If to be remembered, Volkswagen has already been in previous talks with the Malaysian government, but no final decisions have been made thus far.

An insider among the discussions of the two parties has divulged that Volkswagen is interested to take an initial 20 percent stake in Proton and could even increase its share to a 50 percent share within five years. Furthermore, the source cited that the working idea is for the Malaysian government to gradually pull out while taking on any losses during the starting phase of Volkswagen’s entrance.

If said plans would successfully materialize, this would be a highly beneficial partnership between Europe’s biggest automaker and Malaysia’s struggling car firm. Volkswagen would be able to utilize the Proton enterprise as a product for Southeast Asia, a region that the German carmaker has long been interested in strengthening its position. On the other hand, the Malaysian firm wants to partner with a global automaker in order to boost its sales, which is in its dwindling stage due to an increasingly competitive domestic market.

To further illustrate its unwavering nature-friendly and fuel efficiency commitment, Volkswagen has readily teamed up with United Kingdom’s The National Trust organization. And for those not in the know, the National Trust happens to be UK’s influential foundation with regards to vital heritage and environmental issues.

As it goes, the said partnership involves roadshow presentations of the Volkswagen company at particular National Trust properties across the United Kingdom. This roadshow offerings aim to shed light on the importance of how a fuel-efficient and eco-friendly driving would benefit both the human and environmental community. Volkswagen intends to present the best habits and methods to employ in order to minimize the harmful effects that people usually contribute to the environment.

As said campaign is a month-long presentation this September, the roadshows have so far covered the areas of Cheshire, North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Wiltshire, and the recently-concluded program in Cornwall. The last leg of the event would be held in Polesden Lacey in Surrey on September 28-30.

Each of the said National Trust locations are equipped with a team of Volkswagen experts who would check the visitors’ cars free of charge, all the while providing words of wisdom in the proper way to reduce emissions and raise fuel efficiency. Some of these advices include reducing the car’s weight to reduce pressure on the vehicle’s performance parts, constantly checking tire pressures, reducing speed and heavy braking to better care for the transmission system, cleverly planning trips to prevent being caught in traffic jams and bothersome detours, reducing unnecessary in-car electrical systems, and the all-important tip on regular car servicing to ensure maximum performance of all vehicular parts and mechanisms. In line with such tips, the Volkswagen teams are also emphasizing that following these simple yet exemplary car maintenance procedures could cut down the carbon dioxide emissions by about eight percent, or equivalent to more than 5.5 million tons of Carbon Dioxide. Such a CO2 decrease would save the country over £2 billion a year in fuel expenses.

And not one to miss an advertising opportunity, visitors of the National Trust would also be given the opportunity to test drive Volkswagen’s esteemed line of BlueMotion vehicles. Indeed, the new VW Polo BlueMotion can be considered as a perfect example of the seminar on fuel efficiency and environmental care, what with its official combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 74.3 mpg, and a CO2 figure of 99 gm per km. The BlueMotion also is proud to be equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as standard equipment, as it produces fewer harmful emissions than its contemporaries.

When asked for comments on this green partnership, The National Trust’s Head of Sustainability Rob Jarman amiably offered: “The National Trust hopes that people can enjoy the amazing natural beauty and historic interest of our sites whilst causing minimum damage to the environment in the process. Our ideal is for people to enjoy our properties whilst using minimum fuel and this is the first step towards achieving this ideal as it will at least help our visitors to reduce their emissions, aid our work on preventing pollution and climate change, while conserving our national heritage.”

Volkswagen’s Environmental Manager Peter Stokes has this to say: “With the Polo BlueMotion we have what is currently one of the most fuel efficient cars available. We are therefore delighted to be provided with a new opportunity through this initiative with The National Trust to pass on advice on efficient use of vehicles to its visitors. Drivers can have an enormous impact on reducing fuel consumption and emissions whatever vehicle they drive. At Volkswagen we work hard to improve the technology in our products to reduce carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency, and we are delighted to pass on our expertise and knowledge to The National Trust’s visitors.”

The Jetta has remained to be a popular choice in the Volkswagen lineup thanks to the German engineering and for being the lowest-cost European-designed mid-size sedan for less than $20,000.

The vehicle debuted in 1980 when it became a favorite among young, college-educated single folks and couples.

Today’s Jetta is far from what it was before. Back then, it was more of a Volkswagen Golf hatchback with a conventional trunk. The recent model has a contemporary look, spacious interior, along with a bigger and more powerful base engine.

Car critics also find the new Jetta as sportier, especially the GLI model.

The Jetta’s engines are also something Volkswagen can be proud of, for they have received such good comments. It is said that the base 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder, 150-horsepower gasoline engine is great for a drive around town and on the highway. But critics have agreed that the best Jetta engine is the 2-liter four-cylinder, which comes with a power-boosting turbocharger. It is able to generate 200 horsepower and ample amount of torque.
Without the turbo engine, the Jetta can do 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds. The turbo engine, on the other hand, can do that in 6.4 seconds.

The Jetta five-cylinder models start with a manual gearbox at $16,490, while the GLI costs $24,110 with a manual transmission and $25,185 with an automatic.

There is also “Fahrenheit” version of the GLI, which only had 1,200 units. Aside from the bright “Fahrenheit Yellow” of its exterior, it also has a yellow interior trim and stitching. This limited version costs $27,880 with the manual and $28,955 with the automatic transmission.

A regular GLI has some special features such as a sport-tuned suspension that lowers the ride height, larger alloy wheels (17-inch vs. 15- and 16-inchers) and wider (45-series) tires. Optional are $750 18-inch wheels with 40-series tires.

Style can never be sacrificed, especially when it comes to the Jetta GLI. It has leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, aluminum interior trim and powerful bi-xenon headlights.

Choices run aplenty when it comes to the Volkswagen Jetta. As motorists can choose from a six-speed automatic transmission, or opt for sportier driving with a five-speed manual, in the case of the base version, or six-speed manual, for higher-line models.

For a compact car, the Jetta is relatively heavy. It weighs at 3,230 pounds and packed with the great amount of comfort, convenience and safety equipment. Add to that the lower fuel economy it boasts compared to other compact economy cars. In the city, fuel economy is on 22 mpg while 30 on highways. The figures remain the same on either the manual or automatic transmissions with the five-cylinder base engine. For turbo engine and manual transmission, fuel economy is 23 on city driving and 32 on the highway. The DSG automatic/manual transmission has a 25 and 32 fuel economy.

Other features of the Jetta are air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player and power mirrors, windows and doors with remote keyless entry. Not to mention that Jettas are equipped with front, side and curtain side air bags, for added safety.
Traction control is not a problem in the Jetta, but the anti-skid system is optional for the base model, standard on others.

A new Volkswagen Tiguan is set to compete with other compact sports utility vehicles. It is also said that the Tiguan is expected to be priced competitively when it arrives next year. It is said to cost about the mid-$30,000 mark rising to just under $50,000.

“It is a handsome beast that should appeal to male and female buyers, especially when they drive it,” said in one car review. THe new Tiguan will feature Volkswagen’s all-wheel drive 4motion system, which is said to vary power to each wheel according to traction. Transmission will be offered on either a six-speed manual or a six-speed auto.

Stability Control will be a standard feature across the range.

Different variants for the Tiguan will be offered. There is the Track and Field, which targets off-road driving with a chamfered nose for ground clearance and other off-road features. Then there are the Trend and Fun models mainly focused for urban sport and style.

Tiguan will get its power from a direct injection, 1.4-liter, TSi petrol four-cylinder with supercharging and turbocharging engine. The diesel variant, on the other hand, has a 2.0-liter. A 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine from Golf GTI. Power outputs will range from 110kW to 147kW.

Some critics referred to the “Tiguan as a practical vehicle offering great interior and exterior.” One car review even described the rear seats that can be slide forward, back and flat. Interior styling is generic with a dash of flash particularly around the door liners and center control screen, if fitted. The said review even noted the glass roof installed in the vehicle and how much it opens up. The Tiguan also has a swing-out 2.5-ton capacity towing hitch under the rear bumper.

The park assist of the Tiguan is very convenient for the driver, for it no longer need any help doing the job.

“On-road performance is impressive, particularly in the diesel. Performance is brisk and there is never a call for more power in normal driving situations. Vehicle dynamics are surprisingly sporty for a compact sports utility,” according to the car review.

Since Volkswagen’s engines now complies with the forthcoming Euro 5 regulations, they have become more environment-friendly.

“Tiguan is a good size; not too big, not too small. It has a decent load space and is easy to access through good-sized doors. It is surprisingly competent in medium off-road driving,” a critic later said.

The Frankfurt’s Motor Show attracted a lot of car enthusiasts and car manufacturers, but it wasn’t the elegant sedans or luxurious sports cars that got the most attention. It was actually the new Volkswagen Up! concept car that became the star of the show.
It may be just a concept, but this ‘back-to-basics’ idea is very much in line for production as early as 2010.

Up! is based on a completely new platform and drivetrain. It measures just 3.45 meters in length. It also marks the comeback of the rear-engined layout like the one on the original Beetle more than 70 years ago.

The Up! concept was designed by a team headed by chief designer of the Volkswagen Group, Walter de Silva, and marks the launch of a fresh design direction for the company using simple features while retaining what de Silva calls ‘an instantly recognizable Volkswagen face’.

The rear of the Up! is a tailgate section made entirely out of a transparent material. In the center of it is a glowing Volkswagen roundel.

De Silva said at Frankfurt, “The Up! is not a car whose form will become obsolete within a very brief period of time. The Up! is a clear and strong statement for future Volkswagen design”.

There were considerable amount of challenges that faced the Volkswagen engineering team, led by director of concept development Ralf-Gerhard Willner. The Up! concept is primarily set to be the new family of small, extremely efficient vehicles.

The up! can be powered by a choice of compact two- or three-cylinder engines, depending on the specific market. Although there are still no details regarding the engine lineup, there are already many speculations about it.

One critic even discussed the possibility of a twin and triple-cylinder engine. According to him for this to be integrated and to fully work, a flat-twin unit is not possible. Instead, a horizontal parallel twin with a modular three-cylinder version is more promising and using air-cooling by way of ducting under the rear of the vehicle.

There are also some reports of a single-cylinder version of the car for emerging and third world markets offering outstanding fuel economy. Although even the likely 1.2-liter flagship triple should be able to manage better than three liters every 100km according to Volkswagen, with emissions figures in the 90g CO2/km area.

Despite its small stature, the Up! concept vehicle is capable of carrying four adults. Such interior capacity was made possible by pushing each of the four wheels as far into the corners as possible. This not only frees up space and reduces front and rear overhangs but also improves stability.

The need to maximize space continues to the car’s interior. Featuring inflatable bolsters for added comfort, each of the passenger seats can be folded and removed from the vehicle to maximize cargo capacity.

The Up! concept has a lot of features installed that will be enjoyed by the driver and the passengers. There is a software linked to a touch-sensitive screen that has the ability to sense specific hand movements of the user to configure numerous climate, entertainment and vehicle functions.

Mounted ahead of the driver, is a second screen that displays real-time information on the vehicle’s systems, as well as instant read-outs of the amount of CO2 being emitted.

Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Volkswagen’s board member with responsibility for technical development, commented, “For Volkswagen the response of Frankfurt Motor Show visitors will be a decisive test to determine whether the concept has the same kind of potential possessed by the Beetle at one time or by the Golf today.”

“Judging by comments from editors of more than half a dozen international automotive media outlets, including our own, we’d say the Up! could be yours in just a few years,” he then continued.

A current review of the new Volkswagen Golf Estate describes the vehicle with having ‘class-transcending, thoroughly engineered, logical quality of design that transcends mere fashion’.

The critic mentioned the Golf estate’s difference from the hatchback Golf. On the exterior factor, the Estate’s tail is longer than the hatchback’s. The Estate also feature a useful load platform with a roller-blind luggage cover and an optional foldable boot floor. On the rear, the bumper is slightly higher than the boot floor, but the tailgate opening is still good for a lot of functions. Meanwhile, cargo space can be maximize by folding the rear seat cushions forward and flop down the backrests. This will reveal a low and flat cargo area.

The Golf Estate features a 1,896cc, four cylinders, eight valves, turbodiesel engine that runs 105bhp at 4,000rpm, 184lb ft at 1,900rpm. It also features a five-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive. Impressively, it boasts 116mph, 0-62mph in 12.2sec, 54.3mpg as its top speed.

The wheels of this mid-level-trim Golf are 16 inches in diameter and has sporty 205/55-section tires.

“It seems the art of making a car ride well, of making it flow with the road rather than fight it, is still extant at Volkswagen. Such a combination of smoothness, precision and correct control weightings is a pleasure to experience,” said the critic.