Sport Car Lux

IAA 2011: Volkswagen's Single-Seater NILS EV Concept

The Frankfurt Motor Show is abuzz this week with a variety of small pure electric concept cars. Volkswagen's contribution to the segment is a single-seater urban study named NILS, which the company claims has been "very realistically conceptualized".

"[The] NILS is a vehicle that anticipates the future. It looks as though someone has projected it back from the year 2030 to the world of today," says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volkswagen Brand.

Volkswagen says the reason why it opted for a single seat layout is that according to studies, most commuters travel alone in their car. In Germany for example, VW says 90 percent of city driving is done without passengers.

This study, which features an aluminium space-frame body, wing doors and free-standing 17-inch wheels, is quite compact measuring only 3,040mm long or about 500mm shorter than the new Up! city car. The width of the NILS, from wheel to wheel, is 1,390mm while the body itself measures just 860mm wide. The concept is 1,200mm tall and it tips the scales at just 460 kg (1,014 pounds).

A small electric motor delivering 20HP (15 kW) nominal power and short-term peak power of 33HP (25 kW) drives the rear wheels, while energy is sourced from a 5.3 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a driving range of up to 65 kilometers (40 miles).

The battery can be charged either through a conventional 230 Volt electrical outlet (maximum charging time 2 hours) or at an electric vehicle charging station.

PHOTO GALLERY

2011 Volkswagen GTI

The Mark VI GTI is upon us and sport-compact fans around the world are rejoicing. The GTI is a perennial favorite among German car enthusiasts due to its solid construction, excellent handling characteristics, and flat-out speed.

Based on the sixth-generation Golf and available from the 2010 model year onward, the new GTI is an evolutionary improvement of this hot-hatch.

Following in the tradition of past Golf models, this performance version of the car doesn't look radically different from the standard Golf. That being said, larger wheels and tires, a lowered suspension, and a few GTI-specific parts are part of the equation that sets the GTI apart from its little brother. The popular honeycomb grill returns with a more aggressive look and the now familiar red striping.

The latest GTI is powered by a new 2.0-liter TSI motor - a turbocharged four-cylinder good for 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.

As with the Mark V models, power is delivered to the front wheels via either a six-speed DSG transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. Those opting for the DSG transmission will enjoy both a set of paddle shifters and the manual shift gate on the tiptronic gear shifter.

For the first time VW is offering the GTI with an electronic differential called XDS. The GTI now also features an adaptive dampening feature found in the Scirocco which is called Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). DCC will allow the driver to switch between normal, comfort, and sport ride styles and the hatch will automatically adjust the throttle and steering response to adjust to the ride style.

Expect the 2010 GTI to continue the tradition of quality interior styling with contrast stitching, quality plastics, metal foot metals, and a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. A new touch screen GPS system will be made available and redesigned climate controls sourced from the Passat CC will be standard.

Just as the Mark V paid homage to the original GTI with its interlagos plaid seats the Mark VI will continue this heritage of quirky, yet cool seating surfaces.

Outside you'll find a redesigned set of fog lamps, headlights, and tail lights as well as a large roof spoiler and lower diffuser. As with previous years, the new GTI will be available in both two- and four-door versions.

[Source: leftlanenews.com]

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover vehicle (CUV) built by the German automaker Auto 5000, based on the PQ35 platform of the Volkswagen Golf. Production started in the winter of 2007 in Wolfsburg, Germany, and started selling shortly after. All Tiguans are four-cylinder powered. The Volkswagen Tiguan was announced at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show held in November 2006 as a concept vehicle. The production Tiguan was released at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and debuted as a 2008 model for Europe and elsewhere and in North America as a 2009 model. Sales of the Tiguan in Canada began in April 2008. As of 2011, more than 700,000 Tiguans have been sold worldwide since September 2007. The Tiguan's largest markets (in order by sales) are Europe, Russia, the United States, China, Brazil, and Australia. The Tiguan is available in two bodystyles and three specification levels, they are:
- Tiguan Trend & Fun
- Tiguan Sport & Style
- Tiguan Track & Field
The Trend & Fun and Sport & Style both have maximum approach angles of 18 degrees, while the Track & Field has a 28-degree maximum approach angle.
In The Netherlands another version is delivered namely the Comfort & Design. This is basically a Trend & Fun to which some accessories have been added. This version was created by the Dutch distributor for the Dutch market. In the UK, trim levels are S, Match, Sport and Escape. Tiguan was tested by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and received a five-star safety rating.

Volkswagen Tiguan Video Review - Kelley Blue Book - VW

The Trend & Fun specification is the entry level road oriented Tiguan. Features it includes are six airbags, ESP, Trailer Stability Program integrated with the ESP, Isofix child seat anchorages on the rear bench and electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, RCD 210 radio with integrated CD player, “Climatic” semi-automatic climate control system, four electric window lifts, electrically-adjustable and heated outside mirrors, Multifunctional Display Plus (trip computer), RF remote control of central locking and various storage compartments and bins. In addition over the Trend & Fun the Sport & Style has these features, 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome roof rail, chrome strips on front bumper and surrounding side window lining, tinted windows, sport seats with height-adjustable lumbar supports center console with folding and height-adjustable armrest, folding front passenger seat, drawers under the front seats, folding table and storage pockets on the backs of the front seats, leather for steering wheel, gear shift knob and gear shift boot, fabric seats with Alcantara accents, cruise control system and tire pressure indicator.The off-road oriented Tiguan features a redesigned front module with a 28-degree approach angle, hill descent assistant, modified driving pedal characteristic, EDS adaptation (electronic differential locks are activated at the slightest slip), ABS adaptation (which aids with braking on loose substrates), hill ascent assistance, automatic transmission gear level pre-selection (including optimal engine braking effect), 16-inch “San Diego” alloy wheels, tire pressure indicator, black roof rails, engine underbody protection, compass display and special door impact guard strips. The Tiguan Track & Field is also equipped with “Comfort seats” which feature adjustable lumbar support. This makes the vehicle particularly nimble, considering its 202" overall lengthAs part of a marketing strategy by Volkswagen the name was chosen by the public through the Auto Bild group with over 350,000 voters through Auto Bild's magazines and Web sites. The other possible names were Namib, Rockton, Liger, Samun and Nanuk. Tiguan is a combination of the German words Tiger (“tiger”) and Leguan (“iguana”).

At the 2007 Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai, China, Volkswagen showed the Tiguan HY MOTION study powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The fuel cell produces an output power of 80 kW and the electric motor has 100 kW. These figures give the Tiguan HY.MOTION a top speed of 150 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds. The lithium-ion battery has a charge capacity of 6.8 ampere-hours and is an auxiliary energy storage system. Power output from the lithium-ion battery is 22 kW. Battery charge is recovered from braking energy or the hydrogen fuel cell. The 2010 model year was the beginning of the Tiguan R availability in the European markets. The import version of Tiguan appears on the Chinese market in 2009, but soon a locally built version (aka Shanghai-Volkswagen Tiguan) was revealed at 2009 Guangzhou Motor Show. The Chinese-built Tiguan uses 1.8TSI (118 kW) and 2.0TSI (147 kW), and has a revised front facia. At the same time the import Tiguan is still sold in China, which has 2.0TDI and R-Line kit as highlights. The basic design of the import model is the same as the international one. In order to differ locally-built and import models, Shanghai-VW Tiguan is given a Chinese name, known as 途观 (tuguan), and the import one keeps the original letter name. On July 17, 2010, the GM of Shanghai Volkswagen, plus the company's public relations chief and two other executives of the company, died in a company-owned VW Tiguan in a high-speed traffic accident. According to Chinese media reports, Shanghai VW General Manager Liu Jian and PR chief Zeng Jialin, plus two other executives, were traveling at 220 km/h (140 mph) — far exceeding the expressway maximum of 110 km/h (68 mph) — when the Tiguan hit a truck and burst into flames.

Volkswagen Phaeton

The Volkswagen Phaeton is a full-size luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen, and is described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle. It was introduced at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, and marketed worldwide.

The name Phaeton derives from Phaëton, the son of Phoebus (or Helios) in Greek mythology, by way of the phaeton auto body style and the type of horse-drawn carriage that preceded it.

Awesome Volkswagen Phaeton In Black

Volkswagen Phaeton On The Road With The Top Speed

The Phaeton body is fabricated and painted at the large Volkswagen works at Zwickau, Germany, and the completed bodies are then transported about 100 km by special road transport vehicles to the Transparent Factory. Most Phaeton engines, the W12 being the notable exception, are built at the VW/Porsche/Audi engine plant in Győr, Hungary.

Luxury Volkswagen Phaeton

Volkswagen Phaeton Side View

As of 2007, powertrain options for the Phaeton include the following engines. 4motion permanent four-wheel drive is the only driveline system available. A front wheel drive only configuration was available with the 3.2L engine during MY 2003 and 2004 only.

For the 2011 model year the Phaeton was once again the recipient of a facelift. It was first seen at the Beijing Motor Show. The car gets a new front fascia to more closely resemble the current Volkswagen styling direction, first seen on the Golf Mk VI. (Note: the front will not be in black like the Golf, but in chrome.) This includes new LED running lights, bi-xenon headlights and a new bumper with LED fog lights. The rear LED clusters have been altered as well to mimic those found on the recently facelifted Toruan, Sharan, and new Touareg. The interior benefits from some new technologies as well, but retains the 2009 MY layout. The Phaeton will have two different versions: a normal wheelbase and long wheelbase. The Phaeton will also offer a 5-seat layout or an optional 4-seat layout. In the 5-seat version, the front seats can be adjusted 12 ways. It will have standard features like all-wheel drive, air suspension, and 4-zone automatic climate control. It will also have a multifunction steering wheel that can be ordered in leather or wood-leather.

2011 Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept By Kyrgyzstanian

2011 Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept By Kyrgyzstanian

Steel Drake Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept is a simple but elegant design. Here are the latest production cars, the 2011 Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept By Kyrgyzstanian, Volkswagen Drake is the type of steel. Kyrgyzstanian graphic designer “Steel Drake” has created something very much fitting with this scenario in the form of his Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept.

2011 Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept By Kyrgyzstanian

It resembles a reduced front Motors Audi R8. Then, at halfway of the project, Audi he cans and presents his sketches and model prototyping of Volkswagen decided to put the two doors cut in production. Steel Drake’s Concept Sports Cars is a simple-yet-sleek design let down only by some questionable design choices.

2011 Volkswagen Sport Cars Concept By Kyrgyzstanian

Get for instance the drooping taillights that seem additional befitting a Chinese automobile than 1 built in Germany, or the peculiar concave curves around the doorways that seems caught on as opposed to an integral part of the style. Otherwise it is rather fantastic seeking, although maybe far more something Infiniti would produce than Volkswagen.