People that were there for the past Detroit Auto Show were treated to a rare breed. It was the Volkswagen BlueSport concept (See image above). This beauty had everyone talking and excited about when a production version would be made, but Volkswagen could not confirm that, or even if it would ever make an appearance. However, it looks as if this sporty little roadster just might come into being after all, although that hasn’t been officially confirmed.

What we do know is that the automaker’s design chief, Walter de Silva, said. He commented, “I’m not the only one in our company who is convinced that a small roadster wouldn’t be the worst thing for Volkswagen. This is a vehicle that we particularly like, and we always have in mind.”

The Volkswagen BlueSport concept was the brain child of Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche with each brand taking their own variant of the two seater coupe. Knowing that these major players were all in on the action makes the Volkswagen version even more appealing. If it does come out it will be going head to head with the Mazda MX-5.

A 2.0 liter turbodiesel engine is hosted in the Volkswagen BlueSport concept, but the production version could end up hosting a variety of gasoline TSI engines. For the concept model, the turbodiesel gives 258 pound feet of torque and 177 horsepower that gives the roadster a fun, if not all out aggressive feel. It will take you from 0 to 62 in about 6.6 seconds, so that’s not too bad either. When you add the ability to cruise at speeds of around 140 miles per hour, it heats it up even more. Best yet, it will get 54.7 miles per gallon.

Only time will tell whether the Volkswagen Roadster comes out as a production vehicle, so keep your fingers crossed.

Source Volkswagen

American drivers are still going to have to wait for about one more year until they get their hands on the 2015 Volkswagen GTI, but it is just too exciting to wait to see what this new version can do. Besides, that gives you about one more year to save up some hard earned dollars so you can be one of the first ones to drive a brand new model off the lots. Critics are all saying that this new addition to the Volkswagen family is well worth the wait. This is a Performance model and comes standard with a six speed manual, but you can option out to an automatic if you prefer to just point and drive.

The engine hosted in the 2015 Volkswagen GTI is a 2.0 liter TSI that is easy on gas and CO2, but don’t let that fool you, it will give you 227 horsepower with VAQ for superb performance while cornering. This comes in five modes for you to choose from depending on your driving mood. Those driving modes are Comfort, Normal, Sport, Eco, and Individual. You can access those through the touchscreen. You might not be over the moon over 227 horsepower, but those horses are impressively responsive and you’ll find yourself zipping around with the best of them, including going from 0 to 60 in about 6.4 seconds.

When you climb inside the the 2015 Volkswagen GTI you feel the ambience that is nothing else other than Volkswagen, although a more modern version. The plaid sport fabric is brand new for this year and is a pattern called “Clark”. It has a responsive touchscreen that will give you all the latest high technology options and a load of other features to help you and your passengers fully enjoy this sporty little rendition.

Learn more about the VAQ and see the GTI in action:

Source YouTube

One of our favorite Volkswagen models, the Passat is going to become available in the Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition. This edition is set to sell at $23,495 and is a trim level somewhere between the base S model and the middle grade SE trim model in regard to content and pricing. The image you see is not the official Wolfsburg Edition. Only the badge is official at this time. However, we are expecting great things from this new model including a set of 16 inch alloy wheels that will help set it apart from the rest of the Passat lineup.

The release by Volkswagen promises: “Building on the features of the well-equipped S model with a six-speed automatic transmission- which already includes Bluetooth® technology, multi-function steering wheel with audio and phone controls, automatic headlights, power exterior mirrors and driver’s seat lumbar support- the Passat Wolfsburg Edition adds distinctive 16-inch alloy wheels, perforated V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, satellite radio, and a Media Device-Interface (MDI) with an iPod® cable.”

The first quarter of 2013 is over and General Motors is thrilled to be able to report that it has outsold Volkswagen on a Global level, even if not by very much. 2.36 million General Motors models were sold throughout the world between January and March of this year. In comparison, Volkswagen sold 2.27 million vehicles which is a pretty close second. While Toyota has been in the first place for global sales since it took over in 2012, the figures are not yet in for the Japanese automaker in order to see how this is all playing out in the race for first place.

While Ford outsold General Motors for the month last month it hasn’t made it into the top three. General Motors lost the first place title to Toyota last year and Volkswagen was only 190,000 vehicles behind General Motors for the second place spot. This year, the competition between these three is going to be exciting to keep an eye on.

At this point, General Motors is showing a 3.6 percent increase over where they were at in sales numbers for the first quarter of last year. This was aided by Cadillac sales that are up 26% and Chevy with a modest 1% increase. While 1% isn’t much to write home about it is the tenth straight year that Chevy has enjoyed record global sales, so it’s still a positive number.

Volkswagen sales are up five percent over last year’s first quarter numbers. That is all good, yet the German automaker is reminding everyone that markets out of China and the United States are going to be even more of a challenge to keep sales going strong in since their economies continue to teeter on the brink of disaster. But, there are three more quarters of this year to go before the final numbers will tell us who wins the Global Sales for 2013, we can all hang on for an adventurous ride.

Source Associated Press

There is no doubt that the Volkswagen Beetle has grown up significantly over the years and the culmination seems to wrap up into the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible. Not only do people continue to punch each other in the arms while you drive by, but this Bug surpasses “cute” and raises itself into the heights of trendy fun driving.  Those of you who have been around long enough have seen the progression of the “slug bug”. It made its first appearance back in the 50s, but really didn’t hit the popular crowds until the 60s and 70s, when Beetle, The Beatles, Volkswagen and “Flower Power” were at the forefront of the youthful culture.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible retains enough of the “buggy” style to still be noticed immediately by the arm sluggers, it has a sleeker, more mature appearance. This is due to the longer nose, flattened out roof line and D shaped taillights. This gives it a more assertive looking prowess on the roads to go along with the new engine.  This bug features a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine that will give you 200 horsepower and 207 pound feet of torque, plenty for baha action if you are so inclined. It won’t win any races as it takes about 7 seconds to go from 0 to 60, but it’s quick enough to keep the “fun” element in driving with the top down. You can expect to get about 21 city miles per gallon and 29 on the highway, again, not stellar, but not bad at all either.

This new bug isn’t anything to sneeze at, especially when you see the sticker price. The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible starts at $33,190 for a base version model, destination included. That puts it up in points with the Chrysler 200, Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang. But, of course we all know you just can’t compare the styling or heritage.

Source YouTube

The midsize sedan segment is the most highly competitive out of all other vehicles. For the past few years, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord were the main contenders, but that changed with the new Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion throwing their weight around. Nipping at their heels has been the Chevy Malibu and Hyundai Sonata, and its game on. The Altima and Fusion are in a death match for the crown and to stay on top as “King of the Mountain” in the midsize category.

Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales’ senior vice president of automotive operations, said, “We feel really good about our position following a late build-out of the ’12 model. We are absolutely confident we will be the No. 1 [car] in the market in 2013.”

Well, apparently that’s smack talk because all the other automakers have their own perspective.

Victor Benitez, general manager of Gus Machado Ford, comments about the new Ford Fusion, “We now have a vehicle that can compete head-to-head with Camry and Accord. It’s a good-looking car.”

Don Johnson, Chevrolet’s vice president of sales and service, said, “Clearly it’s a very competitive segment, but it’s really that month-over-month trend that we like right now.” This is in light of the fact that Chevy Malibu sales rose more than 25% from February and March was the sedan’s best month since last August.

How is your favorite playing out in the battle to win the crown as top selling midsize sedan? Here is the rundown for sales so far for the year:

Sales to Date for 2013 Midsize Sedans

1. Toyota Camry 100,830
2. Honda Accord  88,427
3. Nissan Altima 86,952
4. Ford Fusion 80,558
5. Chevy Malibu 49,179
6. Hyundai Sonata 47,285
7. Kia Optima 38,813
8. Chrysler 200 36,885
9. Dodge Avenger 32,047
10. Volkswagen Passat  25,909

Source Auto News