VW to build up! in India

According to inside line, VW has announced that it will build the up coming up! micro car in Chakan India. Plans from VW are to sell 240,000 cars per year in India by 2012. And they are looking to the up! and the current Polo to be the leaders of the battle.

The Passat is currently on sale there and proving quite popular. Plans are also calling for the next generation Jetta and Phaeton to also go on sale in the next few years.

The up! will hopefully bring the joys of car ownership to thousands. And with a price tag of right around $7,500. They may have the next Beetle on their hands.

Source: Insideline via Autoblog.com

SEMA 07: More VW TDI Diesel madness

While the new Jetta SportWagen is still not available yet, Volkswagen is still making VW nuts drool by showing off a modified TDI version of the hot wagon. Powered by the all new 2.0 Clean Diesel TDI, sporting 140 horsepower and 235 ft lbs of torque. The SportWagen is also topped off by revised body styling components, 19 inch Sportec Wheels, and a H&R suspension.

Official Specs:

2009 Jetta TDI SportWagen
Powered by the 2.0L Clean Diesel TDI, delivering 140 horsepower and 235 ft.-lbs. of torque, the new Jetta SportWagen does not conform to old station wagon stereotypes.
Using readily available body components and finished in custom paint and graphics, this Jetta TDI SportWagen demonstrates what can be done to personalize a Jetta. To reinforce the sportin this wagon, the Jetta’s underpinnings were upgraded by H&R Springs to lower its ride height, and make its handling razor sharp.

The Jetta TDI SportWagen remains firmly planted with 19 inch Sportec Wheels and Yokohama Tires wrapped around an upgraded Brembo brake kit, providing high performance stopping power. Hella provides up-level lighting components that add a unique flair to the styling.

Source: Volkswagen.

VW announces TDI Cup race series.

Volkswagen announced the Jetta TDI Cup racing series at the SEMA show today. VW is no stranger to motorsports, and neither are diesel powered race cars. What will be totally unique about the series is that the cars will be a clean diesel series, with the cars being carbon free.

The cars themselves will all be owned by VW, and will feature the all new 2.0 liter TDI motor. Each car will have 170 Horsepower, with 300 ft lbs of torque. Backed by a 6 speed DSG automatic transmission, 4 wheel ABS disc racing brakes, a mutli link 4 wheel independent racing suspension, and rack and pinion steering.

The races, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) will have 8 events during the 2008 North American season. This follows after the 2006 GTI Cup series and the New Beetle Cup of 2000. VW also announced a partnership with the SCCA to use Volkswagens as pace cars during the 2008 season.

Official Press Release:

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008.

"The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen's diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun," said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today's clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity."

The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen. With up to 30 Jetta TDI's competing in the hands of aspiring, young drivers, this unique motorsport offering will highlight a new, exciting platform of racing that does not currently exist – a full field of clean diesel powered vehicles.

"With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers and expand their knowledge about clean and quiet diesel technology," said Robert Wildberger, president and CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. "We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers and advantages of diesel power."

The Jetta TDI Cup racecars will be optimized for track performance and safety. To focus on the skill of the young drivers and to ensure performance parity, proper maintenance and safety standards, all vehicles will be owned and maintained by Volkswagen. The heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The Jetta TDI race vehicles will be outfitted with a six-speed automatic DSG® transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and four-wheel ABS racing brakes.

Signifying Volkswagen's environmental commitment, the Jetta TDI Cup series will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Additional program details will be available at www.vwmotorsportusa.com by mid-November 2007.

Source: Volkswagen