ABT just announced it’s version of the MK6 GTI, check out the press release and photos below. Can’t say I’m a fan of the body accessories or wheels.

ABT GTI

ABT GTI Rear

ABT GTI Front

ABT GTI Interior

Press release (translated):

“For five decades refined ABT Sportline now vehicles – and to match the anniversary, the Allgäuer the new, sixth GTI before. With these three letters since 1976 are very athletic and quick “Gölfe” means.From the beginning, ABT was the first address for those who have more driving dynamics and wanted. Even the current generation of compact athlete carries the magic code, and of course it is also now available in a stunning version of ABT to have. Already impressed with the performance, because from the standard 210 hp (154 kW) through optimized engine management (ABT POWER) dynamic 260 hp (191 kW). ABT POWER S makes the GTI even sharper: In this case, in addition, a new turbocharger “made in Kempten” are used. Then provide the sporty 2.0 TSI 300 hp (221 kW) and accelerates in just six seconds from a standstill to 100 km / h. Thanks ABT suspension springs, the focus of the GTI satte 30 millimeters lower, making the transmission more sporty golf can be driven. Especially on twisty roads, the abbot of Christian’s chassis attitude really fun. And the brakes from the house of ABT is also in extreme cases vigorously.

But ABT Golf GTI is not just a hot sports equipment for the street, he sees this: The body package, which the designers have designed, underlines the sheer dynamism of the car: No matter which side of the GTI is considered, he always impressed . Rear spoiler attachment and rear bumper, side moldings, front grill and sloping apron and the winding 4-pipe exhaust system form one unit. In addition, the abbots designed a front lip which, in combination with the front apron and the new ABT daytime running lights for a power-performance provides. This fits well then the elegant expressive colors such as: Painting in carbon steel gray metallic harmonizes perfectly with side rails and front lip in the contrast color red are required. Also in the interior, the design continues, because all the apertures, the ring of the combined instrument panels and steering wheel are in the tone painted. One sees the Allgäuer athletes, that he is more than a “normal” Golf GTI – and is the sixth variant of the fast compact with the large tailgate in the best tradition. Even his five predecessors were in the ABT “About Golf”. ABT and GTI, these six letters are easy for 33 years.”

Source – http://www.abt-sportsline.de/tuning/shop/VW-Golf-VI-GTI-5K0_1370_4

German automaker Volkswagen has rolled out a newly designed R-Line package for its compact people carrier, the Touran. More about style than power, the Touran R-Line Edition is offered with two TSI gasoline engines and three TDI turbo diesel units. Exterior appointments include a new set of 18-inch multispoke alloy wheels wrapped in 225 tires, a matt chrome grille treatment, silver roof rails and cherry red tail lights plus body color protective strips. VW has also added a sport suspension kit that lowers the ride height by 15 mm.VW Touran R-LineInside, the Touran R-Line’s cabin features a three-spoke, flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel with the ‘R’ logo, sportier seats, leather handbrake and gearbox knob, sport pedals and faux aluminum decorative trim on the dashboard and the door panels.

The company has also upped the Touran’s standard equipment with a higher specification audio system, automatic climate control, CD changer in the armrest and fog lights with VW’s cornering system. In Germany, prices start from €30,800 for the Touran R-Line 1.9 TDI (105HP).

Source – http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/06/volkswagen-touran-gets-bit-sportier.html

More pics:

According to AutoExpress, Volkswagen will unveil an all-new electric concept at this year’s 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The car will follow in the foot steps of the Volkswagen Golf TwinDrive concept and will be solely electric.

Insiders say that the concept will hint at a future model that will rival Vauxhall’s Ampera (the UK version of the Chevrolet Volt). Sources say that the electric-drivetrain is at the advanced stages of development.

Last year, Volkswagen announced that it is testing a fleet of 20 plug-in hybrid Golfs in Berlin and plans on launching a production version by late 2010.

The fleet of Volkswagen’s TwinHybrid Golf concept is powered by a 2.0L turbo-diesel engine making 122-hp. The production version is reported to carry a 1.4L direct-injected 4-cylinder producing up to 100-hp.

A Sanyo produced lithium-ion battery allows the Golf TwinDrive to travel 30 miles on battery-power alone.

Source – http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/05/19/volkswagen-to-unveil-new-electric-concept-at-frankfurt-in-sept/

” Reuters, Wednesday May 6 2009

* Ten brands to be united under one roof
* Working party to come up with plan in four weeks
* Clans meet to try to solve problem of 9 bln eur debt pile
* Porsche SE shares end higher, Volkswagen lower (Recasts story with
Porsche, VW comments)

FRANKFURT, May 6 (Reuters) – Porsche Automobil Holding SE and its Volkswagen unit will create an integrated carmaking group that unites 10 brands under one roof, Porsche said on Wednesday.

The decision emerged from a meeting of the extended clan that owns Porsche and executives from VW, already Europe’s biggest carmaker, to thrash out a strategy for Porsche’s stalled takeover of VW.
“In the final structure ten brands shall stand below an integrative leading company alongside each other, whereby the independence of all brands and explicitly also of Porsche shall be ensured,” a statement said.

It gave no more details for the plan, would it said would include unspecified “capital measures”.
The goal was to work out final details in the next four weeks after talks with VW’s home state of Lower Saxony — which can veto any sweeping changes at VW — and labour leaders.

Volkswagen now has nine brands. The Porsche sports car band is held separately by the holding company owned in turn by the Porsche and Piech families.

Earlier, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on that debt-laden Porsche had abandoned its target of reaching a 75 percent majority holding in Volkswagen.

Porsche said in early January it controls about 51 percent of Volkswagen’s voting shares and had repeatedly said it wants to raise its voting stake to just above 75 percent this year should economic conditions allow.

Worsening conditions on the credit markets have made refinancing Porsche’s 9 billion euros ($11.98 billion) in net debt more difficult.
It has also become tougher to finance the bid for complete financial control over VW, known as a “domination agreement.” Analysts predict Porsche would need at least an additional 13 billion euros to take their stake above 75 percent.

Porsche shares closed up 1.2 percent, while Volkswagen stock eased 0.4 percent, before the news was announced. The more liquid VW preferred shares slipped 1.7 percent. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner, Jan Schwartz, Edward Taylor and Philipp Halstrick; Editing by Rupert Winchester) ”

Source – http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8492516

(These are preliminary and still may change)pdf files:

Golf – http://media.vw.com/article_download.cfm?article_id=10477

GTI – http://media.vw.com/article_download.cfm?article_id=10476

Check out the video: VW CEO interview

“Volkswagen has officially taken the wraps off its diesel-powered GTD ahead of its AMI in Leipzig debut next month. As the name implies the GTD is essentially a diesel-powered version of VW’s hot GTI hatch. Such a model has been rumored since late last year.

The GTD use VW’s 2.0L TDI powerplant, tuned to produce 170 horsepower and 258 b-ft of torque. That power will be sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or VW’s six-speed DSG gearbox.

Although not as quick as its GTI counterpart, the GTD will make the sprint from 0-62 in 8.1 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 136 mph. The GTD uses only 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which roughly translates into a combined 44 mpg.

Despite the oil-burner up front, the GTD still shares plenty of DNA with its GTI counterpart. The GTD employs 17-inch wheels, a sports-tuned suspension and upgraded brakes. The GTD uses the same front fascia as the GTI, but sports a chrome grille accents instead of red.

Inside the GTD features sport seats and a three-spoke steering wheel with a flattened bottom. A unique black headliner distinguishes the GTD from other Golf models.

The GTD will hit the German market sometime this summer — with a base price of 27,475.00 Euros — but it remains unclear if VW will market the GTD in the States. However, VW is already pushing its diesel technology on the American public in the form of the Jetta TDI, so it remains possible that we could see GTD on our shores in the not-too-distant future. ”

Source – http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-gtd.html

Passat CC Wagon

“Volkswagen’s recent announcement that it has overtaken Ford as the world’s third biggest carmaker doesn’t appear as though it will have any effect on the pace of the company’s new model roll out. Set to appear over the next couple of years are the recently revealed Mark VI Golf, new-generation Polo, the up! minicar range, a new roadster and North American sedan, plus all of their respective cabrio and wagon variants. One other possibility is a new wagon based on the Passat CC.Expected to be launched a year from now, this latest rendering gives a good indication as to what a new Passat CC wagon could look like. As suggested by this rendering, the wagon will feature the same sleek profile as the saloon but could also include a slightly longer wheelbase to boost interior space. Seating capacity, however, should remain at enough space for four.

The engine lineup should mirror that of the sedan, which means a base 2.0L TSI engine with 200hp (147kW) and 207lb-ft of torque in the U.S., available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Available optionally will be a flagship 3.6L FSI, rated at 280hp (206kW) and 266lb-ft of torque. Other markets will feature a base 160hp (105kW) 1.8L: TSI model and two diesel variants developing 140 (90kW) and 170hp (110kW) respectively.

VW marketing chief Detlef Wittig has previously stated that the company expects 60% of CC sales to come from the U.S. alone, which means the wagon would likely be sold on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Source – http://www.motorauthority.com/preview-volkswagen-passat-cc-wagon.html

Check out this turbocharged Hayabusa powered MK1 Golf on Youtube! It has been converted to RWD and stripped of most of its interior.  Insane…