Sometimes I really love car technology.  Sure, it’s given us its share of preposterous car gadgets but one shining day it will give us the car that drives itself.  And that will be a happy day for me.

Until that day comes, however, you’ll be happy to know that they HAVE managed to create the automated navigator in the form of AIDA.

The Affective Intelligent Agent Driving–AIDA–will tell you the best route to your destination by keeping track of traffic reports.  But not only will it tell you how to get where you want to go, it will also tell you when you should get gas, and even suggest places you may want to go that you didn’t know about based on your earlier visits.

Moreover, this joint project of MIT and Volkswagen is slated to include a “display” to communicate with the driver, allowing it to “smile when the driver seems angry”.

A pretty clever idea, though release dates and pricing are still wildly up in the air.  If you were considering buying a GPS, you may want to hold off and keep track of AIDA instead.

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We’ve all heard of biodiesel and we’ve all heard of hybrid vehicles but how about a hybrid biodiesel burning 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle? No? Me neither. Neither did students at the University of Kansas until they built one, that is.

What you see above is their creation which gets close to 50mpg  running on both biodiesel and 10 lead acid batteries.Professor Chris Depcik, leader of the team, comments on the project:

“We have driven it around and reached approximately 30 mph, but this was more of a proof of concept drive without pushing the boundaries. We are currently getting the vehicle into road-ready shape to be driven safely in order to determine these values.”

via autopia

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If Opel’s really planning to take market share away from Volkswagen, then they’d better pack a lunch because it’ll be a LONG day.  Volkswagen has plans on the board to introduce TWO new models, the former chief executive of Volkswagen said while at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

This is already significant enough news in the face of a badly contracted economy–introducing new models is a cash-intensive process that requires loads of money and plenty of time and advertising, as well as focus groups, design and redesign and all like that.

But the new designs themselves may be the newest part, as they’re going to come out of the upcoming acquisition of Porsche.

Now that’s got my motor running–what if we get a car that looks like a Porsche with the gas mileage of a Volkswagen?  That’d be a dream car right there, and one everybody else would be scrambling to imitate.

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Volkswagen has been presenting different versions of their L1 concept since 7 years ago, and this time they’ve got another round by calling it the “world’s most fuel-efficient automobile”. Maybe it is a claim too big to be true, or not…

Anyway, the L1 name comes from the fact that the car only spends 1.38l of diesel per 100Km which is pretty good. One of the reasons for the low consumption is probably related to the total weight – 380kg – of carbon fiber. In terms of CO2 emissions, the L1 only puts out 36 grams per Km which is also awesome.

Other details: it uses a 10kW electric motor powerplant, a 0.8-liter TDI, the top speed is 100 mph and there are 2 driving modes: eco or sport.

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Is it just me, or does the upcoming word out of the Frankfurt Auto Show look like a bad soap opera?  Seriously–this is nuts.  One of the biggest such tidbits is how Opel is revamping the Astra line to pit it against Volkswagen.

No, seriously–considering that Opel is in the tank anyway because of its GM connections, and the further fact that it’s surviving on a massive loan from the German government, it’s probably not a good idea for it to go after the iconic German automobile that is Volkswagen.

It’s especially worse given the rest of the hurdles that Opel will be operating under.  They can only sell their cars in certain countries, their connection to GM is hampering their local operations, there’s that whole “surviving on a giant loan” thing, the boost from the European version of cash for clunkers is SHOT…frankly, this is just bad for Opel all the way around.

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Originally intended to make its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen has decided to unveil their 2010 Golf R. This vehicle is falls into the same lineup as the Scirocco R that we saw back in May.

VW’s 2010 Golf R features a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine capable of 265hp, 320Nm of torque with the ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds when coupled with a 6 speed manual transmission or 6.4 seconds with the DSG model. Aesthetically the Golf R features an updated grill, LED daytime running lights and R badges out the ying yang.

Unlike the Scirocco R the Golf R is actually destined for a North American release but exactly when, we don’t know.

via wcf

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Audi, like Volkswagen, has issued a voluntary recall as well ironically regarding car transmissions also. Audi models equipped with the S tronic transmissions between September 2008 and August 2009 are encouraged to have their vehicles inspected due to faulty illuminated warning lamps on the car dashboard. Some customers with the affected vehicles have experienced illuminated warning lamps in the dashboard, and in rare instances, reported that the transmission went into “neutral.”

The models affected by the recall includes Audi A3, Audi TT and Audi TT Roadster models. Audi car owners should contact local dealers to have their vehicles inspected and repaired if necessary.
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Volkswagen of America has issued a voluntary recall for about 13,500 vehicles equipped with DSG transmissions. Apparently a faulty temperature sensor in the said DSG transmission is reportedly the problem. Failure of the temperature sensor could result in illuminated warning lamps in the dashboard, and in rare instances the transmission may shift into neutral.

The recall affects models like the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos built between September 2008 and August 2009. Affected owners are encouraged to call local Volkswagen retailers to schedule an appointment to have their vehicle inspected and repaired.

(Source) Press

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Volkswagen has recently sent out a press relesae that tell us they and Porsche have finally reached an agreement that will effectively merge the two automakers by the end of 2011.

The deal went down by Porsche agreeing to sell their 20% VW stock options to the Emirate of Qatar  as VW will proceed to purchase 42% of Porsche AG for €3.3 billion. But that’s not all, VW will then pay an additional €3.55 billion for Porsche Holding Salzburg which is one of Porsche’s trading companies.

Let’s hope that this merger is in the best interest of both companies.

Read more about the deal in the press release after the break.

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Big or small, you know that car preference would depend on the vehicle you would be driving. However, it would be interesting to find out that if given a chance, what vehicle would van drivers prefer handling? Apparently, the Ford still topped them all.

There is no relationship with the van driving as far as preference. The sizes are different and the maneuvering issues are sure to be non-relational. So if you sum it all up, performance and brand may as well be their prime choice, proven characteristics that have made Ford a preferred vehicle among the big vehicle drivers.

The top five models were:

1. Ford Transit
2. Ford Escort
3. Vauxhall Combo
4. Mercedes Sprinter
5. Volkswagen Transporter

So if you are planning on buying a vehicle, let this survey be a guide. However, you don’t have to be a van driver is you are worried about why some are preferring the Ford brand.

(Source) Press

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Transformers has been a hit ever since the first movie hit the bigscreen. Recently, Transformers 2 made its way to the market to what has been generally well reception.

This reception has led a mall in Beijing to promote the movie in a somewhat peculiar way. What you see above it said mall’s creation; a Transformer made completely from a Volkswagen Jetta.

To my knowledge, there are no Jetta based Transformers in the movie, but at least they tried, right?

via AutoBlog

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Although German independent vehicle manufacturer Karmann closed its doors late last month as the company heads towards bankruptcy, latest reports say the move may not be final. Karmann has reportedly signed a $14 million deal with Volkswagen to assist with the development and supply of the VW’s future electric vehicles.

This info was first reported by Germany’s Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung, which claims that Karmann will use the funds to organize a restructured company with 1,600 employees. Neither Karmann nor VW has yet to confirm the reports, but there is a strong chance the two companies could join forces

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Volkswagen Passat CC

Volkswagen’s newest luxury sedan, the CC (or the Passat CC), has done it again. This graceful four-door coupe, brought out only recently, has already won the prestigious iF Product Design Award as well as the Australian International Design Award. And now Volkswagen can add the Red Dot Design Award to its list of achievements.

One of the most sought after design awards, the Red Dot prize has been presented annually since 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen on the best designs in the world, and was received this year by Volkswagen designer Martin Kropp on behalf of his whole team.

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Their brands have been reliable and if there are secrets to be revealed on why their quality is something to be envious about, it can all be summed up to dedication and quality as far as car manufacturing for car buyers is concerned. Taking out the best for most cars lies heavily on how they are able to put together vehicles that showcase and uphold their products. And for Volkswagen and Ford, this has been proven before and continue to do so until this day.

“In today’s difficult market, the difference between products that generate consideration, build brands and increase sales versus those that do not is often how much delight and love the product generates with its customers,” says Dr. Darrel Edwards, Chairman of Strategic Vision.

Indeed, you can simply ask yourself which car brand you would ideally prefer, given the freedom to choose. These two brands, Ford and Volkswagen, have been around. To this day, they have proven themselves as worthy vehicles for consideration, something that most motorists are sure to prefer if they could afford them.

(Source) Press

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Impressed in its recent trip from Japan, European car maker Volkswagen is reportedly mulling a possible 10% stake in Suzuki. Apparently, the market penetration of the Japanese car manufacturer into India is what caught Volkswagen’s eye, something that they have not been successful at to date.

This should be good news for Suzuki considering that they needs all the help they can get financially although some terms of that area may possibly need further elaboration. But whatever happens, you can bet that this potential investment or partnership can be a good one for both of them.

In late May 2009, VW said that it was mulling cooperation with the Chinese company BYD to build hybrid or electric cars.

(Source) Steel Guru

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