All-New Audi Q3 SUV to hit European Showrooms this Fall with 2.0 TFSI and TDI Engines

Audi has done an awfully good job in keeping its forthcoming Q3 under wraps, but it won't be long before the Ingolstadt-based automaker launches its smallest SUV offering. According to a inside source, the new Q3 will arrive in European showrooms this fall, most likely in September or October, depending on the market.

The insider also told us that the Q3 will be offered at launch with three powertrains, a 170PS 2.0-liter TFSI with a 6-speed manual gearbox and CO2 emissions of 172 gr/km; a 211PS 2.0-liter TFSI with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 184 gr/km, and a 170PS 2.0-liter TDI diesel and an with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 158 gr/km. More engine options will be added further down the line.

The Q3 will be based on the underpinning of the VW Tiguan, with the styling drawing heavily on the firm's 2007 Shanghai Motor Show Concept (pictured above). The new crossover model will slot beneath the larger Q7 and Q5 SUVs, targeting the BMW X1.

Production of the Q3 will take place at the Seat's Martorell plant in Spain.

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VW wants to Expand its SUV Line-up, Plans to Triple U.S. Sales by 2018

Volkswagen hasn’t given up on its plans to become the world’s biggest automaker and for that it needs to sell more cars in the U.S. The Germans want to triple their American sales in the next seven years and one solution is to expand their SUV line-up in order to catch up to GM and Toyota.

“We will be looking to really grow, particularly in the compact SUV segment”, VW's U.S. chief Jonathan Browning told Bloomberg news. “Over time, I think there's also scope for growth in terms of a larger SUV within the portfolio”.

Volkswagen sold 20,946 Tiguans and 4,713 Touaregs in the U.S. last year, which is insignificant compared to the total of 3.3 million SUVs delivered in the country.

“VW is simply not a player in the American SUV segment”, said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. “Their models aren't being recognized as sufficiently competitive”.

The automaker is exploring other means to increase its sales as well, one of them being the all-new New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS), which is set to debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show.

The yet to be named model will be assembled at the company’s new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with deliveries programmed to start in the third quarter of 2011.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

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Official: New VW NMS Sedan, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos Coming to the States Next Year

Volkswagen will reveal its future plans in a meeting with its 582 U.S. and 130 Canadian dealers that takes place in Atlanta and will also include a drive of more than 700 all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedans to the company's brand-new $1 billion assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In a statement to the press, the German automaker said it plans to introduce four all-new or refreshed models in 2011 including the NMS mid-size sedan, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos.

Here's what VW said: "In addition to opening the Chattanooga plant in 2011, Volkswagen of America will introduce four all-new or refreshed models – NMS, Beetle, Tiguan and Eos. These vehicles join the 2010 launch of the all-new Jetta and new Touareg. Each of these vehicles is critical to achieving Volkswagen Group's target of selling one million vehicles annually in the US by 2018 (Volkswagen: 800,000; Audi: 200,000)."

No other details were released on the aforementioned models, however, we do know that the NMS mid-size sedan is new and that the Tiguan and Eos will receive a mid-life makeover.

That leaves us with the New Beetle, which has been in the market since 1998 with production of the current model set to cease in 2011. Logic says, VW will present a brand-new version of the retro-styled Beetle, with a teaser concept study possibly making its appearance at an upcoming international motor show such as the LA (November 2010) or Detroit (January 2011) salons.

As always, we'll keep an eye on things and inform you on any new developments.

*2012 New Beetle renderings by David Cardoso - read more here

VW Ups the Luxury Ante with Special Edition Tiguan Track & Avenue

The Tiguan Track & Avenue is the latest special edition Volkswagen model to hit the company's European showrooms. It combines subtle exterior upgrades with high-end materials inside with the German firm claiming a price advantage of over €2,000 when all of its features are considered.

The special Tiguan is available in two unique exterior colors, "Oryx White Pearl Effect" and "Island Grey Pearl Effect", with the exterior package including 19-inch alloy wheels, a 25 degree off-road front end, modest wheel flares and a silver-colored rear diffuser.

The real focus of attention, however, concerns the interior that gains a high-grade leather upholstery called "Heavy Waxy" in Amaranth with colored seams.

Additionally, the compact SUV gets sport seats, an RCD 510 radio with Dynaudio sound system, "Climatronic" climate control and a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with coloured seams while the package is rounded off front fog lights and Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic curve lighting.

Volkswagen said that the Tiguan Track & Avenue is available in four engine / transmission combinations including the 200HP 2.0-liter TSI petrol with manual or automatic transmission, a 140HP diesel coupled to an automatic and a 170HP diesel linked to a manual gearbox.

Prices for the special edition Tiguan start from €38,225 (US$56,500 at today's exchange rates) for the 2.0 TSI with the six-speed manual gearbox.

Restyled (?) Volkswagen Tiguan SUV Premieres at Auto Guangzhou 2009

At the 7th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Show, which opened on Monday, Volkswagen and its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) revealed the 2010MY domestic market version of the Tiguan SUV. In comparison to the current Tiguan sold in Europe, North America and other international markets, the Chinese models features a new grille that extends to the headlights and a re-profiled front bumper.

Inside, from what we can tell by looking at these first official photos, changes are limited to a new three-spoke steering wheel and the redesigned instrument panel that features two central gauges incorporating two smaller dials.

VW Shanghai's press release does not clarify if these styling changes are exclusive for the Chinese-spec model or if they will pass on to the Tiguan sold in other markets as well.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: VW Shanghai

Volkswagen Gears Up the Tiguan SUV with New Line of Styling Accessories

In an effort to satisfy those customers who want a more individual look for their Tiguan, Volkswagen's Accessories arm has released a new line of products for its compact-sized SUV. The range includes front and rear protective guards, and rocker panels with integrated steps. All parts are available in brushed aluminum look or in matte silver finish and can be combined with a new all-around aerodynamics package.

The aero pack includes a front and rear apron, a roof spoiler and protective fender expansions while buyers can also choose from a variety of alloy wheel designs in sizes up to 19-inches.

BMW X1 Priced 7 to 11 Percent Lower than X3 and Relatively Close to VW Tiguan in Germany

As well as publishing the official photos and specs of the X1, BMW has also confirmed pricing on its new compact SUV for many European markets. In Germany, the entry-level, rear-wheel drive X1 sDrive18i petrol model will go on sale in Europe from the beginning of 2010 with a starting price of €27,200. The range topping, all-wheel drive xDrive28i with its 258HP straight six gasoline engine is priced from €41,500 or 7.3 percent (€3,400) less than the 272HP X3 xDrive30i.

Since the X3 is not offered with the option of rear wheel drive, we can only compare the xDrive variants of the two vehicles. Both the xDrive18d and 20d are priced around 10 percent lower than the respective X3 models.

But how does the X1 compare price-wise with other compact SUVs in Germany? As we said before, the base X1 RWD sDrive18i, which should logically come with a 143HP 2.0-liter petrol, costs €27,200.

In comparison, the entry-level, front-wheel drive VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI 140HP is priced at €26,050 while the basic Toyota RAV4 that is moved by a 2.0-liter with 158HP, costs €23,200.

The base all-wheel drive diesel version of the X1, the 143HP xDrive18d that should be one of most popular versions in Europe, begins from €31,550. That's compared to the VW Tiguan 140HP TDI 4Motion's starting price of €29,600 and the Toyota RAV4 150HP 2.2-liter D-4D's €27,300.

Price Comparison X1 vs X3 in Germany

BMW X1 sDrive18i €27,200 -

BMW X1 sDrive18d €29,550 -

BMW X1 xDrive18d €31,550 - BMW X3 xDrive18d €35,550 (+ €4,000)

BMW X1 sDrive20d €32,400 -

BMW X1 xDrive20d €34,400 - BMW X3 xDrive20d €38,300 (+ €3,900)

BMW X1 xDrive23d €38,800 -

BMW X1 xDrive28i 258HP €41,500 - BMW X3 xDrive30i 272HP €44,900 (+ €3,400)

New Volkswagen Tiguan R Line: It's all about the Looks

Volkswagen will be launching a spicier looking version of its Tiguan SUV in the UK this summer. Designed and built by the firm's Individual division, the R Line model features visual changes over the standard Tiguan through a sporty package but no increase in power. The basis for the new R Line is the Sport model which has been adorned with a body-colored front splitter sitting below the front bumper along with a unique matt chrome grille section and blistered wheel arches that surround new R Line 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels fitted with 255/40 tires.

There's also a set of subtle body-color sill extensions complete with matt chrome highlights fitted into the new rear bumper that comes with a small diffuser element. Finally, a small spoiler sits at the top of the rear window to complete the new look.

For the interior, VW Individual equipped the Tiguan R Line with a new flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel joined by aluminium pedals and trim plus a set of contoured sports seats complete with 'R' logos New R Line. Furthermore, a two-zone climate control is also fitted as standard.

VW offers the new R Line model with a range of 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel engines in 140HP and 170HP outputs as well as a 2.0-litre TSI engine developing 200HP. The Tiguan R Line can be specified with a choice of five colours; Candy White (pictured), Reflex Silver, Deep Black, Biscay Blue and Mountain Grey.

In the UK, the new Tiguan R Line is due to arrive in showrooms in June with prices starting at £24,635 for the 2.0-litre 140HP model rising to £26,305 for the 2.0-litre TSI range-topping engine.

B&B Tunes the new VW Tiguan up to 300HP

There seems to be no shortage of tuning proposals for Volkswagen models of all sorts these days. One of the latests offerings comes from German tuning house B&B that has presented an extensive tuning programme for Volkswagen's compact SUV, the Tiguan. Starting with the engine kits, B&B offers various tuning stages for all gasoline and diesel units.

Specifically, the base gasoline 1.4 TSI 150HP can be upgraded to deliver 190, 200 or 220HP, the 2.0 TFSI 170HP to produce 220, 240, 280 or 300HP and the 2.0 TFSI 200HP, 240, 250, 286 and 300HP. As for the diesel range, the 2.0 TDI 140HP can be modified to develop 174 or 200HP and the 2.0 TDI 170HP, 200 or 220HP.

The engine mods can be accompanied by a sport suspension kit that lowers the ride height as well as a full bodykit and various alloy wheel designs available in sizes 18'', 19'' or 20''.