Siemoneit Racing�s VW Golf R Black Pearl with up to 530HP

While VW�s 270-horsepower Golf R hatchback is hardly underpowered, the engineers over at the German tuning firm Siemoneit Racing felt like it could use some extra ponies.

Siemoneit Racing calls its tuned VW Golf R the �Black Pearl�for obvious reasons- and it offers customers a choice of two performance packages. The first boosts the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine�s output from 270HP and 320Nm to 355-horses and 485Nm (357.7 lb-ft) through thanks to the updated ECU software, custom exhaust and a new air intake system.

The second and more comprehensive package transforms the Golf R into a 530-horsepower monster by further tweaking the engine software, and adding a larger turbocharger, a new intercooler and a different exhaust system.

VW Group to Display Up to Seven Concepts at the Geneva Show

It seems that the VW Group will do just about anything to become the world�s biggest automaker by 2018. After announcing a �51.6 billion (US $70.3 billion) investment plan last November, the Germans also want to showcase their future intentions at the Geneva Motor Show in March, by displaying up to seven concepts.

Walter de Silva, head of the group�s design department, told ANE that the concept lineup will include Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen models, plus �one � if not two� Audis.

Furthermore, the Italdesign Giugiaro design studio, acquired by the automaker last spring, will also present two Volkswagen concept cars.

Seeing this kind of commitment, one has to wonder what exactly has Volkswagen is store for us. With the Golf Mk7 said debut in late 2012 or early 2013, we're inclined to say that it�s too early for a design study and the same goes for the next generation Audi A3, due for a release in the summer of 2012. While the manufacturer did say that it wants to expand its North American SUV lineup, information on the subject is scarce, so we wouldn�t bet on an SUV concept either.

In any case, if you have an opinion on the matter, now is the time to share it with us in the comments section below.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift: Is this the first Official Photo?

The facelifted 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan has said to have made a brief stint on the automaker's German web site today before the company hastily removed it. We found the aforementioned page but now it redirects to a 404 error.

Unlike the supposedly leaked brochure of the refreshed Tiguan we showed you last summer, this photo showing the standard and possibly the more off-road capable Track & Field model, appears to be real. The most notable difference is of course the new front fascia styled in line with VW's latest family face. Word has it that the updated Tiguan SUV will make its world premiere at the Geneva motor show. We'll be sure to keep you updated on any new information that comes up.

VW Releases UK Pricing for New Jetta Saloon, Available with Turbocharged Petrol and Diesel Engines

Today, Volkswagen announced UK pricing information for its new Jetta sedan that is available to order now, with first customer deliveries due in May. In Europe, the Jetta is offered exclusively with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with on-the-road prices starting from �16,960 (US$27,350) for the entry-level S 1.4-litre TSI 122HP model and top out at �22,320 ($35,990) for the Sport 2.0-litre TDI 140HP with a DSG transmission.

There are three trim levels to choose from (S, SE and Sport), with all models fitted with air conditioning, an MP3 compatible CD stereo, six airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), an alarm and folding rear seats as standard.

Powering the Jetta is a range of TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Currently, two petrol engines are offered, 1.4-liter TSI with 122-horses and a twincharged 1.4-litre TSI unit developing 160HP.

The diesel lineup starts with a 105HP 1.6-litre TDI engine equipped with BlueMotion Technology features including Start/Stop and battery regeneration, that returns 67.3 mpg UK (56 mpg US) on the combined cycle while emitting 109 g/km of CO2. A 2.0-litre TDI engine developing 140HP and returning 58.9 mpg UK combined is also available.

The 1.6-litre TDI and the 1.4-litre TSI 160 HP engines can be specified with the option of a seven-speed DSG gearbox, while the 2.0-litre TDI is available with a six-speed DSG transmission.

We'll remind you that the European Jetta is more upscale than its American counterpart featuring higher-quality and softer materials inside plus a four-link rear suspension system similar to that fitted to the Golf.

NHTSA Investigates 490,000 Volkswagen Passat Models Over Engine Compartment Fires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] has upgraded an ongoing investigation into the Volkswagen Passat with 4-cylinder turbo powerplants over reports of engine fires to include all sedans from the 2001-2007 model years and Wagons from the 2006-2007 model years. Last summer, the government agency had opened a preliminary examination into the 2002-2003 model year Passat amid concerns on fires caused by failing ignition coils. The upgraded investigation now covers some 490,000 VW Passats.

According to a document filed on the safety agency's web site, the Office of Defects Investigation [ODI] has received 14 complaints alleging that a fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle that may be related to ignition coil failure, and 21 complaints of ignition coil failure that did not result in a fire. Volkswagen said it has received another 199 complaints for problems related to coil failures.

The reports received by the NHTSA state that the "vehicle hesitated or lost power, and the check engine or dashboard lights illuminated", and that "the vehicles were repaired by replacing the faulty ignition coil(s) while some of the complaints indicated that the ignition coils were replaced more than once".

VW XL1 Hybrid Coupe Study: Videos and Photos from Qatar

The highlight of Volkswagen's presentation at this week's Qatar motor show is the new XL1, a futuristic looking diesel-electric plug-in hybrid study for an everyday-use coupe vehicle with a combined fuel economy of just 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers or an amazing 261 mpg US.

The extremely low fuel consumption is achieved through the use of a lightweight construction, carefully honed aerodynamics and of course, the hybrid powertrain that combines a 0.8-liter twin-cylinder diesel producing 48-horses with a 27HP electric motor. If you follow the jump, you can check out live photos as well as on the road videos of the XL1. For more details on the study, read our previous post here.

It Came from eBay Hell: �80s VW Golf Stretch Limo with Mercedes Nose

So you want your own limousine? Sure, I can dig that. Who hasn�t thought of trading in their daily commute for something that�s chauffer driven? And what better place to start your search than on eBay, where you�re sure to find something both unique and affordable, if not exactly well built or driveable.

Here�s one such find, based on a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf for the rest of the world) with a Mercedes-Benz nose piece. The seller�s description reveals that this vehicle has new brakes, struts, a new exhaust, new wheels and tires, new windshield and gas tank. And it still has its original motor and transmission, with a twin barrel carburettor with aluminium intake and header which the seller assures us makes it, �Fast for what it is.�

Inside there are two bench seats facing each other, and an electrically operated tinted glass partition that can separate the passengers from the driver. Classy.

The interior is in need of a lot of attention, though. There�s no headliner, no carpet and the custom interior panels have yet to be fitted. The air conditioning�s not hooked up and there�s no sound system, either. The car�s also missing a, �Few other odds and ends.�

On the upside, it has a clear title and the car comes with a fixer upper GTI engine and a white rabbit plush toy that has been stretched and has a VW hat on its head. Sadly there are no pictures of the latter. The starting price is a low, low US$4,999.00 (�3,676). Price for a first generation Rabbit, but not bad for something with such...uh...�unique qualities.�

The strange this is, this car has been on sale before, almost two years ago. And it was in the exact same state it�s in now. We don�t know what this means, except maybe that the owner grew tired of working on it. Take that however you want, and leave your comments below.

Volkswagen Reconsidering Scirocco and Phaeton for the U.S. Market

Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced that it�s going to expand its North American SUV lineup in order to catch up to GM and Toyota and triple its U.S. sales by 2018. However, the automaker also wants to boost its image, so it may bring back the Scirocco coupe and Phaeton sedan to the States.

In an interview in Washington, Jonathan Browning, head of Volkswagen�s U.S. operations, told Bloomberg News that the company is exploring the idea of selling the two models in the U.S. �We will reconsider bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. in the next product cycle,� said Mr. Browning who added that no final decision has been made yet.

While not a bad car, the Phaeton had a short-lived career in the U.S., which ended in 2006. It seems that American buyers just couldn�t get used to the idea of a Mercedes S-Class rival with a Volkswagen badge. On the other hand, the Scirocco was successful in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s, so to this day, many are wondering why VW chose not to import the latest generation of the coupe model. In Europe, the Scirocco is offered with a variety of powertrains ranging from a 52.3 mpg 140HP diesel to a 265HP 2.0-liter turbo in the sporty 'R' model.

The Scirocco and Phaeton are not expected to offer a lot in terms of sales, but rather to provide an image boost for the company. The real �earners� will have to be models such as the new Jetta and Passat.

�VW wants to capture U.S. buyers by rolling out more emotional cars and the Scirocco certainly fits that category,� said Frank Schwope, a NordLB analyst in Hanover. �In terms of volume sales, the Scirocco and Phaeton are only decorative accents, they won�t be crucial for VW�s goal to greatly increase deliveries�.

Dogs love rides, some get lucky and get rides in cool old vehicles

Looks like 1946 tags on the plate

I'm still looking for a gallery of photos of this Bonneville record setting kombi VW microbus

from http://www.sportschrono.com/

On their way to south Brazil

image via: http://antigosverdeamarelo.blogspot.com/2010/02/volkswagen-do-brasil.html

Temecula Rod Run, interesting and beautiful stuff I found

Held in "Old Town" Temecula, and the streets are blocked off for the day. If your city, like San Diego, was founded a long time ago it might have a similar tourist area of historic preservation that surrounds the old pioneers businesses... Temecula does too, and it makes for nice backgrounds for photographing the old cars

That woody really caught a lot of attention

I love before and afters... hard to look at the above "as found" and think it's a candidate for a full restoration