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Volkswagen paid $9.5 billion to US 'dieselgate' drivers
It feels like we’ve been writing about Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, better known as ‘Dieselgate,’ for years. To round off the whole saga, the US’ Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published a “final report” that notes just how much the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi and Porsche, paid out to hoodwinked car buyers in the US: $9.5 billion. A make-good scheme set up in 2016 gave drivers two choices — return your vehicle and receive some financial compensation, or have it modified to comply with emissions regulations.
VW's production ID.4 sports a subtle design in 'leaked' photos
VW's ID.4 electric crossover has surfaced undisguised in China, and you almost wouldn't know it was an EV.
Volkswagen will start delivering ID.3 EVs to Europe in September
Volkswagen's ID.3 EV finally has an official release date. Consumers in most European countries will be able to order the car starting on June 17th.
Volkswagen will only sell its ID electric cars online
A new agency model means no more hard sell from dealerships.
VW’s e-BULLI concept shows how your classic van can become an EV
Recently, we've seen Volkswagen experiment with combining its old-school aesthetic and modern tech. Last summer, it showed off its Type 20 electric concept -- a 1962 Microbus crammed with tech and an electric motor instead of an engine. Thanks to a partnership with VW and eClassics, it might soon be easier to get your hands on your own vintage Volkswagen-turned EV. This week, VW unveiled its e-BULLI concept and announced that eClassics will convert T1 vehicles, like the classic VW camper vans, into e-BULLI-style EVs.
Volkswagen confirms that its first crossover EV will be the ID.4
Volkswagen's EV launches haven't gone quite to plan, with the ID.3 reportedly having software issues and the Crozz-based EV launch delayed. However, Volkswagen has at least confirmed that its first crossover will indeed be called the ID.4 and revealed new images of the EV under lighter camouflage than we've seen so far.
VW is reportedly struggling with the ID.3's software
Volkswagen's ID.3 rollout might have hit a snag. Germany's Manager Magazin sources claim the EV's underlying software has been rushed and rife with bugs, including dropouts and other issues. Test drivers are supposedly finding up to 300 errors per day. The magazine even claims that the software problems are dire enough that they could lead VW to miss its summer 2020 launch window.
Volkswagen's 2021 GTI adds a hybrid powertrain and tech-filled interior
Last year Volkswagen unveiled its new eighth-generation Golf, and now for the Geneva Motor Show it's revealing some performance-tuned variants. The good news is that the 2021 GTI has more horsepower inside with an updated EA888 engine that manages 245hp, up from 228 in the previous model. It also includes the Golf's new "Digital Cockpit" that ditches analog dials for a 10.25-inch display and 10-inch navigation system, plus ambient lighting with 30 available colors. The bad news, as Autoblog notes, is that a plug-in hybrid GTE version (and diesel-powered GTD edition) will only be available in Europe. Specs reveal the GTE pairs a 150hp 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with an 85Kw electric motor and lithium-ion battery. Operating together, they're rated for the same 245HP as the gas GTI and can manage up to 37 miles of range in all-electric mode. Naturally, the styling and suspension are updated for these hot hatch models, and now the active damping setting allows drivers to set and store their personal preferences via a digital slider. There's no word yet on pricing, but we expect to see these on sale later this year.
Volkswagen's EV fast chargers can be deployed anywhere there's power
Volkswagen Group Components and German electric utility company E.ON have unveiled a new electric vehicle charger prototype that could make charging stations a lot more common. Their quick charging charging solution uses a battery as an intermediary between EVs and the grid, you see, eliminating the need to build potentially expensive infrastructure and hardware. "The [battery] stations are installed according to the plug & play principle," their announcement reads. "[S]imply put them down, connect them and configure them online."
DOJ reportedly ends antitrust investigation over reducing car pollution
Last year the Trump Administration sought to roll back the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan that pushed for higher fuel efficiency standards. It has also tried to stop states from like California from setting their own standards that exceed those of the federal government. Despite that, several automakers, including Ford, BMW, Volkswagen and Honda, voluntarily reached an agreement with the state of California on a slightly lower target. That was quickly followed by word of a Department of Justice antitrust investigation into the move, however today the New York Times reports it has come to an end, finding that the companies didn't break any laws by voluntarily agreeing to try to reduce the pollution created by their vehicles.
After Math: Driving into a new decade
For the last After Math of both the year and the decade, we're talking cars and trucks!
Volkswagen sets new EV production target of 1.5 million by 2025
Volkswagen is still struggling to repair its reputation following the Dieselgate scandal which began in 2015. In an attempt to rebuild confidence in its brand, it is going hard on electric vehicles and has revealed it will be significantly ramping up production of EVs in the next few years.
VW's prototype charging robot can find your EV in the parking garage
Tesla isn't the only car maker with grand visions of EV charging robots. Volkswagen has created a prototype charging robot that would navigate to your car in the parking garage, saving you the trouble of hunting for a coveted (and likely rare) EV charging spot. The autonomous helper would hitch itself to a "battery wagon" at a base station and deliver a combined 50kW to your EV on request, whether it's through an app or a smart grid. While that won't be enough to fully recharge most EVs, it should give you plenty of range for your ride home.
VW teases a smaller, more affordable EV in a holiday card
Once again, Volkswagen is using a Christmas card to tease a new vehicle. The automaker sent the card, which appears to show a smaller entry-level ID, to journalists this week, Autocar reports. The sketch is purposefully vague, but it could offer a glimpse of the more affordable electric car VW is working on.
VW will roll out self-driving electric shuttles in Qatar's capital
If you visit Qatar in the next few years, you might find yourself riding in a driverless vehicle. Volkswagen and Qatar have struck a deal that will bring self-driving electric vehicles to the public transportation network in the capital city of Doha before the end of 2022. A total of 35 autonomous ID Buzz vans will carry up to four people each on semi-fixed routes in the Westbay area, while Scania buses will handle larger groups. VW's MOIA and Audi's AID will handle the software needed to run the service.
Canada charges Volkswagen over its diesel emissions scandal
Volkswagen's "dieselgate" woes continue as Canada has accused the automaker of importing 128,000 vehicles that contravene its environmental laws, according to Reuters. The nation charged VW with 60 counts of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and two counts of providing misleading information. A VW spokesperson said that it's cooperating fully with the ECCC (Environment and Climate Change Canada).
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is a basic car with basic tech
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat recently got a design upgrade. It also got an engine boost, giving it some extra torque. But overall, the new Passat is a lot like the old Passat. An inexpensive sedan that'll get you where you're going without much fuss or excitement.
VW's factory race teams will exclusively drive electric cars
Volkswagen may have a long way to go before its road-going cars are all-electric, but its racing division doesn't have to wait that long. The German brand has revealed that its motorsport group will drop "factory-backed commitments" to race cars with combustion engines -- it's either electric or nothing. Customer sports will continue, but VW is scaling back there as well. While you'll still see VW produce the Polo GTI R5 for customer teams, production for the track-ready Golf GTI TCR will end once 2019 is over.
After Math: The future of transportation is electrifying
As we wrap up a week of LA Auto Show news, two themes become apparent: we are well on our way towards electric drivetrains being the rule rather than the exception, and you should always ensure that your unshatterable windows are indeed unshatterable before heading on-stage for the livestream.
Volkswagen's Space Vizzion concept brings electricity to a wagon
Most automakers show off a concept that'll inspire future designs. Volkswagen has been a bit more proactive with its electric ID concepts. Nearly everything it's shown off has been followed up with a production vehicle -- although, we're still not 100 percent sure the ID Buggy will appear in showrooms. But if Volkswagen can do it, the new ID Space Vizzion will be a sweet electric wagon in the future.
