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Next Volkswagen Golf R to get 286 horsepower?

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf hasn't launched in the United States just yet, but we're already setting our sights on the range-topping R model. According to Autocar, the next Golf R will be more powerful than the current version, producing 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful production Golf ever.
Powering the new Golf R will be a further evolution of Volkswagen's well-liked 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, and when mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, the hotter hatch will reportedly be able to sprint to 62 miles per hour in five seconds flat. That's over half a second quicker than the current US-spec model.
Other updates for the new Golf R include the addition of VW's Haldex 5 all-wheel-drive system found in the latest iteration of 4Motion. Furthermore, thanks to the use of lightweight materials, the new R is expected to weigh in around 2,650 pounds - that's a massive 675 pounds less than the current US-spec car. The exhaust has reportedly been reworked to provide more aural delight, as well.

Recharge Wrap-up: Arcimoto SRK video, BAIC EV at CES

Kelley Blue Book took a spin in the Arcimoto SRK three-wheeled EV at CES in Las Vegas. In the video above, KBB Managing Editor Micah Muzio gets behind the handlebars for a spin around an empty parking lot. He notes a gradual throttle tip-in, though from the video, it appears the trike has a bit of pep. While the hydraulic brake pedal requires a bit of extra effort, the regenerative brake lever located on the right handlebar is effective and easy to use. The steering is a little heavy, but manageable, at low speeds. He calls it "kind of a fun little conveyance," adding, "Maybe this is the future." See the full review in the video above. CARB Chairman Mary Nichols spoke with German television about Volkswagen's emissions scandal. In a photo she posted on Twitter, Nichols can be seen in front of cameras with CARB's test bay in the background. In the bay is a Volkswagen Jetta TDI. She says in her tweet, "Discussing VW cheating case w/German TV in front of ARB lab test bay & '07 diesel Jetta. Time to move on to #EVs!" Late last year, a group of environmentalists and Silicon Valley leaders – Elon Musk included – sent Nichols an open letter suggesting CARB help urge Volkswagen to give up on diesels and focus on electric vehicles. See Nichols's post on Twitter. South Korea's most popular EV is the Renault Samsung Motors (RSM) SM3 ZE (also known as the Renault Fluence ZE). The all-electric vehicle has sold 1,767 units since its arrival in Korea since November 2013, with 2015 sales reaching 1,043 units. This makes one in three EVs in Korea a RSM SM3 ZE. The car has been selected as Korea's official government vehicle, and RSM has supplied over 100 EV taxis, 60 of which are in Seoul. Read more in the press release from Renault. BAIC EV announced it has established an R&D center in Detroit at CES. It will work with its other centers in Silicon Valley and Aachen, Germany in order to develop automotive technology and evaluate global demand. The EV branch of the Chinese automaker also debuted its i-Link information system, which uses 4G to connect car telematics to the cloud. The i-Link system also provides wireless phone charging, remote inquiry services and connects sensing technologies to the internet. Read more in the press release below.

Last VW bus ever made arrives at final destination

A Brazilian politician tried to save it, unsuccessfully, so the final Last Edition Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi was produced on December 20, 2013 and now resides in a vintage museum at Volkswagen's Commercial Vehicles HQ in Hanover, Germany.
The Volkswagen Microbus was built for 56 years, starting in September 1957. Brazil was the last country still assembling it, but new safety regulations in the country requiring airbags and ABS on all cars spelled the end. When that politician introduced a bill that would pardon only the 'Bus from a death sentence, it couldn't garner the required number of votes for passage. The South American country takes the Kombi production title, though, with 1.5 million of the 3.5 million total made in the home of Copacabana beach and the girl from Ipanema.
The VW Bus is dead. Now perhaps we can turn our attentions to the still-not-totally-settled matter of the Bulli...