1979 Volkswagon Super Beetle Convertible. Excellent Condition. 46k . on 2040-cars

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Former Porsche CEO Wiedeking indicted over VW takeover bid

Do you recall the failed efforts by Porsche to take over Volkswagen? According to a Bloomberg report, former Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking (above) and ex-CFO Holger Haerter have finally been charged with market manipulation over the exercising of options as part of the German sportscar manufacturer's ill-fated attempt to take over the much larger VW. That failed bid eventually resulted in the reverse coming true - VW swallowing Porsche.
The charges leveled by Stuttgart prosecutors come after a three-year investigation centered around allegations that Porsche execs made a concerted effort to increase the company's share in VW to 75 percent in preparation for a hostile takeover. Porsche had previously told its investors on at least five occasions that it had no intention to buy VW.
Portions of the investigation have subsided, according to prosecutors, citing an inability to prove certain improprieties with a "necessary degree of certainty." The number of charges is down to 5 from a previous 14 counts regarding "information-based market manipulation."

VW previews huge screens, gesture control with Golf R Touch Concept at CES

Volkswagen is showing off the future of infotainment and connected driving at CES 2015 with a fleet of concepts that highlight its latest technology. According to its displays, the coming years might mean gesture-based vehicle controls and electric cars that drive themselves to find their own charging locations. VW's biggest debut at CES is its next-gen infotainment system, dubbed MIB II. The setup supports a wide array of smartphone integration standards, including MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, to make sure that practically every smartphone user can pair the device's interface with the vehicle. Beyond just keeping occupants entertained, MIB II offers a system called Regular Routes that detects traffic along the driver's regular commute to work and suggests alternatives. The Parking Guide also helps find parking spots that are likely open. If MIB II represents the near future of VW infotainment, then the technology on the Golf R Touch Concept is the next step from there. It takes the brand's hot hatch and adds support for gesture controls inside, plus a trio of massive infotainment screens. This R features a 12.8-inch central infotainment screen, an 8-inch screen below it for things like the climate control and switching media and a customizable 12.3-inch display that digitizes the instrument panel. A camera in front of the central display waits for the driver's hands to make specific movements that activate various vehicle functions. Despite all of the potentially distracting screens, VW says the system offers control without requiring a look away from the road. VW hopes the technology reduces driver distraction and creates a closer relationship with the car. Another of the German automaker's big tech showcases is an e-Golf that demonstrates the potential future of both electric and semi-autonomous driving. This version can be charged inductively, rather than through a traditional power cord, and the exterior lights show when the vehicle is fully recharged. It's also equipped with the e-Station Guide that helps drivers find a charging location and tells them about the payment options there. This e-Golf's other major innovation is VW's Trained Parking system. A camera at the front scans the route to a parking space, and if the driver returns later, then the process can be done semi-automatically.

Volkswagen Cross Up! aimed at rugged lifestyle folks, complete with plastic cladding

If you thought there was nothing wrong with the Volkswagen Up! that a little body cladding wouldn't fix, you're in luck. VW has officially pulled the wraps off the production version of the Cross Up!, and its wheel arches and rocker panels are full of the black plastic cladding you've been yearning for.
In addition to the "particularly rugged design and tough, lifestyle qualities" that the cladding exudes, VeeDub has also seen fit to put its Cross Up! on a new set of 16-inch alloy wheels clad in 185/50-series tires. Inside, there are new kick plates to go along with a dash pad that can be had in red, black or silver.
All that cladding must equal additional off-road readiness, right? Well, sure... just so long as you're fine with the same 75-horsepower three-cylinder engine that all other Up! models also feature, along with a five-speed manual transmission sending power to the front wheels, again, just like all other Up! models. The Cross Up! appears to have a taller ride height than other models, but we haven't been able to find out what - if any - changes have been made.