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Volkswagen iBeetle gets integrated iPhone dock, little else

Apple fans have been itching to see the tech giant flex the full muscle of its iOS operating system in an automotive infotainment system for years, which is why we turned all sorts of excited when we caught wind of the Volkswagen iBeetle. The machine is headed to the Shanghai Motor Show for a debut, and VW promised it would be one of the "first cars in the world to have a genuine integrative interface for the iPhone that was coordinated with Apple." Listen closely, and you can hear the contented sigh of a million wallets opening.
Go ahead and close those up, kids.
In reality, the iBeetle offers little more than a dash-mounted dock and a special app that shows a few vehicle functions, which is about as far from an infotainment revolution as you're likely to find. In fact, the setup is little more than a factory rehash of aftermarket items, and hardly worth a whole model debut at an international motor show. And that's to say nothing of the fact that Apple relishes in changing the shape and form of its darling handheld at every generation. Volkswagen better be prepared to keep pace with appropriate docking mechanisms for the upcoming iPhone 5S, 6, 6S, et al.

Volkswagen hatches hotter GTI in Geneva

The all-new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf hasn't even launched here in the United States, but over in Geneva, we're already getting our first glimpse at the hotter GTI hatchback. The fancy new Mk VII Golf is already off to a healthy start with positive reviews in Europe, and we have no doubt that this next GTI will work hard to regain its title as king of the hot hatches.
The big news for this generation of GTI is that for the first time ever, Volkswagen is actually offering two different power grades for the model, both relying on the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. Standard cars pack 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but an optional performance pack ups the horsepower number to 230. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes 6.5 seconds (6.4 with the performance pack) and top speed is quoted at 153 mph (or 155 with the performance kit). Volkswagen will continue to offer the GTI with both six-speed manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
On the visual front, the sub-3,000-pound GTI adds the usual bit of hot hatch aggression over the standard Golf, and those changes carry over to the interior with a flat-bottomed wheel and, of course, plaid seats. She's certainly a looker, and while some of us do find the new Golf's design to be a bit staid and evolutionary, the enhancements for the GTI indeed tug on our enthusiast heart strings.

Volkswagen Caddy gets the Alltrack treatment for Frankfurt

We've seen Alltrack versions of the VW Golf and Passat. The German automaker's commercial vehicles division has even done a concept version of the Multivan with a similar treatment. And now it's taking that same rugged off-road approach with the Caddy van. The new Caddy Alltrack starts off with the latest, fourth-generation city van revealed earlier this year in Geneva, and beefs it up to replace the previous Cross Caddy. That comes down principally to black trim on the wheel arches, side sills, bumpers, and underbody protection with metallic accents. It also packs unique 17-inch alloys, fog lights, chrome trim on the grille, silver roof rails, a new optional beige metallic paint (pictured), and Alltrack logos galore. The interior has similarly been worked over with unique trim. Though no mention has been made of any suspension upgrades, the Caddy Alltrack can be specified with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Prospective buyers (in markets where VW offers its commercial vehicles line) will also have to choose between passenger and panel van body-styles, and between four diesel and three gasoline engine options. They range in output from 74 to 123 horsepower and come mated to manual or dual-clutch transmissions with five, six, or seven gears. Look for the new Caddy Alltrack to highlight the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles display at the Frankfurt Motor Show opening later this week. Related Video: The new Caddy – now available as Alltrack version with off-road styling - World premiere of Cross Caddy successor at IAA 2015 - Fourth generation of the Volkswagen best-seller once again available in rugged off-road style - Passenger car and panel van Alltrack variants optionally available with 4MOTION Hannover/Frankfurt, 10 September 2015 – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be showcasing the latest off-road style version of its best-selling Caddy at the IAA (International Automobile Show) from 15 to 27 September, 2015. The successor to the Cross Caddy is called the Caddy Alltrack. Like its predecessor, it is available both in passenger car and panel van formats. The latest version of the urban delivery van and family MPV is clearly distinct from the other Caddy models with its exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels 'Quito', new Mojave Beige metallic paintwork and optional 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology.