2003 Volkswagen Beetle - Classic Gls on 2040-cars

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Volkswagen says goodbye to Eos, Routan in 2015 updates

Usually automakers announce changes to their lineup individually on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis, but sometimes it all comes at once - especially when the changes are ones we either expected or might not otherwise notice. That's the path Volkswagen has gone with changes to its US lineup for 2015.
The biggest change is what we already knew: that the new Golf arrives for the 2015 model year, bringing with it the new GTI, Golf R, e-Golf and Golf SportWagen (to replace the previous Jetta wagon). But there are some new details as well.
For starters, Volkswagen has finally confirmed that both the Eos and the Routan - both long rumored to be on their way out - will be exiting this year. The Eos hardtop convertible, pictured above, will linger for one last year, its Sport trim replaced by a new Final Edition with 18-inch wheels, two-tone leather interior and enhanced equipment.

2023 New York Auto Show Mega Photo Gallery: See all the new cars from the show

The 2023 New York Auto Show was a rather lively show full of North American vehicle debuts and a lot of new metal we’ve never seen before. As always, we were on the ground covering it from every angle for you, including photographing all the reveals on the show floor. There were a ton of new EVs shown and even a stunning concept with the Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept. YouÂ’ll be able to see them all, from the production Ram REV to the little (but now much bigger) Kona, in the numerous galleries below.   2024 Kia EV9 2024 Kia EV9 View 7 Photos 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line View 5 Photos 2025 Ram REV 2025 Ram 1500 REV View 6 Photos Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept View 9 Photos 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric, N Line and Limited 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric View 21 Photos 2024 Jeep Wrangler 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe View 22 Photos 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness View 14 Photos 2024 VW Atlas Peak Edition 2024 VW Atlas Peak Edition View 7 Photos Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Concept Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Concept View 9 Photos   Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept is coming to reality

An inside look at VW's new California R&D center

Less than two months ago, the Volkswagen Group opened a new facility in Oxnard, California (about an hour's drive west of Los Angeles). The $27 million investment, touted as Test Center California (TCC), serves as a research and development lab testing emissions for all brands under Volkswagen's umbrella, including its newest member, Porsche. While still not fully operational, we toured the new 64,000-square-foot building last week and had a first-hand opportunity to see just how much work is involved testing engines and meeting increasingly stringent government emissions standards.
Replacing a similar facility established in 1990 in Westlake Village (about 20-minutes east of the new location), our guide explained how Oxnard was chosen for its temperate climate, varied regional terrain for test drives and low altitude. (The area is only a few feet above sea level - a critical parameter when instrument testing emissions.) The new facility is capable of analyzing hundreds of vehicles, prototypes and customer-owned vehicles, annually.
Most interesting to us was the huge stainless steel climate chamber, with a massive four-wheel dynamometer that allows VW to test running vehicles in both scorching desert and freezing climates without ever leaving the building (an Audi Q7 was running in place during our visit). We were also mesmerized by the countless storage tanks and intricate plumbing of chemicals, stored in both liquid and gas states, needed to perform the variety of tests. Lastly, we took a look at Bugatti's service center on the west coast, located completely within the new center. While there were no supercars on site, the facility is equipped with plenty of spare forged wheels (mounted with expensive Michelin PAX tires) and a Veyron-specific repair jig that allows the vehicle to be completely disassembled, if needed. It is a shame that the facility, which set off all of our automotive geek alerts, is closed to the public.