2014 Volkswagen Gti Wolfsburg on 2040-cars

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Car companies may need to start curbing model proliferation

Looking at the current automotive landscape, especially from German makers, you quickly get the impression that less definitely isn't more. BMW alone offers its 3 Series platform in practically every segment possible, including the regular sedan and 4 Series Gran Coupe, which would seem to be direct competitors. Porsche might be the winner, though, with 20 different variants of the 911 listed for sale on its US website. However, some of this model madness might be reaching an end as companies begin cutting back spending or shifting money to other priorities.
According to Yahoo Finance, the offerings from the German automakers are up 25 percent over the past three years to over 200 models in Europe. The peak is expected to come around 2018 at 230 separate vehicles, according to consulting company PwC.
Amazingly, BMW, which is among the poster children for this model explosion, might be changing its tune. "I'm sure there will be points in the future where we look at certain cars and say, 'Maybe we need to think differently now,'" said head of sales Ian Robertson in an interview, according to Yahoo Finance. The statement certainly sounds shocking coming from a company rumored to have 23 front-wheel-drive vehicles all using a single platform on the way.

Audi CVT suit settlement given green light, 64,000 cars covered

Audi drivers, listen up. If you bought or leased a 2002-06 model-year A4 or A6 with a factory-installed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that failed, you may be entitled to reimbursement under a recently settled class-action lawsuit with corporate parent Volkswagen.
According to Automotive News, the settlement covers about 64,000 vehicles and alleges that "manufacturing and design problems caused the transmissions to fail and left owners stuck with repair costs." While the suit also argues Audi was aware of these issues (going so far as to hide that knowledge from consumers), the settlement stops short of acknowledging any wrongdoing by the German automaker.
Audi drivers are eligible for a cash reimbursement if their CVT repairs occurred within 10 years or 100,000 miles of the date they bought or leased the vehicle before June 19, 2013. To be eligible for compensation, drivers must submit a claim form (found here) with supporting documents by November 18.

Volkswagen reveals Beetle GSR, R-Line convertible and two special GTIs

Volkswagen has chosen to really expand its performance-tuned portfolio at this year's Chicago Auto Show, bringing along a couple of new Beetles destined for model year 2014, as well as a pair of freshened GTI packages that you'll be able to buy almost right away.
The first, and splashiest of the Chicago goodies on the VW stand has got to be the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR. Don't lose your temper, Acura Integra geeks; in this case, GSR stands for "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer," and harkens back to a sport-tuned classic Beetle from the 1970s. For the 2014 iteration, the GSR gets a 210-horsepower version of VW's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. That engine is enough to push the Beetle to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds, and up to a top speed of 130 mph.
Of course, you'll have long-since noticed the shockingly yellow-and-black livery before you stumble across the Turbo badge on the rear deck. The GSR gets 19-inch alloy wheels, 235-section tires and a tea-tray rear spoiler, but it's the paint and graphics package that will decide if this is your (lemony) cup of tea. Things don't get any subtler inside the car, either, as VW has carried the colorway through to the interior, as well. Only 3,500 Beetle GSRs will be produced, with just more than half of those going to the US - call your dealer today, Wiz Khalifa.