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Volkswagen reveals updated Sharan minivan for Europe

Volkswagen's experiment with rebadging Chrysler minivans as the Routan may not have gone so well for the German automaker in North America, but overseas it offers vans of its own. Even aside from the fullsize Crafter and Transporter vans sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the passenger car division offers its own minivans like the Touran and the Sharan. Now it's revealed an updated version of the latter. The VW Sharan was first introduced back in 1995 and entered its second generation in 2009, built in Portugal alongside the Seat Alhambra and offering seating for seven in its five-door form. The new model looks largely the same as the existing one, but benefits from new taillights and a revised interior. But most of the upgrades are found under the skin. There's an array of turbocharged and direct-injected engines that are now up to 15 percent more efficient than those found in the existing model, with two gasoline engines ranging in output from 148 horsepower to 217, and three diesels producing 113, 148 and 181 hp. Along with the updated powertrain options, the revised Sharan also gets a host of new safety and convenience systems, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist and Blind Spot Monitor. Inside, the infotainment system has been upgraded as well. The updated Sharan arrives hot on the heels of the new Caddy released earlier this month and just in time for the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Wolfsburg, 18 February 2015 Show premiere of the Sharan in Geneva - Even more technical highlights for the popular Volkswagen MPV - New TSI and TDI engines* are up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient Volkswagen is presenting the technically updated Sharan at the Geneva International Motor Show. Numerous new convenience and assistance systems make the family-friendly MPV one of the most advanced models in its segment. A wide range of infotainment systems also guarantees full connectivity to many smartphones and tablets. At the same time, the fuel economy of the petrol and diesel engines* was improved by up to 15 per cent. The updated Sharan will arrive on the German market this summer; advance sales begin in April. Along with the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically initiates braking after a collision if the driver is no longer able to intervene, numerous optional assistance systems are available in the updated Sharan as well.

Volkswagen debuts MkVII-based diesel Golf GTD

As Volkswagen prepares for the launch of the seventh-generation Golf, it continues to show off some of the car's different variants. With the standard Golf and the ultra-efficient BlueMotion Concept out of the way, now we're finally starting to see some of the sportier versions planned for the hatchback. Confirmed for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen has now given us our first glimpse at the Golf GTD.
Just think of the GTD as a diesel version of the GTI with all the handling and styling upgrades, and then add a torquey engine to the equation. (We had the chance to sample the current GTD over the summer, so click here to read more.) To go with the new body style, VW also gave the GTD a new TDI engine consisting of a similar turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter inline-four layout but with an output of 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque - that's an increase of 14 hp and 22 lb-ft over the current GTD. That's a pretty good oomph, but the GTD won't be setting any acceleration records with VW quoting a 0-62 mile per hour time of 7.5 seconds thanks to the car's 3,036-pound curb weight.
The styling of the MkVII Golf lends itself quite well to the more aggressive body kit found on the GTD (and likely matching the GTI). The new front fascia and blacked-out grille give the GTD a sporty look up front, while 17-inch sport wheels, rocker panel extensions and smoked LED taillights finish off the visual changes. The GTD will only be offered in three exterior colors: Tornado Red, Black and Pure White. As expected, the interior gets the plaid seat inserts and flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, but the car also gets stainless steel pedals, a black headliner, ambient cabin lighting and a specific gauge cluster readout.

Volkswagen could build plug-in hybrids in China

When you're Europe's largest automaker and your largest global market happens to be the one most notorious for its pollution (China), some solutions just present themselves. Volkswagen may be heeding that call. During the upcoming Beijing Motor Show, the company is expected to announce plans to produce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in China, Reuters says, citing sources within the company. Few details have emerged, though the plug-ins will likely be produced at VW's Foshan factory in South China, which currently makes the Golf and Audi A3 and has plans to eventually make 600,000 vehicles annually. News has been percolating for a while, as Oliver Schmidt, general manager engineering and environmental office for Volkswagen Group of America, said last March that the company was planning at least two plug-in hybrid lines under the VW badge (and another three with its Audi and Porsche affiliates), including possibly a Touareg and Jetta PHEV. VW said late last month that it was looking to speed up development of "particularly eco-friendly models" made by Shanghai Volkswagen as well as developing a "new, very eco-friendly vehicle" with First Automotive Works (FAW). Earlier this year, VW unveiled its Golf GTE plug-in hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show. That model has a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to provide 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The car can travel as many as 81 miles on electric power alone.