1983 Volkswagen Vanagon Camper/westfalia In Impeccable 7k In Recent Engine Work on 2040-cars

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VW pulls Lamborghini and Bentley from the Paris Motor Show

It's been slightly more than a year since the news that Volkswagen had intentionally cheated on diesel emissions testing broke. Since then, the company's reputation and image have suffered and it has struggled to regain its footing and composure. The automaker is shelling out billions in fines, so cost cutting is inevitable. Today, Reuters reports that Volkswagen subsidiaries Lamborghini and Bentley won't bring their elaborate displays to the Paris Motor Show next week. Auto shows can cost automakers millions of dollars, especially for supercar and luxury car brands that constantly try to compete and one-up with each other. Much of the money and fanfare goes to catering the media, and if an automaker has nothing new to reveal it can be difficult to justify the expense. The company told Reuters that it plans to attend smaller events that focus more on potential buyers. The Volkswagen group as a whole has shifted it's focus, both when it comes to products and auto shows like Paris. Next week, the automaker will be focusing on electric vehicles and electromobility. The company plans to reveal a new EV with 373 miles of range, eclipsing both the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt. Volkswagen has plans for 30 new electric vehicles by 2025. Lamborghini and Bentley aren't the only major automakers skipping Paris. Ford, Volvo, and Aston Martin have all decided to save money and focus their efforts elsewhere. Related Video:

German authorities investigate Winterkorn

Former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is potentially walking away from the embattled automaker with a $32-million pension, but his retirement might not be quite so relaxed because German prosecutors in the city of Braunschweig (also called Brunswick) are now investigating his role in VW's diesel emissions evasion. The lawyers want to know whether he committed fraud, and a conviction could mean up to 10 years in prison, according to the Associated Press. However, this process is still in its earliest stages, and Winterkorn is long way from sitting in a courtroom. With other high-profile corporate cases in Germany as a guide, a trial could be years away. Lawyers haven't even questioned the former CEO, yet. In Germany, people are free to file criminal complaints, and prosecutors then decide whether a full investigation is necessary. According to the AP, Braunschweig has received about 12 grievances so far, including one from Volkswagen. The law in the country also doesn't allow charging businesses with wrongdoing, only people. Winterkorn resigned from his role at the top of VW last week, just a day after issuing a video apology for the automaker's actions. Former Porsche boss Matthias Muller has succeeded him. Along with having a new person in charge, the automaker's Supervisory Board instituted a thorough corporate reshuffle to put more focus on various regions and give brands additional power by early next year. Related Video:

Volkswagen Beetle Special Edition Concepts consider some colorful possibilities

Volkswagen is using the 2015 New York Auto Show as an opportunity to check consumer reactions to possible special editions of the Beetle. The company's concepts are each aimed at different market niches, and they play up the idea of the car as a fashion accessory as much as a mode of transportation. VW does the most work to the Beetle R-Line concept for performance-minded buyers. Covered in Oryx White Pearl, the model is 0.6-inches wider than stock and wears a more aggressive front bumper with larger intakes. There's even a vent at the tip of the hood sort of like a Porsche 911 GT3. The pearlescent paint really pops thanks to some gloss black trim that covers a rear diffuser and the edges of the spoiler. For the other three concepts, VW tests out some new colors and trim for the Beetle. For example, the company thinks there's demand in the US and China for pink to be added to the palette, and the Pink Color Edition tries that out with a metallic shade. The Convertible Wave is painted in Habanero Orange Metallic but also has retro touches like chrome mirror caps, houndstooth fabric for the seats and a wood dashboard. Finally, the Convertible Denim takes inspiration from a pair of jeans. For a closer look at the colorful members of this quartet check out the gallery from the floor of the New York show. Featured Gallery Volkswagen Beetle Special Edition Concepts: New York 2015 View 15 Photos Related Gallery Volkswagen Beetle Concepts View 12 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Design/Style New York Auto Show Volkswagen Convertible Hatchback Concept Cars Videos 2015 ny auto show