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No 2009 Volkswagen R32 for the U.S...Better Go Grab a 2008!

Bad News! The U.S. isn't getting the VW R32 for the 2009 model year. Thomas Wegehaupt, spokesman for Volkswagen, has confirmed the bad news.

The R32 has only been on the market in the U.S. for less than a year, but that doesn't matter because we won't get a new one for at least a year or two. The most logical answer to VW's decision is that a redesigned Golf/ Rabbit was recently unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and the U.S. should receive it sometime next year.

According to KickingTires there are currently 276 VW R32s still for sale in the U.S. at a starting price of $32,990. There is also a $2,000 cash rebate until Oct 31st on the car if you can find one near you.

Porsche raises stake in VW to 50%

Filed under: Porsche, Volkswagen

Porsche is continuing to wag the dog by upping its stake in VW to over 50%. The move, which cost Porsche $8.49 billion, adds another 8% to the German automaker's ownership stake. The move to 50% was supposed happen late in 2008, but a short squeeze temporarily skyrocketed VW stock from 210 Euros to over 1,000, delaying the move. Porsche's increase in VW stake also gave the iconic automaker indirect control of Swedish truckmaker Scania. Swedish law requires a mandatory takeover offer, but since Porsche has no interest in truck tech, it will only offer the minimum amount required.

The much smaller Porsche has been deliberate in its bid to own the much larger VW, and its plans don't end at 50%. A Porsche spokesman told Automotive News that, pending market conditions, the company intends to own a 75% stake by the end of 2009. And to think Porsche was once worried that its small size made it vulnerable to be taken over by other companies.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Porsche raises stake in VW to 50% originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1971 Volkswagen Beetle [Down On The Street]

Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. How about another Beetle Day today? As I've mentioned before, Alameda has sufficient air-cooled Beetles parked on the street for me to do a solid couple of Pure Beetle DOTS. I'm not going to do that, but I've owned a few Type 1s and I still like these rackety little machines… which means I'm going to sneak in a DOTS Beetle every so often.

Once again, VW's reluctance to mess with Type 1 design means I can't be 100% sure I have the year right on this one (though it's obviously not a Super Beetle). The vents behind the rear side windows means it's a '71 or later, and the taillights and bumpers say it's non-Malaise. I'm pretty sure it's a 1971 or 1972.

The Japanese (not to mention the Pinto and the Vega) were starting to squeeze the Beetle in the marketplace by the early 1970s, but the price tag on these cars was still quite appealing for penny-pinchers. In 1971, you'd pay just $1,845 for a new (non-Super) Beetle, which was 74 bucks cheaper than a new Pinto. However, the Pinto's OHC engine made a mighty 100 horsepower, while the Beetle's ~~lawnmower~~ boxer engine wheezed out a mere 60 horses. Tough choice?

First 400 DOTS Vehicles • DOTS FAQ

Volkswagen: News from the Proton front

The never-ending story continues and we really hope there is an end soon, no matter in which direction.Both VW and General Motors had expressed an interest in acquiring a stake in Proton, but neither automaker made an offer by the government's late-March deadline.Instead, VW now appears to be looking at establishing a regional assembly facility in nearby Indonesia, according to government

Volkswagen dropping Scirocco R32 in favor of Scirocco R20T

Filed under: Coupes, Euro, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco

It's just a matter of time before Volkswagen begins offering a hotter, harder version of the new Scirocco, and according to CAR, the range-topping three-door will be packing the same 265-hp, 2.0-liter turbo as the Audi S3. The VW Scirocco R20T will be heavily influenced by the Scirocco GT24 racer that campaigned at the Nurburgring earlier this year, but without the vented hood, massive rear wing and aggressive front splitter. The sprint to 60 should be easily dispatched in under six seconds and a top speed of 155 mph is almost assured. Grippier seats and a stiffer ride that makes use of V-Dub's active suspension system are likely part of the package, and sales are expected to begin abroad in January for around £25,000. An R32 variant packing the VR6 is likely off the drawing board due to emissions and fuel economy, and if VW is actually considering bringing the Scirocco to the U.S., the R20T would be the perfect variant to distance itself from the equally competent GTI.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco