VAG: VW could build Porsches in US

The German business newspaper Handelsblatt today reported that VW could build Porsche's premium SUV in a new factory it plans to open in the U.S. in 2010. The newspaper cited internal VW sources.

VW spokesman Andreas Meurer today did not deny that VW could build Porsche vehicles in the U.S.

"When we discuss whether to build the [VW] Touareg and [Audi] Q7 in the USA, we also talk about the Cayenne," Meurer told Automotive News Europe.

The Touareg, Q7 and Cayenne share the same platform and are built in VW's factory in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Meurer confirmed that the 150,000-unit U.S. plant will initially build the VW Jetta sedan and an all-new sedan that will be about the same size as the VW Passat.

He also confirmed that three U.S. states – Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan - are under consideration for the plant. VW will decide on the location in mid July.

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn told Handelsblatt that models for VW's premium brand Audi could be built alongside VW models in the new plant.

Porsche owns 31 percent of VW and plans to increase its stake to more than 50 percent in the next six months.

Source: www.autonews.com

VAG: International Engine of the Year Awards 2008: Volkswagen TSIs clean up in a double victory

The winning streak continues: for the third time, Volkswagen's dual charged TSI engines have won the "International Engine of the Year Award" in the category "1 litre to 1.4 litres". It is no coincidence that the 103 kW (140 PS) and 125 kW (170 PS) TSIs, which are charged by both a turbocharger and a supercharger, are among the most efficient petrol engines in the world. The motto for these engines is "maximum dynamics with minimum fuel consumption". And that's also how the jury, comprising 65 journalists from 32 countries, saw it. According to one jury member, "This engine does everything right and fits into the most diverse types of vehicles." Moreover, the new 122 PS TSI took second place in the same category in its first attempt. The "International Engine of the Year Awards 2008" will be presented today in Stuttgart.

Dr Rüdiger Szengel, Head of Petrol Engine Development, accepted the award for Volkswagen commenting, "Our TSI engines have set the standard since their introduction in the performance class of 90 kW to 125 kW. They achieve new levels of economy for petrol engines while providing performance that offers real fun. We take it as a compliment to the entire development team that our TSI has won again in the displacement class to 1.4 litres."

Moreover, an additional award underscores the Volkswagen Group's great competence in building engines. Audi took first place in the category 1.8 litres to 2.0 litres with the 2.0 TSI. This engine made its debut at Volkswagen in the Golf GTI and is presently finding use in several performance versions.

TSI engines are already powering diverse models in ten Volkswagen families. The petrol direct injection engines between 90 kW (122 PS) and 169 kW (230 PS) cover the entire range from Golf to the recently introduced Passat CC. What's more, the new Scirocco will be off to a running start in 2008 with TSI engines. In the 122 PS version, it requires only 6.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, making it one of the world's most economical sports cars.

Source: www.volkswagengroup.com