260 VW Polos form the Supermini's Name at Dealer Gathering

In the past three weeks, more than 11,000 dealers and employees from 90 countries visited the Polo Congress at the Autostadt pavilion that is located next to Volkswagen's main factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, to get acquainted with the automaker's new supermini. Along with the presentations, test drives and numerous events, VW also assembled 260 Polo models in red, white and black colors at the parking lot to form the vehicle's name. More photos from the event after the jump.

JE Design gives the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI Wings

Banking on the popularity of diesel models in Europe, JE Design has presented a comprehensive tuning package for the VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI coupe that even includes a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors. For the basic version of the 2.0-liter diesel engine, the tuner offers a kit that boosts output from 140HP to 180HP and peak torque from 320Nm to 400Nm. In this case, top speed increases from to 213km/h or 132mph (+5km/h) while acceleration from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) is reduced by 0.9sec to 8.4 sec.

The most potent version of the 2.0 TDI that makes 170HP in stock form receives a 35HP and 60Nm bump to 205HP and 410Nm launching the Scirocco from standstill to 100km/h in 7.1sec (-0.7sec) and on to a tp speed of 229km/h or 143mph (+7km/h). The upgrade price for the 140HP motor is €1,249 and for the 170HP version, €1,449.

For those that would like to spice up the Scirocco's appearance, JS Design offers a complete bodykit for €919 that includes a front spoiler with carbon fiber trim, side skirts with air intakes (optionally available in carbon fiber) and a rear diffuser that houses a pair of chrome tailpipes. The LSD doors are priced from €1,559.

The package is rounded off with a suspension kit that lowers the height of the vehicle by 30mm (€219), a sport exhaust system (€899) and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in silver (€2,810) or graphite (€2,930) wrapped in 235/25 R19 rubber.

VW Reports Over 24,000 Pre-Orders for New Polo, Sales Start in Germany

Volkswagen's mini-me Golf, the all-new 2010 Polo supermini will officially go on sale in Germany on Friday, June 26, but the German firm is reporting that it has already received more than 24,000 pre-orders for its Fiesta-challenging hatchback. "The new Polo is the right car at the right time and provides an example for the automotive industry at a difficult time", said Christian Klingler, Sales and Marketing Manager at VW brand cars.

The 2010 Polo was revealed to the public for the first time at the Geneva Show in March. In Europe it is offered with a comprehensive engine lineup that includes a new 1.2-liter turbocharged TSI petrol making 105HP and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel producing up to 90HP. Prices in Germany start from €12,150 which is about $16,900 US at today's exchange rates.

European and Asian Automakers to Build More Cars than Detroit's Big Three in N. America by 2012

According to a new study from financial advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP, European and Asian automakers will churn out more cars in North America than Detroit's 'Big Three' by 2012. The study expects that after the completion of the restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the combined capacity of General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford in North America will fall by more than 4 million units or a 35 percent reduction compared to 2008, for a total of 7.5 million units in 2012.

At the same time, all other foreign automakers combined are expected to increase their North American production by around 1.5 million a year or 20 percent, to more than 8 million units.

"A new order is emerging where the Detroit companies may no longer be the volume leaders in their home market," said Grant Thornton LLP Principal Kimberly Rodriguez, co-leader of the firm's global automotive practice.

Grant Thornton LLP reports that Volkswagen and BMW will nearly double their combined production, increasing their output capability to around 1 million units a year while Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are projected to expand their combined production by 20 percent, or nearly 1 million units.

The study finds that the dramatic shift in production will have a large impact on North American parts suppliers that will need to secure more business from European and Asian makers.

"Suppliers largely dependent on Detroit OEMs will have to present a new value equation to potential customers from Europe and Asia if they want to participate in the accelerated shift that is coming," said Kimberly Rodriguez.

Source: Grant Thornton LLP

VW to Partially Idle Mexican Plant from end of June until early August

The global slowdown in car sales is forcing Volkswagen to shut down parts of its Puebla assembly plant in Mexico beginning from next week and until early August. Union spokesman Arturo Monter was quoted by Reuters as saying that the temporary idling of parts of the factory would help preserve jobs and aid the German firm in making adjustments to the assembly lines.

Currently Volkswagen's only factory in North America, the Puebla plant produces cars like the New Beetle, Bora and Bora Variant models, with most models being exported to the U.S, Canada and Europe.

Via: Reuters

HS Motorsport VW Scirocco 'Remis': Limited Edition with up to 320HP

The VW Scirocco seems to be a huge hit among German European tuners as we see new proposals coming out by the dozen. The tuner's at HS Motorsport even created a special edition version of the German coupe called 'Remis' that will be produced in a limiter run. Using the Scirocco with the 200HP 2.0-liter TSI engine as a base, the tuner offers the Remis in two guises, with outputs of 290HP and 320HP. Both variants come with a newly developed exhaust system that promises to notify your neighbors every time you come home.

Other mechanical mods include a new H&R coilover kit and upgraded brake system from Brembo, plus 20-inch black alloy wheels with white outer rims that are shod in Vredestein rubber (245/30 ZR20).

Of course no tuning proposal is complete without styling updates and as such, HK Motorsports has outfitted the Scirocco Remis with a complete bodykit consisting of a carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers, and side skirts. The Remis is offered exclusively in a two-tone color scheme that combines a white body with a black rooftop.

Interior appointments include front and rear Recaro bucket seats and full leather treatment with special door panel inserts.

Volkswagen Touran Gets a bit Sportier with New R-Line Package

German automaker Volkswagen has rolled out a newly designed R-Line package for its compact people carrier, the Touran. More about style than power, the Touran R-Line Edition is offered with two TSI gasoline engines and three TDI turbo diesel units. Exterior appointments include a new set of 18-inch multispoke alloy wheels wrapped in 225 tires, a matt chrome grille treatment, silver roof rails and cherry red tail lights plus body color protective strips. VW has also added a sport suspension kit that lowers the ride height by 15 mm.

Inside, the Touran R-Line's cabin features a three-spoke, flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel with the 'R' logo, sportier seats, leather handbrake and gearbox knob, sport pedals and faux aluminum decorative trim on the dashboard and the door panels.

The company has also upped the Touran's standard equipment with a higher specification audio system, automatic climate control, CD changer in the armrest and fog lights with VW's cornering system. In Germany, prices start from €30,800 for the Touran R-Line 1.9 TDI (105HP).