VW Westfalia Camper Lives On…In The UK

Many folks have fond memories of the original VW Westfalia camper, the ultimate “let’s go sleep out under the stars with all the comforts of home” vehicle. Sadly, that model is no longer with us (or at least not as a Volkswagen), but Volkswagen has an updated version based on the current EuroVan that is calls the California SE in the UK market. If the original was a bit crude, the new model features every convenience known to science, including sleeping arrangements for 4, full kitchen with refrigerator and running water, heat, air conditioning and wi-fi.

Of course it also features a modern version of the pop-up tent top. There’s even a canopy that pulls out so you can sit in the lounge chairs and grille on the barbecue that come with the California SE package without exposing your skin to the harsh English sunshine -if you are lucky enough to find any.

Needless to say, the new camper van is a bit pricey. But you can rent one, if you happen to find yourself in Jolly Olde England this summer, for the low, low price of just $60 a night. Two of the vans have been set up at  Temple Island, a small private island near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. Demand has been strong and so no more reservations are available at that location. But 4 more California SE campers are scheduled to be available at other select locations soon.

It’s all part of of a “Hotel VW California”promotion by Volkswagen and LateRooms.com to introduce the public to the joy camping whilst parked in really posh surroundings. But unlike the Hotel California of musical fame, at this “hotel”, you will most definitely be asked to leave at the end of your stay.

Source: VW

Electric Volkswagen Beetle Has 80+ Mile Range, Classic Looks

If you’ve seen one Chevy Volt or Nissan LEAF, you’ve seen them all. But if you’re driving a perfectly restored VW Beetle with an 85 hp electric motor, you are the personification of cool. The people at Zelectric Motors in San Diego created this jewel with the help of EV West. It’s a very neat and tidy conversion that looks like it came straight from the factory.

Since the electric motor has more than twice the horsepower of the original Volkswagen engine, acceleration is brisk (by VDub standards) and the top speed is somewhat north of 90 mph. Zelectric’s David Benardo says the car has a range of between 80 and 100 miles – more in the city, less on the highway. To put that in perspective, that is equal to or greater than the rated driving range of cars like the Nissan LEAF (84 miles) and the BMW i3 (81 miles).

If you have a donor car handy, Zelectric will be happy to help you convert it to electric power. They say the typical professional conversion runs between $25,000 and $30,000. For that amount of money, you get yourself a car that doesn’t look like everybody else’s EV, and will put a grin on your face while you’re driving it. An EV that’s fun to drive? What a concept!

2014 Volkswagen Scirocco R-Line 2.0-litre TDI first drive review

What is it?

Despite appearances this is not a Scirocco R, though you could be forgiven for believing it is given the R-Line specification.

The diesel engine note also gives it away, even if here it’s the same 181bhp 2.0-litre TDI unit that powers the Golf GTD. It heads the diesel line-up in the revised Scirocco range, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them changes that make up the coupe's mid-life update.

Revisions include re-profiled headlights and LED rear lamps, while new bumpers contain aerodynamic blades in the outer section.

It’s all fairly subtle really. Inside, new instruments feature, while there’s an homage to the 1974 original in the shape of a central dash-top auxiliary cluster containing boost and oil temperature gauges, plus a chronometer - the red digital clock display within it looks every bit like it has come from the '70s. 

Other changes to the ‘new’ Scirocco focus on its powertrains. All offer improved performance allied to greater economy and lower emissions, while the previous 158bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine is replaced by a 177bhp 2.0-litre - Volkswagen bucking the current trend for downsized units with that one.

Trim revisions add more equipment across the range too, which is certain to please UK buyers, which are only second to China in Scirocco sales - and comfortably the biggest market in Europe. 

What is it like?

Very much like the old Scirocco, only here a touch more powerful, but not seeing any improvement in its 7.5-second 0-62mph time.

What is more notable is the 8.5mpg improvement in economy and corresponding 19g/km drop in CO2, the latter bringing it down a couple of tax bands to the benefit of your bank balance. Other than that, the smarter instrument binnacle features deeper cowls on the dials.

Some 75 per cent of Scirocco sales will be diesels, which is slightly at odds with the Scirocco’s coupé positioning, though the manual outsells the DSG by a ratio of around two to one, which is more likely because it shifts it down another tax band rather than allows any greater driver involvement. 

That’s despite the 181bhp TDI’s uncharacteristic keenness to rev beyond 3,500rpm, even if the best of its performance is delivered in the mid-range.

It’s quick, in response and on the road, though the DSG transmission gets a bit busy if you’re demanding with the accelerator. It’s best then to shift gears yourself if you want to enjoy that muscular mid-range, the 2.0-litre unit even managing to sound appealing given its choice of fuel.

The ride and handling remain entirely predictable, so there's decent grip, light and accurate steering and a ride that’s commendable given 19-inch alloy wheels - though the Scirocco isn’t exactly the last word in excitement from behind the wheel. 

Should I buy one?

Tricky one that, the Scirocco has always been a bit hatchback-like to really be considered a proper coupe, though R-Line specification here does add some real visual appeal.

The biggest problem is the existence of its cheaper Golf hatchback relation, which, with the same engine in the GTD, does everything the Scirocco does, with arguably a little bit more sparkle and more efficiently, too.

Source: Autocar

Volkswagen CrossBlue Plug-In SUV Approved

One of the more practical concept cars to come out of Germany in recent years has been the Volkswagen CrossBlue concepts, specifically the plug-in  SUV. The plug-in SUV offers an electric driving range of about 14 miles, and Volkswagen claimed 35 MPG combined gas mileage. That would make this mid-size SUV as efficient as many mid-size cars.

Volkswagen has approved production of a CrossBlue-based SUV at its Chattanooga, Tennessee production plant, which has been mired in a controversial union battle. The $900 million investment will bring some 2,000 jobs to the area, as well as a much-needed plug-in SUV to Vdub’s lineup.

The CrossBlue-inspired SUV will use the new Volkswagen MQB architecture, which is set to underpin much of the German brand’s lineup in the coming decade. This will give it a lot of powertrain options, from conventional gas and diesel engines, to the plug-in drivetrain of the concept, and possibly even an all-electric model to rival the Tesla Model X (though that will likely be reserved for Audi instead).

Volkswagen is also bringing a new National Research & Development and Planning Center of the Volkswagen Group of America to the areain an effort to better determine the wants and needs of U.S. customers. Volkswagen sales have doubled in the past four years, but their aging fleet of models is in dire need of upgrade, with sales down about 13% in the first half of 2014.

The CrossBlue SUV will offer a 7-passgenger SUV to American customers for the first time, and an efficient one at that without any current rivals. With the completely-redesigned 2015 Volkswagen Golf debuting the MQB architecture in America soon, the brand is hoping sales rebound in a big way as it continues on its quest to become the world’s largest automaker.

Production will take place in unused portions of the factory, and separately, the UAW is looking to form a local auto union, after the narrow defeat of a unionization effort earlier this year.

Source: VW