Volkswagen Los Angeles Auto Show Cars

After eight years on the market in this generation, and 22 years since the nameplate was revived in Europe and North America, the Volkswagen Beetle is going into the history books for the second time. With production set to end in 2019, the German firm is bidding farewell to the funky two-door with a Final Edition model. The last of the A5-generation Beetle made its public debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Volkswagen has made several I.D. concept vehicles over the years, but it seems one is finally in the works. The automaker’s I.D. Crozz Concept made its U.S. debut at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show after its initial debut last April at the Frankfort Motor Show. VW says the I.D. Crozz Concept will birth a production version, which will be the first of VW’s new generation of electric vehicles. What’s more, VW is promising (again) that its iconic Bus will be reborn for 2022. While hippies and Baby Boomers will approve, this isn’t the first time VW has made such a promise. Still, the Crozz seems more probable since it falls into the red-hot crossover category. VW says a total of 15 new EV vehicles are planned.

Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, says, “The I.D. CROZZ-based electric vehicle will be an affordable and stylish electric SUV.” It will be roughly the size of the 2018 Tiguan, but with a coupe-like shape. Power comes from an 83-kWh lithium-ion battery and is expected to have a 300-mile range. The part-time AWD crossover uses two electric motors – one on each axle – for a total output of 302 horsepower. VW says the Crozz will change to 80 percent in only 30 minutes using a 150-kWh DC charger. Self-driving technology is planned for 2025, too, so we could expect that to accompany the Crozz’s mid-cycle refresh. That’s just speculation, of course.

Continue reading for more on the 2020 Volkswagen I.D. Crozz Concept.

The all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is coming for the North American market. While it is rumored to make its debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2018, Volkswagen Canada kicked off the teasing game for the sedan on its website with a single gif of the car sitting in the shadows. A light then moves over and around the sedan, showing bits and pieces of the new Jetta’s styling characteristics.

Introduced in 2007, the Volkswagen Tiguan became a rather successful compact crossover, selling more than 2.6 million units in 10 years on the market. But its design was starting to feel old, so Volkswagen launched the second-generation model in 2016. Boasting a more angular, sportier design, the Tiguan finally stopped looking like a shrunken Touareg and gained a slightly more upscale appearance. Alongside the new exterior design, VW also added a redesigned interior with new tech and updated gasoline and diesel engines. The second-gen model also revived rumors of a higher-performance model, but the Germans have yet to confirm a GTi-like version. Instead, the U.S. market got an R-Line trim, which was introduced at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Much like R-Line packages for other models, the bundle was designed to give the crossover a more dynamic appearance. The update is pretty much a visual thing, with interior add-ons limited to a handful of features. Likewise, the R-Line doesn’t increase performance, so you still have to wait for that GTi to arrive if you want an angrier Tiguan. You should also know that the R-Line package is based on SEL and SEL Premium trims, so it will cost you more than $30,000. Find out more about it below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line.

As far as SUVs and crossovers go, every manufacturer seems to have an offering that fits exactly what you need in an overgrown people hauler. Some manufacturers have three, while others like Chevy have five, but there’s one mainstream automaker that hasn’t brought their A-game to the SUV market yet, and that automaker is Volkswagen. The brand has its fair share of hatchbacks, but it only has two SUVs – the compact Volkswagen Tiguan and the much larger Volkswagen Touareg. The Volkswagen Atlas was originally expected to slot between the two, however, VW pulled on over on us and actually made the Atlas larger than the Touareg. Finally unveiled on the Santa Monica Pier, the Atlas comes correct with lots of DNA from the CrossBlue Concept, The choice of a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, lots of safety features, and seating for seven full-sized Americans.

Up until now, we were unsure if this new SUV would be called the Atlas, as VW has also trademarked the name “Teramont” – one that would go along with VW’s “T” naming structure. Now, we’re thinking it’s likely that the Teramont name will be used in other markets, or could – potentially – be reserved for a model that will slot between the Tiguan. Until then, we’ve got a lot to talk about, as the Atlas has a lot of stiff competition. Models like the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, GMC Yukon, Chevy Suburban, and Ford Expedition all pose some pretty stiff competition. Needless to say, the Atlas really has its work cut out for it over the next few years.

So, can the Atlas stand up against long-standing models that are well established in the full-sized SUV market and help VW overcome the corporate disaster that was Dieselgate? Well, let’s dive on in and find out what it has to offer.

Update 4/4/2017: Volkswagen has announced pricing for the new Atlas, slotting it between the Tiguan and Touareg. Check out the prices section below to learn all about it.

Unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the e-Golf went on sale globally in the summer of 2014, about two years after the Golf Mk7 it is based on made its public debut. In the U.S., the e-Golf arrived in late 2014 as a 2015-model-year vehicle. Essentially a standard Golf with the gasoline engine swapped for an electric motor and a battery pack, the e-Golf crossed the pond to North America with 115 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. The EPA rated the hatchback at 83 miles on a single charge, which put it on par with EVs like the Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf. For 2017, the e-Golf received a comprehensive update that added new technology, a new battery, more power, and an extended range.

Unveiled only a few weeks after Volkswagen debuted the regular Golf range, including the performance GTi model and the GTE hybrid, the facelifted e-Golf benefits from the same upgrades as the standard hatchback. While exterior changes are minor, customers now have access to new technology and features, including the optional gesture control function that Volkswagen unveiled in 2015. The revised e-Golf offers better performance, with the tweaked motor and larger battery delivering more horsepower and torque. Also quicker and able to reach a higher top speed, the e-Golf comes with 50-percent more range than the outgoing model.

The new tech and powertrain puts the e-Golf above its traditional rivals, but it’s not yet ready to go against the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt. Find out how it compares with its most important competitors in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen e-Golf

Following the unveiling of the facelifted Golf Mk7 family, including the GTi and GTE, earlier in November, Volkswagen took the wraps of the updated e-Golf at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. Originally introduced at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the all-electric hatchback now offers a more powerful motor, improved range, and new features inside and out.

Design-wise, the e-Golf follows in the footsteps of its conventional siblings, sporting a mildly revised exterior with new bumpers, and LED headlamps and taillights. The same goes for the cabin, where customers will find new decor and seat trim. More significant updates were made in the technology department, including a 12.3-inch color instrument cluster, optional "Discover Pro" infotainment with 9.2-inch display, gesture control, and a wide range of driver assistance systems.

By far the most important changes lurk under the shell, where Volkswagen added an upgraded electric motor rated 134 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of maximum torque. These figures account for a 19-horsepower and 15-pound-foot increase over the previous model. The extra oomph brings improved performance figures too. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is achieved in 9.6 seconds, more than a second faster, while top speed increased from 86 to 93 mph.

Volkswagen also developed a new lithium-ion battery with energy capacity increased from 24.2 kWh to 35.8 kWh. The range also goes up from 83 to 124 miles with this update, meaning a 50-percent improvement over the original e-Golf. What’s more, the on-board 7.2 kW charger is now standard on both SE and SEL Premium trims, charging the battery at 100 percent in less than six hours at a traditional charging station. When equipped with DC Fast Charging, which is optional on SE and standard on SEL Premium, the battery can be charged to 80 percent within an hour at a DC fast charging station.

Continue reading for the full story.

In the land of high-horsepower tuning potential and luscious sporty design, the Volkswagen Passat has never really had a home. Even when it was introduced back in the 70’s as a funky looking hatchback, it wasn’t exactly a car you looked to if you wanted sporty handling or a quick sprint to 60 mph. Fast forward to today, and the current Passat, which was introduced in 2011, is sportier than ever and can be had with a V-6, but it’s still nothing more than a cheaper family car with a somewhat interesting design. VW could be looking to change all of that as it begins to focus on its North American presence, and it’s slowly becoming evident with the announcement of this Passat GT Concept. Featuring at least 20 different design changes compared to the current model, this GT Concept could very well become a real production model. And, it could be sooner than later, as the Passat is due for a facelift in the very near future.

“The Passat GT is an early example of how the new Volkswagen North American Region will meet the needs and desires of American customers going forward,” said Dr. Matthias Erb, Chief Engineering Officer, North American Region, Volkswagen. “We have the freedom and the responsibility to shape future North American vehicles here in the U.S., combining engineering resources from around the world with our unique perspective and talented local team.”

So, will the public give the Passat GT concept the warm welcome it needs to find its way into production when it debuts in Los Angeles? It’s too early to tell just yet, but for VW fans, it could very well be the Passat model they’ve been begging for all along. Let’s take a good look at it and what it brings to the table.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Passat GT Concept.

As a model that has been around since the mid-1970s, there’s a certain standard that we’ve all come to expect from the Volkswagen Golf. With the current-gen model being introduced as early as 2012 at the Paris Motor Show we’ve been expecting to see a facelifted model anytime, and sure enough, Volkswagen has made some exciting changes for the 2017 model year. Building on the hatchbacks basic but sporty nature, VW has redesigned the front fascia, restyled the headlight lenses, integrated a whole new generation of infotainment systems, introduced some new engine options and announced a new seven-speed dual clutch transmission that will slowly replace the current six-cog unit. On top of this, the 2017 model year also brings some new safety features, including traffic jam assist, emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, and emergency assist.

For a car that is so widely loved – VW has sold more than 33 million examples since its introduction in the 1970s – the Golf is definitely a fan favorite, but its appearance in standard or non-GTI form has traditionally been somewhat mundane without a whole lot of character compared to models it competes with like the Ford Focus, Mazda 3, and Fiat 500. But all that changes now that the Golf has all these sporty updates, which should be enough to keep the car fresh until the next-gen model debuts sometime toward the end of the decade.

It’s pretty clear that we have a lot to talk about, so let’s dive on in and see what’s up with the 2017 Volkswagen Golf. It’s sure to be the sportiest model that you’ve seen to date.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Golf.

Volkswagen is addressing one of its major holes in the U.S. market by introducing the Atlas, a new mid-sized SUV that’s going to slot between the entry-level Tiguan and the full-sized Touareg. The Atlas is scheduled to make its debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2016, but ahead of the SUV’s grand unveiling, Volkswagen is covering its bases to make sure that the Atlas is perceived accurately as the perfect ride for the American outdoors. That’s likely why the German automaker took the natural step of promoting the arrival of the Atlas with a video series titled “Volkswagen Midsize SUV Origins.”

The first part of this series, called “Chapter 1: Background,” cuts right to the chase and talks about why Volkswagen is introducing the Atlas SUV to the American market and what prospective owners could do when they have it at their disposal. Simply put, the Atlas is being introduced for those who enjoy the active lifestyle, or as Jim Burch, the product manager for Volkswagen of America puts it, “[the Atlas] is a car to take the family and transport them to a national park, or state forest, or to their lake house.”

It’s a nice selling point and an important one at that given that Volkswagen is packaging the Atlas to specifically serve that purpose. It has enough room for as many as seven people and at almost 200 inches long, it’s longer than some of its potential rivals, including the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander. Just as important is that Volkswagen is fitting it with a couple of engine options, beginning with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 238 horsepower and a bigger 3.6-liter V-6 that can deliver 280 horsepower, enough to get the Atlas out on the road for those long-haul trips.

Expect more details about the Volkswagen Atlas to be disclosed when the SUV is revealed in LA. But for now, give the video series a good watch to get you hyped up for its imminent arrival.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

It’s difficult to get automotive upholstery just right. Have you ever wished your car’s seats could feel just like your most comfortable pair of jeans? The limited-edition 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Denim, unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, aims to do just that, while at the same time bringing back the spirit of the classic Volkswagen Beetle of the 1970s. The limited run of Beetle convertibles features interior and top fabric designed to look like denim, among other unique interior features.

Volkswagen will produce 1,000 Beetle Denims in Pure White and another 1,000 in Stonewashed Blue.

Kind of ridiculous, isn’t it? Yes, but it’s fun, and the Beetle has always been a quirky car that refrains from taking itself too seriously. Cars upholstered with jeans-style fabric aren’t a new concept, either. In 1974 and 1975, Volkswagen produced a special edition “Jeans Bug” for European markets. This car featured unique exterior trim in addition to the denim-inspired upholstery, and surviving examples are highly sought after today. Closer to home for North American Customes, AMC teamed up with Levi’s in the 1970s to produce a number of licensed “denim”-upholstered cars, including a Gremlin subcompact and a Jeep CJ-7. These vehicles followed a similar theme, with denim-type upholstery on the seats and interior panels, distinctive orange piping and even rivets styled like those of Levi’s jeans.

Updated 03/08/2016: Volkswagen announced prices for the 2016 Beetle Denim which is now available for sale. The model is priced from $25,995 plus destination ($820). Only 2,000 units will be built.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Beetle Denim.

To look at the original Beetle in stock form, it probably doesn’t strike you as much of an off-road vehicle. But there was a time when the Beetle was a popular choice for off-road duty. It was cheap, light and easy to work on. Beetles were raised, fitted with off-road tires, and had their bodywork removed, cut or often replaced with fiberglass pieces that allowed for extra lights. These “Baja Bugs,” as they would come to be called, would become so popular that the Baja 1000 race would include a whole class just for the modified Beetles.

Newer Beetles, defined as any with the engine in the front, don’t take to off-road duty quite as readily as their predecessors, but Volkswagen will still be paying tribute to the old Baja Bugs with a new special edition for 2016, called the Beetle Dune. The car is a production version of the 2014 Dune Concept that was shown in Detroit, and that was itself an update of a concept from all the way back in 2000 based on the New Beetle. The special edition isn’t an actual off-roader itself, but it doesn’t look as though VW is trying to trick anyone into thinking it is.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune.

The Golf debuted in the U.S. in 1975, but back then it was named the Rabbit. The "Golf" name finally arrived in the U.S in 1985, which was also when the one-time Rabbit underwent its first generational change. In 1994, the third-generation Golf/Rabbit debuted with a slightly larger body and wheelbase, then the model underwent another generational change in 1999. Then came the weirdness in 2006, with the release of the fifth-gen Golf, which was named the Rabbit. The sixth-gen Golf arrived in 2010 with its normal name in place, and finally the 2015 model year ushered in the seventh-gen model on American soil. And now VW has revealed a new version of the peppier Golf R with a lot more cargo room... That’s right, it’s a hot wagon!

During the spring of 2014, Volkswagen was spotted testing what looked to be a wagon version of the Golf R. Its roofline was unmistakably wagon, granting tons of interior passenger and cargo volume while its large wheels, low-profile tires, sporty front fascia, and quad exhausts pointed to something hot. As it turns out, the test mules didn’t lie. Volkswagen is actually making this; the Golf R Variant.

It comes complete with the Golf’s 296-horsepower, turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, DSG gearbox, and 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. Even the ESC Sport stability-control system and the Driving Profile Selector are part of the package. It’s all good news, except Volkswagen still seems to have no plans to bring it Stateside.

That’s right, no dice (yet) America.

What’s perplexing is Volkswagen has announced and debuted the Golf R Variant at the LA Auto Show. Go figure. While we all cry in our beverage of choice, our friends in Europe and around the world will get to enjoy this five-passenger, 34-mpg, 155-mph saloon and its 57.2 cubic feet of cargo room. Or maybe, VW sees a possible niche in the U.S. and will use this debut to test American response to the hot wagon.

Click past the jump to read more about the Volkswagen Golf R Variant.

This year’s edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show has witnessed some exciting and electrifying launches by most established brands.

Being one of the most important markets for the automobile industry, most car manufacturers see it fitting to debut their new models, variants and lineups in L.A. Every auto show has its stunners and duds, and some automakers just pull out ridiculous stuff to make us giggle – whether that giggle is intended or not is up for debate.

Sadly, the L.A. Auto Show’s biggest event is already over – the press days on the 28th and 29th of November – so we have pretty much seen everything that there was to see. The show does continue through December 6th, but those are general public days where the people that may actually buy these rigs can come and get a better look at them.

The L.A. Auto Show does, essentially, close the book on the 2012 auto show season, as just a few minor shows remain, but don’t fret; the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and its headliner – the C7 Corvette – are just around the corner.

To help ease the transition between the ending of the 2012 L.A. Auto Show and the beginning of the NAIAS, we bring you the top-5 cars launched at the soon-to-close L.A. Auto Show.

The new generation Volkswagen Beetle made its debut back in 2011 at the New York Auto Show and the cabrio version will arrive almost two years later at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales on the US market will begin at the end of 2012.

The third generation Beetle Cabrio features a sportier and more dynamic silhouette - just like with the coupe version and is equipped with a traditional soft-top that can be opened and closed just in 10 seconds at the push of a button at speeds up to 30 mph.

When compared to the coupe version, the new Cabrio will be distinguished by strengthened A-pillars and an "Automatic Rollover Support System" that offers better protection in case of a crash.

The US customers will have to choose between three different engines, two petrol and one diesel with power ranging from 140 HP to 240 HP. The three engines can be mated to with either a six-speed manual or DSG automatic.

UPDATE 11/29/12: Volkswagen has released the pricing details for the Beetle Cabriolet and all its trim models. Check out how much they’ll cost after the jump. We have added a series of new images and two new video.

The next-generation Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio made its North American debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, and Volkswagen decided to put next to it a series of three special edition models that each reflect the style of a decade: the 50s, the 60s and the 70s.

The first of the three special models is the "50s Edition" and it comes with a special set of 17-inch Circle Black alloy wheels and chrome door mirrors. It is painted in Monochrome Black combined with a black soft top.

Next there is the "60s Edition." This version is inspired by the style of the 1960s. It comes in either Denim Blue or Candy White combined with a black soft top.

Finally, the most elegant version is the "70s Edition." It comes in either Toffee Brown Metallic or Platinum Grey Metallic exterior color combined with a beige-colored soft top and leather sport seats.

The 2013 Beetle Cabrio, and these special editions, will be put on sale at the end of November 2012.

Volkswagen has a long history of doing things the right way, especially when it comes to the maker’s storied past. One of the key moments in VW’s recent history was the release of the New Beetle back in the late-1990s. In this instance, Volkswagen made sure to build a car that was new, but still paid tribute to its historic predecessors. When Vee-Dub redesigned the New Beetle in 2011, dropping the “New” in the process, it hit a homerun in terms of making it look even more retro, yet remaining modern.

Volkswagen is now in for yet another change for the Beetle and it is again paying direct tribute to its past. This new change is the upcoming convertible models, which will debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. According to a Car and Driver report, VW is making three special edition Beetle convertibles that pay homage to its past generations, one for the 1950s, one for the 1960s, and one for the 1970s.

There is no mention of what each decade’s special edition will come with, but we do know that they will include: unique color schemes, custom upholstery and white-wall – yes, white-wall – tires. From what we can tell, these three launches will not gobble up every Beetle convertible, so there should be plenty of normal convertible Beetles available for those that don’t want a special edition.

We all have to stand and applaud VW for not being afraid of paying homage to its very humble roots as the “People’s Car” and a car that was not the most popular amongst hot rodders of the day. As soon as we know more details on these special dedicatory Bugs we will let you know. One thing we hope for are a nice set of dog dish rims that came on the Bug through its early years.

Volkswagen first unveiled the Passat CC (known simply as the CC in the USA and South Africa) in 2008 and since then, the company has managed to sell an impressive 270,000 units. Now, for the 2013 model year (2012 in Europe), the CC has received a technically and visually updated version to make it look and perform even better.

Changes for the 2013 model year include a new front and rear styling, and an extended range of standard equipment, including standard Bi-Xenon headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System and LED taillights. On the US market, the CC will be offered with a choice of 197 HP and 276 HP engines and with a manual six-speed gearbox. In Europe, the engine line-up will also include diesel versions.

The Volkswagen CC’s official debut will be made in November at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and sales will begin in the Spring of 2012.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Volkswagen CC.

UPDATE 01/17/2012: Fresh off of its unveiling at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show last November 2011, the Volkswagen Passat CC has fresh new photos and videos that VW just released. Check out the pics in the gallery and the videos by clicking on the photo above!

UPDATE 02/28/2012: Volkswagen has announced prices for the 2013 CC that will go on sale at US dealers this spring. Prices will range from $30,250 for the base 2.0T Sport to $41,420 for the VR6 4Motion Executive version.

The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show will begin in about a month and we already have the first details on the models scheduled to be displayed. The first details come from Volkswagen who confirmed they will be coming with two new production vehicles — not concepts. Both will be global debuts, meaning they have not appeared at any other motor show.

Volkswagen hasn’t offered any other details on these two new models, but we are pretty sure that one of them will be the Convertible version of the new generation Beetle. The second production car can be one of two possibilities: the next generation Golf - very unlikely - or the facelift version of the Passat CC. Our bets on the Passat CC.

Whichever direction Volkswagen has chosen to go, we should have more details at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show during the media preview on November 16th and 17th.

Volkswagen has unveiled today the first images and official details on the new generation Eos that will make its world debut next month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales in Europe will begin in mid January 2011.

And like all the latest models in the line-up, the new Eos is characterized by the new Volkswagen design DNA. This includes: redesigned headlights incorporating LED daytime running lights, new grille, two-piece LED taillights and the redesigned bumper with a new diffuser.

The list of technologies that comes with the new Eos includes: multi-function display "Premium" with color display, remote light control Light Assist, and the second generation of Park Assist, Keyless locking, Keyless Access and remote light control.

Under the hood Volkswagen will place two turbocharged direct-injection units delivering 122 HP and 210 HP respectively, but also a new 2.0-TDI engine producing 140 HP with regenerative braking and Start Stop technology. This will help the new Eos to offer a fuel consumption of only 4.8-liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.

The Volkswagen New Beetle entered production in 1998, and like it predecessors it was a very successful model. But Volkswagen is preparing to end the current generation of the iconic models; and to mark this even today at the Los Angeles Auto Show they have revealed the New Beetle Final Edition, for both coupe and convertible models. The company will build 1,500 units each, and prices will start at $20,240 for the coupe and $27,170 for the convertible model.

The Final Edition beetle features a special Aquarius Blue paint with a painted black roof on the coupe, and a two-tone Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint scheme with a white top on the convertible. Both the coupe and the convertible have a full sport suspension and special 17-inch alloy wheels that provide a more fun-to-drive stance, and make getting from point A to point B even more exciting.

Both versions are powered by a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 150 hp and 170 lbs.-ft. of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

Press release after the jump.