Volkswagen Officially Unveils Passat R36

Volkswagen today unveiled the new Passat R36 a high-performance Passat that comes in a sedan and wagon version. The new Volkswagen Passat R26 features a 3.6 liter FSI engine that gives it 296 horsepower and the ability to do 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds for the sedan model and 5.8 for the wagon. The car also has a top speed of 155 mph along with 4-motion all-wheel-drive and DSG transmission. The new Volkswagen Passat R36 is set to go on display at the Essen Motor Show in Germany in December. No information on pricing as of yet.

Spy Shots: Porsche Cayenne Facelift

Pictures that have appeared on internet forums have almost revealed the new version of the Porsche Cayenne that is expected to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It seems as if the tail lights on the Porsche Cayenne have been stretched to the roof but it may just be the camouflage covering up the real design. You can also see a slight difference in the front headlights. Porsche is hoping the facelift on the new Cayenne will help struggling sales of the SUV.

HAMANN’s BMW 535d With 350 Horsepower

German tuner HAMANN got their hands on the BMW 535d and gave it surprisingly more power for a diesel car. Performance wise the car now pushes 350 horsepower that gives it the ability to do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 276 km/h. The HAMANN BMW 535d also gets a lowered suspension for better handling and a performance break package. Visually, the HAMANN BMW 535d gets M aerodynamics package along with black 20 inch wheels.

Loder1899 Tunes Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Well yesterday we brought you news about a Ferrari F430 being tuned and today another super car, the Aston Martin Vantage has been tuned by a Bavarian company called Loder1899. Let’s get the design changes out of the way first. The Loder1899 Aston Martin V8 Vantage has carbon fiber parts to lighten up the overall weight including a new engine cover, new front lip, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler. Now performance wise the car gets a 4-way adjustable titanium suspension system and a stainless steel sports exhaust system that maintains the standard car’s exhaust valve system. With 4.3 liter V8 the car has a total horsepower of 405 and a torque of 410Nm. The car does 0-100kmh in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 280 km/h. Oh yes, and the car rides on 20 inch wheels with an option of 21 inches.

New Images: BMW Hydrogen 7

Here are some more official images of the upcoming BMW Hydrogen 7. Chek out our latest posting on the Hydrogen 7. BMW has said that it will start production of its Hydrogen 7 vehicle in 2007. In the beginning production will be limited a 100 Hydrogen 7 vehicles and will be sold to selected drivers that will give BMW feedback and further the development of the first BMW hydrogen vehicle.

Mercedes Launches Three New Diesel Models in US

Today Mercedes Benz announced the launch of three new diesel models for the United States including the ML320 CDI, the R320 CDI, and the E320 BLUETEC. The Mercedes Benz ML320 CDI is a mid-size sport utility with a suggested retail price of $ 44,455. The Mercedes Benz R320 CDI is a six passenger luxury MPV priced at $ 44,775. Finally we have the cream of the crop the E320 BLUETEC, a full-size luxury sedan beginning at $ 52,325. Of course there is a destination charge of $775.

The E320 BLUETEC has a 40 percent better fuel mileage than the gasoline-powered model and gets 27/37 miles per gallon with a range of 700 miles on a single tank of fuel. The R320 CDI gets 21/28 mpg while the ML320 CDI sport utility gets 21/27 mpg. Both CDI models have a cruising range of well over 600 miles before refueling. Both CDI models are powered by a 3.0 Liter V6 engine producing 215 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft. The E320 BLUETEC produces 208 horsepower and torque of 400 lb.-ft.

2008 Volkswagen Tiguan on its way

Volkswagen is getting read to launch the Tiguan a small SUV that will likely comepte with Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape. But unlike its competitors which mainly have four cylinder engines the Tiguan will have a 2.0 liter V6 engine. Buyers of the 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan will get a choice between a conventional six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG automatic. 4Motion all-wheel drive will come standard with the 2008 Tiguan. Volkswagen also has a GTI version planned for the SUV. The car will be based on the 2006 Volkswagen Concept.