As Toyota’s reputation begins a slow path to recovery,  Volkswagen continues its quest to topple the ‘Big T’ as the biggest manufacturer in the world.

Volkswagen has began streamlining its products and optimising its lineup to cover the entire market. Rumours circulating the web suggest the German company (which owns Audi, Lamborghini, Skoda, Seat, Bugatti and Porsche) is expected to take a 90 percent stake in Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A.

Italdesign has been around for over 40 years and currently has 975 workers. The link to Volkswagen goes all the way back to 1974 when the company designed the original Volkswagen Golf.

The 90 percent sale will see the Giugiaro family keep 10 percent, with father and son Giorgetto and Fabrizio expected to remain at work.

Volkswagen’s plan to become the world’s largest manufacturer by 2018 will see the company sell at least 10 million cars annually and will thus require more designers for its array of different brands.

Adapted from CarAdvice

SEAT UK has opened the order books for its new hot hatch threesome. The Ibiza SC can be had in FR, Cupra and Bocanegra form, with the latter being the cream of the crop.

All three share VW’s twin-charged 1,4-litre petrol engine, which uses both a turbocharger and supercharger to produce 110 kW in the FR, while in Cupra and Bocanegra trim it’s tuned to 132 kW – an output previously associated with a far larger engine.

Torque is available from just above idling speeds at 1 250 rpm, while all three hot Ibiza’s get the VW Group’s new second-generation seven-speed twin-clutch DSG gearbox. It gets the obligatory Formula 1-style steering wheel paddles, which help the car achieve a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.7 seconds for the FR and 7.2 seconds for both the Cupra and Bocanegra. The FR reaches a top speed of 209 km/h while the Cupra and Bocanegra will hit 225 km/h flat out.

Thanks to the DSG, both versions of the engine produce attractive fuel economy and carbon emission figures, with the hotter Cupra and Bocanegra topping 6,4 l/100km (combined) and producing 148g/km of CO2, ensuring a much lower tax group in the UK than rivals such as the Renaultsport Clio 200 and Opel Corsa OPC.

All models receive the XDS electronic differential seen on the new VW Golf GTI but with prices far below that of the new GTI. The 110 kW FR is priced the lowest of the three, followed by the Cupra and the Bocanegra, which can be ordered with the dramatic exterior matching SEAT’s Bocanegra concept.

It’s a shame that VW South Africa has withdrawn the SEAT brand from our country. We hope that the new Polo GTI will deliver a true GTI experience in the baby Cupra’s place.

Porsche has finally abandoned plans to acquire a larger share of Volkswagen, of which it already own 51 percent. Instead the two German companies have revealed plans to merge into one integrated company within four weeks.

Currently the VW group and Porsche are managed independently of each other. Under the merger 10 brands will be managed by one management board.

The decision to merge the two companies comes after Porsche’s attempts buy up to 75 percent of VW for a controlling share have been repeatedly blocked.

Volkswagen has welcomed the merger and already representatives from Porsche and VW are in discussions about the form of the new company.

The state of Lower Saxony, where VW is based is also taking part in discussions, as a 20 percent stake holder in VW they have the power to veto strategic decisions.

Under the new company VW’s nine brands: Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Seat and Audi will each maintain a unique sense of identity. Porsche will also maintain its identity.

The new entity will allow Porsche greater access to technology and systems from the Volkswagen catalogue, not that it’s been lacking in that department so far.

Both companies can now get back to their primary business of building great cars.

Adapted from TheMotorReport

The new sporty Ibiza Cupra with its 134kW 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder isn’t due to arrive in U.K. showrooms before the end of summer, but those interested can take a virtual spin of the car with a racing game that is available for iPhone and iPod touch owners. SEAT claims that in the three weeks that the game has been made available online, more than a quarter of a million people downloaded it to their iPhones and iPods. The company also said that in the summer, it will release an updated version of the Ibiza Cupra game with more cars, circuits and competition models.

Also get…the new Volkswagen Polo and BMW Z4 games for your iPhone/Pod.

Source: CarScoop

Less than six months after its international launch, the new Ibiza range has expanded with the arrival of the Cupra performance variant. The latest model continues the ‘Arrow Design’ first seen on the Bocanegra Concept, but also receives a newly designed bumper with air intake vents surrounding the central grille. Other unique features are the 17-inch alloy wheels, pumped fenders, and a centrally placed trapezoid tailpipe.

Under the hood sits a brand-new version of the Volkswagen Group’s 1.4-litre TSI engine. The twin-turbo unit produces a peak output of 134kW and is mated to a seven speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift-paddles. This should ensure it will be able to keep up with similar sporty hatches such as the Ford Focus ST and Renault Clio Sport.

The car also features Seat’s ‘Agile Chassis’ system, which tweaks the response of the steering, brakes and transmission depending on conditions. This is combined with an uprated suspension set-up.

Safety features include standard ESP, ABS and traction control, driver and passenger airbags, hill-hold function, and supportive bucket seats plus aluminium pedals. The new Cupra will make its official debut at October’s Paris Motor Show before going on sale by the end of the year.

Source: Motor Authority

First posted on 29 August 2008.