| According to Volkswagen's Production Development | | | | fuel-efficient version. This stems from the VW Polo |
| Executive Ulrich Hackenberg, VW fans will have to | | | | Blue Motion were released on the last quarter of 2006. |
| wait longer than originally planned for the | | | | The Blue Motion models utilize slow-shift gear boxes |
| next-generation Golf. He added that the VW Golf | | | | that reduce fuel consumption as well as low-resistance |
| Mark VI will hit dealerships in the later part of 2008. | | | | tires to save extra fuel. |
| This is contrary to previous reports that implied VW | | | | Meanwhile, contrary to the trend for automakers to |
| was making a tracking development on the next | | | | increase a car's size with each new model change, |
| model because of its declining sales in the US, and | | | | VW is planning to make its flagship Phaeton sedan |
| tougher competition from radically styled models such | | | | smaller for the all-new 2010 model. |
| as the Honda New Civic. | | | | The announcement came from VW boss Martin |
| Hackenberg said VW is on the right on track and | | | | Winterkorn who told reporters at Germany's Der |
| where they want to be. This is a good sign for one of | | | | Spiegel the next Phaeton will be based on the next |
| the highest selling cars on the road today. | | | | generation Audi A6 with the two vehicles sharing |
| Original plans under the leadership of former VW chief | | | | several components. |
| Bernd Pischetsrieder would have seen the car | | | | With this model, VW is expected to make substantial |
| released at September's Frankfurt Motor Show. But | | | | savings because there is no need to develop |
| Volkswagen's new head Martin Winterkorn has | | | | expensive components such as transmissions or |
| pushed back its release to further accommodate | | | | power trains. The current model Phaeton never |
| styling changes and increases in quality levels such as | | | | managed to meet its projected sales expectations, |
| that of the Volkswagen mufflers. | | | | with only a quarter of the 20,000 planned units rolling |
| These latest innovations reveal the new design for the | | | | off the showroom floor. |
| Mark VI Golf, proving that its designers are keeping | | | | The Phaeton had several flaws going against it. Unlike |
| with the current model's stylish yet conservative looks. | | | | its aluminum constructed Audi A8 sibling, the Phaeton |
| The previous design would have seen the next Golf | | | | weighs too much, lacks performance and its engine |
| wearing teardrop shaped headlights as used by the | | | | easily gets exhausted, thereby needing more fuel. The |
| Eos convertible. | | | | VW label also lacks the brand cachet needed in this |
| The two-door version was dropped in favor of the | | | | premium segment. Analysts say the German car |
| all-new Scirocco. The Golf Mark VI will be coming as a | | | | maker will not be making the same mistake with its |
| four-door hatch and as a people carrier with the | | | | next version. According to the source, the new Audi |
| Europe-only Golf Plus. There will be numerous engine | | | | A8 will be larger than the Phaeton, which itself will be |
| choices for the new Golf. These include a new 1.6L | | | | larger than the A6, and will showcase technologies |
| TSI engine developing 200hp as well as a | | | | earmarked for the next-generation Bentley Continental. |
| high-performance 2.0L version with 260hp in the GTI. | | | | In an interview with Bloomberg last April, VW America |
| Some reports say top of the line 3.6L FSI V6 engine | | | | Spokesman Andreas Meurer revealed that the |
| taken from the Passat R36 and developing 281hp will | | | | Phaeton would make a return to the US after the |
| round out the Golf range. | | | | slow-selling sedan was pulled from the market in 2005. |
| VW has also announced a 30 percent more | | | | |