2012 Volkswagen NMS Teaser Shows Up on Official Site, Confirms Detroit Debut

It's no secret Volkswagen is developing a new mid-size sedan (hence the NMS codename) to replace the Passat in the North American market, but today the German automaker posted a teaser on its website ahead of the car's world premiere which will take place at next week's Detroit motorshow.

Visitors entering Volkswagen of America's website are greeted by a sedan model wrapped in a white sheet and a note that says "The sleeker, roomier, all-new, German-engineered 2012 ______. Fill the blank on January 10th".

We'll have to wait until the Detroit show to find out more details including the car's name, but from the info VW has revealed so far, we know that the NMS will be produced at the firm's new U.S. factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee and it will be priced lower than the current Passat which it will replace in the North American market.

Volkswagen's new Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata rival will go on sale at dealerships in the third quarter of 2011 as a 2012 model year.

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2012 Volkswagen NMS Teaser Shows Up on Official Site, Confirms Detroit Debut

It's no secret Volkswagen is developing a new mid-size sedan (hence the NMS codename) to replace the Passat in the North American market, but today the German automaker posted a teaser on its website ahead of the car's world premiere which will take place at next week's Detroit motorshow.

Visitors entering Volkswagen of America's website are greeted by a sedan model wrapped in a white sheet and a note that says "The sleeker, roomier, all-new, German-engineered 2012 ______. Fill the blank on January 10th".

We'll have to wait until the Detroit show to find out more details including the car's name, but from the info VW has revealed so far, we know that the NMS will be produced at the firm's new U.S. factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee and it will be priced lower than the current Passat which it will replace in the North American market.

Volkswagen's new Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata rival will go on sale at dealerships in the third quarter of 2011 as a 2012 model year.

Click title for the source

2012 Volkswagen NMS Teaser Shows Up on Official Site, Confirms Detroit Debut

It's no secret Volkswagen is developing a new mid-size sedan (hence the NMS codename) to replace the Passat in the North American market, but today the German automaker posted a teaser on its website ahead of the car's world premiere which will take place at next week's Detroit motorshow.

Visitors entering Volkswagen of America's website are greeted by a sedan model wrapped in a white sheet and a note that says "The sleeker, roomier, all-new, German-engineered 2012 ______. Fill the blank on January 10th".

We'll have to wait until the Detroit show to find out more details including the car's name, but from the info VW has revealed so far, we know that the NMS will be produced at the firm's new U.S. factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee and it will be priced lower than the current Passat which it will replace in the North American market.

Volkswagen's new Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata rival will go on sale at dealerships in the third quarter of 2011 as a 2012 model year.

Click title for the source

2011 Audi Autonomous TTS Pikes Peak

2011 Audi Autonomous TTS Pikes Peak

2011 Audi Autonomous TTS Pikes Peak

2011 Audi Autonomous TTS Pikes Peak

2011 Audi Autonomous TTS Pikes Peak

INTRODUCTION:The autonomous Audi TTS built by Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Lab, Stanford University and Audi has taken an important first step toward its ultimate goal: participating in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The self-driving TTS officially completed a test run – all the way to the 14,110 foot summit – earlier this year, clocking a time of 27 minutes, which is pretty good considering that race officials typically expect a human driver to do it in around 17 minutes.

HIGHLIGHTS:The new emphasis for the project also honors quattro® technology, which has played an instrumental role in Audi racing successes, has served as a leading example of the progressive engineering found in Audi passenger vehicles and is integral to the handling of the Audi TTS research car. This year marks the 30th anniversary of quattro on the world automotive stage.

SPECIFICATIONS:Audi says that the car used a combination of brand-new software, algorithms and hardware to tackle one of the world's most challenging hill climbs. The 12.42 mile course is a gauntlet of tarmac and loose gravel that snakes upward with a number of instant switchbacks. According to Audi, the autonomous TTS managed to hit a top speed of 47 mph during one stretch. Hit the jump for the full press release.

DESIGN:

• For the design that was selected, the goal was to pay homage to the past, while conveying the leading-edge technology that defines the TTS research car. Designers decided to give the rally car themes from the 1980s a forward-looking twist, said Sangyup Lee, Chief Designer (Group Exterior) at VW/Audi Group Studio California.
• The original rally cars, for example didn't feature a large four rings logo on their roofs. But the designers used that design cue from modern Audi DTM racing cars in Europe so the brand image would be evident in aerial photos and videos.
• "We were very much inspired by the Pikes Peak race cars," noted Raul Cenan, Lead Designer on the TTS project. "But there was very different technology used in those cars overall. So we decided to go with more modern elements that were heritage-inspired."

CONCLUSION:Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak plans to make a Guinness Book of World Records land speed attempt at the El Mirage Lake dry-lake bed in southern California or another nearby location.

Upcoming Audi model renderings thru 2014

German Autobild compiled a nice overview of all upcoming Audi models until 2014. Good news for all Audi fans, there’s a lot coming!

- Audi Q3: As expected coming in 2011.



- Audi A3 Sportback: One of Audi’s best selling models will be overhauled in 2012 and it will feature some new technologies such as start-stop, recuperation and many others to save energy as much as possible. A 4-door sedan is also expected around the same date, mainly targeting the US market. The Audi A3 Convertible will follow in 2014.



- Audi Q1: Expected to arrive in 2013 as a 2+2 three-door model.



- Audi A2 e-tron: Coming as electric version first in 2013 and with conventional transmission in 2014.



- Audi Q7: The second generation Audi Q7 will arrive in 2014 and will possibly be around 250kg lighter if staying on same platform or even 500kg lighter if switching the new MLB platform of the new Audi A8.



- Audi A4: Also planned for 2014 and around 150kg lighter than today’s version by using more aluminum.



- Audi R5: Audi’s next midship-engine sportscar will arrive in 2014 as well, filling the gap between Audi TT and Audi R8, and delivering up to 300bhp with a more rear-drive focussed quattro transmission.



Click title for the source

Upcoming Audi model renderings thru 2014

German Autobild compiled a nice overview of all upcoming Audi models until 2014. Good news for all Audi fans, there’s a lot coming!

- Audi Q3: As expected coming in 2011.



- Audi A3 Sportback: One of Audi’s best selling models will be overhauled in 2012 and it will feature some new technologies such as start-stop, recuperation and many others to save energy as much as possible. A 4-door sedan is also expected around the same date, mainly targeting the US market. The Audi A3 Convertible will follow in 2014.



- Audi Q1: Expected to arrive in 2013 as a 2+2 three-door model.



- Audi A2 e-tron: Coming as electric version first in 2013 and with conventional transmission in 2014.



- Audi Q7: The second generation Audi Q7 will arrive in 2014 and will possibly be around 250kg lighter if staying on same platform or even 500kg lighter if switching the new MLB platform of the new Audi A8.



- Audi A4: Also planned for 2014 and around 150kg lighter than today’s version by using more aluminum.



- Audi R5: Audi’s next midship-engine sportscar will arrive in 2014 as well, filling the gap between Audi TT and Audi R8, and delivering up to 300bhp with a more rear-drive focussed quattro transmission.



Click title for the source

Upcoming Audi model renderings thru 2014

German Autobild compiled a nice overview of all upcoming Audi models until 2014. Good news for all Audi fans, there’s a lot coming!

- Audi Q3: As expected coming in 2011.



- Audi A3 Sportback: One of Audi’s best selling models will be overhauled in 2012 and it will feature some new technologies such as start-stop, recuperation and many others to save energy as much as possible. A 4-door sedan is also expected around the same date, mainly targeting the US market. The Audi A3 Convertible will follow in 2014.



- Audi Q1: Expected to arrive in 2013 as a 2+2 three-door model.



- Audi A2 e-tron: Coming as electric version first in 2013 and with conventional transmission in 2014.



- Audi Q7: The second generation Audi Q7 will arrive in 2014 and will possibly be around 250kg lighter if staying on same platform or even 500kg lighter if switching the new MLB platform of the new Audi A8.



- Audi A4: Also planned for 2014 and around 150kg lighter than today’s version by using more aluminum.



- Audi R5: Audi’s next midship-engine sportscar will arrive in 2014 as well, filling the gap between Audi TT and Audi R8, and delivering up to 300bhp with a more rear-drive focussed quattro transmission.



Click title for the source