Volkswagen News - eBay Find of the Day: 1974 Karmann Ghia electric conversion

eBay Find of the Day: 1974 Karmann Ghia electric conversion

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Volkswagen

The classic Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most common choices for electric vehicle conversions for a number of reasons, such as its availability, rear-drive architecture and light weight. Despite these advantages, the Beetle has a close cousin known as the Karmann Ghia that might be an even better choice due to its superior aerodynamics. Plus, it’s really cool looking, which is nice.

If you’d rather not worry about performing the conversion yourself, we’ve got good news. A classic Ghia from 1974 that’s already been electrified has recently popped up on eBay. Located in Denver, the electric vehicle is currently bid up to about $5,100, which would make it a pretty compelling deal.

A dozen 6-volt lead acid batteries from Energizer send their electrons through a 450-amp controller from Altrax on to an electric motor from D&D. An aftermarket stereo from Sony plays good vibrations through a 12-volt converter that powers the vehicle’s accessories. Have a good look at our gallery below.

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: 1974 Karmann Ghia electric conversion originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[tags]volkswagen cars, volkswagen news, volkswagen models[/tags]

Volkswagen News - Top Gear US shows us how to perform a TDI engine swap

Top Gear US shows us how to perform a TDI engine swap

Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Volkswagen, Green Daily

Top Gear US has struck again with their latest installment in the Project Sipster saga, and this one’s a doosey. The TG crew is taking an early ’80s VW Rabbit diesel apart and replacing the engine and transmission with newer and more powerful units. We’re pretty sure that there’s plenty more planned for the oil-burner than just an engine swap, so we’ll be following closely over the coming weeks.

This new update shows exactly what it takes to drop the engine from a 2003 Jetta TDI and a modified transmission from a 1998 Jetta TDI into the engine bay of a 1981 VW Rabbit. While it may not seem like the kind of thing you’d plan to do over the weekend, it’s an interesting project and the goal of 70 mpg and a sub-7-second run to sixty for under $7 grand sounds like good fun. Read all about it here.

[Source: Top Gear US]

Top Gear US shows us how to perform a TDI engine swap originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[tags]volkswagen cars, volkswagen news, volkswagen models[/tags]

Volkswagen News - Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW?

Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW?

Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen

While the primary goal of Volkswagen’s numerous BlueMotion models is to reduce fuel consumption and therefore carbon emissions, the German automaker apparently recognizes that not all drivers are willing to accept sluggish acceleration to go along with their reduced diesel bills. This is why the VeeDub introduced its BlueSport Roadster concept at the last Detroit Auto Show. That sporty model was able to provide plenty of performance from its 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine to go along with its miserly fuel mileage figures of 35 mpg on the European Combined Cycle and 62 mpg while in Eco Mode.

Reports from the U.K.’s evo magazine indicate that VW is hard at work on a production version of the BlueSport concept for 2011. Before that model hits the market, the moniker may be applied to a performance-minded diesel version of the European Scirocco and possibly an oil-burning GTI hatchback as well.

[Source: evo]

Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[tags]volkswagen cars, volkswagen news, volkswagen models[/tags]

Volkswagen News - Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo

Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo

Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen, Geneva Motor Show

Volkswagen is trotting out its new fifth-generation Polo at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow, but we’ve got a slew of details and images of the new model to share today. Looking very much like a shrunken Golf, it may take a trained eye to tell the difference between the VW’s latest hatchbacks at first glance (see the new VW MK VI Golf here). Volkswagen’s keen to point out that the new Polo is a full 7.5 percent lighter than the outgoing model despite growing in every meaningful dimension and it’s still expected to score a perfect 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash testing.

In Germany, the Polo will come with the buyers choice of four gasoline and three diesel engines, many equipped with turbochargers and direct injection. VeeDub’s latest 7-speed DSG transmission will also be available on select models. The most frugal trim will carry the BlueMotion badge and attain 62 mpg U.S. in European combined testing with just 96 grams CO₂ per kilometer, making it the most fuel efficient diesel-burning 5-seater in the world.

Sales are slated to begin in Germany by the end of June with the rest of Europe coming just two weeks later. In case you missed it earlier, the subcompact car is finally coming to America, possibly as early as 2010, so VW definitely has our interest piqued. Check out our image gallery below and see the official press release after the break.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo

Geneva Preview: Volkswagen unleashes the goods on new Polo originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen News - VW Caddy EcoFuel on sale in the UK this summer

VW Caddy EcoFuel on sale in the UK this summer

Filed under: MPG, Volkswagen, Natural Gas, Europe/EU

Putting natural gas in the tank isn’t the first thing people think about when they talk green cars (unless said person is T. Boone Pickens) but in Europe, especially, natural gas is a somewhat common alternative fuel. Volkswagen has announced that a compressed natural gas (CNG) version of the Caddy commercial vehicle will be coming to the UK this summer. Called the Caddy EcoFuel, the CNG-powered panel van has been sold in other European companies since 2006 and 7,500 units were snapped up last year. VW will also offer the Caddy Maxi EcoFuel, with an extra 1.0 m³ carrying capacity, in the UK alongside the Caddy EcoFuel. More details after the jump.

The Caddy EcoFuel can burn CNG or biomethane. For the range-worried, rest assured that there is a 13-litre reserve gasoline tank that can be used if the CNG runs out. The Caddy EcoFuel was on display in Britain last summer and, in 2007, Rainer Zietlow took ones of these vehicles around the world on CNG in just 142 days.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW Caddy EcoFuel on sale in the UK this summer

VW Caddy EcoFuel on sale in the UK this summer originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[tags]volkswagen cars, volkswagen news, volkswagen models[/tags]

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