New Beetle arrives, old Freelander departs, big Porsche prices maintained.
VW SHOWS OFF REVAMPED BEETLE: In honour of 50 years of distributing cars in the U.S., VW America recently showed off its ''new'' New Beetle and New Beetle convertible.
(The German firm launched in Canada in 1952, by the way, using the Automotive Building at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition to reveal the original Beetle.)
Not many details were given out beyond the fact that the 2006 New Beetle and the convertible will be launched in September of this year and will come standard with a new 2.5 liter, inline-five that creates 150 hp, replacing the four-cylinder, 2.0 liter that created 115 hp. Another significant technical update will be standard traction control with electronic stability control.
Styling changes for the 2006 New Beetle include ''bolder, slightly sharper bodylines, especially at the wheel wells and bumpers that are tailored for a more modern overall impression.''
New details include a larger, more oval headlight treatment, new taillight and bumper designs. Inside, the freshening involves a new instrument cluster design with chrome applications to the instruments and also the air vents.
More details of the changes will be released this summer, VW said.
FREELANDER PRODUCTION ENDS: The Land Rover arm of Ford Motor Company ''will cease production of the current Freelander for sale in the
US and Canada ahead of schedule,'' says Larry Rosinksi, the British brand's PR man for North America.
This has been done, Rosinski said, ''largely as a result of unsuccessful attempts to guarantee further supplies of petrol engines from the now-insolvent MG Rover.''
Notwithstanding the end of production, he said, ''there will still be available stock in the US and Canada to support customer demand for some time yet.'' This is one of the consequences of the model falling out of favour with discerning customers in Canada and the U.S.
''This action will help to protect the now-limited engine supplies for those other markets where sales of the petrol-engined Freelander are essential to the presence of Land Rover,'' Rosinski noted.
As for the existing owners of the smallest Land Rover, Rosinski said ''we have taken steps to ensure a sufficient stock is available to support longer-term service requirements.''
Rosinski also pointed out that ''An all-new model to succeed the current Freelander is due to be announced next year.'' The newest baby Land Rover will likely debut at the LA or Detroit auto shows in January, and go on sale by the fall of 2006.
VW SHOWS OFF REVAMPED BEETLE: In honour of 50 years of distributing cars in the U.S., VW America recently showed off its ''new'' New Beetle and New Beetle convertible.
(The German firm launched in Canada in 1952, by the way, using the Automotive Building at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition to reveal the original Beetle.)
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| 2006 Volkswagen New Beetle (photo: VAG) |
Styling changes for the 2006 New Beetle include ''bolder, slightly sharper bodylines, especially at the wheel wells and bumpers that are tailored for a more modern overall impression.''
New details include a larger, more oval headlight treatment, new taillight and bumper designs. Inside, the freshening involves a new instrument cluster design with chrome applications to the instruments and also the air vents.
More details of the changes will be released this summer, VW said.
FREELANDER PRODUCTION ENDS: The Land Rover arm of Ford Motor Company ''will cease production of the current Freelander for sale in the
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| Land Rover Freelander (photo: Land Rover) |
This has been done, Rosinski said, ''largely as a result of unsuccessful attempts to guarantee further supplies of petrol engines from the now-insolvent MG Rover.''
Notwithstanding the end of production, he said, ''there will still be available stock in the US and Canada to support customer demand for some time yet.'' This is one of the consequences of the model falling out of favour with discerning customers in Canada and the U.S.
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| Land Rover Freelander (photo: Land Rover) |
As for the existing owners of the smallest Land Rover, Rosinski said ''we have taken steps to ensure a sufficient stock is available to support longer-term service requirements.''
Rosinski also pointed out that ''An all-new model to succeed the current Freelander is due to be announced next year.'' The newest baby Land Rover will likely debut at the LA or Detroit auto shows in January, and go on sale by the fall of 2006.