VIDEO: 627 hp VW Scirocco + Sweden and Snow = Awesome!

You probably think Sweden is all about IKEA, ABBA and Volvos. Of course you do because, like me, you base all your cultural assumptions on asinine, outmoded stereotypes. Though few would be so willing to admit it, we�ve all done it from time to time, mostly when drunk off our backsides around the family barbie.

So what if I told you the Swedes � well, a few of them anyways � were big into racing stripped out, turbocharged Volkswagen Scirocco�s packing AWD and 627 hp (468 kW)? And not simply racing them but racing them on snow and ice. You heard right, and we have the video to prove it.

Sadly, we don�t know much more about the car and its driver than what we�ve given so far; our Swedish isn�t even as good as our grammatically flawed German and poorly enunciated French. Still, it�s a fun video to watch, and the sonorous sound of the turbo gives me goosebumps all down my back.

Check out the video and leave your comments in the section provided below.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Bilsport via Autoholics

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VW Launches New Body Kit and Other Accessories for Golf Mk6

Volkswagen has released a new set of accessories for its best selling model, the Golf. The most important of these is a new aerodynamic package, which includes slightly redesigned bumpers, side skirts and a larger roof spoiler. Other than making the Golf look sportier, VW claims these new components improve the car's aerodynamics.

Other accessories for the Golf's exterior include two new sets of alloy wheels, both 17-inch large and painted in different hues of silver: the 15-spoke �Silex� and the 5-spoke �Onyx�. For the interior, Volkswagen's aftermarket division prepared a decorative trim set that consists of five pieces finished with a carbon look. The parts are destined for the instrument panel and door panels.

Volkswagen Accessories also offers new gear for utility purposes, such as a roof-box available in three different sizes that uses the DuoLift system, allowing the opening and loading of the roof-box on both sides. Another accessory is the luggage compartment tub made of washable plastic that can be divided into different sections according to needs.

All accessories are available through VW's dealer network.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Lamborghini Confirms that it has Sold More Than 12 Months� Production of Aventador LP700-4

Last week, we told you that the first year of production of both the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Ferrari FF have reportedly been spoken for. Today, Lamborghini made it officially-official confirming that it has already sold more than 12 months� production of its new flagship V12 model, deliveries of which will start in the second half of 2011.

The VW Group-owned Italian automaker also released final sales figures for last year that showed a 14 per cent drop from 2009. In particular, Lamborghini delivered a total of 1,302 units to customers worldwide in 2010, compared to 1,515 cars the previous year.

However, the Italians were quick to note that the difference versus 2009 was due to the run out of the Murci�lago in May 2010 adding that they sold 4,099 Murci�lagos over a ten-year production period, making the Aventador�s predecessor the company�s best-selling V12 model ever. Sales for the remaining seven months of the year were based on the production of just one model, the Gallardo.

The final year turnover was at �271 million in 2010, compared to �281 million in 2009. Lamborghini said that the pre-tax result improved over 2009, �while still remaining below profitability.�

Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said that the introduction of the Aventador combined with a gradually improving economy should help the company�s financial results in the future.

�We confirmed our long term strategy, which calls for stable and significant investments in new products even in difficult times,� said Winkelmann. �We see a slow but steady recovery of the market, and we will benefit from this. The extraordinary response to the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is the best proof that our vision is right.�

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VW CEO Piech Says Germans Could Quadruple Alfa Romeos Sales

In yet another episode of the ongoing verbal battle between the Fiat and VW Groups over Alfa Romeo, the German automaker's CEO Ferdinand Piech said that Volkswagen could nearly quadruple the annual sales of the Milanese brand if the Italians would agree to sell the company.

Speaking to journalists at the Geneva Motor Show, the CEO went on to say that within five years Volkswagen could increase the sales of the money-losing Italian brand to 400,000 cars every year. Alfa Romeo ended 2010 with 112,000 units sold.

As we previously reported, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne isn't keen on dropping Alfa Romeo, and hopes to revive the historic brand and make it a major player in the European premium segment. The Fiat boss repeatedly refused admitting to even consider selling the brand: "As long as I am CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, Mr. Piech will never have Alfa Romeo,� Marchionne stated at a JD Power automotive conference in the US.

The Italian firm's CEO even suggested Piech should try and fix the SEAT brand before thinking of Alfa Romeo. But apparently, the Germans can't take no for an answer. "Volkswagen has time," said Piech in Geneva, a sentence that could be interpreted as a hint at the poor financial status of Alfa Romeo that could make the Fiat Group's shareholders lose patience.

In a recent interview with Forbes, Marchionne admitted that the brand was losing money during each of the seven years he has been at the helm of the group. �I'm not sure if it ever really made any money,� were his exact words. Could this mean he is finally open to negotiations? Only time will tell.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Reuters

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VIDEO: What if Toyota Made a Cute Darth Vader Commercial?

Everyone seemed to love Volkswagen's Darth Vader Super Bowl commercial. In fact, some people out there liked it so much that they wanted to see what it would be like had Toyota made the ad. Well now we know (which is half the battle). Needless to say, the Toyota version isn't as heartwarming. It is quite entertaining, though. Check out the clip below for 1:08 of dark-sided hilarity.

By Phil Alex

Source: Youtube via Autoblog.com

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Geneva 2011: Volkswagen's Bulli Microbus Concept in the Flesh

It has been ten long years since the last modern adaptation of the iconic Volkswagen T1. The Microbus concept captivated audiences in 2001 with its modern and evolved design that brought the famed hippie-cruiser into the 21st century. The new Bulli concept aims to bring back the sense of freedom and "free-love" in a more compact and environmentally conscious form.

Images of the Bulli have already been released yet there was still much anticipation for the official reveal from show-goers and Microbus fans alike. The new study is an pure electric vehicle that focuses on practicality and simplicity.

The interior is a delightful blend of VW's bauhaus, modern simplistic design and practicality. The 3x3 seating allows for a few of the drivers most personal friends to join in on a theoretical 300 km (185 mile) road trip before having to recharge. The Bulli's practicality doesn't stop there, the seats can retract to form a bed turning the mircobus into a little camper.

The Bulli is actually a concept that makes a lot of sense while also being highly practical. An electric vehicle harking back to the days of the start of the environmental movement; it's a genius idea.

No matter how futuristic the design is, there are many details and elements that pay homage to the original model and its following. A modern day Hippie mobile. Whether it be the two tone paint, classic hub caps and the improved audio system that ensures "the music sounds as though it were being performed live. At Woodstock in 1969. We now seem to know its target audience.

The cars small 40 kWh electric motor allows for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 11.0 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). So if you have the time to relax and watch the world go by, then this is the small EV for you. The modern take on a classic design is a unique step from Volkswagen and it is nice they let the Vision of the last model mature like a fine wine.

By Rory Farrell

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