New Porsche Small SUV Confirmed by VW Group CEO, Says it May be Called "Cajun"

According to Volkswagen AG CEO Martin Winterkorn himself, there's a new baby Cayenne in the works. In an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, Winterkorn said Porsche "will get a new SUV, a smaller brother to the Cayenne which might be named Cajun."

I guess the name is appropriate if Porsche insists on spicing up its lineup with controversial vehicles. Should this be the case, can we expect the Panamera coupe to be called the Tabasco? Or perhaps the Texas Pete? Name game in the comments below.

As for the ragin' Cajun, why would Porsche bother building it at all? For the same reason that it's said to be building a new entry-level VW-based roadster: to piss off purists and elitists alike.

Well, actually, it's because Porsche is now controlled by VW, and the people's car manufacturer can and will do anything to help attain its lofty sales goals of 150,000 Porsche models sold (in the "medium" term).

A new Porsche cute ute will do just that, and will also help spread out some of the Q5's development costs. If this little sports car SUV does make it to production, it'll probably just be a smaller version of the Cayenne (which shares its platform with the latest Touareg). If true, that's a shame.

...deep breath...

It's a shame because a small 5-door SUV is exactly what's expected, and Porsche doesn't seem crazy enough to put out more than one version (double-dog dare to you, Porsche).

If Stuttgart's fastest were to go a little zany, though, could we recommend a three-door SUV variant (with an emphasis on the sport) to tackle the Range Rover Evoque? Clearly Land Rover is willing to commit to a unique new segment, so why not Porsche?

By Phil Alex

Source: Autoweek

*Opening Photo: Sketch of current generation Cayenne SUV

Wimmer RS Turns VW Golf R into 478HP Red Devil

Red Devil is the name German tuning firm 'Wimmer RS' chose for its latest take on the Volkswagen Golf R. 'Red' because of the color chosen for the car, and 'Devil' because this Golf R packs a sinister punch under the hood...

In stock form, the all-wheel drive Golf R rolls out of VW's factory with a 2.0-liter TFSI producing 270-hp and 350Nm / 258 lbs-ft of maximum torque. After Wimmer RS's engineers perform their magic, those numbers increase to a whopping 478-hp and 610Nm or 450 lbs-ft.

The extra power comes from a variety of mods including -but not limited to- changes to the turbocharger, ECU, air intake, injection nozzles and exhaust system.

According to the tuning house, the upgraded Golf R can reach an electronically limited top speed of 291 km/h or 181 mph.

Additional performance enhancements include a coil-over suspension set and more potent braking system.

The German tuner did not release info on pricing.

VW Shows Multivan "Edition 25" at IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover

At this week's IAA Commercial Vehicle Show, held from 23rd to 31st September 2010 in Hanover, Germany, Volkswagen is showing off a limited edition version of its latest T5 Multivan created to celebrate the model's 25th anniversary.

Aptly named Multivan Edition 25, VW's full-size people carrier is based on the Comfortline trim model adding among other things,a black matt lacquered roof, tinted head lamps and tail lights, black 18-inch light metal alloy wheels and unique decals on the rocker panels. More photos of the car after the jump.

VW Announces New Engine Plant in Mexico, will Supply Chattanooga Factory with a Latest Generation Powerplant

Volkswagen has revealed plans to open up a new engine plant in Silao, Mexico in 2013 to supply vehicles made in Puebla, Mexico and Chattanooga in the USA with a latest generation powerplant. Construction works for the plant are set to begin this year.

The German firm said the total investment for the development of the new engine -details of which were not released- as well as for building the new site comes to a total of USD 550 million (€ 400 million), adding that the factory will create approximately 700 jobs over the medium term on site.

"North America is and remains one of the biggest and most important markets for the automotive industry," said Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, board member of the Volkswagen Group.

"The current expansion of capacity of the plant in Puebla, the upcoming start of production in Chattanooga, as well as the opening up of the new engine plant in Silao, clearly shows how Volkswagen AG is going on the offensive in North America as well."

Volkswagen said the new plant and engine will further strengthen its market position in North America and help achieve its target sales of one million vehicles in the USA annually from 2018.

Currently, VW produces the Jetta, Golf estate and the New Beetle in Puebla, Mexico. From 2011, production of the firm's New Midsize Sedan (NMS) will begin in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

According to previous statements from company officials, the NMS (seen in these sketches) will be slightly larger than the current-generation Passat, which it will replace here in the States.

Paris Show Debut for Redesigned 2011 Volkswagen Passat Confirmed

The Paris Motor Show organizers have confirmed the world premiere of the facelifted Volkswagen Passat in both sedan and Estate body styles. Expect the first photos and intel on the revamped Passat to go up just before the grand opening of the show on September 30.

From what we've seen in the spy photos and videos, VW's offering in the mid-size segment will receive significant styling changes to the front and rear ends, including a new hood and grille, plus redesigned bumpers and head lamps / tail lights, for a crisper and more dynamic look.

A plusher cockpit with higher quality materials and a refreshed design is also in the cards. Other changes inside will include new audio and navigation systems as well as the introduction of new extras.

It is believed that for the most part, the current lineup of engines, including the four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel units, will be carried over to the facelifted model.

(Video via: Youtube/AMS)