http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/75488
that the intention of VW in the next few years is to diversify and offer a model in every niche of every class (pretty much).
Highlights and confirmations of note (but there could be mistakes in these as google's not that clear):
Passat:
Passat will get a 4-motion version.
"Corrado":
Passat will provide the platform for the return of the Corrado (speculated [elsewhere] to be heavily influenced by the Skoda Coupe concept from a couple of years back). See here for pics
"Four door coupe":
Mention of a Passat-based four-door coupe to bridge the gap between Passat and Pheaton, part sharing with the Massaratti (sp) Quatraporte (sp?) - heard this rumour ages ago, but thought it had died off... This will have a longitudinal engine.
The Roadster (yay!):
The long-awaited Roadster is again mentioned - this time positioned against the new MX-5 (and to be 1000 euros cheaper!). Sounds as if it will be hand-built by 150 workers outside of the main production facility at Wolfsburg -- will be used as a test-bed for the development of new assembly methods... (please make the quality go up!)
Roadster design and manufacture:
Finally information on the platform for the Roadster - early on it was supposed to be Polo based, but more recent stories were claiming it to be Golf based. Well - it's both!
Front axle from the Polo, rear multi-link axle + interior components from the Golf. Will be a rag-top. Mention of a space-frame chassis.
Now, this is hugely important because a week or so ago a supply chain member issued a press release stating they'd just been appointed to provide an aluminium chassis to VW!! Is this going to ape the Elise for half the cost?!?
-- will try to find that article if I can remember where I saw it... Chassis will be designed to accommodate lengthening for use by Seat...Roadster engines:
3 options:
1. New generation FSI unit - 125hp
2. Ditto. - 170hp "with compressor and turbo" -- really?!
3. 3.6 V6 - 280hp -- woah!!
<<< I'll buy this one!Polo "Plus" (MPV):
To be based on the Skoda Roomster -- I'll believe when I see it, personally. Will have "large windows and a customisable(?) interior."
The article concludes by saying that the Golf Plus and "Polo Plus" will come in a "quality" and a "sporty" version. This conflicts with a VWUK press release on Golf Plus positioning in the UK market, so perhaps it's a Germany only thing.
Anyway -- all in it's looking good.
I great big coupe (or two) that none of us mere mortals will likely be able to afford, plus the roadster that we've all been waiting for for so long...
Deek.
Just looks like a slightly flattened family saloon really...