Articles by James Stanford in Paris

New models that could be sold as Volkswagens and Porsches are being examined including vehicles that would lower the entry point for the Porsche line-up. VW and Porsche previously co-operated to build the Toaureg and Cayenne twins before VW took over Porsche last year. Now the German sportscar maker has been absorbed into the massive Volkswagen Group, which also includes Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Bugatti, more models and technology will be shared. VW board member and research and development chief Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, says Volkswagen and Porsche will share technology and some common models. "I think both companies will get a good benefit. Porsche has a good experience and competence in sporty cars and we have a lot of potential in hi-tech engine and gearbox from the volume side and also the concept side of cars that are not available at Porsche now," Dr Hackenberg says. He says Porsche will be able to save a lot of money by tapping VW. "So Porsche get technology from our side but also electronics and can use it for their cars that are in development now, but also has a possibility to grow with new cars that will fit to the philosophy of Porsche," says. In response to a question, Dr Hackenberg says it would be unlikely Porsche would do its own version of the Golf, but suggested other models could be shared. "If you think about a small sportscar that can also be used for Audi for Volkswagen I could imagine that we have a collaboration with Porsche to create something that is used for all three companies," he says. Dr Hackenberg added that no model that would be shared between Volkswagen and Porsche had been approved. He says that whatever is shared between Porsche and the other brands in the Volkswagen Group, the vehicles must be sufficiently different to maintain Porsche's image. "The character of the Porsche brand is a very wealthy image. We would never do anything against the position of the brand," he says. He points to the Cayenne and Touareg as a good example of how models can be shared without damaging the Porsche brand. "The Porsche Cayenne and Touareg, they have a different character but shared technology," he says. "They are not totally common, they have their own engines, Porsche has some differences in the drivetrain, so there always have to be differences that are very important for the positioning of the car."

The big daddy of the Volkswagen range just got bigger.  You might not be able to tell from the pictures, but the second generation Touareg crossover wagon is actually larger than the previous model.  Even so, it is up to 220kg lighter and VW has managed to significantly improve its fuel economy. Its boffins have also made it ride and handle a bit more like a car than a truck.The company aimed to lift the quality of the new vehicle and the on-road feel, making it more like an alternative to a luxury sedan than the original version which was developed with a focus on off-road ability.  Like the first Touareg, the new model is closely related to the new Porsche Cayenne and the pair also run a lot of the same components.It has a constant all-wheel drive system but the standard car is not designed as a serious mud-plugging off-roader. There is an optional Terrain Tech version with a more rugged transfer case, centre and rear differentials and reduced gearing.  Some Australian models will have airbag suspension, but it is also possible regular spring and damper versions will be standard.The new VW is already on European roads, but it won't arrive in Australia until some stage before the middle of next year. VW won't give us a more accurate date. Until then, VW is only selling a V6 TDI version of the existing Touareg.VALUEVolkswagen hasn't set the pricing of its new Touareg, but it is unlikely to come in higher than the current model which would mean a price below $75,990 for the V6 TDI.Whatever the final pricing, the Touareg is going to be substantially cheaper than any Porsche Cayenne. They do have their differences, and the VW doesn't have a Porsche badge, but it is still a good way to get a similar product for a lot less money.TECHNOLOGYAll of the Touareg's engines have either been overhauled or replaced. The range kicks off with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol with 206kW and 360Nm and moves up to the revised 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 176kW and 550Nm. VW has ditched its monstrous V10 diesel for a far more sensible 4.2-litre V8 version which generates 250kW and a whopping 800Nm. The V8 diesel won't be available at launch but could come later.There is also a petrol-electric hybrid version, but that certainly isn't coming to Australia.  Fuel efficiency has been improved across the range, the petrol V6 now uses an average of 9.9 litres per 100km and the diesel V6 uses a miserly 7.4L/100km.The Toaureg gets all the gear you can expect from a high end prestige car as well as some nice extras. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, which is a first for the class. A high resolution entertainment screen is a highlight of the interior as well as a crisp colour display between the speedo and tacho dials.SAFETYThe Touareg is available with nine airbags and has electronic stability control on all models. It can also be fitted with a system that lets you know if you are drifting out of your lane and another that alerts you to rapidly approaching cars when you change lanes. Adaptive cruise control, which can brake the car to stop it from hitting a car in front is also available.STYLINGThose Volkswagen designers are clever. I naturally assumed when I first saw the Touareg that is was smaller than the last model, not larger. It has ditched the bloated look of the previous vehicle for a hunkered down design with more dramatic curves. Dramatic U shaped daytime LED running lights are available. The interior is far classier, with a smart and functional layout and high-end details.DRIVINGThe Touareg gives the instant impression of being substantially better than the model it replaces, at least on road. Our test drive took us across the west of Germany, through Belgium, The Netherlands and a short run to Paris. Most of the work was on Autobahns, with no speed limits, and tight city streets.Australian Touaregs will operate in very different conditions, but our taste test revealed that VW has lifted its game.  The Touareg might look smaller, but it still feels big, especially on narrow European streets.It appears to handle better than the existing model, which is a bit of a tank, but we really didn't get to test it on any really twisty roads. Our cars had airbags suspension and were a slightly floaty at low speed, but the standard suspension might be a bit better planted.We only drove the V6 turbo diesel and it is a ripper. Despite a weight loss campaign, this Touareg still weighs a hefty 2174kg so the diesel's low down pull is much appreciated. This is a smooth revving engine too. It works well with the brilliant eight speed automatic transmission which changed quickly with little fuss. The amount of gears means the Touareg can cruise at 110km/h doing little more than 1600rpm.It is extremely quiet at highway speeds and even at the kinds of speeds you can do on German autobahns. The interior is luxurious, although our vehicle was packed with options. What really stands out is the remarkable amount of interior space. There is ample legroom and shoulder room and so much headroom that you could wear a big afro and still not touch the roof. The boot is a reasonable size but not cavernous.VERDICTWe'll need to test it on rough and ready Australian roads, including some dirt tracks, but a taste test suggests the new Touareg is a very impressive crossover wagon. It's quieter, more comfortable, has more space and is easier to drive. So far so good.Volkswagen TouaregPrice: TBAEngine: 3.0-litre V6 TDI turbo diesel, 3.6-litre V6 petrolPower: 176kW at 4000revs (diesel), 206kW at 6200revs (petrol)Torque: 550Nm at 2000revs (diesel), 360Nm at 3200revsTransmission: Eight speed automatic, all-wheel drive Fuel economy: 7.4L/100km (diesel), 9.9L/100km (diesel)Emissions: 195g/km (diesel), 236g/km (petrol)

The German company took the wraps off the seventh generation mid-sized model which uses as little as 4.2 litres per 100km at the Paris Motor Show. Adopting a similar front end design to the range topping Phaeton limo, the new Passat is essentially a heavily upgraded version of the last model with new technology and a fresh skin.  The new car, which was presented in Paris as both a sedan and a wagon, will be available in Australia next year. It will be available with a clever new system called Easy Open, which is great for people who have their hands full. Instead of putting down your shopping and click the key fob, this system means that all you have to do to get the boot to open when standing behind the vehicle is move your foot past a motion-sensor. Volkswagen says the new Passat is up to 19 per cent more efficient than the previous model.  It uses stop/start technology, which automatically turns off the engine at idle, fitted as standard to the turbo diesel models and offering the system, along with battery regeneration as options on petrol engines. There are ten engines in the new range, starting off with a 77kW 1.6 turbo diesel that uses just 4.2L/100km and 1.6-litre turbo petrol unit using just 5.8L/100km and running through to a petrol V6 with 220kW and a fuel efficiency rating of 9.1L/100km. VW is offering two special versions of its 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. One is called the MultiFuel and can run on a fuel mix containing up to 85 per cent ethanol. The other is called the EcoFuel and can run on natural gas. Neither are expected to come to Australia in the short term. VW has added some top level safety gear including adaptive cruise control with a function that automatically brakes to avoid a crash below 30km/h, while special headlights that can automatically dip the high-beam when an oncoming car are also available. A navigation system that detects roadsigns and presents them on the centre screen is also available as well as automatic parking. The company says it modelled the new Passat’s nose on the Phaeton adding straighter lines and a three-bar chrome grille. The chiselled look is complemented by more a more pronounced shoulder line.  It has dual reflector headlights and is also available with optional distinctive daytime running lights each using 15 LEDs. New look LED tail-lights and crease running from the window line to just above the tail-light give the rear end a fresh appearance. VW has upgraded with interior with new seats, a revised dashboard and new switchgear, bringing it into line with the newly introduced Touareg.  There is now an electronic parking brake and, when fitted with keyless entry and start, a Start button.

The concept car is being presented as a one-off tribute to the original Quattro of 30 years ago and the fire-breathing Group B rally car it spawned, but there is a chance a similar model could go into production if it gets a positive reaction from the public.“It is a concept car paying homage to the original Quattro and 30 years of Quattro technology,” Audi board chairman, Rupert Stadler tells Carsguide.However, he hints that a positive reaction could see it make it into showrooms in some form or other.  “First of all we want to hear what the public opinion is, then we will have to work. We are looking for good feedback,” Stadler says.If it fails to make it into showrooms, there is a good chance some of the design themes of the concept will be blended into future sporty Audi models.The Quattro concept car is based on an S5 with a 150mm shorter wheelbase, a 40mm lower roof and 200mm has been cut out of the rear overhang. It seats four, but the rear seats are only for little people or big people on a short trip. The custom-made body, which features massively pumped out guards, is primarily made of aluminium but carbon-fibre has been used for the bonnet and rear hatch.A prominent bonnet slit rams air into the turbocharged in-line five cylinder that belts out 300kW and 480Nm. This is a variation of the direct injection five-cylinder engine available in the brutally fast RS5.Given the concept car only weighs 1300kg, there is enough power to sling it from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Surprisingly, the concept car is able to complete the 100km combined fuel economy test cycle using just 8.5 litres, which is impressive for such a potent model.Audi has fitted it with a six-speed manual gearbox which is fed through a constant Quattro all-wheel drive system which can send up to 85 per cent of torque to the rear wheels under extreme acceleration.The Quattro concept suspension is made largely from alumimum, as are its chunky 20-inch wheels.  As for the brakes, front six piston calipers grab onto carbon-fibre and ceramic composite discs which Audi says suffer very little fade and are 4kg lighter per corner than smaller steel discs.