Complete List of VW Group's 178 Models Sold Worldwide

In the rare case that you have ever wondered how many and what type of vehicles the VW Group sells worldwide, then you've come to the right place. As we learned from the company's 2009 Facts and Figures booklet, the VW Group currently sells a total of 178 passenger cars, SUVs, sportscars, LCVs, busses and trucks spread across nine different brands - Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Scania, SEAT, Skoda and VW Commercial Vehicles. You can check out the complete list that includes photos of all models right after the jump.

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VW Group to Launch More than 20 Completely New Models by 2010

During his speech at the Volkswagen Group's Annual Media Conference and Investor Conference on March 12, Prof. Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of VW AG, revealed that the automaker that is made up of nine brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Scania, SEAT, Skoda and VW CV, will rollout more than 20 completely new models worldwide by 2010.

Winterkorn said that amongst the cars that will be introduced are the sixth-generation VW Golf GTI 210HP in 2009 and the New Small Family based on the Up! Concepts in early 2010 which will be available for both urban drivers in the West and for the emerging markets.

Furthermore, Winterkon said that the further optimization of the TDI, TSI and TFSI turbocharged diesel and gasoline engines is right at the top of the Group's agenda as the company believes that combustion engines will remain the dominant technology for the foreseeable future. "We will break new ground and also introduce SUVs and large saloons with modern turbo- and supercharged 4-cylinder engines ," said Winterkorn.

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VW Mid-Engine Roadster to Spawn SEAT and Skoda Variants

Citing inside sources, German car magazine 'Auto Motor und Sport' is reporting that the VW Group is planning to introduce SEAT and Skoda variants of its forthcoming mid-engine roadster that will be based on the BlueSport concept unveiled at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Due to arrive sometime in 2012, VW's edition of the roadster will most likely be offered with the firm's TSI / TFSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines.

While a SEAT variant of the mid-engine roadster sounds logical given that the Spanish brand is supposed to be somewhat sporty (as long as it comes with a unique styling and a lower price tag than the VW's proposal), a Skoda version doesn't really make much sense in our opinion.

The Czech automaker has made a name for itself as a producer of reasonably priced family cars and we can't see how a two-seater roadster fits into this image. Unless VW has other plans for Skoda, producing a third variant (maybe even forth if Audi gets its own version) will only confuse the Group's buyers and most probably, lure away customers from SEAT.

[Via: AMS (photo: Carscoop)]

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Seat to Tease Ibiza Sport Tourer with Concept Model at the Frankfurt Show

Seat is planning to take the wraps off a thinly disguised concept version of its forthcoming Ibiza Sport Tourer (ST) model at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, Carscoop has learned. The production model that will most likely be revealed at either the 2010 Geneva Salon in March or the Barcelona Show in May is expected to arrive at European dealerships in the second quarter of 2010. Earlier this year SEAT said that the Ibiza ST range will include a selection of engines that are not currently offered in the SC (three-door) and five-door hatchback models.

The third member of the Ibiza family will be produced at Seat's factory in Martorell Spain.

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Geneva Preview: 2009 SEAT Leon Facelift with Styling Tweaks and Revised Engines

At next month's Geneva Motor Show SEAT will showcase the facelifted Leon hatchback featuring minor cosmetic revisions and an updated engine range. On the outside the most identifiable traits of the 2009 model concern the newly shaped grille with the smaller SEAT logo, larger headlights and new door mirrors while at the rear, there's a larger window that now covers the whole length of the hatch and restyled tail light clusters which bring to mind the word "Alfa Romeo"... Inside, SEAT's designer have made modifications to the instrument panel, central console and door panel trim and materials.

The Spanish automaker claims that all available engines on the Leon have all been tweaked for better performance and reduced fuel consumption figures and emissions levels. These include the more powerful 2.0 TSI engine that now delivers 211 HP and the arrival of common rail technology to the 170 HP 2.0 TDI engine. Furthermore, all the versions equipped with the DSG automatic sequential gearbox, now also available on the seven-speed 160 hp 1.8 TSI, feature shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Other improvements for the Leon facelift concern the addition of the XDS electronic system that works in conjunction with the ESP as a self-blocking differential, the Hill Hold Control, dual xenon headlights with AFS and daytime driving lights, a new climatiser and new audio equipment, cornering foglights, front and rear parking sensors and an optical parking system displayed on the new navigation system.

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2009 SEAT Leon Cupra Facelift with 240HP to Premiere at Barcelona Show

SEAT has chosen next month's Barcelona International Motor Show (May 9-17) to pull the covers off the facelifted version of the Leon Cupra which is essentially the Spanish firm's VW Golf GTI. Like the rest of the 2009 Leon range that was revealed at the Geneva Show in March, the Cupra has received a series of minor cosmetic upgrades that include a new grille design that sports a smaller badge, larger headlights and new door mirrors. Look closely and you'll also spot a new tailgate design and tail light clusters.

The Cupra in particular also gets a newly styled front bumper with larger air-scoops at each corner and the word 'Cupra' printed on the left side. The sport hatch's looks are rounded off with a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

For the interior, aside from the tweaked instrument and center console designs which are common to the rest of the Leon range, the Cupra also features a three-spoke leather steering wheel with aluminum color inserts and a matching gearbox knob along with a set of sport bucket seats for the front passenger and driver. A new option for the 2009MY Leon Cupra is the black leather upholstery with white cross-stitching that you can check out in the photos below.

Underneath the bonnet, the 2009 Leon Cupra gets the same 240HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the previous version. Top speed is clocked at 247 km/h or 154mph, the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint takes 6.4 seconds while it covers the first 1,000m from standstill in 26.4 seconds. At the same time, average combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.3lt /100 km or 28.3mpg US.

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New Seat Leon Cupra R gets 265HP 2.0 TSI: First Official Photos

This year's Frankfurt Motor Show, being held from 17-27 September, will see Seat unveiling its most potent series production model to date, the new Leon Cupra R. Based on the 2009MY Leon Cupra facelift that was revealed at the Barcelona Show in April, the R replaces the standard model's 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with a 265-horsepower direct injection 2.0 TSI.

It's not clear if the 2.0 TSI is the same engine found in the Audi S3, but Seat claims that the new four-banger features a new, high-pressure fuel pump injector to "satisfy its greater performance demands, while fully complying with strict EU5 emissions standards."S

The extra grunt allows the front-wheel drive only Leon Cupra R to slash the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint from 6.4 seconds (standard Cupra) to 6.1 seconds and top speed climbs from 247 km/h (154mph) to 250 km/h (155mph). The standing kilometer takes 25.7 seconds while Seat announces a combined fuel economy of 8.1 lt / 100km or 29mpg US / 34.9mpg UK.

Aside from the 'R' logos on the central grille and at the lower right of the hatch, the right instrument dial and the remote control key, the range-topping Leon also gets 19 inch, five double-spoke wheels shod with 235/35 tyres. The larger wheel assembly allowed Seat's engineers to upgrade the braking system with 17 inch 345 x 30 mm discs at the front and 16 inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear.

Inside the Leon Cupra R gets a pair of racing-style bucket seats in grey alcantara upholstery, LED lighting on the instrument dials, a leather multi-functional steering wheel and an aluminum pedal arrangement.

Seat is expected to reveal further details including prices and the official launch of the Leon Cupra R date closer to the Frankfurt Show.

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