According to some educated guessing at WorldCarFans, Volkswagen's Up! concept that is coming our way in the next few years will be renamed the Lupo, reviving a name that went out of production in 2005. WCF says they have official confirmation from sources that their guess is true, and that "Up!" will indeed form the middle of the Lupo name (see also: IROC and Scirocco). There's still time before we find out for sure, as the production Up!/Lupo isn't expected to be unveiled until the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011.

Volkswagen's TSI engines were awarded the "TechnoBest" award from the 15-nation AutoBest jury in Istanbul today. One reason for the award was that these engines crank out a lot of power for the amount of fuel they consume, something the jury called a "genuine advancement." Read more of the jury's thoughts in VW's announcement after the jump. For the last few years, Europeans have been able to drive using the TSIs, but Americans will get a first taste later this summer with the release of the new Passat CC. In Europe, the TSI engines are available in Golfs and the Jetta, Touran and Tiguan series vehicles. Currently, 127,000 TSI engines are in use around the world.

Three autonomous vehicles crossed the finish line within the 6-hour time limit here at the DARPA Urban Challenge in Victorville, CA. DARPA director Tony Tether flagged the winning vehicles in as they completed the course two or three minutes apart.First to finish the 60-mile race full of intersections, traffic, turns, parking challenges, and straightaways, was Stanford University's VW Passat, named Junior. Carnegie Mellon's Chevy Tahoe, Boss, came next, at 1:45 p.m., followed two or three minutes later by Virginia Tech's Ford Escape hybrid, Odin.The bots started the race several minutes apart, and they had to complete different missions taking varying times, so it's not clear who will take home the $2 million first prize, the $1 million second-place prize, or the $500,000 third-place prize. Judges will compare notes and score sheets, which note any traffic infractions and other demerits, and Tether will announce the winners tomorrow morning.Still on the course are Cornell and MIT. The Ben Franklin Racing Team's Toyota Prius came in just now, at 2:50 p.m. As I write this, MIT's vehicle is stuck on a section of unpaved road, apparently uncertain whether it's safe to move forward.Even taking into account the race's few unclocked pauses, none of which lasted more than a handful of minutes, it seems unlikely that Ben Franklin or either of the bots on the course now, can be declared a winner given the race's 6-hour time limit. The race started just after 8:00 a.m.

Read the full article here.

RAY: We havenÂ’t driven the newest VWs yet, but we stood in front of a new diesel Jetta recently, and we were impressed by how quiet it was. Even AFTER they started the engine. And we werenÂ’t even asphyxiated by the exhaust.

TOM: While diesels make up only a small percentage of the passenger-car market right now, their share is probably going to grow over the next decade as gasoline stays expensive and mileage becomes more important to car buyers. So IÂ’d say, go for it, Terry. And if weÂ’re wrong, weÂ’ll send you a free pair of combination Car Talk earplugs/nose plugs.

4 Star Frontal Crash
5 STar Side Crash
12% Chance of a Rollover in a crash which translated to 4 stars.

Pretty much the same results as the Jetta.

Apple have unveiled the latest incarnation of the iMac and once again are promoting the one-piece computer as more of a piece of sculpture than a bit of IT kit. Like much in the world of contemporary design, materials count for a lot. Apple have made much of the aluminium and glass used to make the iMac, materials which are perhaps more at home in an architectural context. However, it wasn't the architectural similarities that grabbed our attention, rather it was the way the glass-plated LCD resembled an automotive windscreen. With the sheen of the aluminium case topped off with the chrome apple logo, we knew it looked a little like something else... an Audi! Possibly.

Both sedan and Sportswagen TDIs will start being built in Mexico plant the second week in January, 2008. That should put them into dealerships about mid-March, 2008.

Volkswagen's new Golf Estate, made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It's bold new look takes the Golf into another dimension; combining sharp dynamics with space and versatility.

With the largest loadspace of any Golf to date the new estate extends the versatility of the Golf range. As well as a bold new look to the rear of the car, the Golf Estate benefits from fresh styling at the front together with several desirable practical and dynamic touches. While practicality and load lugging are high on the Golf Estate's agenda the sharp driving dynamics of the hatchback are retained.

To aid practicality the rear seats fold flat into the floor to reveal a versatile 1,550-litres of boot space complete with multiple load hooks. And for inspiration, just look up and enjoy the unrestricted view through the enormous panoramic sliding roof (optional at extra cost). The Golf Estate, space for ideas.

A choice of 3 engines including a 1.6 105 PS petrol engine, or 2 diesel engines; 1.9 TDI 105PS or 2.0 TDI 140PS will be available on the new Golf Estate. Diesel engines will be available with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes.

Golf Estate Specification*

• Rear lights incorporating LED technology
  
• Roof rails
  
• 16" steel wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres
  
• Radio/CD player with 4 speakers and roof aerial
  
• Remote central locking with 2 remote folding keys
  
• Power-assisted steering, speed-sensitive
  
• Air conditioning, ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic control
  
• Curtain airbag system, for front and rear passengers
  
• Chrome trimmed radiator grille surround
  
• Glovebox, cooled

• Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
  
• Electric windows, front and rear
  
• Curtain airbag system, for front and rear passengers
  
• Isofix child seat preparation (for 2 rear child seats)
  
• ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist)
  
• Split folding rear seats, 60:40, folds flat into boot floor
  
• Three-spoke steering wheel
  
• Halogen clear headlights, range adjustable
  

Model			Output (PS)	Maximum VED band*	RRP (£) Including fitting
S	1.6 ltr	5 speed manual	102	E	£14,347.00
S TDI†	1.9 ltr	5 speed manual	105	C	£15,572.00
SE	1.6 ltr	5 speed manual	102	E	£15,362.00
SE TDI†	1.9 ltr	5 speed manual	105	C	£16,592.00
SE TDI DPF	1.9 ltr	6 speed auto DSG	105	D	£18,502.00
SE TDI†	2.0 ltr	6 speed manual	140	C	£17,862.00
SE TDI DPF	2.0 ltr	6 speed auto DSG	140	D	£19,642.00
Sportwagon	1.6 ltr	5 speed manual	102	E	TBA
Sportwagon TDI†	2.0 ltr	6 speed manual	140	C	£18,637.00
Sportwagon TDI DPF	2.0 ltr	6 speed auto DSG	140	D	£20,417.00

*For full details of VED (Road Fund Licence) bands and other costs included in the 'On the road' recommended retail price, contact your local retailer

† These engines are also available with optional DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) at £425 RRP. For full information on DPF contact your Volkswagen retailer.

Some illustrations do not necessarily reflect UK specifications and may not be available. Consequently controls and some items of equipment are positioned differently for the UK.

The city’s expensive enough. The VW Rabbit Widget displays free events in the major U.S. city of your choice. Download and stay up to date on what’s cool and affordable in your city.

From museum tours & gallery exhibitions, to concerts, recitals & readings, the Rabbit Widget will help you stretch your budget across a wide range of interesting activites.

Event times, categories and descriptions are all displayed in this zippy app.