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Volkswagen have released camouflage pictures of the next generation Amarok pickup on offroad driving trials, writes Brian Byrne . The vehicle will go on sale in Ireland at the end of the year, with a new V6 diesel among the engine options. The new Amarok will be longer and have a longer wheelbase than the previous one, and will have an increased payload up to 1.2 tonnes. Depending on market, it will come with rear drive or a choice from two AWD versions. 

Volkswagen will show a concept at next month's Beijing Auto Show which will preview electric successors to the company's Passat saloon and estate for many markets, writes Brian Byrne . The Aero B will build on the ID.Vizzion concept shown in 2018 (pictured above), and show much of what a model called the ID.6 will look like. An ID.7 is expected to designate a wagon version of the car, although the company is still developing an estate-only version of a new ICE Passat.  

Volkswagen has finally unveiled the production version of the ID Buzz, which will be available in passenger and cargo versions, writes Brian Byrne . A completely modern electric take on the iconic Bulli which was the forerunner of the Transporter range, the ID Buzz will launch in Ireland in the autumn. Initially it will be available as a 5-seat MPV and Cargo van, with long-wheelbase 6- and 7-seat versions coming later. Pricing and other details available closer to launch.  

Volkswagen will launch a new Amarok pickup this year, based on the new Ford Ranger global platform, writes Brian Byrne . Ford will build the VW version on its T6 body on frame platform, at a facility in South Africa. The body styles will be completely different, and interiors also apart from similar portrait-style main touchscreens. Volkswagen will use its own V6 diesel, with possible use of Ford gasoline units for markets that need them. The new vehicle will be wider and longer than the previous Amarok.

Volkswagen's ID.3 and ID.4 electric cars were the best selling all-electric cars in 2021, garnering a combined 31ps of the battery electric vehicle market, writes Brian Byrne . There will be further additions to the ID range in 2022 with the ID.5 and ID.5 GTX. With 1,432 registrations, the ID.4 became the most popular BEV vehicle in Ireland, while the ID.3 was the second best-selling BEV model in the country with 1,271 registrations.  

Employees at Volkswagen Ireland raised €25,000 for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland during 2021, writes Brian Byrne . The Society was the Group's charity partner for the year and the funds were raised with a number of activities. Because of the pandemic, the events were held online and included a virtual tea morning and online auctions and raffles. The highlight initiative was September’s We Walk The World challenge which saw Volkswagen Group Ireland staff walk, run and cycle 45,307km around the world in aid of the charity. Alan Bateson, Board Member responsible for Corporate Social Responsibility, said it was a collective effort by the staff of Volkswagen Group Ireland and Volkswagen Financial Services Ireland. "The fact people threw themselves into this fundraising effort with such dedication is a measure of just how highly the Alzheimer Society of Ireland is perceived by our companies and in Ireland as a whole," he said. "I am extremely proud of everyone’s effor...

Existing owners of Mk 8 Volkswagen Golfs are to get a free hardware upgrade offer for their infotainment system in the near future, as part of an improvement which will incorporated into all production Golfs from early next year, writes Brian Byrne . The upgrade provides a more powerful computer chip that can give faster and more efficient voice control and gesture control on the system, with an accompanying software update which will be carried out over-air. The company says the move is in response to customer feedback about the current system. Among other things, the update eliminates accidental activation of the under-screen controls when using the touch-screen.  

Volkswagen Ireland has given an Audi TT to Technological University Dublin's Vehicle Repair Workshop, which provides the only public sector provider of vehicle repair apprenticeships, writes Brian Byrne . The car was formerly used by Volkswagen Ireland as a training vehicle, and its multi-material body will help students make full use of the VRW's curriculum. Apprentices who attend the workshop are in the middle of a four-year training programme run by industry body SOLAS. Jason Phillips, Assistant Lecturer in Vehicle Body Repair, became an apprentice panel beater after completing his Leaving Cert 31 years ago. “Back in my day we used to rub down cars by hand with cold buckets of water but now everything involves sophisticated machines and the technology is constantly changing,” he says “Cars are made from high strength steel, boron steels and carbon fibre." The workshop includes a brand new spray booth and materials analysis equipment. The car was handed over by Oisin ...

Volkswagen Group Ireland is calling on drivers to actively support the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) ‘Tyre Safety Day’ which takes place today, Wednesday, 6 October. Drivers are being asked to check the tyres on their vehicles to make sure they are not below the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm, that they are inflated to the correct tyre pressure and that there is no obvious damage to the tyre. The country’s biggest vehicle distributor is delighted to support this important road safety initiative which is part of Irish Road Safety Week .