Volkswagen has unveiled the new production model five-door Up! after patent drawings of the vehicle made their way to the web. The newest member to the Volkswagen small-car line is expected to land on dealer lots in Germany by early March, with availability opening up to the rest of Europe by summer. The vehicle will launch with the exact same engines and external dimensions as its three-door brethren. That means buyers will be able to opt for either a 60-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine or a 75 horsepower version of the same powerplant. Even so, Volkswagen anticipates roughly half of Up! buyers will opt for the new five-door bodystyle. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: VW Takes Issue With Claim That GM Is World’s Largest Automaker
We hope General Motors hasn’t started planning that ticker-tape parade down Jefferson Avenue yet, as Volkswagen has apparently taken issue with the notion that GM might again be the world’s largest automaker. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: Volkswagen Beats Toyota, Takes 2011 Sales Crown
Volkswagen has repeatedly told the world that it will soon be the largest automaker in terms of global sales volume. As it stands, it may already be number two. Car Advice reports that VW sold 8.16 million units in 2011, marking the first time it has eclipsed eight million global sales. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: VW returning to Super Bowl with 60-second Beetle spot
Two automakers emerged from last year’s Super Bowl as big winners with their million-dollar commercials. The first was Chrysler debuting its “Imported from Detroit” tagline to the melodic influences of one Eminem. The second was Volkswagen. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: VW to pass Toyota as biggest global automaker this year?
For what seemed like an eternity, the title of World’s Largest Automaker belonged to General Motors. More recently, Toyota was able to wrestle the mantle away from GM as the Japanese automaker made huge gains in GM’s home country and abroad, and Volkswagen has been nipping at the two behemoth’s heels. According to Bloomberg, though, the top three are likely to see themselves reshuffled before 2011 officially draws to a close. Funk Flex
