vw

Every time I see a concept car, I wonder why, many years later, I have still not seen anything like it on a road.

Every time I see a hybrid car, I wonder why, many years later, they are still on the road.

Thankfully, VW seems to have a psychic link to some of these concerns. For last week at a glitzy show in the motoring hotspot of Qatar, the company unveiled the Formula XL1.

If you look at this fine, silver object of grace, it is as if John DeLorean was gazing on the world from heaven and channeling … Read more

Volkswagen dropped the cloth on its new midsize sedan, and although its new in body it retains the same old Passat nameplate.

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat was developed specifically for the North American market, which means it's proportions are bigger and fatter. Riding on a longer wheelbase, its overall length has grown from from 187.6 to 191.7 inches. The longer wheelbase opens up more legroom in the second row and puts the family sedan it more in line with its competitors.

Buyers will have three engines to choose from, starting with the standard 170-hp 2.5-liter five … Read more

Volkswagen will unveil an unnamed new midsize sedan (dubbed NMS) at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. The carmaker posted a photo of the cloaked NMS on its Web site announcing the January 10 reveal date.

Although VW has teased sketches of the NMS, little is known about the concept except that it will be built in Tennessee. The car is likely to be an update for Volkwagen's Passat model. Automotive News reported that the carmaker will also debut a hybrid concept at the Detroit show.

OEM car stereos and in-dash navigation systems typically deter would-be thieves, because these units usually only work in the vehicle in which they ship. A thief would have a harder time selling, for example, a stolen Honda Civic stereo to anyone other than other Honda Civic owners who likely already have Civic stereos! However, in the European market, the popularity of Volkswagen vehicles combined with the modular nature of the manufacturer's infotainment systems makes VW's optional RNS 310 and RNS 510 navigation units prime targets for getting nicked. In reaction to a rash of thefts, VW has come … Read more

We drive the Honda CR-Z, and await the new VW Golf R; ratting out speed traps gets kinda legit; the VW that sounds like a guitar; and Google plays smashmouth with the auto nav industry.

? Navteq buys Trapster

? VW gets Fender audio system

? VW Golf R returning to the U.S.

? CR-Z gets a K engine transplant

? Google video suggests the end of in-car GPS

? CNET's LOLCars gallery

Volkswagen announced that its electric Golf Blue E-motion concept will become a reality. At the upcoming 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the carmaker will show off the concept electric car it has been testing in Europe. But unless you're driving the vehicle or peeking under the hood, prepare to be underwhelmed--the Golf Blue E-motion is identical to the current gasoline-powered Golf. Of course, there are a few key differences: an 85 kW electric motor replaces the conventional Golf's 2.5-liter engine, and you have to store your groceries elsewhere because a 700 pound 26.5 kWh battery fills … Read more

For 2011, the VW Jetta gets a major update, at least in two out of three areas. The car looks completely new, but also inconspicuous. Call it a modern, subtle style. The cabin tech is good and a huge improvement over VW's previous efforts, but the navigation system is short on features. The power train and suspension is less an update than a downgrade; it retains the previous five-cylinder engine, and turns in its rear discs for drum brakes. We like the easy feel of the shifter, but only five gears?

Read the full review of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. … Read more

Adobe launched its Flash player for the Android 10.1 operating system back in June, and now Apple is getting the same treatment, but under the table. The same hacker group that released the Web site jailbreakme.com has released an early version of Flash for jailbroken iPhones.

The program is called Frash (pause for Jeff to laugh), and at the moment it can only handle Web sites with basic Flash animations, so don't expect to watch streaming videos from sites such as YouTube or Vimeo just yet. Keep in mind that jailbreaking your iPhone does make it vulnerable to a certain security exploit revealed last week. Of course, Apple is planning to patch the issue, so you may want to hold off on updating apps like Frash until then.

You've probably heard of cars that run on vegetable oil, but what about a vehicle that runs on methane gas extracted from human waste? Engineers at GENeco are testing a Volkswagen Beetle, aka "Dung Beetle," that uses methane harvested from bacteria stored in sewage decomposition containers.

The thought of a fart-powered car might tickle your gag reflex, but there's no denying its energy efficiency. Our own Rory Reid on Crave U.K. said the waste from 70 homes can create enough gas to run the Dung Beetle for 10,000 miles, and it's also carbon neutral since all of it normally is released into the atmosphere when the sewage converts to methane.

Join us in the second half of the show where we'll discuss yesterday's epic Classic Tetris World Championship in Los Angeles. More than 200 players competed in the Championship organized by former Nintendo World Champion player Robin Mihara, but only Jonas Neubauer was able to beat the other eight players in the semi-finals and win the trophy and $1,000 prize.

We asked for TerrorByte lyrics over the weekend and you guys certainly delivered! Check out today's submission from Mark after the break, and don't forget to send yours to the404(at)cnet(dot)com! If you just want to leave a comment about the show, feel free to give us a ring at 1-866-404-CNET or BBM our phone at 2482F452; we'll be waiting!… Read more

This week was low key on the official-news front, but rather busy on the rumors front. As a gadgets blog, we report on rampant speculation, as well as cold, hard facts--and everything in the middle. Here's some of what you missed.

• Fact: Amazon releases two free games for the Kindle.

• Rumor: iPhone 5 might be here sooner than we think, with a smaller iPad in tow.

• We think: This might be the best case for the iPad.

• For nerds: Is PC gaming about to zenith?

• For geeks: How a life-size Gundam comes to be, with video.

• Awesome: Samsung's … Read more