VW

Finally, VW's Tiguan crossover is here. VW felt the need to offer an SUV-type car that was smaller than the Touareg. The Tiguan is no surprise, as it has been shown off in concept form long before now.

See all 2007 Frankfurt auto show coverage.

We've been trawling the floor on the first day of the Frankfurt auto show, and there have been plenty of new model launches and concept-car unveilings to keep us busy. Mercedes-Benz delivered on its promise to take the wraps off a fleet of new cars, including hybrid versions of its C300 wagon and its ML450 SUV, as well as its F700 research vehicle. Volkswagen and BMW also took advantage of being on their home turf, with the latter unveiling its partnership with Google for a local-search-enabled in-dash navigation system, and VW showing off its Up concept, an ultra-compact rear-engined … Read more

One minute you're reviewing a shiny new silver MP3 player. The next, you're staring at the thing in a bright red version. At least this was the case with LG, since it's skinning its lovely new FM37 player in the same colors as Volkswagen skins its new line of Beetles. That's right: a bright red, a sickly yellow and a "shadow" blue. There's VW branding on the face of the player, and a "New Beetle" car logo on the back.

The New Beetle FM37 has the same specs as the standard … Read more

We're convinced that someone high up at Volkswagen is a wannabe rock star. First, the carmaker offers a complimentary "GarageMaster" guitar with many of its new models. Now, it's come out with VW media player co-branded with LG.

This is no ordinary sticker job either. "The player will have an aluminum body and come in three of the same colors the cars offers; Salsa Red, Shadow Blue and Sunflower Yellow," according to Everything USB, as well as featuring a 2.4-inch LCD for video and a battery that allows up to 20 hours of … Read more

It's apparently not enough for Swarovski to ruin good taste. According to Red Ferret, it wants to play a part in trashing vinyl records as well.

Swarovski has taken its crystal-making juggernaut to this self-running record player, aptly named the "Vinyl Killer," complete with its own needle, speaker and amplifier. But even though its VW bus design would seem perfect for playing your old LPs, we wouldn't recommend using it on your Stones collection. (Get it? Stones?)

Besides, if you're willing to shell out $487 for this thing, you might want to keep it on … Read more

We assumed this was a Photoshop job when we first saw it on Spluch, but now we're not so sure. This "Bus Ball," credited to an artist and musician named Billy Gibbons, apparently morphs the remains of classic VW bus into a spherical objet d'art. We assume it's non-functional, though we suppose it can roll around on its own somehow. But then you'd probably have to repaint it after every outing.

Volkswagen made its impression on the first morning of the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show by unveiling the latest of its oddly named offerings: the Volkswagen Tiguan crossover SUV. The car is still in the concept stage (thus its exotic interior and color-coded tires in tangerine), but a production model is expected at the end of 2007.

The model on display in L.A. is powered by a "clean TDI" diesel engine, which makes use of BlueTec diesel-emission control technology. Originally introduced by Mercedes-Benz, BlueTec is now jointly promoted by Audi and Volkswagen as well, in an effort … Read more

OK, we're officially depressed. First, we hear about the air guitar T-shirt. Bad enough. Then came the USB electric guitar. But a guitar that plays through your car stereo?

As Red Ferret reports, owners of new Volkswagen Golfs, Beetles, Rabbits and Jettas will get a complimentary guitar with their purchase. Why? Here's an explanation from First Act GarageMaster, which makes the guitars: "Owners of new VW models can transform their cars into mobile amps, with a newfound freedom to rock in the driveway, play at outdoor parties, or shred in the beach parking lot. New rockers will … Read more