VW, Stanford University to join in 07 DARPA Urban Challenge

Thursday, September 6, 2007

On November 3, 2007, the Volkswagen of America, Incorporated and Stanford University will participate in the DARPA Urban Challenge with a completely autonomous 2006 diesel-powered Passat wagon.
The robotic Passat will compete on a 60-mile mock urban course. But this is not an ordinary course because it involves merging with traffic, crossing traffic circles and negotiating busy intersections while following traffic laws. The Passat wagon was named 'Junior' in respect to the founder of Stanford University by the name of Leland Stanford Jr.

The Passat is equipped with electromechanical power steering and electric throttle, gear shifter and parking brake. To be completely computer-controllable, these electric systems as well as the brakes were modified by the Volkswagen of America's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL). Also designed and built at the ERL were custom mountings for the wide array of sophisticated sensors. Making up the car's "brains" are Intel Core 2 Duo processors, including multiple processing units per chips. The car will be truly autonomous together with the software developed at the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL).

Dr. Carlo Rummel, Executive Director of Volkswagen of America's Electronics Research Laboratory said after their victory at the last DARPA Grand Challenge, Volkswagen is excited to join again for the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. He further said he is seeing an opportunity to further advance intelligent technologies for use in passenger vehicles of the future and the features developed for the Urban Challenge will ultimately make driving safer and more enjoyable in today's increasingly dense traffic.

Rummel added that with Passat as a fuel efficient vehicle, they have the perfect vehicle for the job; just as the Touareg 'Stanley' was for the desert race a couple of years ago.

In 2005, Volkswagen brought home the two-million dollar grand prize at the DARPA Grand Challenge with a diesel powered Touareg named Stanley. The car defeated 22 other unmanned vehicles in a rigorous, 132-mile championship race over rough desert roads, mountain trails, dry lake beds and tunnels. What VW is proud of is Stanley s using of only onboard sensors and navigation equipment. Stanley performed flawlessly and achieved victory after six hours and thirty five minutes.

Founded in 1998, the Volkswagen of America Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) focuses on providing customers with smarter cars, sooner. It aims to identify new technologies, such as a VW accessory and accelerate their development into future production vehicles. Located in Palo Alto, California, the ERL is the only laboratory of its kind representing the Volkswagen Group in North America. Its presence at the center of Silicon Valley allows the Volkswagen Group to work directly with the world's leading high technology companies and start-ups. Working closely with these partners allows the ERL to design and develop innovative features and applications, which are then integrated with Group vehicles for evaluation and testing.

VW belongs to Top 12 Most-Respected Generation Y brands
A recent study conducted by the Outlaw Consulting revealed Volkswagen of America, Incorporated is one of the 12 Most-Respected Generation Y brands.
The age group 21- to 27-year-olds is a generation of consumers that prides themselves on the Goonies, Nintendo and Cabbage Patch Kids. According to Womens Wear Daily (WWD), the publication where the list of the Top 12 Most-Respected Generation Y brands was posted, this generation also represents "young, environmentally conscious consumers." Through driving cars from the Jetta to the Passat, the Gen-Yers relate to Volkswagens green initiatives and its "Fun to Drive" motto, yet value the affordability and approachability of the brand the most.
According to Holly Brickley, Strategic Analyst from Outlaw Consulting, Gen-Yer's respect a brand that is "clean and simple" yet "continues to keep things fun. And this is what Volkswagen has.
Adding to its reputation as a Generation Y brand, Volkswagen has initiated several lifestyle endeavors in order to align the brand with Gen-Yers. VW developed exclusive style accessories and VW auto parts for its new Eos convertible, designed by top fashion and home accessory designers including Lutz and Patmos and Hable Construction. VW also partnered with First Act guitars to create the Garage Master electric guitar, which brought rock and roll to the hands of the consumer by allowing them to plug directly into selected VW vehicles and have a concert wherever and whenever they pleased. This is VWs way of playing along with Gen-Yers passion for music. These noteworthy initiatives attest to the "authenticity of Volkswagen, which is, according to Outlaw, something that is well respected by Generation Y.
Outlaws President, Barbara Bylenga, said the automakers that belong to the Top 12 Most-Respected Generation Y brands are the top brands whose values align with those of todays generation. The core philosophy of each of these brands really gets what being a youth is about. These are, therefore, viewed by the Gen-Yers as authentic and real, in terms of whom they are and what they are trying to achieve.
Generation Y, according to Business Week, is one of the most watched age groups because it is comprises the largest population - almost three times the size of Generation X. With this definition, Outlaw concluded that in a generation with cell phones, music downloads and Instant Messaging on the Internet, it is refreshing to have a company that is authentically cool, more so than trying too hard to be hip and edgy.
Outlaw Consulting is a San Francisco-based research firm that follows the habits of 21- to 27-year-old individuals.
The results of their study are published in the April 19 issue of Womens Wear Daily. The list implies that Generation Y knows about being fashionable yet economical. Being such is considered by the youth interesting yet simple. In lieu of this, the youth views Volkswagen as a top trendsetting brand.

VWs 1st SUV restyled for 2008
Returning as the Touareg 2, Volkswagen's first-ever SUV has been restyled for the 2008 model year. The refined version will be delivered with refreshed exterior styling, an impressive list of safety features and vehicle capabilities, and three powerful engine options. The car will arrive at dealerships later this spring, with the initial price of $39,320.
On the exterior, the Toured 2 has taken design cues from others in the Volkswagen model lineup. The cars updated exterior styling now has the standard VW part - the brand's signature design - but with its new Volkswagen "face"- specifically its chrome front grille. It also has a redesigned aerodynamic and sporty rear spoiler with integrated third brake light. The 17-inch alloy wheels, standard on the VR6 FSI, and 19-inch alloy wheels, standard on the V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo models; face lifted headlamps and darkened taillights; enhanced luxury seating system, with standard 12-way power driver's seat; and four all-new exterior color options namely Alaska gray, cranberry, Galapagos and white gold are other distinctive exterior features of the vehicle.
To ensure safety and enhance the vehicle's handling, the Touareg 2 also features a wide array of driving systems. These features include a new rollover sensor system, which records both turning angle and turning speed to determine whether the vehicle will encounter a possible rollover situation or not. If a rollover hazard is present, the rollover sensor system combines with the airbag control device to activate side and side head curtain airbags. Now standard for the 2008 version is a restyled tire pressure monitoring system that informs the driver of any tire pressure loss. The car also features various Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) innovations that include hydraulic braking assist (HBA), rain brake support (RBS), and under steering control logic system (USCLS).
The HBA is a preventative braking pressure build-up system for sudden lifts off of the gas pedal which prepares the vehicle for a sudden stop. The RBS intermittently or periodically wipes the rotors dry when windshield wipers are activated. And the USCLS improves turning behavior during under steering.
In addition to these features, the Touareg 2 comes with a world-first "ABS plus" braking system. This Volkswagen-developed and patented system shortens braking distance for the Touareg 2 by up to 20 percent on loose roadbeds. This is done by pushing a portion of the road material under temporarily locked wheels to form a chock. This innovation is the first of its kind in the world and is a Touareg 2 exclusive feature.
On vehicle capabilities, The Touareg 2 includes a noteworthy array of stuffs. These include a permanent four-wheel drive system, 4XMOTION(TM), which provides improved traction on virtually any surface; a Hill Roll Back Assist and Hill Descent Assist features to stabilize the Touareg 2 during off-road ventures; and the standard independent suspension and improved axle pitching to further allow this powerful vehicle the capability to navigate uneven terrain with confidence. Moreover, the Touareg 2 also boasts 33-degree approach and departure angles, 45-degree climbing capability, 35-degree lateral inclination, adjustable air suspension and up to 23-inch fording depth with the optional air suspension.
This 2008 model year has three engine variations- with both the VR6 FSI and V8 FSI recently upgraded. The cars 3.2-liter VR6 has been replaced with a more powerful 3.6-liter VR6 FSI, which has an additional 40 horsepower, now at 280 hp. The FSI technology has considerably improved the driving performance of the Touareg 2. This significant performance upgrade is accompanied with increased torque with an optimized torque curve. Generating an impressive 350 horsepower, 40 more than the previous V8, and 325 lbs. ft. of torque, the recently upgraded 4.2- liter V8 FSI is the first eight-cylinder Volkswagen engine with unleaded fuel direct injection. The Touareg 2's 5.0-liter V10 TDI Twin Turbo transcends 310 horsepower and a staggering 553 lbs. ft. of torque. All three Touareg 2's offer an incredible 7,716 pounds of towing capacity.
Additional to those standard features include Sirius Satellite Radio, park distance control, power lift gate, new instrument cluster with larger display, and a new silver metallic trim standard on the VR6 FSI.
The 2008 Touareg 2 is available with all-new Lux, Lux Plus and Technology option packages. These packages further enhance the Touareg 2 with additional upgrades. These upgrades including a ten speaker Dynaudio premium sound system, keyless access with a start/stop button, and Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS II, which help improve night time visibility and enhances the driver's ability to negotiate turns by allowing them to see into the curve.