VIDEO: "Buying a Volkswagen from an Old Lady" Dutch Ad is Epic

In what could very well be one of the most amusing automotive-related ads we've seen this year, this Volkswagen commercial from The Netherlands puts a surprisingly wild twist on the belief that old ladies take good care of their cars. The 50 second-long clip finishes with the tagline "Not every old lady is reliable as a Golf". Watch the video after the break.

New Astra Beats Ford Focus and VW Golf at Millbrook Test Track in Viral Video

Looks like General Motors' UK division is trying its hand at viral marketing with a new video showing 2010 Astra hatchback outpacing a VW Golf MKVI and a Ford Focus at the Millbrook Proving Ground test track in Bedfordshire, England. The driver behind the wheel of the Astra is none other than Vauxhall's own BTCC pilot, Fabrizio Giovanardi. If you turn up the volume and pay attention, you might hear some weird mechanical noises coming out of the Astra but guess that makes it a bit more realistic... Will be interesting to see if Ford and VW play along, but until then follow the jump to watch the video.

New VW Golf Plus Crossover BiFuel Goes on Sale in Europe

Volkswagen is extending the model range of its recently facelifted Golf Plus with an LPG-capable version called Golf Plus BiFuel. The compact crossover that can run either on petrol or LPG at the flick of a switch is equipped with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 98HP. The German automaker said that the car needs an average of 9.8 liters of LPG per 100km (159 g/km CO2) while when it uses gasoline fuel, the Golf Plus BiFuel consumes 7.5 liters of Super for every 100km (179 g/km CO2).

The Golf Plus BiFuel features a 55-litre petrol tank and a 43-liter LPG tank, the latter built into the spare wheel well to save space. The LPG tank provides a range of about 440 kilometers while the two tanks offer a combined range of more than 1,100 kilometers or about 685 miles.

The German firm notes that the factory-installed LPG solution for the Golf Plus BiFuel comes with a full warranty for the entire vehicle, LPG components included. The LPG-capable Golf Plus is available for order in the Trendline and Comfortline versions with prices in Germany starting from €22,460.

VW Replaces 1.9 TDI with new 1.6 TDI Engine on the Golf VI Range

Having already introduced its 1.6 TDI engine on the latest generation VW Polo and Seat Ibiza models, Volkswagen has now announced the availability of the newly developed common rail diesel unit that replaces the 1.9-liter TDI on the Golf VI range. In the Golf family, the 1.6-liter diesel that is hooked up to a 5-speed manual gearbox or optionally, a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG), produces an output of 105HP and 250Nm (184-lbs/ft) of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm.

Volkswagen claims that with this engine, the Golf hatchback and Variant models return an average fuel consumption of 4.5 lt/100km (52.3mpg US) while the Golf Plus is rated at 4.8 lt/100km (49mpg US).

In Germany, the Golf 1.6 TDI hatchback is priced from €20,600 while the Golf Variant and Golf Plus 1.6 TDI from €22,450 and €22,275 respectively.

Officially Confirmed: New Volkswagen Golf R to go on Sale in the USA

Hot hatches are mostly a European fad, but Volkswagen’s R- and GTI-badged products have proved successful in the North American market over the years. That said, VW loyalists will be happy to know that the new Golf R has finally received the green light for America. No specific launch date was given, but according to the official announcement, the U.S.-bound Golf R will be released in “limited numbers and for a very limited time” starting from 2012.

Already offered in Europe and other markets, the Golf R32's successor ditches the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine. The Euro-spec model’s four-pot is rated at 270 hp and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, bringing it closer to the STi and EVO X. Available in both 3- and 5-door flavors, the R also features VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive with a Haldex differential.

The 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint is completed in 5.7 seconds when the Golf R is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and in 5.5 seconds when gears are shifted with VW's optional DSG dual clutch transmission. In both cases top speed is limited to 250km/h or 155 mph.

As for the U.S. version, detailed specifications should be available later on.

Key attributes:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine with significant hp increase over GTI
• 4th generation Haldex 4Motion - all wheel drive
• Increased rotor diameter translating to improved braking
• Sport tuned ESP
• Upgraded sport tuned suspension
• 2 door or 4 door
• Manual Transmission Only
• Unique 18" alloy wheels
• Unique steering wheel
• Unique interior trim
• Exterior R model badge and bodykit
• R model shift knob
• R model door sills
• R model front and rear fascia with dual, center exit, exhaust