We've seen the Audi Quattro concept under auto show lights, but a recent Audi fan in California caught the car out in Malibu on Monday. Its minders let slip what's been rumored so far: the Quattro will get a limited production build.

The concept was complete with its design-studio license plate and one-off interior — on the Pacific Coast Highway, escorted by the California Highway Patrol. Along for the ride to a photo shoot was a classic red Quattro.

Given Volkswagen's desire to surpass Toyota as the world's largest automaker, and its vow to spend $72 billion (yes, billion) by 2015, finding a few million to reignite the dreams of Quattro lovers around the world seems as easy as Malibu in November.

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Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technology is the cleanest and most fuel efficient to come out of Germany. Unveiled recently; the Scirocco and Passat CC will soon come with the BlueMotion option.

The Scirocco and Passat CC will have the option of: 2.0-liter 140 PS, 2.0-liter TDI 170 PS, or 2.0-liter TDI 140 PS. Both models will come with Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems.



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Porsche announced today they’re upgrading their research and development center in Weissach by investing 150 million euros, which will result in a new high-tech wind tunnel, design centre and electronics integration centre. They also released this picture of the clay model of the 918 Spyder, so one can think those upgrades were necessary for producing such a high-end car!

Porsche hopes with the new design studios and equipments and all the extra space they’re giving to the designers, result in more creative projects. They also confirm that the increased capacities were urgently required in the Weissach centre of competence for sports car construction. As you know Porsche will introduce a couple of all-new cars over the next few years, including some hybrid models.

“The new system will help us to maintain Porsche’s top position in the fields of aerodynamics and design and to further extend our lead. Outstanding design with optimal aerodynamic efficiency have always been classic Porsche strongholds”, says Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development. As the system will not only be used for Porsche’s internal developments, but will also be extensively available for Porsche customer development, it offers direct access from the adjacent design studio, and separate entrances for the discrete completion of customer development projects.

Sub-areas which were previously scattered throughout several buildings at Porsche’s Weissach site can be bundled in the future electronics integration centre. Dürheimer: “This spatial proximity is a major advantage. The close interaction of our suppliers’ various electrical system/electronics experts and colleagues from related specialist fields during development will contribute significantly to the success of our work, particularly in the case of electronics, which now play a role in virtually every vehicle component.” Besides investing in systems and buildings, Porsche is also increasing its staffing levels. Around 100 engineers are to be recruited in the first stage alone.

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Oprah Winfrey is going out in style by giving each member of her studio audience keys to the as-yet-unseen 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The promotion is part of Oprah's Ultimate Favorite Things giveaway, in which audience members are lavished with pricey surprise gifts of all descriptions.

Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen of America, confirmed that Winfrey reached out to the German automaker about the giveaway, saying that as an owner of the current VW New Beetle, the icon has long been one of her Favorite Things. The show, saw Oprah making the surprise announcement in front of a silhouette of the forthcoming model, and a current model New Beetle was featured on stage. While Browning admits that Oprah has been given a sneak peek at the completed car, her 275 lucky audience members will be in the dark about their new rides look until VW reveals it at a date to be determined this Spring. Audience members will receive their cars next Fall when VW's Puebla, Mexico plant begins production.

While VW officials declined to talk in detail about the 2012 Beetle, Browning did confirm that the new model will feature technologies like Bluetooth integration and a touchscreen stereo display, along with branded audio systems and ambient lighting. More importantly, Browning insists that the new model will have a decidedly sportier bent than previous iterations. The 2012 Beetle will feature available performance-minded items like a stiffer suspension, sport seats, 19-inch wheels and dual exhausts.

This more sporting attitude is interesting, in part because VW officials have previously indicated that they hope to 'degender' the new model (the New Beetle's image and ownership base has long skewed heavily female). Given this positioning, the decision to launch a major promotion with Oprah Winfrey may seem a bit curious, but VW knows that it will still need to woo the current New Beetle's core audience in order for the 2012 model to be a success.

It has been confirmed that not only will VW's TDI engines figure in to the model's plans, but clean diesel technology will even be available in the Cabriolet model. The company's venerable 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine will also be available, but there's no word yet about a dedicated high-performance model or a possible hybrid variant.

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