Tag Archives: Volkswagen

Back in 2017, as Volkswagen grappled with the fallout from the Dieselgate scandal, the brand made a bold pivot toward electrification. The ID. family of concept cars became the face of a cleaner, forward-looking VW—starting with the original ID. showcar in 2016 and followed by the ID. Crozz a year later, which previewed what would eventually become the ID.4. But behind the scenes, something more emotional and less utilitarian was brewing in the design studio: a fully electric sports car that never saw the light of day.

Recently, Volkswagen Group’s Spokesperson for Design & Concept Cars, Štěpán Řehák, shared never-before-seen sketches of this lost EV on LinkedIn—an elegant and muscular coupe born from the creative mind of designer Tibor Juhasz. What emerged was not just a concept, but a love letter to a nearly forgotten chapter of VW’s past: the SP2.

For the uninitiated, the original SP2 was a sleek, rear-engined sports coupe built in Brazil in the 1970s. Based on the humble Type 3 platform, it was VW’s way of offering something exotic and aspirational to the South American market, without straying far from its mass-market roots. While it was never a high-performance machine, the SP2’s design became iconic—a rare flair from a brand known more for practicality than panache.

Juhasz’s 2017 vision reimagined that heritage for the electric age. His SP2 concept, based on the modular MEB architecture underpinning VW’s modern EV lineup, carried the soul of its predecessor into the future. The result? A low-slung, wide-bodied coupe with strong rear haunches, minimalist surfacing, and an unmistakable sense of purpose. “My SP2 proposal was born from pure intuition,” Juhasz wrote. “It envisioned an electric future powered by progress, yet deeply rooted in classic values.”

While VW never officially greenlit the project, the car’s design stood out as a beacon of what could have been—a spiritual successor to the SP2 that embraced emotion over mass appeal. It would’ve likely featured a rear-mounted electric motor, consistent with the MEB platform’s architecture, offering rear- or potentially all-wheel drive. In spirit and design, it was poised to deliver not just performance, but presence.

The concept also drew subtle inspiration from legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the man responsible for shaping the first Golf, Scirocco, Jetta, and even the radical W12 supercar prototypes. Although Giugiaro had no direct hand in the original SP2, his design legacy clearly informed the modern reinterpretation’s proportions and simplicity.

Yet, like so many of VW’s most enticing design studies, the electric SP2 remained a dream deferred. Volkswagen had more pressing matters: launching high-volume EVs like the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7 to regain global trust and meet looming emissions regulations. Even the nostalgic ID. Buzz found its way to production—but the sports car was quietly shelved.

This isn’t the first time VW has teased enthusiasts with compelling concepts only to leave them on the cutting room floor. Remember the 2009 BlueSport mid-engined roadster? Or the 2005 EcoRacer and 2014 XL Sport—each powered by unconventional diesel or motorcycle engines? All sparked excitement, only to fade into obscurity. Even the W12, VW’s most audacious sports car effort, remained a design showcase rather than a showroom reality.

Today, with Europe’s impending ban on internal combustion cars, there’s little chance we’ll see another gasoline-powered VW sports car. But that doesn’t mean performance is off the table. Wolfsburg has already pledged to carry its GTI and R performance sub-brands into the electric era. And while those badges are steeped in hot hatchback history, the idea of a standalone, two-door electric sports car—a proper spiritual heir to the SP2—still stirs the imagination.

The MEB platform remains flexible. The design talent is clearly there. All that’s missing is the green light. If VW ever chooses to chase emotion over volume, it has the blueprint waiting—quietly sketched in pencil back in 2017.

Source: Volkswagen

NEW CARS

Twisted TBug: A Joyful Ode to Classic Simplicity

July 26, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

In an age of software updates, lane-keeping assists, and hyper-efficient turbocharged engines, it’s easy to forget that driving used to be about fun. That’s precisely where the Twisted TBug comes in—a lovingly reimagined take on the classic Baja Bug, infused with charm, craftsmanship, and just the right dose of irreverence.

Built by Twisted, the Yorkshire-based outfit known for reinventing Land Rover Defenders and Suzuki Jimnys, the TBug marks a detour into its “special projects” division. But make no mistake—this is no half-baked side hustle. The TBug is a restomod done with care, character, and a level of attention to detail that’s unmistakably Twisted.

At first glance, it’s clear the TBug has been done properly. The reinforced chassis, bespoke electrics, and subtly integrated LED lighting all whisper quality without shouting modernity. The exterior stance is spot on—enough to make any Baja Bug owner reach for an angle grinder in envy—while the interior is trimmed with the kind of finesse you rarely find in something so gleefully unconventional.

The air-cooled, rear-mounted engine has had its power output doubled, but don’t expect neck-snapping acceleration. With just under 80 hp, outright speed isn’t the point here. What matters is how the TBug makes you feel.

“What makes the TBug special is that it makes you smile every time you slide behind the wheel,” says Twisted founder Charles Fawcett. And smile you will. There’s something gloriously pure about this machine. It’s a counterpoint to the seriousness of the modern car—a joyful, analog experience that’s as much about nostalgia as it is about freedom.

In contrast to many restomods chasing ever-higher performance figures or electric conversions, the TBug remains refreshingly grounded. There’s no attempt to over-modernize it. No over-the-top horsepower. No aggressive, road-hugging stance. Just good engineering, great design, and the kind of bespoke personalisation that invites you to co-create your dream with the team at Twisted.

The company has already built three examples, finished in grey, green, and yellow, and priced around £95,000. That’s no small sum, but it buys more than just a toy—it buys a personality on wheels. A classic silhouette with modern usability and timeless charm.

And yes, while it may be based on a rear-engined, air-cooled, two-door German car, the TBug is not a Porsche 911. And that, somehow, makes it even cooler.

Source: Autocar

News

Volkswagen’s Q2 Profit Falls 33% Amid Tariffs and Restructuring Costs

July 25, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, reported a steep decline in second-quarter net profit, as a mix of trade barriers, regulatory penalties, and internal restructuring weighed heavily on its bottom line. Despite growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales, the German auto giant faces mounting headwinds in a turbulent global market.

From April to June, Volkswagen posted a net profit of €2.29 billion — a sharp 33% drop compared to the same period last year. The company cited significant costs tied to 27.5% U.S. tariffs on car imports and ongoing restructuring efforts as key factors behind the slump.

The downward trend continues from the first quarter, where net profit fell by a staggering 40.6% to €2.19 billion, primarily due to carbon emissions fines and rising customs costs related to global trade tensions.

While second-quarter revenue reached €80.6 billion, it marked a 3% dip year-over-year — a surprising result given a modest 1.2% increase in vehicle deliveries, which totaled 2.27 million units. In contrast, first-quarter revenue had seen a slight bump of 2.8%, landing at €77.56 billion.

Electric Surge Can’t Offset Premium Vehicle Weakness

One bright spot in VW’s quarterly report was the performance of its EV division. Sales of battery-electric vehicles soared by 38%, reflecting the group’s continued push toward electrification and its ambition to compete with Tesla and Chinese EV brands. However, the strong EV momentum was not enough to offset weaker performance in the group’s premium and luxury vehicle segments, which have been hit harder by economic uncertainty and shifting consumer priorities.

Forecast Revisions Reflect Global Volatility

In light of ongoing challenges, Volkswagen revised its full-year 2025 revenue forecast, now expecting results in line with last year rather than the previously anticipated 5% growth. The revision underscores the automaker’s cautious outlook amid political instability, volatile energy and raw material prices, and intensifying global competition.

The group also flagged negative impacts from fluctuating currency exchange rates and tightening environmental regulations across key markets — factors that are reshaping the economics of automotive manufacturing at a global scale.

Navigating a Tense Transition

Volkswagen’s Q2 results serve as a reminder of the complex transition facing traditional automakers. While the group is making headway in the EV space, legacy costs and geopolitical friction continue to disrupt its recovery. As global markets become increasingly fragmented and sustainability demands accelerate, VW’s ability to adapt — both structurally and strategically — will determine how well it can weather the next phase of automotive evolution.