Volkswagen
If on the one hand it increases investments on the electric side, on the other (ie in the United States) Volkswagen remains faithful to thermal engines. The Atlas Cross Sport GT model was presented these days, still in a concept version but likely to become a complete car in the coming months. Because, beyond the name, there is really nothing "prototype" about this vehicle.Derived from the SUV that is in production and distribution in the US itself, the GT model adds more power and sporty finishes for enthusiasts. It starts with the engine, which is the same supercharged 4-cylinder as the Golf R, capable of exceeding 300 horsepower as maximum power. There are also news on the side of the transmission which uses 7 reports and above all the double clutch. This should significantly lower acceleration times from standstill to around 7 seconds.
As for trim and trim, we have new sports suspension and improved 8-piston brakes along with a custom blue color scheme. The same body color, as per sporting tradition, returns to the interiors on seats and finishes as well as on the futuristic-shaped rims. It should be noted that, compared to the standard 5-seater model, the maximum capacity drops to 4 since there is a second central rear dashboard with storage and additional USB sockets.
The Atlas Cross Sport GT naturally has a lowered set-up and uses 22 ″ Yokohama Advan Sport sports tires, as well as All Wheel Drive all-wheel drive. In case users forget which model they are dealing with, a series of GT logos are distributed throughout the vehicle, starting from the outside to reach the dashboard.
As we said at the beginning, although this SUV is complete and in working condition, it is not yet on the official Volkswagen price lists and perhaps it will never enter if we look at Europe. The Atlas line is in fact designed and built for the United States and it will certainly not be a special model that will change the production plans. In the meantime, the German company will take him on tour on American soil in special promotional events, expected towards the end of the year.
From door handles to LED lights, find all the spare parts for your Volkswagen car on Amazon.
Volkswagen to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway: We plan to sue you over Dieselgate
Volkswagen is preparing to take Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway to court over an insurance-payout dispute tied to the carmaker's biggest headache: its five-year-old diesel emissions scandal.
Berkshire Hathaway International Insurance Limited, a unit of the sprawling conglomerate, is the lone VW insurance vendor to decline to participate in a €270 million ($318 million) compensation settlement connected to the scandal. The carmaker had purchased directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance with the Berkshire unit, plus nine others, to provide protection against governance risks.
“The supervisory board has therefore tasked management to prepare legal measures against Berkshire Hathaway,” deputy chairman Jörg Hofmann told Volkswagen investors at Thursday’s virtual annual meeting. On Friday, a spokesperson said the company had nothing more to add beyond Hofmann's statement.
Uncovered in September 2015 by U.S. authorities, the VW's diesel emissions fraud has thus far cost the carmaker roughly €32.2 billion in fines, recalls, compensation and legal costs through the end of March.
Volkswagen has since pivoted hard to become one of the industry's chief advocates of shifting to zero-emission battery-electric vehicles alongside market leader Tesla. VW now believes it even has a 'historic chance' to more than double by 2030 its market share to 10% in the U.S. on its rival's own home turf, despite many American car buyers still nursing suspicions against the company's environmental epiphany.
On Thursday, VW shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of accepting the €270 million settlement with the other D&O insurance companies, reportedly one of the highest ever reached in a single case.
Providers that signed up to the deal include subsidiaries belonging to Zurich Insurance Group, AIG, Liberty Mutual, Allianz, Munich Re, Axa, Tokio Marine, QBE Insurance Group and Talanx.
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A spokesman for VW declined to comment on the extent of financial compensation sought, but according to the information provided to investors, the maximum sum of damages insured by Berkshire Hathaway amounted to €50 million. The Omaha, Neb.-based company did not immediately respond to Fortune's request for comment, nor did its Boston-based insurance unit.
Investors on Thursday also approved clawback settlements with ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn and former Audi boss Rupert Stadler, who agreed to return €11.2 million and €4.1 million, respectively, to their former employer for failing to properly exercise their fiduciary responsibilities.
Both men are currently facing separate criminal charges brought by German prosecutors.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com