Auto For Speed

Are you ready for the year of the Volkswagen? The German giant is planning to release more cars in 2010 that it has in any single year in its history, and it’ll start things off with a bang in Detroit. Meet the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept, the latest in a new trend of sporty hybrids.

Sporty hybrids? Indeed. The trade-off for stellar fuel economy has long been lackluster performance and a boring drive, but today’s automakers are looking to change that inequity. Not to be upstaged by Honda’s new CR-Z hybrid, Volkswagen has unwrapped its own sport-oriented hybrid coupe, called the NCC for short.

Volkswagen says the NCC is meant to slot between Europe’s sporty Scirocco and the larger CC, a position currently held by the Jetta. At 178.5 in. long, 70.1 in. wide, 55.6 in. tall, and riding on a 104.4-in. wheelbase, the NCC is within 3 inches or less of the Jetta in every dimension. It has a stretched wheelbase, identical width, and lower roof. Is this the next-generation Jetta coupe Volkswagen enthusiasts have pined after? Perhaps.

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Starting from today, UK buyers can place their orders for the all-new Volkswagen Polo with first deliveries set to arrive on the car’s official “on sale” date of 16 October. On-the-road prices for the five-door model range from at £10,035 for the entry-level S 1.2-litre 60 HP to £14,910 for the range-topping SEL with VW’s new 90 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel. Those interested in the three-door model will have to wait until December. (more…)