Luc Donckerwolke is Volkswagen Group's new head of advanced design, reporting directly to Walter de' Silva. Like VW AG design chief de' Silva, Donckerwolke moves into the new corporate job after heading design for the troubled Spanish Seat division, the brand charged with chasing Alfa Romeo buyers

It's Simple: Be the World's Largest Automaker by 2018

The Volkswagen Group is one of the best examples of the new mega-manufacturing machines of the automotive industry. As a family of nine automotive brands, it has the ability to fill just about every mainstream, enthusiast, and barely scratched market. There are several advantages to this combined manufacturing force. One, economy and emissions ratings for smaller efficient models like the Golf and Polo can be used to offset less-efficient models like Aventadors and R8s in corporate averages. Two, technology used to make supercars from Lamborghini and Audi lighter and faster can be used to make Volkswagens lighter and more efficient. Bringing composite and aluminum-alloy manufacturing technology from low- to larger-volume cars also spreads the cost out, bringing prices down.

Will feature the XL1 powertrain

Volkswagen's quest to become a leader in fuel-efficiency is about to take a major leap forward as a new report is indicating the Up! Blue E-motion will have an average fuel consumption of 2.97 L/100km (95 mpg imp / 79.1 mpg US).

Minor styling tweaks, upgraded engines

VW Motorsport chief Wolfgang Duerheimer says he could see one of the VW Group brands entering the sport in 2018

You might dispute whether Volkswagen is a premium brand or not, but few could dispute whether the Touareg is a true premium SUV. Based on a platform shared with the Porsche Cayenne, this off-roader runs with the best; modesty was never its strong point. In Europe and Asia, there is a gasoline W-12 version, rated at 450 horsepower, and the V-10 TDI with its 310-hp engine producing 553 pound-feet of torque was the king of diesel SUVs until its sibling, the Audi Q7, changed the rules with a titanic 500-hp V-12 TDI with 738 pound-feet of torque.

If you still identify Volkswagen with the uncomplicated—and mechanically simple—original Beetle, it’s time to update your thinking. Times have changed, and the focus at VW is now on technology and modern design. The recently launched Golf VI provided a strong hint of where VW is headed with its high-volume cars, but it’s this new Polo that really lights the way. See, the Golf VI is burdened with many carry-over parts from the Golf V, a.k.a. Rabbit, whereas the Polo is the first all-new car from the latest leadership group at the helm of Vee-Dub. “What you see here is VW design for the coming 10 years,” the company told us at the car’s launch in Sardinia. “This car we designed from scratch. A simple, crisp design leading to the future—which will be a lot different from the present.”

It was the Rabbit, then it was the Golf and now it's the Rabbit again. Same car. Five generations. Two names. But Volkswagen's name game with its least expensive model has only taken place in the American market. In the rest of the world it was the Golf, it is the Golf and it will remain the Golf.

BMW 325xi Touring. Too small.

Audi A4 Avant. Way too small.

Audi A6 Avant. Too expensive.

BMW 530xi Touring. Way too expensive.

Mercedes-Benz E350 Touring. Way, way too expensive.

Dodge Magnum R/T. Too plasticky.

Subaru Outback. Too gimmicky.

Volvo V70. Too safe.

Mazda 6 Wagon. Too monochromatic.

Volkswagen Passat Wagon. Just right.

We hope you've enjoyed your trip through the mind of the average Volkswagen Passat Wagon buyer. Please watch your step when debraining.