Volkswagen are extending their Tiguan model rance with a special edition version: the Volkswagen Tiguan Track & Avenue, a car that features several body and interior modifications. The new Tiguan sits on 19″ Savannah alloy wheels and it comes with two special exterior color options: “Oryx White Pearl Effect” And “Island Grey Pearl Effect” that make this SUV even more impressive. The exterior upgrades also include a 25 degree off road front end, a silver colored diffuser and new wheel flares.

The star attraction at Volkswagen’s LA Show booth is the Up! Lite Concept, a three-door, four-seater version of the German firm’s future small car. Tipping the scales at just 695 kg or 1,532 lbs, the concept model is powered by a hybrid powertrain comprising of a 51HP 0.8-liter turbo diesel engine and a 13HP electric motor.

Similarly to the German tuning firm’s latest projects like the Porsche GT2 Speed and the Ferrari F430 Spider, Wimmer’s take on the new VW Golf GTI is almost all about performance and very little about appearance. The stock GTI rolls out of the factory with 210 horsepower and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque, but after Wimmer RS gets its hands on the 2.0-liter turbo unit, those numbers are increased to a hefty 386 hp and 455 Nm (332 lb-ft) allowing the hot hatch to achieve a top speed of 267 km/h or 166mph.

Volkswagen’s “mini-me Golf”, the fifth-generation Polo, has won the coveted ‘Car of the Year’ award for 2010 with 347 points against 337 for the Toyota iQ mini which came in second. The new Opel / Vauxhall Astra, which was considered by many a favorite to snatch the award and continue General Motors’ success with the Insignia that won the 2009 title, finished in third place receiving 221 points.

The Belgian tuner Caractere has released a new styling kit for the sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf. Clearly inspired by VW’s 2006 IROC Concept car that previewed the Scirocco Coupe, the styling package comprises of a new front bumper with a characteristic grille surround, chunky side skirts, a large roof spoiler and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser and a two-pipe exhaust unit.

Volkswagen Group tuning specialist ABT has set its eyes on the new Golf GTD offering a range of power and styling treatments. The GTD’s 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine receives a 20-pony and 40 Nm increase to 190-horsepower and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft) of maximum torque trimming 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration from 8.1 seconds to 7.1 seconds – always according to ABT. Top speed increases from 222 km/h to 230 km/h (143mph).

A higher-spec trim-level has been added to the Volkswagen Passat and Passat Estate range in the UK. Building on the standard Highline model, the Highline Plus adds chrome grille surround and louvres, Bluetooth telephone connectivity with touchscreen adaptor, as well as Volkswagen’s RNS 310 satellite navigation unit with integrated radio and MP3-compatible CD player.