1996: A book explores the origins
of the Volkswagen "people's car":
H. Mommsen. Volkswagen and Its Workers During the Third Reich.
Econ Verlag, 1996.
1998: June:
VW buys Bentley and the Rolls Royce car factory from Vickers,
possibly thinking it
also had the Rolls Royce name, but that went to BMW (from 2003).
BMW supply engines to RR and will probably stop this
when the contract lapses in 12 months.
VW is talking of the replacement RR motors being built in the UK.
VW have been developing an interesting line of W8, W10 and
W12
engines (that's right W12 etc. not V12)
based on their narrow angle petrol and diesel V4, V5 and V6 units.
The W12 petrol motor has been in some show-car-exotica
but might be more usefully employed in up-market BMW-eaters.
VW and Porsche are also to cooperate on a new offroad four wheel drive
to come out in about 2002.
July: Cosworth was sold to Ford.
Also, BMW had its revenge, buying the right to use
the Rolls Royce name and the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine
from their owner - Rolls Royce aero-engines, not Rolls Royce cars -
from 2003 onwards!
1998: September: VW buys the Bugatti name.
2000, January:
Advanced Activity Vehicle (4x4 SUV)
shown at the Detroit Motor Show with a 5-litre V10 engine.
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