Is This New VW To Be Made In Chattanooga?

NewsChannel 9 has obtained pictures of a car that the photographer says is a "test mule" of the new mid-sized sedan (NMS) scheduled to be produced at Chattanooga's Volkswagen Plant by 2011

The pictures are from Brenda Priddy & Company. Her website shows some of the automotive scoops she's made the last 17 years, and features quotes from magazines like Newsweek that call her "the rising star in automotive paparazzi."

Priddy asked us this weekend if we would like to buy copies of the pictures. NewsChannel 9 agreed so that we can take a closer look ourselves, and give you a sneak-peak.

"I engage in corporate espionage, the industry refers to it as spy photography," Priddy said during an interview Monday.

Priddy said an associate of hers who works in Germany took pictures of the car as it was being driven into a car carrier. She calls the car a "test mule," and while the pictures appear to be authentic we noticed a striking resemblance to a car that's been in production and sold in the United States for years - the Jetta.

After we looked closer at the front end of the black car and pictures of the Jetta on Volkswagen's webiste, we see the grille, front bumper and headlight assemblies are virtually the same. When we asked Volkswagen corporate officials to tell us what this black car is they said "it's a Jetta."

"So the shell, the body that you see, is not going to be the body of the finished vehicle," Priddy explained. "They do that quite frequently to throw everybody off so you can't see what's testing and they'll have the chassis, and a body they can fit on top of it so that it doesn't generate attention."

A paper sign inside the windshield appears to identify the vehicle. As we use digital enhancement to zoom in you can see "VW 411 NMS" in red along the top line.

Priddy sent us another picture of that sign that she said was enhanced so that it's easier to read. She said the only other photo touch-up was to take out the reflection of a building on the shiny, black hood that revealed a company's name.

"And I just kind of blurred that out because I don't want my competition, nor do I want Volkswagen to know exactly where I photographed this," Priddy said.

As NewsChannel 9 has reported since the spring Volkswagen will produce a car at the Chattanooga assembly plant that is designed for the North American market. Based on what we've learned during our trip to Germany in October and Priddy's associates here are some of the features of the new car:

Generous legroom, large cargo / trunk area, more and super-sized cup holders (than several other VW vehicles), improved interiors, anti-lock brakes with front and rear discs, ample airbags, interface with various mobile devices, six-speed double clutch (DSG) transmission or 5 speed manual, FSI and TDI powerplants and all-wheel-drive options.

As we learned in Germany the FSI and TDI (turbo diesel) engines are designed to be smaller and lighter while providing increased fuel efficiency, more horsepower and torque and cleaner emissions.

The "NMS" is scheduled to roll off the Chattanooga assembly line for the 2011 model year and be priced at about $20,000 and up.

Of course when we get pictures of what the car will actually look like as it goes to production you will be the first know know in our broadcasts and this website.