Volkswagen offers more value for money with new Eos line-up
14th November 2008 4:00 pm Volkswagen
Volkswagen has expanded its Eos convertible coupé range, introducing a new entry-level model with a lower price and offering customers better value than ever.
The newly introduced S trim will cost £585 less than the current entry-level Eos, which in turn gains extra specification and will now be known as SE. The Sport and Individual models will remain, but also gain additional equipment.
The previous entry price for the Eos was £20,025, but prices for the new line-up start from £19,440 RRP ‘on the road’ for the S 1.4-litre TSI with 122 PS and six-speed manual gearbox. Specification remains largely unchanged with all models featuring ABS with ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, remote control central locking with alarm and five-section electric roof system as standard among a host of other items.
Moving up to SE and costing from £20,530, this model gains a multifunction computer, rear parking sensors, and front centre armrest plus 17-inch alloy wheels and a luxury pack (comprising automatic coming/leaving home lighting function, rain and dusk sensor plus electrically foldable door mirrors). These additions represent a £735 enhancement in value over the previous base model. Sport and Individual trim levels are also boosted. Sport now features upgraded 18-inch alloy wheels and luxury pack (£670 enhancement) while Individual also benefits from the luxury pack (£275).
The four-seater Eos has proved extremely successful since launch in July 2006. Since then over 12,800 Eos models have been sold.
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Eos model line-up and pricing
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CO2, g/km
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RRP OTR, £
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S 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS 6spd manual
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154
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19,440
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S 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd manual
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148
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20,970
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SE 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS 6spd manual
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154
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20,530
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SE 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS 6spd manual
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159
|
21,745
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SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd manual
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148
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21,810
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SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd auto DSG
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159
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22,970
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Sport 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS 6spd manual
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159
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22,730
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Sport 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS 6spd manual
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194
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24,230
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Sport 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS 6spd auto DSG
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194
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25,390
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Sport 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd manual
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148
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22,805
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Sport 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd auto DSG
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159
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23,965
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Sport 3.2-litre V6 FSI 250 PS 6spd auto DSG
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219
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29,945
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Individual 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS 6spd manual
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194
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26,370
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Individual 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS 6spd auto DSG
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194
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27,530
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Invividual 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd manual
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148
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24,925
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Individual 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6spd auto DSG
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159
|
26,105
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Individual 3.2-litre V6 FSI 250 PS 6spd auto DSG
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219
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30,695
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New Passat BlueMotion 2 featuring stop/start now on sale
14th November 2008 9:00 am Volkswagen
The most efficient, economical and environmentally friendly Passat yet produced, the new BlueMotion 2, opens for ordering this week.
Building on the gains in efficiency made by the existing Passat BlueMotion, the new BlueMotion 2 features an automatic Stop/start system linked to a new 2.0-litre TDI 110 PS common rail diesel engine. This replaces the outgoing 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS unit injector powerplant.
Based on a conventional Passat bodyshell the BlueMotion 2 features optimised aerodynamics through a 15 mm reduction in ride height and the adoption of a unique grille element and front bumper with the usual air intakes blanked-off and relocated to the underside of the vehicle in order to reduce aerodynamic drag. Next, the new 2.0-litre common rail diesel engine features special electronic mapping to reduce the idle speed and optimise the engine for economy. The five-speed manual gearbox is also heavily revised with new, longer ratios for third, fourth and fifth gears to reduce loading on the engine and improve efficiency.
Volkswagen was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a Stop/start system on the Golf Ecomatic back in 1994. The system has been substantially developed and is now applied to the new Passat BlueMotion 2.
The automatic Stop/start system operates through the clutch. For example, when coming to a halt at traffic lights the driver depresses the clutch and selects neutral. When the clutch is released the engine shuts down and a ‘Stop/start’ symbol illuminates on the multifunction display. In order to move away the driver simply depresses the clutch one again to select first gear and the engine re-starts automatically. Should the driver wish, the system can be deactivated through a switch located on the centre console.
The combined effect of the Stop/start and the adoption of the new 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel engine serves to improve economy significantly and reduce emissions over the outgoing vehicle.
Economy on the Passat BlueMotion 2 rises from 55.4 mpg (55.3 mpg for the estate) to 57.6 mpg for the saloon and estate models. Carbon dioxide emissions drop from 136 g/km (137 g/km for the estate) down to 128 g/km and 129 g/km respectively.
Available to order at Volkswagen Retailers from this week onwards, the new Passat BlueMotion 2 will cost from £17,700 for the saloon model and £18,835 for the estate – representing a rise of just £475 over the equivalent standard model.
Despite the keen focus on economy the Passat comes with an extensive list of standard equipment including alloy wheels with low rolling-resistance tyres, six airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), a CD stereo, air conditioning and cruise control all standard.
Scirocco honoured at Scottish car of the year awards
13th November 2008 4:00 pm Volkswagen
The new Volkswagen Scirocco has been honoured at the Scottish Car of the Year awards where it was crowned ‘Sporting Car of the Year’.
Against tough competition the new Scirocco was commended for its mix of style, dynamic ability and value.
Commenting on the win, Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK said: ‘This is a tremendous honour and a particularly special one, being the first award the new Scirocco has won since its launch in September.’
Now in its 11th year the Scottish Car of the Year awards are judged by a panel of journalists from the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW). To be eligible the vehicles, launched within the last 12 months, have to be driven on Scottish roads by the judges. The result was a clear victory for the new Scirocco.
Equipped with a powerful and efficient 2.0-litre TSI engine developing 200 PS, the new Scirocco follows on from where the iconic original left off when production ceased in 1993.
Recently the coupé range has expanded to include a 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS engine and, for the first time in a Scirocco, a diesel engine in the form of the advanced 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS common rail unit.
Despite this being the most advanced coupé Volkswagen has ever produced, with adaptive damping control, six airbags and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) fitted as standard, the new Scirocco remains true to the original, representing strong value for money. With the arrival of the 1.4-litre TSI model the starting price for the coupé falls to £18,790 with the entry-level diesel model starting from £19,915 on-the-road RRP.
Even more sophistication with revised Volkswagen Phaeton
13th November 2008 9:00 am Volkswagen
Following its debut at the Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen has announced a number of revisions to the Phaeton luxury saloon with new features being added to the model range. Prices for the revised model, fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 TDI 240 PS engine, start at £44,235 RRP on the road.
Inside, new touchscreen satellite navigation and climate control systems feature as standard as part of a redesigned centre console, alongside a refreshed instrument cluster and multifunction display.
Side Scan blind-spot monitor is now available as an option on the Phaeton for the first time, building on the already extensive list of safety equipment fitted to the vehicle. This technology, currently available on the Touareg, monitors the area next to the vehicle and acts as a lane changing aid with an audible alert and a small warning lamp in the wing mirrors to warn of the danger of collision.
Other options new to the Phaeton are a rear-view camera and the powerful 1,000-watt Dynaudio soundpack, which includes a 12-channel digital amplifier and 12 speakers.
Subtle design tweaks have also been made to the exterior, including a revised front grille featuring a three-dimensional Volkswagen roundel. A range of new metallic paint finishes and three new alloy wheels, in 17-, 18- and 19-inch designs, have also been added.
The Phaeton is available with a 3.0-litre V6 TDI 240 PS with DPF (diesel particulate filter) or 6.0-litre W12 450 PS petrol engine. All models have standard 4MOTION four-wheel drive and are available with a long wheelbase, giving 12 cm additional rear legroom. The 3.0-litre V6 TDI is now offered with a standard wheelbase.
The revised Phaeton is available to order now, with new cars arriving in the UK in January 2009.
Volkswagen race Touareg 2 takes shape for 2009 ‘Dakar’ rally
29th October 2008 1:00 pm Volkswagen
The ‘Dakar’ Rally 2009 promises to be the most demanding test yet for the Volkswagen Motorsport team, as it prepares to take on some of the harshest and most challenging terrain on the planet with four examples of the Race Touareg 2.
The four factory-fielded Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 models will be piloted by Spaniard Carlos Sainz and his French navigator Michel Perlin; Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) and Dirk von Zitzewith (Germany); Mark Miller (USA) and Ralph Pitchford (South Africa) and Dieter Depping partnered with fellow German Timo Gottschalk.
The racers, powered by a 2.5-litre TDI diesel engine producing 280 PS, are currently under construction at Volkswagen Motorsport in Hanover, Germany. From there, working to a tight deadline of November 15, the support and service trucks plus parts and equipment needed to compete in the world’s toughest motorsport event will be transported to Le Havre, France, for scrutineering which takes place on November 26, before being shipped out to South America.
For the first time in the event’s history, the 2009 race takes place across the South American continent. Starting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 3 January 2009 and covering more than 9,000 gruelling kilometres (5,625 miles) over 15 stages, the teams will travel through Argentina and Chile from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts and back again.
The stages include passage through the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world with the highest dune fields, along with two crossings of the Andes encountering altitudes of up to 4,600 metres. In preparation for these extreme conditions, both man and machine have been specially prepared. The drivers have completed altitude training in the Alps, while the 2.5-litre TDI engines have been subjected to thousands of kilometres of extensive durability testing in an environment chamber, designed to simulate extreme altitudes.
The constantly changing landscapes and varying terrain along the route are not only an extremely demanding test for the vehicles, drivers and co-drivers, but they also provide a new set of challenges for the technicians and engineers in terms of vehicle set-up and maintenance.
The Race Touareg ‘Dakar’ prototype has scored nine wins over 24 events and 29 podium finishes. With two victories and a second place in three races during 2008, the Race Touareg 2 is one of the most successful cars of the year and each of the teams are hoping to build on this success in 2009.
New Golf is awarded maximum five-star euro NCAP safety rating
29th October 2008 12:00 pm Volkswagen
The new Volkswagen Golf has been awarded a maximum five-star rating by the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) crash test agency.
The Golf, now in its sixth generation, achieved 36 out of a possible 37 points for occupant protection leading to a five-star award. In the area of child safety the new Golf scored an impressive four stars; a further three stars were awarded for pedestrian safety.
The new Golf will be among the safest vehicles currently on sale, thanks to the fitment of seven airbags, including a knee airbag, as standard across the range. This is in addition to standard Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), Brake Assist, ABS, the introduction of new whiplash reducing headrests, side impact protection and a stronger chassis structure than ever before.
Along with the comprehensive range of standard safety equipment, the new Golf can also be specified with rear side airbags and seatbelt sensors for the rear occupants that allow the driver to check, via the multifunction display in the instrument panel, whether those in the back seats are wearing their seatbelts.
Volkswagen has always been at the forefront of occupant safety. The Volkswagen 411, launched in 1968 featured front crumple zones and a passenger survival cell, a trait carried over to the Mk I Golf in 1974 while adding self-stabilising steering, rear crumple zones and fuel tank protection. In 1987 the Golf Mk II was fitted with ABS for the first time and in 1991 the Mk III Golf introduced a collapsible steering column, side impact protection and traction control.
A total of 34 years and 26 million sales after the introduction of the Mk I Golf, the Mk VI continues to set new standards.
Ordering for the new Golf opened on 17 October with prices starting at £13,150 RRP ‘on the road’. The car goes on sale in the UK on 6 January 2009. Today, ABI (Association of British Insurers) insurance group ratings are announced for the new Golf.
Automotive Design Studios Visualize Auto Racing In The Year 2025
24th October 2008 2:00 pm Volkswagen
Today’s race cars have ground-breaking technology to improve speed, power, performance and safety but what a difference 17 years into the future can make. Imagine race cars that go beyond the expectations and challenges of racing today, such as never needing to stop for re-fueling or collision avoidance assistance technology for enhanced safety.
Nine of Southern California’s automotive design studios did just that, predicting how auto racing will change by the year 2025. The designs are part of the fifth annual Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge, where studios including Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen are pitted against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design.
“Automotive designers have always been fascinated with Motor Sports and this year’s Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talent to look at these cars with new eyes, using innovative technologies and approaches,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “This adds to the excitement, interest and personal involvement in the sport that has thrilled people of all ages for many years…and many more years to come.”
Entries in this year’s Motor Sports 2025 Design Challenge include:
• Audi of America Design Center California: The Audi R25 incorporates innovative features such as high-velocity banks and tunnels, which allow cars to race “inverted” and the opportunity to pass anywhere with aerodynamic racecars.
• BMW Group DesignworksUSA: The BMW Hydrogen Powered Salt Flat Racer reuses existing, ordinary and mundane materials such as old oil barrels and BBQ lids to whimsical and sustainable by employing goldfish as “co-pilots” to ensure that the vehicle is running clean emissions.
• General Motors Advanced Design: The GM Chaparral Volt collects and generates its own energy from three different clean, renewable and abundant California resources: Earth, Wind and Fire to create an entirely new category of racing - the eco-triathlon.
• Honda Research and Development, North America: The Great Race 2025’s sonar/echolocation sensors are able to detect changes in speed, terrain, and altitude, allowing it to switch to any configuration to circumnavigate the globe in 24 hours on land through the U.S., by sea through Asia and by air over Europe.
• Mazda R&D of North America: The MAZDA KAAN is an electric race car that has a patented electronic tire system to reach 250 mph with no harmful emissions. The vehicles are piloted by individual drivers but teams are made up of thirty cars, all on the track together.
• Mitsubishi Research & Design of North America: The MMR25’s multi-terrain, omnidirectional wheels consist of eight independently-controlled motors, allowing for “8 x 4” wheel drive so that the car can be driven forward while pointing in any direction.
• Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America: Luxury racing arrives in the Formula Zero Racer by incorporating the thrill of Formula One, the track dynamics of the bobsled or luge, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.
• Toyota’s Calty Design Research: The Toyota Le Mans Racer is the ultimate race car that never needs to stop. Powered by highly efficient hydrogen fuel cell electric motors, each of its body panels is embedded with photovoltaic panels to supply electricity when extra energy is needed.
• Volkswagen of America Design Center: In the Bio Runner, the rider is positioned inside a protective cage on a motorcycle-like saddle with controls attached to the hands and feet. These controls manipulate all wheels via synthetic muscle-based suspension which offers unparalleled control and traction.
Entries will be judged by Tom Matano of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, Imre Molner of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and Stewart Reed of Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design. Daniel Simon, an established car designer and founder of Cosmic Motors, is the special guest judge this year. Simon began his design career at Volkswagen and recently published his first book: Cosmic Motors-Spaceships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy.
The winning design will be announced at the Design Los Angeles conference Nov. 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
About the Design Challenge
The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Entering its fifth year, Design Los Angeles provides designers with leading design speakers and the opportunity to address common issues. More than 500 designers attended last year’s event.
New round of Golf begins as the latest model opens for ordering
20th October 2008 2:00 pm Volkswagen
Prices have been announced for the sixth-generation Golf model, and customers can now place an order for the new car in a Volkswagen Retailer ahead of the cars arriving in the UK in January.
Prices start from £13,150 ‘on the road’ RRP for the entry-level S three-door model with a 1.4-litre 80 PS engine, rising to £20,980 for the range-topping GT TDI five-door with 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS and six-speed DSG gearbox.
The new Golf is available in three trim levels – S, SE and GT – and all boast a high level of standard specification. S has, among a number of features, ABS and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), seven airbags (including a new driver’s knee airbag), remote central locking, Climatic air conditioning, CD/radio, plus body-coloured bumpers, door handles and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors.
Moving to SE trim adds an uprated stereo with eight speakers and an MDI (multi-device interface) for connection to external multimedia sources such as an iPod,
16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and coming/leaving home lighting function as well as rain and dusk sensors. At the top of the range, GT buyers will benefit from sports suspension (lowered by around 15 mm), sports seats with Alcantara trim, front fog lights and a multifunction steering wheel plus 17-inch alloys.
Under the bonnet, customers have a choice of four petrol and two diesel engines. Petrol units are a 1.4-litre 80 PS or 1.6-litre 102 PS, plus 1.4-litre TSI powerplants with 122 or 160 PS. The 2.0-litre common rail diesels offer power outputs of 110 or 140 PS.
A number of options are available on the Golf for the first time, including Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), which allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey. ParkAssist, which takes over steering inputs to make parallel parking manoeuvres easy, is also available as an option.
Instantly apparent in the new Golf is a sharply defined look that draws on the design direction established by the Scirocco. What can’t be seen are the changes that have gone into making this car the most refined Golf yet. These include advances made in reducing wind noise, a completely new design of door and window seals, a new damping film that supports the windscreen and a new engine mounting system.
Inside, the adoption of materials and equipment usually associated with a vehicle in a higher class give a high-quality feel, enhanced by new soft-touch plastics and tasteful aluminium and chrome highlights.
Few cars have a history like that of the Volkswagen Golf, yet with global sales now topping 26 million, and in its sixth generation, the latest Golf continues to offer buyers a car that sets benchmarks in quality, style, safety and refinement.
Volkswagen BlueMotion: Now with the option of seven seats
16th October 2008 1:00 pm Volkswagen
 Volkswagen BlueMotion: Now with the option of seven seats Volkswagen’s BlueMotion range of vehicles has expanded with the addition of the Touran and Sharan people carriers – which are among the most efficient seven-seater vehicles on the market.
BlueMotion represents the most efficient model in each of Volkswagen’s passenger car ranges and combines a series of small changes to the vehicle’s body, drivetrain, engine and even the tyres in order to reduce strain on the engine and, in turn, reduce emissions and increase economy.
Both vehicles feature subtly redesigned grille elements with the air ducts redirected to allow the usual airdams to be blanked-off and allow for smoother airflow over the front of the vehicle. The ride height is also lowered to reduce drag. Other visual and practical changes include the adoption of hard compound tyres to decrease rolling resistance and the addition of small BlueMotion badges on the grille and tailgate.
A revised gearbox with lengthened ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears is linked to a highly efficient 1.9-litre, four-cylinder 105 PS engine fitted with a new variable turbocharger to further increase efficiency in the Touran and a 2.0-litre 140 PS TDI in the Sharan. An oxidation catalyst and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) are also added to reduce oxides of nitrogen and carbon particles to almost zero.
The result is a combined fuel economy figure of 52.3 mpg for the Touran BlueMotion and 47.1 mpg for the Sharan BlueMotion. Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced to 144 g/km for the Touran and 159 g/km for the Sharan.
As with the conventional Touran or Sharan the BlueMotion vehicles feature seven individual seats, the rearmost of which on the Touran can be folded flat into the boot floor. Despite the keen focus on economy both vehicles retain a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including six airbags, ABS, a CD stereo and air conditioning.
Both vehicles are now on sale with prices starting at £16,725 for the Touran and £21,290 RRP on the road for the Sharan BlueMotion.
Touran and Sharan BlueMotion pricing
Model Combined economy, mpg CO2, g/km RRP OTR
Touran BlueMotion S 52.3 144 £16,725
Touran BlueMotion SE 52.3 144 £18,800
Sharan BlueMotion S 47.1 159 £21,290
Pete Townshend changes iconic Volkswagen camper van for a Transporter Sportline
13th October 2008 12:00 pm Volkswagen
Pete Townshend, mastermind of The Who, has swapped his classic camper van for a stylish, new Volkswagen Transporter Sportline. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles now owns his old camper van and will be displaying it at a variety of shows and events.
‘I was really sad to say goodbye to our camper van as my partner Rachel and I had good times in it, but the Volkswagen Transporter I’m driving now is much better to drive, modern and much faster’, Pete Townshend confessed.
‘I am using it to transport guitars and keyboards to and from my new creative studio, an hour’s drive from home. Sometimes I take my entire pack of six dogs too. The journey is always pleasant. This is a superb sports van with excellent economy. But, watch out, if you put your foot down this thing flies!’ he added.
The distinctive styling of the Volkswagen Transporter Sportline includes 18 inch alloy wheels, lowered suspension, chrome side rails, rear roof spoiler, body-coloured bumpers, chrome upper and lower grilles above a lower front spoiler, and leather upholstery. It also has a 2.5-litre TDI engine producing 174 PS which can sprint to 62 mph in 12.2 seconds.
The Who and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have been project partners since the band performed at a special weekend event, hosted by Volkswagen in Hanover last year to celebrate 60 years of the iconic Transporter van.
For example, as a result of Roger Daltrey MBE being patron of British charity Teenage Cancer Trust, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles donated a 1965 ‘split-screen’ Transporter van with a unique The Who ‘Magic Bus’ livery designed by The Who’s art director, Richard Evans, for a worldwide raffle which raised over £32,000.
‘We really like working with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, as we all grew up with their vans – that’s what gives authenticity to the cooperation. And we all still like today’s Volkswagen models as well,” said Pete Townshend, who also drives a Volkswagen Lupo.
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