Category: Volkswagen

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2011 gallery: Volkswagen

Volkswagen at AIMS 2011

Finally, the Scirroco is in Australia. The only model to be offered for sale locally will be the 188kW Scirocco R. Try as we might we couldn’t get a meaningful reply from VW staffers on pricing. We figure high 40s list pricing is where you should be thinking. We can’t wait to drive the new old Scirocco, but after seeing the car at AIMS we have to ask: why Viper Green? It’s a horrible colour.

Also new to the Volkswagen stand were the Touareg, Jetta, Multivan Edition 25 and Caddy 4motion. The new Jetta (due later this year) looks quite a bit nicer than we first thought. It’s never going to set the world alight with its styling, but that’s not its brief anyway. The new Touareg, too, is a pleasing evolution over its predecessor.

We like the look of the Mafiavan Edition 25. The Caddy 4motion is an interesting bit of kit, although it needs some seeing to for its ride height.

The Polo GTI is still a well sorted looking car, if only supply issues weren’t such a drag. The Golf R still looks the business as well. Shame we had to lose the 3dr in order to get the Scirocco R, but sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.

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Audi BMW Lamborghini Mazda Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2011: The stars

AIMS 2011 teaser

Updates from our visit to AIMS last Friday haven’t progressed as well as we had hoped, so to give you a taste of what’s to come here’s a quick teaser of the five cars that stood out the most for us.

1. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics
We’ve covered this car before, when it was first revealed way back in 2009. But seeing it first hand has given us an altogether new appreciation for it. The EffeicientDynamics concept is a genuinely stunning design that we now know previews the forthcoming i8 model. Forget the mechanical aspects of the car for a moment, though, and just appreciate every crease, curve and detail. It’s an astonishingly well made concept and almost makes up for BMW not displaying any other cars. That’s right, no 1M!

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Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf24 photo gallery

Volkswagen Motorsport

The Volkswagen Golf24 will make its 24 hour race debut at the Nürburgring this weekend. It has been created to celebrate the 35th birthday of the GTI. In some ways it’s an odd tribute—with all-wheel drive and a 2.5 litre inline five cylinder engine—it features a drivetrain never seen in a GTI before and one never likely to be seen in the future.

Sure, as a road car the Golf24 would look completely stupid. As a racecar, though, it is pure porn. To celebrate that fact we’ve assembled the best pics available to date from Volkswagen Motorsport. Check them out after the break.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen reminds us the Scirocco R is coming

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Even though we fear the horse has bolted, Volkswagen Australia is keen to remind us the Scirocco R is finally headed for Australia. We brought you this news back in April, but now VW is drip feeding some basic specs prior to the car making its local debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne.

As expected peak power for Australian spec falls in line with the detuned Audi S3 and Golf R engines. Which means the 2.0 litre TSI will boast 188kW (down from the 195kW offered in cooler climates). Maximum torque is 330Nm (down from 350Nm).

Unlike the aforementioned cars the Scirocco R is front-wheel drive only. To help counter any traction issues it will come standard with an Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL) as seen in the Golf GTI. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a worthy addition.

Also welcome is news Adaptive Chassis Control will be a standard feature down under. This enables drivers to choose from three suspension settings; Normal, Comfort and Sport. Given the car will be fitted with 19″ Talladega alloys this should help save unplanned visits to the chiropractor.

Apart from the expected motor show appearance the Scirocco is not planned to launch until 2012. More detail form VW Aus after the break.

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Toyota Volkswagen

VIDEO: Volkswagen Amarok v Toyota Hilux

While work utes are not usually the focus of attention for AUSmotive we have given the new Volkswagen Amarok a bit of air time. With that in mind we thought this video review pitching the Amarok against the undisputed class-leading Toyota Hilux was worth sharing.

It’s a no nonsense comparison produced by the NRMA and they have compared to the highest spec models available, the Amarok Ultimate and Hilux SR5.

Of note is the comment about the Amarok not featuring a low-range all-wheel drive option. This is true for the permanent all-wheel drive models, such as the Ultimate model used in the review, however the switchable 4motion system, available on other models, does include a low-range setting.

[via VWwatercooled]

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Audi BMW Volkswagen

BMW 1 Series side by side against A3 and Golf

BMW 1 Series v Audi A3 v VW Golf

Thanks to BimmerPost who have lined up the new BMW 1 Series hatch against the current Audi A3 and Volkswgaen Golf. It’s worth noting the current 8P A3 was first released in way back in 2003, although, it has been freshened up by a couple of modest facelifts, most recently a couple of years ago. Similarly, the Mk6 Golf was released almost three years ago. Itself a mild development on the Mk5 model first seen in 2003.

The Golf does look the cheaper of the three, as it should. Under the circumstances it must be said the Audi A3 has aged quite gracefully, still holding its place alongside the new generation from Munich.

Audi is due to launch its third generation A3 later this year and the Mk7 Golf is likely to be seen within the next two years. On that basis, should BMW be concerned that their newest model doesn’t seem to be a clear step forward on cars that had their roots laid almost a full decade ago?

[Source: BimmerPost]

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept

At least year’s Wörthersee show Volkswagen revealed the GTI Excessive concept. This year they have made another one, but perhaps pushing against a tight deadline, they didn’t find time to put the roof on. So, we have another Cabriolet concept from Wolfsburg on show.

There’s no press release that we can find to go with this one, but it’s probably safe to assume this is another one-off. The front splitter, which wraps around to the side and continues around the back to complement the angled exhaust tips, seems to work better in the Cabrio version than the hardtop.

We wish we could tell you and show you more about this car, but Volkswagen is not giving much away at this stage. There’s a few extra pics after the break and that’s about it.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

At the 30th Wörthersee GTI meet Volkswagen has followed up its GTI Edition 35 by ripping the top off the Golf R. The all-paw Cabriolet translates its special R styling cues and 199kW drivetrain across to the regular ragtop Golf and, if you’re into open top motoring this looks half decent.

It’s only being described as a concept, so don’t start thinking you can rock on to your VW dealer and order one. But, as with most things, if enough interest is shown then Volkswagen will find a way to build it, we’re sure.

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Audi Porsche Volkswagen

Audi R4 now good 2 go

Audi R4

It’s only a few weeks ago that Auto Motor und Sport theorised the Audi R4 and its Volkswagen Group cousins had been scrapped, or at least, sent to the bottom of the new product queue. However, word is now circulating that the R4 has been given the green light at Ingolstadt. A move which will also rejuvenate the futures of the Volkswagen BlueSport and a new entry-level Porsche. The latter inspired by the 1950s 550 model.

Autocar quotes an uncredited Audi source, “We have not abandoned plans for a roadster along the lines of the E-tron Spyder. We have reached a stage where we are moving forward and are now in the process of progressing the business case further, but it won’t go on sale until after the third-generation TT.”

That indicates a possible launch date of 2014 or 2015. However, the Autocar source did offer a very slight get out clause, before raising hopes, “We have to make sure there is space in the line-up without causing a conflict with existing models. It will definitely happen.”

More detail can be found by following the source link below.

[Source: Autocar]

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Volkswagen

VIDEO: Are you GTI enough?

Volkswagen has just released this quick promo clip to help build momentum for its new Golf GTI Edition 35. What do you think; is a Golf GTI with 173kW really a (hot) girl’s car?

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Motorsports Volkswagen

Wörthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35

Earlier this month Volkswagen gave us a preview of the Golf GTI “Edition 35”—they told us it would have an 18kW power increase on the regular GTI, but they didn’t tell us how that power would be achieved.

Now, we can tell you, the Edition 35 runs a de-tuned 2.0 litre turbo from the Golf R. In short, that means the power gain has been achieved by using a bigger turbo; much like the Mk5 Golf GTI Pirelli.

The new Golf GTI Edition 35, then, has peak numbers of 173kW/300Nm and VW claim it can reach 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. It is now available for order in European markets.

We understand there’s been rumours suggesting a limited run of ED35 models will make their way to Australia, possibly by September. Volkswagen Australia usually keep their cards very close to their chest; if we hear anything sooner we’ll let you know.

UPDATE 1 June: We’ve been in touch with Volkswagen Australia about the ED35; this is what they said, “The GTI 35 edition will be in Australia later this year. We do not have a confirmed date as yet.” Good news for GTI fans!

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Audi BMW Ferrari Fiat Volkswagen

International Engine of the Year Awards 2011

Fiat TwinAir Engine of the Year

The winners of the International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced and its a little engine that could from Fiat that has taken out the top prize. Punching well above its weight the 875cc TwinAir motor has modest power outputs, ranging from 65–105hp. It’s currently not available in Australia, but can be found in the Fiat 500 in overseas markets.

A jury of 76 judges from across the globe voted on the awards and here’s what John Carey, from Wheels magazine, had to say about the TwinAir donk, “This is proof that aggressive downsizing need not spell timid performance. Surprisingly torquey, impressively and affordably efficient, this tiny twin also has plenty of character.”

Not content with overall honours, the Fiat TwinAir also won the Sub 1-litre, Best New Engine and Green Engine categories.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2011

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