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2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Volkswagen’s all new Jetta model was launched at a live event in New York’s Times Square this morning. Following yesterday’s leaked photos there were no real surprises revealed.

The Jetta draws heavily on styling cues from the New Compact Coupé, first shown in January this year. With a better and closer look at the production model we can see the front and rear grille treatments are less aggressive than the show car. As a result the look is more restrained, or, judging by some of yesterday’s comments, a little bit boring.

Sure, the chrome detailing in the grille is a little busy. Also, the main headlight cluster is not quite as special as the show car. (Perhaps that look is being saved for xenon equipped models featuring LED daytime running lights?) But I wouldn’t call the design of the new Jetta boring. Safe, perhaps.

Overall, though, the Jetta is largely faithful to the concept model and its sharp crease lines and pleasing side profile present the market with a new model that is just that. A new Volkswagen. Indeed, the press release available below states, “the new Jetta will no longer be sharing any body components with the Golf, rather it will be a vehicle type that is just as independent as a CC or a Tiguan.”

One disappointment does lie in the new Jetta’s steering wheel. It’s a three spoke design, familiar to the Volkswagen range, but just one of the upper spokes houses steering wheel controls. Higher spec models may well have controls on both sides, but the result on the images released today looks unfinished and cheap. A slight dampener on an otherwise smart looking car.

Volkswagen Australia have confirmed the new Jetta will be on sale in Australia in 2011. As to a specific date – our educated guess would suggest local availability around 12 months from now.

There’s another 10 photos available below, along with the full European press release detailing engine choices on offer at initial launch. At the end of the article a selection of new Jetta and New Compact Coupé pics are placed side by side for comparative purposes.

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New Volkswagen Jetta images revealed

New Volkswagen Jetta

Images of the new Volkswagen Jetta have appeared on the Auto Express website ahead of the official launch. Previous versions of the Jetta (also known as the Bora during the late 90s-early 2000s) have been Golfs with a boot somewhat crudely stuck on the back. This new model, though, as you can see, has been given a bit more loving from the Volkswagen design department.

The Jetta has been heavily inspired by the New Compact Coupé, which is a good thing, because that show car revealed in Detroit earlier this year is a fine looking motor car. Overall, the length of the new design has increased by 90mm which affords greater interior room, but also allows the exterior design to be a more cohesive result.

Economical engine choices are the order of the day, at initial launch anyway. A frugal 1.2 litre petrol engine kicks off the range and is joined by two more petrol units, as well as two diesel engines.

With any luck the chums down at Volkswagen R GmbH might have a bit of a fiddle about the Volkswagen Group parts bin. I think most readers here have the required imagination to start thinking Haldex IV all-wheel drive, coupled with over 250 of Volkswagen finest horsepowers.

Official details of the Jetta will be posted as they come to hand.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Volkswagen Golf R – Detailed Australian press release

Volkswagen Golf R

The new Volkswagen Golf R is being rolled out across Australian dealerships this weekend. The thirst for more information on the car is high. While pricing and specifications have been announced that may not be enough for some R fans. After the jump you can read the full and detailed press release for the Golf R sent out by Volkswagen Australia.

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Volkswagen Golf R – Australian specs & pricing

Volkswagen Golf R

Official pricing and specifications for the 188kW Golf R have now been released by Volkswagen. These confirm most of the things we already knew, or suspected were correct.

This includes the leaked list pricing which emerged earlier this week: three door manual $48,490; three door DSG $50,990; five door manual $49,990 and five door DSG $52,490. That is very good pricing indeed and we expect Volkswagen Australia will sell a lot of these cars.

To put these prices into perspective the cheapest Audi S3 available in Australia, a three door manual, has a list price of $68,000. There are some equipment differences in standard spec between the two cars, but nowhere near enough to equate for the almost $20,000 premium asked for by Audi. Especially when you consider the cars share essentially the same chassis, engine and all-wheel drive systems. In the UK, for example, the Golf R is actually priced higher than the S3. This not only proves that comparing prices with other countries can be a worthless exercise, but it puts into context what a performance bargain the Golf R has become in Australia.

Rather than go over the finer details again, just go straight to the press release after the jump. Technical specs can also be downloaded below.

All you need to do now is work what colour you want. Your choices are Candy White, Reflex Silver metallic (pictured), United Grey metallic, Rising Blue metallic (AUSmotive’s tip) and Deep Black pearl effect. More pics of the Golf R can be viewed here.

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Volkswagen Golf GTD – Australian specs & pricing

VW Golf GTD

Volkswagen Australian have just announced official details for the Golf GTD. These confirm the car’s status as a “diesel GTI” with its body kit, interior and suspension all heavily influenced by the highly regarded GTI. For the GTD, this also includes 15mm lower suspension and the Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL).

The GTD will only be available in a five door layout in Australia and list pricing starts at $39,290 for the manual and $41,790 for DSG. Both transmissions are six speed.

With 125kW and 350Nm on offer from the common-rail 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine the GTD can accelerate to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Fuel consumption for the manual is rated at 5.5l/100km, while the DSG consumes 5.8l/100km.

In line with the Australian GTI range the GTD is available in the following colours: Candy White, Tornado Red, Reflex Silver metallic, Carbon Steel metallic and Deep Black pearl effect.

More info is available below, including options pricing. Full specifications for the GTD are available for download in this PDF (74kb). For a closer look at the GTD, check out the image gallery posted earlier in the week.

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Volkswagen Jetta – coming soon

VW Jetta - coming soon

Volkswagen US is preparing for a live online launch of the all new Jetta. In real terms this car is simply a Golf sedan. However, while the two cars will share many components, this new Jetta shapes to be Volkswagen’s best attempt in recent years at making a clear difference between the two models.

Back in January the svelte and classy looking New Compact Coupé was released by Volkswagen at the Detroit Auto Show and it is expected this will be the inspiration for the new Jetta. Indeed, US-based Kilometer magazine were quick to prepare a four-door rendering of the NCC, and, it still looks quite sharp with the extra doors thrown in.

The unveiling of the Jetta is scheduled for 11:25am Eastern time (US) Tuesday 15 June. If my calculations are correct that should be 1:25am on Wednesday 16 June on Australia’s eastern seaboard.

[Source: The German Car Blog]

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VW Golf R – Australian pricing leak

Golf R in Tasmania

Unconfirmed Australian pricing for the Volkswagen Golf R has been published on the VWWatercooled forum. And, if you’re in the queue for the latest and hottest performance Golf the news is good. Very good. This is the alleged list pricing:

3 Door Manual – $48,490
3 Door DSG – $50,990
5 Door Manual – $49,990
5 Door DSG – $52,490

Given the previous list pricing of the old R32 (3dr manual $54,990) and the current Audi S3 (3dr manual $66,403 $68,000) – the S3 is the car the new Golf R is largely based on – that’s some very sharp pencils being used by Volkswagen Australia. Although it is worth noting that those Golf R figures do not include any on road or delivery costs.

Basic specification and options pricing for the Golf R emerged on AUSmotive back in March shortly after a three door model was spotted in Fremantle. It now appears the full pricing for the Golf R range is available prior to official launch (summarised below).

The photo above was taken in Tasmania earlier today and forms part of a Golf R and Golf GTD fleet which will be used for the national media launch over the next few days.

[Thanks to Mick & Ben for the tips]

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Volkswagen Golf GTD image gallery

VW Golf GTD

Like the all-paw Golf R the Golf GTD is about to be set free in Australian showrooms (they’ve been here since early May). To help those who are waiting on the “diesel GTI” here’s some pics sourced from the Volkswagen UK press archives. Some details seen in these pics might differ from GTDs sold locally. There are currently no plans to sell a three door version of the GTD in Australia. Apart from that, this is pretty much what we’ll be getting in Australia.

Remember, with the GTD being such a new kid on the block, it is not covered by Volkswagen’s current free on roads promotion which expires at the end of this month. (Thanks to Ben for this tip.)

As for tips, here’s one for our Tasmanian readers. Expect to see a few Golf Rs and GTDs roaming the roads of your state in the next day or two.

UPDATE 9 June: Unconfirmed Australian list pricing for the GTD has surfaced this morning:

6spd manual – $39,290
6spd DSG – $41,790
(5 door only, plus delivery fees and on road costs)

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The wolf is mightier than the elephant

VW Amarock TVC

We know that Amarok is the Inuit word for wolf. But we didn’t know the wolf is mightier than the elephant. At least, that’s what this latest television commercial from Brazil is trying to convince us.

The Amarok is now on sale in South America, but Australians will have to wait until the end of the year before they can get first hand look at the vehicle Volkswagen hopes can break the Toyota Hilux.

After the jump you can see the elephant commercial. There’s also another Amarok ad that reminds you never to give the keys to a an old Spanish looking geezer.

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Volkswagen Golf R ready to make a splash

Volkswagen Golf R

The eagerly awaited Volkswagen Golf R is not far from its official Australian launch. AUSmotive understands it will take place in about two weeks from now.

Further evidence of the Golf R’s imminent release came via email announcing a new Golf R dashboard—it’s fancy RSS reader basically. When you customise yours, make sure you add AUSmotive to your list.

Other news confirming the Golf R is not far away is given in the small print of Volkswagen’s current end of financial year sale. For the Golf and Tigian range VW are currently picking up the tab for all on road costs. Obviously the sale ends on 30 June and the fine print reads, in part, “Promotion excludes Golf Wagon, Golf R & Golf GTD”. So, we’ll definitely be seeing the R and GTD before the end of the month.

Back in March AUSmotive brought you the first pics of a Golf R in Australia after it had docked in Fremantle. Expected specs for the 188kW hot hatch surfaced at the same time. It seems the only thing we don’t know is the price. Although, we’ve been told they will come in under MkV R32 pricing.

For those buyers in waiting, and fans of the R alike, here are 15 new images from the Volkswagen UK press archives. Click on the pics to launch wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images.

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Evo drive the new Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Evo magazine have followed Autocar with their review of new Polo GTI. It’s a bit more promising than Autocar‘s first thoughts, too:

“Here is the best attempt yet at a convincing GTI-badged Polo, a car with its own personality freed from the shadow of the Golf. It looks right for the role, too, with its deep valances, honeycomb grille, red stripes and twin tailpipes, plus a mini-GTI interior treatment.“

The closing line about a manual transmission being a possibility is also very interesting. Although it is worth this directly contradicts an email conversation AUSmotive had with a Volkswagen AG representative last week that stated there is not sufficient space for a manual gearbox to fit in a Polo GTI. However, here at AUSmotive we want to believe a manual Polo GTI will be a reality, so let’s all hold hands and think happy thoughts.

[Source: Evo]

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Volkswagen buys major stake in Italdesign Giugiaro

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1

Any opportunity to post an image of the iconic Mk1 Golf GTI is one AUSmotive will grab with both hands. And news of Volkswagen purchasing a major stake in design house Italdesign Giugiaro has provided that chance.

Of course, Giugiaro penned the very first Golf back in the 1970s. The relationship with the Volkswagen Group continued with models such as the original Passat, Scirocco, Audi 80 and more recently the Volkswagen W12 also being designed by Giugiaro. It goes without saying the Italian styling house has also been responsible for numerous Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Lancias and many more.

After taking control of 90.1% of the Turin-based company Volkswagen Chairman Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn said, “A new era in the strategic partnership between our companies begins today. Italdesign becomes a permanent member of the global Volkswagen family. The company will therefore be making an important contribution to our 2018 global growth strategy.”

More after the break.

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