Category: Volkswagen

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Volkswagen

First Volkswagen Scirocco R arrives in Australia

Volkswagen Scirocco R

Back in March AUSmotive exclusively revealed news that the Volkswagen Scirocco could be imported to Australia under Federal Government’s Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme. Under the conditions of the limited approval only two models of Scirocco are eligible, the top of the range Scirocco R and the Scirocco 2.0T.

As the image above shows the first Scirocco R to be imported to Australia under this scheme has now arrived in Sydney. The car was shown at an invitation only preview this morning at Scuderia Imports in conjunction with City Performance Centre.

AUSmotive could not be there but thanks to readers Eddie and Nathan we can bring you these pics. The Scirocco is a fantastic looking car and one has to question why Volkswagen Australia continues to sit on its hands in regards to official imports of this model.

As to the future of this first Australian Scirocco R, AUSmotive understands the owner has big plans for the car. Once it’s ready to go, expect to hear about it—it should be very special and definitely unique.

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Audi Volkswagen

Volkswagen says, “No Polo R for you!”

No Polo R for you

Just last week motorauthority.com brought us this Polo R rendering. It looks great, too. Speculation of a new hot Polo from R GmbH had been building for some time. However, according to a new report plans for a Polo R have been shelved, if they ever existed.

Talk of a 160kW Polo R certainly sounded enticing. However, Dr Ernst Linder, Polo’s technical boss, poured cold water over that idea, “I would say there have been some ideas about, but more in the press than the company itself because we have our GTI and within our company Audi has an S1.”

Linder also reckons 160kW is unlikely from the 1.4-litre twincharged engine that he says will power the Audi S1, “I think with the 136kW in the Audi S1 I think the engine is reaching the borderline. I think you could get some more out of it but I don’t think anymore than 10 or 20kW.”

Hmm, so Linder has spilled the beans on the power output of the S1, at 136kW it’s a modest increase on the 132kW found in the Polo GTI. Has he told us anything else? Well, as it happens he might have. There has been a lot of guesswork in regards to the drivetrain for the S1. An Audi bestowed with an “S” badge must have quattro, right?

“If we put much more horsepower in the [Polo], we need something like four-wheel-drive. This is a technical feature that is very expensive,” said Linder. Sure, that’s not a definitive answer to the direction Audi will take, but it does tend to confirm the thoughts of those who say the S1 will be front-wheel drive only.

After all that Linder did deliver some good news for those who like a few more herbs to go with their Volkswagens. There will be a Jetta R, although he didn’t give anything away on that one. The next Jetta is still around 12 months away, so an R model could be even longer. Given the front-wheel drive Scirocco R and all-wheel drive Golf R use what is essentially the same EA113 2.0 litre turbo it wouldn’t be a long stretch to expect the same engine to arrive in the Jetta R.

AUSmotive’s educated guess is the Jetta R would be powered by the front wheels only. The Scirocco R seems to handle this task with some degree of competence and a 4motion system would rob the Jetta R of valuable boot space.

[Source: drive.com.au]

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Volkswagen

Autocar drive the new Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

UK mag Autocar are one of the first folks to get their hands on the new Polo GTI. With 132kW, a super-quick 7-speed DSG and a sub 1200kg kerb weight the baby GTI has the specs to provide one hell of a ride. But does it?

This paragraph from the Autocar review sums up their thoughts:

“The Polo will only ever partly allow disengagement of its stability control and even on the road it’s easy to trouble it. The GTI rolls a bit, grips, reaches its limit, the tyres squeal so you know about it, the body is a bit unsettled, an ESP light flashes, then you just sit it out until the corner ends and you head off again. Competent, but very sterile.”

Hmm, that’s not what we want to hear. AUSmotive will reserve judgement until it drives the Polo GTI, but the level of anticipation has been dulled a little.

You can check out the video review after the jump, or read the text version by following the link below.

[Source: Autocar]

UPDATE 26 May: A new report has been filed by Evo magazine. It’s a bit more promising, too, especially the closing line about a manual transmission. 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.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee: Volkswagen Golf GTI Excessive

Golf GTI Excessive

In addition to the adidas limited edition, Volkswagen has also presented this Golf GTI “Excessive” to the fans at the Wörthersee show in Austria. It looks like Volkswagen has dusted off last year’s Wörthersee 09 Concept and bolted on a few shiny plastic bits.

There’s an increased track, set off nicely by BBS alloy wheels and a big brake kit. The aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser look the part, but those wheel arches and side skirts are pushing a few unwelcome boundaries.

Volkswagen are leaving the door open to these parts being made available over the counter of your local dealership. They say if the fans show enough support at Wörthersee then they could put the kit into production.

More after the break.

UPDATE: Volkswagen UK press release added below. This tells us the Excessive has modest increases in power and torque, among other things.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Wörthersee: Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas

Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas

The Wörthersee show is underway and as previously reported Volkswagen have revealed a special edition Golf GTI adidas model.

Essentially VW have taken a regular Mk6 GTI and given it some unique 18″ Serron alloy wheels, a tiny adidas badge on the door-frame and some adidas trim on the seats. The seats might sound a bit garish, but they’re not too bad. The GTI adidas also boasts bi-xenon headlights and LED rear tails as standard equipment.

Available as a three door model only the adidas will go on sale in Europe in June. It is understood there will be 4410 adidas models. According to The Motor Report a few may even make it to Australia. Nothing official on that front from Volkswagen Australia just yet, though. You’ll read about here if it does get confirmed.

More from Volkswagen after the break.

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Volkswagen

Seven news

Volkswagen Golg VII

This animated GIF gives you a look at the latest Volkswagen Golf VII rendering. Produced by Auto Express there is a likely to be a reasonable amount of guesswork taken, but it’s probably in the ballpark of what the next Golf will look like.

Styling cues, for the exterior lighting in particular, are heavily influenced by the New Compact Coupé shown at Detroit early this year. Indeed the entire front end of this rendering is greatly inspired by that concept model.

While the reign of the current Golf VI is likely to be one of the shortest in Golf history, we’re still probably around two years away from seeing the Mk7, and its all new platform, in European dealerships. Introduction of the Golf VII could even stretch into 2013, we’ll have to wait and see.

Once the new Golf is released we’ll be able to listen to Volkswagen thump their chests about their newest range of efficient small capacity turbocharged engines and plenty of other new technologies, too. The Golf is clearly Volkswagen’s most important mode line. They won’t get it wrong.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

UPDATE 14 May: A new pic from Wörthersee has been added below. It shows the new Polo GTI wearing 18″ Detroit alloy wheels.

Volkswagen have published a new press release ahead of the European sales launch of its new Polo GTI. There’s nothing really new in there from the info released prior to the Geneva Motor Show. There is some extra eye candy, though, in the form of new photos in Volkswagen’s familiar Tornado Red colour. These complement the Candy White images from the Geneva info quite nicely.

Basic specs of the Polo GTI are listed below, with more detail given after the jump in the official release.

New Polo GTI

  • Engine: 1.4 litre TSI (twincharged)
  • Power/torque: 132kW/250Nm*
  • Transmission: 7-speed DSG
  • Kerb weight: 1194kg*
  • 0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds
  • Top speed: 229km/h
  • Fuel consumption: 5.9l/100km
  • CO2 emissions: 139g/km
  • Wheels: 7×17” Denver alloys, fitted with 215/40 tyres
  • Optional equipment includes: bi-xenon headlights with cornering feature, LED daytime running lights, panoramic sunroof

*The torque figure is not listed in the information below, but is available in this Technical Data PDF (64kb). Kerb weight has also increased by 10kg over previously released information.

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Volkswagen

VIDEO: Volkswagen Golf R – Manual v DSG

VW Golf R

Word on the street is the new Volkswagen Golf R will be launched in mid-June. While Australian specs have emerged, there’s still nothing concrete on pricing, other than a hint at an entry level list price of mid-50s.

Should you get the manual or DSG transmission to go with your 188kW/330Nm and trick Haldex all-wheel drive system? I guess it all depends on just how important traffic light grands prix are to you, as opposed to the feeling of having control at all times.

If you’re undecided as to which way to go, below you can see a pretty rudimentary comparison below thanks to Autocar. It’s a bit crude, but the results on the 0-100km/h test are conclusive.

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Volkswagen

New Volkswagen Polo – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Polo

The new Volkswagen Polo—current European and World Car of the Year—has just been released to the Australian market. List pricing starts at $16,690 for the entry level Trendline, fitted with a 63kW 1.4 litre engine. Sitting in the middle of the range is the 77TSI Comfortline featuring a 1.2 litre turbocharged engine producing 77kW. Its list pricing begins at $19,850. Topping the current Australian range is the 66TDI Comfortline model, which starts at $22,350. The Comfortline models are available with a five-door body only, while the Trendline is a three-door only.

Larger and and safer than the previous model the new Polo can be bought with either manual or 7-speed DSG transmissions. The manual is a 6-speed on the 77TSI, while the Trendline and 66TDI come with a 5-speed manual. Those wishing to go for the excellent DSG box will need to add a further $2500 to the list pricing given above.

All models are fitted with ESP technology and the Polo has been awarded a five-star crash rating under the new tougher EuroNCAP testing regime. This rating has been honoured by the Australian authority, ANCAP, as well.

Overall the new Polo represents a forward step over the model it replaces. This is immediately noticeable with the Polo’s interior, which now has a quality feel more comparable with its larger Golf sibling.

I suspect a lot of readers will have their eye on the new Polo GTI and its 132kW twin-charged 1.4-litre engine. With a confirmed kerb weight below 1200kg this should be one feisty pocket rocket indeed. Volkswagen Australia have confirmed the Polo GTI will be on sale before the end of 2010.

A full list of specifications and pricing for the current Polo range is available below, along with a few extra goodies.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Golf GTI adidas coming to Wörthersee

Golf GTI adidas

Volkswagen will be showing two new special Golf GTI models at the annual Wörthersee Tour in Austria. The first will be known as the Golf GTI adidas and will feature a number of cosmetic tweaks, including unique alloy wheels and adidas styled interior trim.

Also included in its list of standard equipment will be bi-xenon headlights and LED rear tail lights. It’s unlikely that any right hand drive models will be made and a limited run of 4410 will go on sale in Europe later this year. At this stage that’s pretty much all we can tell you. There’s only the one image you see above. Expect more from Wörthersee soon, then.

The next model, the Golf GTI Excessive, has even less info available. There’s no pictures at all. And apart from telling you the car is likely to have a number of modifications, including an extreme body kit I can’t really say much else, except keep an eye out for details. Also expected on the Excessive is uprated suspension, brakes and exhaust.

[via World Car Fans]

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Volkswagen

Golf GTD spotted in Sydney

VW Golf GTD spotted in Sydney

Thanks to AUSmotive reader Ben for sending in these pics of a Tornado Red Golf GTD he first sighted on Sydney’s M4 last night.

Ben’s handiwork confirms first and foremost that eager buyers, and there will be a few, don’t have too long to wait until they can get their hands on what is effectively a diesel powered Golf GTI. Latest speculation from November last year suggested the GTD would be on sale in Australia before the end of 2009. That didn’t ever sound quite right to me. A mid 2010 launch always seemed more likely. It now appears that this will be the case.

The Golf GTD is powered by a 125kW 2.0 TDI engine and its chassis components are pretty much taken straight from Volkswagen’s hot selling all-rounder, the Golf GTI. The GTD’s body kit is also sourced from the GTI, with the only major difference being chrome detail on the front grille, replacing the red of the GTI.

Volkswagen’s diesel hot hatch can reach 100km/h in 8.1 seconds, but its real party trick is its in gear acceleration. Thanks to the 350nM of torque on offer the GTD will have masses of pick up once moving. The torque rating is actually 20Nm more than the soon to be released VW hot hatch hero, the Golf R.

Speaking of the Golf R, AUSmotive understands the Australian launch will take place well before the end of June. Will the GTD be launched around the same time?

UPDATE 9 May: More pics can be seen at the VWwatercooled forum.

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Drive Thru Volkswagen

Drive Thru: Volkswagen Passat R36

VW Passat R36

The Volkswagen Passat R36 has been around for a while now. After a recent drive, though, I learned the R36 still remains a worthwhile option for those who crave performance from their family car.

Its mid-60s asking price makes it something of a performance bargain in the Volkswagen range. Although, compared to some rivals, the R36 does ask a premium.

Given its R badge, VW reckon this car has some go. And they’re right, too. The R36 is the fastest car Volkswagen currently sells in Australia. You’ll need just 5.6 seconds to propel the sedan to 100km/h, with a further 0.2 seconds in the wagon. At well over 1700kg this is no mean feat, but possible thanks to a 4motion all-wheel drive system and a sublime six-speed DSG transmission, which is mated to one of the most charming engines on the market.

The R36 is powered by a narrow angle 3.6 litre V6 offering 220kW. That’s around 300 horsepower in the old money. It’s an engine that can trace its roots back the Golf VR6 from the 1990s. And the R36 represents the last chance you have to enjoy its delights before Euro V emissions consign it to the history books. A fate that has already claimed the Golf R32.

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