Category: Volkswagen

Volkswagen unveiled it’s new Touareg in Munich yesterday. It’s certainly a sharper looking car than the model it replaces, and it’s 200kg lighter, as well. The savings don’t stop there, either, with reductions in fuel consumption of 20% expected.

The launch was dominated by a V6 Hybrid version which offers 280kW and 580Nm of torque, thanks to a 245kW 3.3-litre supercharged V6 and a 35kW electric motor. The full zero-emissions range is a modest 50 kilometres.

The styling is very much of the emerging Volkswagen design language, with cues taken from the new Polo, Golf VI and Compact Coupe. The new Touareg is 40mm longer than the first generation, with the overall length now measuring 4758mm. The SUV’s wheelbase has grown by the same amount to a new figure of 2900mm. The sportier more taught look is helped by the car’s height dropping by 20mm to 1724mm. However, the width is unchanged at 1928mm.

European sales of the new Touareg will commence in the next few months. The exact date of arrival in Australia is uncertain at this stage. Although we do know the Touareg will arrive some time in 2011. Those wanting the the Hybrid version will be disappointed as Volkswagen Australia don’t believe there is a strong enough case for that model to bring the model down under. You’ll have to make to with regular petrol or diesel options.

Volkswagen describes the new Touareg as the most “technically innovative” model it has ever produced. That’s some claim, best read the press blurb after the jump to see what all the fuss is about.

We know the Golf R is coming to Australia, and we know it should be hear by the middle of 2010. What we don’t know is how much customers should expect to pay for what is essentially an Audi S3 in Volkswagen clothing. Signs from the UK are not good, with the Golf R costing around £2000 more than the S3.

However, it would appear that will not be the case in Australia with the Golf R looking like it will enter the local market quite a few thousand dollars cheaper than the S3. Speaking about the new Golf R to carsales.com.au, Karl Gehling, General Manager Press and PR for Volkswagen Australia, said, “It’s going to be priced between the current R32 and the GTI.”

So we can expect some very sharp pricing for the Golf R, then. Happy days. The outgoing R32 had a starting list price of $57,990. Entry level pricing (including GST and LCT) for the Audi S3 is $66,500. While Gehling states the Golf R will hit the market priced between the old R32 and the current GTI (around $40K, depending on configuration) one would assume the final price will be much closer to the R32 than the GTI. Still, even at a starting price of $57,990 the Golf R represents cracking value.

Also revealed by Gehling was a sneak preview of the Golf R’s local specification. In order to keep Golf R pricing so sharp items such as leather sports seats, Adaptive Chassis Control, 19” alloys (shown in the image above) and more will remain on the options list.

[Source: carsales.com.au | Thanks to Dmitry for the tip]

Following their review of the new Golf GTI last year, British e-mag iMOTOR is now showing off in the new Golf R. In a brief written review they claim “the Golf R is brilliant. In fact, it’s the most exciting production Volkswagen ever.”

Although, the kick in the guts for the Golf R in the UK market is its pricing. For £2000 less than the asking price of the R you can get an Audi S3. That’s over $3500 is Australian terms. Nothing has been confirmed for local pricing, but educated speculation sees the Golf R hitting showrooms with a sub $60K sticker price. This would be almost $5000 less than entry level S3 pricing. I guess we shall have to wait and see, suffice to say, pricing the Golf R higher than the equivalent Audi would be a fast way to intensify sibling rivalry in the Australian market.

Anyway, back to the iMOTOR gig, in their video footage they compare the Golf R to the Ford Focus RS. While it seems clear the RS is going to win in the raw thrills stakes it is the Volkswagen’s ability to, once again, be the better all-rounder that will be its greatest selling point. Shame the mini-test was held on snow covered tarmac, but it does give a very graphic comparison of the R’s 4motion all-wheel drive system.

So, what are you waiting for, click on the image above to load the iMOTOR review now.

For an alternate view, check out Autocar’s thoughts. They ran the Golf R against the Ford as well as the Renaultsport Megane 250. Again, they reckon the Golf R’s strength lies in its versatility. But they also had this to say, “the Ford and Renault are singing from an entirely different hymn sheet. They are designed to intentionally singe your fingers from time to time and be much more exciting company as a result.”

Several motoring blogs are reporting the news that Volkswagen will launch a new and separate performance division at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It is understood the company will be titled simply ‘R GmbH’, following in the footsteps of the family’s similar Audi performance branch Quattro GmbH.

R GmbH will be responsible for building performance models with less compromise than can be afforded under the Volkswagen umbrella.

One quote currently doing the rounds allegedly confirming this news stems from Inside Line, who claim a Volkswagen exec told them this, “BMW has its M, Mercedes has AMG, and our sibling Audi has Quattro. This new R division will be our Quattro.”

It is also being suggested that Volkswagen will release a Jetta R, based on the Compact Coupé. If true, this will make the third model to boast ‘R’ bragging rights, joining the Golf R and Scirocco R.

Presumably the existence of R GmbH would indicate a succession of ‘R’ models to follow, including the likes of Passat, Polo, Touareg and more. Sounds good to me.

Volkswagen have taken to the hills of Austria with their eagerly anticipated 199kW all-wheel drive Golf R. Providing music to the ears of Australian fans of this car, we know the new R will be coming, but we don’t know when. Depending on who you ask, the estimated time of arrival varies from as soon April-May, to as far away as October. My educated guess, based on comments from VW Australia’s MD,  is we will see the Golf R down under somewhere around the middle of the year. To cover my bases a bit, let’s allow a couple of months either way.

As for Australian pricing of the Golf R, again, speculation is rife. Some people reckon the car will be in the low $50K range. Frankly, I think that is overly optimistic. If I was planning to buy a Golf R I’d be budgeting on a starting price for a 3-door manual around the $56-59K range, with on-roads and options to be added.

One thing is sure, when Volkswagen Australia lets us know the real deal, you will be able to read all about it here on AUSmotive. Speaking of reading all about it, after the jump is a mega-press release from Volkswagen AG, as well as a dozen or so new images. If you want this car it might be a sound idea to bookmark this URL as the info provided will serve as a great reference point while you’re waiting for your new pride and joy to arrive.