Category: Volkswagen

Volkswagen are playing sneaky by testing the Scirocco R20T at the Nürburgring so close to the upcoming 24 hour race (21-24 May). They want us to think this car is part of the race program. However, with the power of the internet on our side we won’t be fooled by this quasi racecar look. The lack of roll cage and tweaked body kit indicate that this is likely to be a test mule for the über road going Scirocco.

Other giveaways include the larger rear hatch spoiler, tweaked lower rear bumper, featuring a new twin exhaust setup, and the racecar like front air dam. Would be nice if those wheels from the race team made it tofinal production too.

Of course, this also means the drivetrain for the über GTI is getting a run, seeing as it is highly likely both cars will be pretty close to identical under the skin.

Depending on who you believe power should be around the 200-220kW region and full public debuts are expected in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Respected mag evo recently filed a review on the new Mk6 Golf GTI. Reviewer Henry Catchpole almost didn’t like it, “as I link one fourth-gear left-hander with another fourth-gear right-hander there just aren’t any fireworks making me go ‘ooh’ or ‘ahh’. Then we reach The Corner…”

For their take read the review in full, which also includes some neat stuff about Wolfsburg and the Autostadt as well.

[Source: evo | Thanks to Simon for the tip]

After having hopes raised last month, it seems the Volkswagen Scirocco is not on the cards for Australian customers after all.

Continuing the on again, off again saga is an article on The Motor Report quoting VW Aus marketing boss Karl Gehling, “We like the car but cannot bring it here. We are still looking at it but have no plans to release it in Australia.”

Could it be? Internet scuttlebutt has surfaced recently suggesting the gorgeous Volkswagen Scirocco could be closer to Australian reality than first thought.

To date we’ve been lead to believe it’s too hard, the price isn’t right, Volkswagen Germany doesn’t want to play ball. Or that maybe the only way to get the Scirocco down under is the über R20T version, based on the Studie R. Perhaps you could import one yourself from New Zealand. The United States have lucked out.

But, now, thanks to a few simple words on the pistonheads forum, Australian readers have been given renewed hope. According to this post the Scirocco is undergoing local evaluation and could be in Australia later this year, or possibly 2010. The demand appears to exist for the car. Even as far back as May last year AUSmotive readers were in full support of the Scirocco landing on our shores. Go on Volkswagen Australia … you know it makes sense!

A selection of images follows below, just to help keep that Scirocco dream alive.

[Source: pistonheads.com]

UK pricing for the hot diesel-powered Golf GTD will start at £21,850, for a manual equipped 3 door, and £22,345 for the 5 door model. Those with a preference for the 6-speed DSG will need to dip into their piggy bank for a further £1305.

The car is due for delivery on 22 June and pre-orders can be placed with UK dealers now.

The 2.0 common-rail TDI produces 170PS (125kW) and 350Nm of torque. And, it’s a case of useable power not coming at the expense of the hip pocket, as the theoretical range from a tank of diesel is 640 miles (1030km).

The GTD is a Golf GTI in all but name, and engine configuration, of course. It comes with similarly styled body kit and interior. The tartan seat fabric has been toned down a smidge, but the flat bottom wheel remains.

AUSmotive has spoken with a Volkswagen Australia representative and the GTD is yet to be confirmed for local delivery. VW Aus are excited by the car and are working on securing the GTD for Australian release. Stay tuned for more news as it comes to hand.

Swedish all-wheel drive manufacturer Haldex has secured an AU$740M contract to supply AWD components for Volkswagen’s new modular platform concept due in 2012. Essentially this will mark the production of the fifth-generation of the Haldex system.

This extension of the partnership with the Volkswagen Group marks the largest agreement for Haldex and as you can imagine they’re pretty chuffed about the news.

“It is a success for Haldex that VW has named Haldex as its choice of long-term partner in connection with VW’s plans to expand its four-wheel drive offering”, says Joakim Olsson, President and CEO of Haldex. “The order from VW must be viewed in the light of Haldex’s leadership in terms of function, performance and competitiveness in the market for four-wheel-drive systems that match ever-stronger demand trends in respect of safety, low energy consumption and costs.”

Haldex has a strong history with Volkswagen which has employed Generation I, II and IV Haldex systems across the Volkswagen Group portfolio, which includes Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bugatti and Lamborghini.

The full press statement from Haldex is available below.