Category: Volkswagen

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Volkswagen

Spotted: Volkswagen Mk6 Golf GTI 5 door

Volkswagen Golf VI GTI at the Autostadt

WorldCarFans has images of what they claim to be a production ready 5-door Mk6 Golf GTI. The images of this GTI were captured in the exit room of the Volkswagen pavilion at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg. Previously, the new GTI has only been seen in “concept” form when it was revealed at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

It looks like Volkswagen has taken a similar path with the Mk6 GTI as they did with the Mk5 with the concept model and production model virtually identical. Assuming, of course, this is a production model that has been captured. As noted in the WorldCarFans article, the only immediate difference noticeable are slightly less dramatic lower door panels. Although, depending on the angle and lighting, it could be argued that this detail hasn’t changed at all.

All will be revealed in time, of course, and perhaps that time might be just around the corner with the Geneva Motor Show starting in just over one month.

There’s a few more images on WCF, so don’t forget to follow the link below to check them out.

Source: WorldCarFans via VWvortex

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News Volkswagen

Welcome to the real world

Late last year Volkswagen UK released a new ad (shown above) to promote the upcoming Golf VI. Called The Fight, the ad features a tagline “sometimes the only one you have to beat is yourself”. The tag is supported by a cinematic fight scene, with the lead character fighting against clones of himself inside a Volkswagen factory and is reminiscent of The Matrix and other action films.

As an television commercial it is catchy, well made and makes a clever connection to the Golf sitting at the top of its class. However, in the real world, people are complaining that the ad encourages children to fight. No, this isn’t a joke. According to an article on guardian.co.uk 115 complaints have been sent in to the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority. The ASA will have to decide if the ad promotes excessive violence that could be copied by children.

In terms of “excessive violence” the ad is pretty tame, and, at worst, you could only imagine the ASA would rule that the ad can only be shown after the UK’s 9pm watershed. By which time little Johnny and Jane have no doubt seen worse “violence” in regular programming in any case. One thing is certain, ad agency DDB London and Volkswagen UK are no doubt loving the extra publicity.

Source: guardian.co.uk (Thanks to Mav for the tip.)

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Volkswagen

AutoExpress takes closer look at Mk6 Golf GTI

Mk6 Golf GTI

It was with some anticipation that I stumbled across this article on the AutoExpress website. A studio shoot including all six versions of the Golf GTI, and a promised write up of the first five, with a declaration at the end of which GTI they reckon is the best. As an unashamed GTI fan, having owned a Mk4 GTI and currently a Mk5 GTI, I was pretty keen to see more. So, when I checked in at golfmk6.com and saw the article in question I was even happier. Only fair to share and share alike, then.

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Motor Shows News Volkswagen

Golf VI to be launched at Melbourne International Motor Show

Volkswagen Golf VI

Volkswagen’s new Golf VI will make its Australian debut next month at the Melbourne International Motor Show (27 February–9 March). In further good news for prospective Golf customers, VW Australia sources have confirmed with AUSmotive that the car will be available for purchase at Volkswagen dealers immediately after the Melbourne show.

Presumably, there are already a number of Golf VI models in the country, with a couple of models being spotted recently in Perth.

The new Golf may not be a radical departure in looks from the outgoing Golf V, but there are quite a lot of new goodies thrown into the new model that should see the Golf keep its customary position at the top of its class. There’s a new 7-speed DSG, revised engine lineup, Adaptive Chassis Control, park steering assistant and an improved ESP system to name a few. The basic underpinnings of the Golf V chassis also remain, which means the new Golf should remain an engaging and dependable drive. Safety has also been assured with the Golf VI already achieving a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

The Golf V has proven to be an outstanding sales success for Volkswagen Australia and there should be no reason why the Golf VI cannot continue this trend.

Volkswagen Australia is still a bit coy when asked about the new GTI and its Australian release. Current speculation suggests it will be available around October this year. We shall have to wait and see.

More news on the official launch for the Golf VI as it comes to hand. In the meantime, check out this earlier post on the Golf VI which includes more images and information released last August prior to the car’s international launch.

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Motorsports News Volkswagen

Volkswagen Touareg TDI wins 2009 Dakar Rally

Volkswagen wins 2009 Dakar Rally

The Volkswagen Race Touareg claimed a series of firsts in this year’s 2009 Dakar Rally in Argentina and Chile. Including the first that counts the most, with outright success going to the South African-German pairing of Giniel de Villiers (driver) and Dirk von Zitzewitz (co-driver).

It was the first time the race had been held in South America. It was the first time a diesel powered car won overall honours. And, with American Mark Miller’s second position, it was also Volkswagen’s first quinella at the Dakar. Volkswagen have one previous Dakar win, the 1980 Paris-Dakar won by Sweden’s Freddy Kottulinsky in a Volkswagen Iltis.

The 280bhp TDI Race Touaregs dominated the rally winning 10 out of 13 stages, and it was a sweet taste of victory for the de Villiers-von Zitzewitz combination after the duo piloted a Touareg to second in the 2006 race. Volkswagen also claimed a third position in the top ten with sixth place going to the German duo of Dieter Depping and Timo Gottschalk .

De Villiers was elated with the win, “I’m so happy about having clinched this exploit for Volkswagen. This victory is worth more than any of the titles I won in touring car racing. The Race Touareg was running absolutely like a charm, and at such a tough edition of the Dakar Rally at that. That was the key to success. I want to thank everyone at Volkswagen for this.”

It was a bitter sweet rally for high-profile driver Carlos Sainz who looked set for victory until a nasty accident on the twelfth leg, but he was happy for the team success, “We set the pace for a long time at the Dakar Rally and led it for a long time as well. That’s why it was a particularly bitter pill for my co-driver Michel Périn and me that we were forced to retire after an accident on the twelfth leg. One must never underestimate the Dakar Rally and prevail against it before being able to win. I congratulate my team colleagues Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz on their ‘Dakar’ victory. They deserved winning this tough rally.”

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Volkswagen

Der Neue Golf GTI added to UK website

Volkswagen Golf GTI - UK website

Information, alebit limited, on the Golf VI GTI has been added to the UK website. There’s not a hell of a lot to see, although the gallery is okay and the GTI looks great in red. But, it’s nice to see a classic inspired three-door white GTI on the homepage. (Click HERE for AUSmotive’s Golf VI GTI image gallery.)

There’s still been nothing official from Volkswagen Australia in regards to when we can expect the Golf VI in Australia. However, don’t be surprised if the vanilla models are launched at the Melbourne International Motor Show in March, ready for immediate delivery. There’s also plenty of speculation the GTI will be ready for Australian deliveries in October or November. I’m not so sure on the dates for the GTI, but we’ll see. As soon as I hear anything I will let you know.

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Fifth Gear Volkswagen

Fifth Gear reviews Golf VI

Fifth Gear returned to UK screens last week with the premiere episode of Series 15. This makes them the first major UK car show to get their hands on the Mk6 Golf. Here’s Jonny Smith’s review.

For more on the new Golf, check out this previous AUSmotive post, including the Trackback links at the bottom of the article that will take you to a wide range of Golf VI related articles.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport picture gallery

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

The Volkswagen Concept BlueSport made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last night. It’s a stunning looking car, but perhaps the most notable feature for a car in this segment is it’s mid-mounted efficient diesel engine.

The BlueSport roadster, fitted with six-speed DSG transmission, has a 2.0 TDI with 132kW powering the rear wheels. Being a turbo diesel, there is plenty of torque, too, all 350Nm of it. The BlueSport weighs a relatively light 1200kg and is capable reaching 100km/h in a GTI-beating 6.6 seconds, along to a top speed of 226km/h. When driven more sedately Volkswagen claims fuel consumption as low as 4.3l/100km. Its CO2 emissions are 113g/km.

“The BlueSport proves to be a compact and passionate car with a clear Volkswagen signature. The car offers pure dynamics with a powerful 180 PS Clean Diesel engine that is combined with the characteristic Volkswagen philosophy of efficiency,” confirmed Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board, Prof. Martin Winterkorn in Detroit.

The BlueSport features an Eco mode which uses stop-start technology and an energy regeneration mode to help lower fuel consumption. Although, Volkswagen are claiming a relatively small benefit of just 0.2l/100km in normal city driving.

Some of the technology in this car may new for Volkswagen, but there doesn’t appear to be anything earth shattering under the roadster’s gorgeous metalwork. Although, a mid-engined diesel sports car is kind of cool and very now.

Update: Wallpaper sized images of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport (click an image to load 2000px super image), along with video footage and the official press release are now available below.

Update 15 January: German Car Blog suggests the BlueSport won’t hit the roads until 2012 (that’s if it goes into production). I’ve also added a small clip below from Car and Driver’s YouTube channel.

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News Porsche Volkswagen

It’s official: Porsche is Volkswagen’s majority shareholder

Porsche & Volkswagen logosOn Monday Porsche increased its stake in Volkswagen AG to 50.76 per cent, after securing a deal to purchase more ordinary voting shares.

Porsche wanted to reach majority shareholder status before Christmas. Unsurprisingly, the delicate and sometimes acrimonious negotiations between the two companies took Porsche past their deadline.

Despite owning over half the shares, German law still stands in the way of Porsche having a controlling interest over Volkswagen. To do that, according to law, a company usually requires 75 per cent of a company’s stock. Although, further frustrating Porsche, is the Lower-Saxony ruling that requires an 80 per cent stake in Volkswagen to gain a controlling share. Porsche has unsucessfully challenged this ruling.

The Lower-Saxony government owns 20.1 per cent of Volkswagen stock.

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Volkswagen

New Polo ‘mini-me’ GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Auto Express have revealed images of the new Polo GTI. If these images are true to the final production models then the Polo will be a mini-me GTI to the upcoming Golf VI GTI.

Built on the PQ25 platform, also used for the SEAT Ibiza, the revised Polo will have more interior space than its predecessor. Its engine should be good for a smidge over 130kW, derived from a 1.4 litre twincharged engine—using a supercharger for low down torque, and a turbo for higher in the rev range. The final torque figure is a very healthy 250Nm. This should help propel the baby GTI to 100km/h in, or just under, seven seconds.

Following the trend towards greener engines, fuel consumption is expected to be around 5.9l/100km with CO2 emissions under 150g/km. Transmission options include a trad 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG.

The strong styling cues from the Golf GTI should follow inside leaving the Pogo as a very capable and great looking hot hatch. No word as yet on when to expect the little blighters down under, but with European delivery understood to be in early 2010 we’ve got a way to go yet. The car will debut this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Source: AutoExpress

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Volkswagen

Sometimes, the only one you have to beat is yourself

Hope you enjoy this advertisement for Volkswagen’s upcoming Golf VI. Already released in Europe and the UK, it is due for Australian release sometime around the middle of 2009. More details on that as soon as they come to hand.

The ad was created by DDB London and, perhaps, Toyota should have employed them too.

(Thanks to Craig for the tip.)

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R adds spice to Bologna

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R

Regular AUSmotive readers will know the Scirocco holds a place high on our wish list of cars to bring to Australia. This desire was heightened further by the recent release of the Scirocco Studie R at the Bologna Motor Show.

Based on the class-winning Scirocco GT24 from the Nürburgring 24 hour race earlier this year, the Studie R has a few tweaks over the standard Scirocco that are good, and a few that are, well, not so good. To be fair, the not so good is limited mainly to the carbon fibre dash inserts. The rear valance is not as successful as one might hope for either, but these sins can be forgiven on learning that the car has a 198kW 2-litre turbo engine, some seriously cool race-style leather seats, race-inspired coilover suspension and four-pot brakes up front.

The splashes of colour pay homage to the Italian flag and the location of this world premiere.

The Studie R just looks the duck’s guts (that’s good, by the way, very good). It’s been said before about the Scirocco on this website, and I dare say it will be said again—Volkswagen Australia, please bring the Scirocco to Australia!

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