Category: Volkswagen

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Citroen Ford Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rally de Espana

2013 Rallye de Espana

Sebastien Ogier’s good fortune has continued after he fought back to win Rally de Espana on the weekend. Jari-Matti Latvala’s second place ensured Volkswagen secured the manufacturers’ championship in style, too, registering the team’s first one-two finish.

Rally de Espana is a diverse event covering tarmac and gravel with the extra dimension of night stages. The severe dust during the gravel stages made things very tricky for the drivers.

Ogier started in his usual fashion, building a lead over his rivals. However, he suffered a puncture cutting a corner a little too aggressively and dropped down to fourth place. Latvala and Dani Sordo, in his home event, assumed the battle for the lead.

Sadly, both endured bad luck which put both men out of contention. Latvala’s car had a leaking fuel line on the final day which caused a small fire and scuppered any hopes of Volkswagen duel to the finish line. Alas, Sordo’s misfortune was worse, hitting a small rock which wrecked his suspension and forced him into retirement on the final day while a podium position was his for the taking.

In the difficult gravel stages Ogier was superb fighting his way back from a deficit of over 40 seconds. He put on a rallying masterclass, made his own luck and took the win by over 30 seconds in the end.

Earlier this year Sebastien Ogier raced in the Porsche Supercup at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he became friends with Sean Edwards. After the rally Ogier dedicated his win to Edwards and his family.

It’s been a magical debut season for Volkswagen in 2013 and with just Rally Wales GB in mid-November left on the calendar they’ll be hoping they can finish the season with another victory.

A special note for Robert Kubica, too, who won the WRC2 championship with his class victory in Spain. We’ll have more on that later.

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Drive Thru Volkswagen

Drive Thru: Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Mk7 Golf GTI

The evolution of the Golf GTI has entered its seventh stage and it’s almost as if the model has become a victim of its own success. The Mk5 GTI created a tidal wave of hype and the Mk6 followed suit, perhaps to a lesser degree despite sales remaining strong. But this time around it feels like the Mk7 GTI has quietly snuck onto Australian shores without much fanfare.

Not only did the Mk5 GTI reignite Volkswagen, especially in Australia, it reignited the hot hatch segment. Last decade you didn’t have to do too much to make people take notice. That’s not to say the Mk5 wasn’t a great car, it was, but we’re now in a more competitive market where buyers have a firm idea of what to expect from a Golf GTI. The likes of Ford and Renault, in particular know that too and provide very capable alternatives. Has the Mk7 advanced the cause enough for Volkswagen to ensure it still has a hot hatch winner on its hands?

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Volkswagen

MY14 Volkswagen Golf GTI Australian brochure

MY14 Golf GTI brochure

Those of you keen on the Mk7 Golf GTI will have probably already been to check out the car. If you haven’t you can arm yourself with more info courtesy of this brochure (2.5mb PDF) detailing all the specs for the Australian market.

The brochure complements the material we’ve already published on Australian specification GTIs, including pricing and the local press kit.

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Volkswagen

VIDEO: Going to v-max in the new Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf VII GTI

In this brief video you will see a Mk7 Golf GTI with Performance Pack and DSG going from go to go! For a hot hatch the new GTI pulls pretty strongly to about 200km/h at which point the fuel needle begins to move almost as quickly as the indicated speed.

Of course, we’re showing you this video because you’d never be silly enough to try this yourself. Would you?

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Citroen Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 Rallye de France-Alsace

2013 Rallye de France-Alsace

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have capped off their world championship by coming from behind to claim victory in Rallye de France-Alsace.

After the euphoria of the opening day when their championship was finally secured in the Power Stage the leading duo made a poor start to the rally proper. They ended Day 2 down in fifth place and well off the pace.

Ford driver Thierry Neuville was looking good thanks to a wise tyre choice which allowed him to end the going fastest in all the afternoon stages. An unfortunate puncture on Day 3 ended Neuville’s hopes of a maiden victory. He has shown much promise in 2013 and his career is sure to reach greater heights in the coming years.

Dani Sordo was again showing Citroën he has the pace on tarmac and inherited the lead from Neuville, but by the day’s end Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala had carved out a narrow edge to head the field into the final day.

Day 4 shaped as a classic with the first four drivers—Latvala, Sordo, Ogier and Loeb—separated by just five seconds. In wet and muddy conditions Ogier’s class shone through. He ended the opening stage of the day with a seven second lead over Sordo, with Latvala a further six seconds behind the Citroën driver.

Sadly, for all-time greats and nine time world champions, Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, their rally ended after Loeb lost control on a fast right hander, spearing off the road and into the bushes where the car came to rest on its roof. Thankfully both men were okay, but it was an unfortunate end to rallying’s best ever career.

Citroën had adorned their car with a great looking black and gold livery with the pair’s impressive statistics featured all over the car. While they did move their all-time tally of stage wins from 896 to 900, there were no additions to their 116 podiums or 78 rally victories. Still, it’s an amazing record, which is sure to remain unmatched.

Ogier was never really troubled for the remainder of the day and he took victory by 12.2 seconds from Dani Sordo. Jari-Matti Latvala was third, 19.5 seconds behind his teammate.

There’s nice symmetry in Ogier being crowned world champion in his home country as the title finally escapes Loeb’s clutches. The Alsace region is where Loeb grew up and while he’ll be disappointed to have ended his career upside down the crowd support he has enjoyed this rally will stay with him for years to come.

With two more events left on the 2013 calendar Volkswagen enjoys an 80 point lead over Citroën in the manufacturers’ championship and will be hoping it can wrap that title up at the next event in Spain later this month.

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Volkswagen WRC

He is Andreas Mikkelsen

Andreas Mikkelsen

While the rally world is busy patting Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier on the back, in the background and out of the spotlight is 24-year-old Norwegian driver Andreas Mikkelsen. The two-time IRC winner has the lowest profile of the three Volkswagen drivers but if he achieves the aims he outlines in this video that will soon change.

Mikkelsen had a charmed childhood with parents able to buy him whatever he wanted. That financial strength certainly helped him make a start in rallying but he eventually had to prove he has the talent to compete on the world stage.

This short documentary is well made and worth wacthing. It’s open and honest and has tragic story along the way. He is Andreas Mikkelsen and he is going places.

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Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 World Rally Championship

Julien Ingrassia and Sebastien Ogier

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have now officially claimed the 2013 World Rally Championship after finishing third in the Powerstage at the Rally de France-Alsace.

It caps off a season of dominance for the Volkswagen duo who have won six of the 10 rallies so far, and with three rallies still up for grabs (including Rally France) you’d expect the new world order to add to their tally.

Normally the nominated Powerstage is run towards the end of the rally, but for Rally France the nominated stage was SS1. Citroën driver Dani Sordo won the stage and collects three world championship points.

The only man who could stop Ogier winning the title was Ford’s Thierry Neuville, but to catch the Volkswagen ace he needed to win the Powerstage. Neuville, like Sordo a tarmac surface specialist, could only manage the two points offered for second place and with that Ogier’s title was secured. For good measure Ogier and Ingrassia finished third in the Powerstage and claimed a single championship point.

“I am absolutely overjoyed,” exclaimed Ogier. “I could give everyone in the world a big hug. The feeling is impossible to describe. To have won the World Championship title in France is an absolute dream come true. For the last few days I have been trying not to think too much about it, in order to avoid making any mistakes. The relief now is immense.

“However, I am also well aware that rallying is a team sport. This success would never have been possible without our fantastic team at Volkswagen. Whether trucker, mechanic or race engineer, I have to thank everyone. One thing is for sure—we will celebrate in style now!”

“It is possibly the best day of my life—and definitely of my career,” enthused Ingrassia. “If anyone had told me at the start of the year that Séb and I would already be World Champions with so much of the season still to go, I would immediately have told them they are mad. We were so close in Australia three weeks ago, but now the title win is a reality.”

It’s hard not to be happy for Ogier/Ingrassia and Volkswagen who have injected the WRC with a new enthusiasm. Nobody would have expected the Polo R WRC to make such an impact in its debut season, least of all the establishment at Citroën.

We’ll have more coverage of the rally over the next few days, but for now there’s some extra material from Volkswagen after the break.

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Volkswagen

2014 VW Golf GTI – Australian pricing & specs

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Following today’s earlier article on the Australian pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI here’s the official guff direct from Volkswagen. There’s a heap of information for you, especially if you download the full press kit we have made available.

A quick recap on the pricing and basic specs. An entry level GTI will cost you $41,490 and includes a 6-speed manual and a 162kW/350Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder engine.

A host of new standard technology and features have been packed into the GTI for the first time, including start/stop, Driver Fatigue Detection, Driving Profile Selection/Adaptive Chassis Control, Multi-collision brake, Extended Electronic Differential Lock (XDL), ESP Sport, progressive steering and Discover Media satellite navigation.

You can order your GTI in the following flat paint colours, Tornado Red and Pure White. If you like sparkles your choices are Carbon Steel Grey, Reflex Silver, Night Blue and Deep Black Pearl Effect, and they’ll set you back another $500.

Other optional equipment includes a 6-speed DSG ($2500), panoramic sunroof ($1850), bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights ($2150), heated leather seats ($3150) and the driver assistance package ($1300).

The driver assistance package consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Proactive occupant protection system and Park Assist 2.

From the second quarter of next year you’ll also be able to buy the Performance Pack GTI. Priced from $47,990 the PP GTI includes an electronically controlled mechanical limited slip diff, bi-xenon headlights, LED tail lights, 6-speed DSG, 19″ Santiago alloy wheels and uprated brakes as standard equipment. Of course, the engine has also been tuned for a modest 7kW increase to a new peak of 169kW. Maximum torque remains at 350Nm.

The new GTI will be rolled out across dealerships nationwide this week and you should definitely be able to see one for yourself by this weekend, if not sooner.

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Volkswagen

Mk7 VW Golf GTI – Australian pricing revealed

Volkswagen Mk7 Golf GTI

Various local media outlets are reporting pricing for the Mk7 Golf GTI, which we expect to be officially released by Volkswagen later this week.

Accordingly it’s expected a base model five-door GTI with 6-speed manual will be priced from $41,490. With a 6-speed DSG the price will be $43,990. Those prices refer to the standard 162kW/350Nm spec for the 2.0 litre turbocharged engine.

The higher output Performance Pack will be on its way down under too, but not until the second quarter of 2014. Pricing for the higher spec GTI, which adds LED headlights, larger brakes and an XDS+ electronic differential lock, will be $47,990. Australian delivered Performance Pack GTIs will be available exclusively with a DSG transmission.

Standard equipment across the range includes 18″ alloys, adaptive dampers and Satellite Navigation.

All pricing mentioned above does not include on road costs, so expect a base GTI to set you back around mid-40s driveaway.

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Volkswagen

Who wants a turn in this Ducati-powered XL Sport?

Volkswagen XL Sport

The Volkswagen XL1 is made for a future where fuel efficiency is mandatory, not just something nice to have. With it’s diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain capable of rationing fuel at the rate of just 0.9l/100km it really will drive your dollar further.

So what are we to make of this XL Sport, then? Addressing students at the Vienna University of Technology Ferdinand Piech, Volkswagen Group boss, presented this aggressive looking project car which throws out all of the miserly principles the XL1 was built on.

The XL Sport is powered by a 140kW V-twin engine nicked from a Ducati 1199 Panigale R and we think it looks like a lot of fun. Remember, the XL1 weighs just 795kg (unladen).

We don’t think this is the mooted XR1 model we reported on back in July, but we’d not be surprised if Projekt XL Sport is the concept on which the XR1 could be based.

Hopefully we’ll learn more about the XL Sport from official channels very soon.

[Source: Bild via Autoblog]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen planning to revive its mighty VR6

Volkswagen Passat R36 engine

For Volkswagen fans this is a story you’re going to like. Word is Volkswagen is working on an all-new 3.0 litre narrow angle V6 engine. With a 15° angle, suitable for transverse mounting, this marks a return to its much loved VR6 engine, first seen with a 2.8 litre capacity in the Mk3 Golf VR6 of the early 1990s.

Last seen in the Passat R36, with a 3.6 litre capacity, the VR6 was thought to be banished forever in favour of more efficient and lower emitting four cylinder units.

The news of the VR6’s return gets better, too. Fritz Eichler is the man in charge of the new engine and in a former life he had a role in the development of AMG engines for Mercedes-Benz.

But there’s still more! Cast your mind back to May this year when Volkswagen revealed its Design Vision GTI at the 2013 Wörthersee show. It was powered by a 370kW (500hp)/560Nm engine. That’s a lot for a GTI, right. So what sort of engine had VW dreamed up for this creation? A 3.0 litre V6 with twin turbochargers.

And therein lies the secret to its probable return. The benefits of turbocharging, fuel efficiency and lower emissions, look like giving the narrow-angle V6 a new future. Expect production engines to have somewhere around 250–335kW.

While the addition of turbocharging may rob the VR6 of some its rorty induction sound we’re pretty sure most fans will accept that as a small price to pay.

Let’s hope improvements in production techniques also result in a lighter weight engine, thereby removing one of the old VR6’s major flaws where the heavy engine mounted on the front axle increased the tendency to understeer.

Thinking further ahead, though, a next-gen Scirocco with a 250kW+ VR6? Sign us up!

To remind you all what a well-sorted VR6 engine sounds like we’ve added one of our favourite YouTube clips after the break.

[Source: AutoWeek | Thanks to SlyOne for the tip]

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Volkswagen WRC

Ogier wants to win WRC title in style

Volkswagen Polo R WRC, 2013 Rally Italy

Sebastien Ogier has displayed the petulance of a world champion by saying he deserves to win the Rally de France-Alsace (3–6 October) on the way to clinching his maiden WRC crown.

On current form you’d think Ogier doesn’t have a lot to worry about, but all-time great Sebastien Loeb will emerge for one final hurrah in France and on his home tarmac Loeb could pose a genuine threat to Ogier’s ascension plans.

Talking about his approach to racing in France Ogier said: “I will go there for the victory. The only point which would make a bad situation for me, of course, [is] if Seb Loeb wins the rally and I got trouble or something.

“Then it will be a bit of a shadow on my championship against his victory again and I think I don’t deserve that.”

Hmm, getting a bit ahead of yourself there Sebastien?

So far in 2013 Loeb has competed in three WRC events: Monte Carlo (win), Sweden (second to Ogier) and Argentina (win). It’s been 12 months since Loeb competed in a tarmac event. But let’s face it, the nine-time champ is no rookie and he will be up to speed in no time.

Ogier missed securing the WRC title in Rally Australia by a single point, as such he only needs to finish in the top 10 in France to inherit Loeb’s title. If we were him we’d take a conservative approach in France and be prepared to lose a battle on the way to winning a very satisfying war.

[Source: Autosport]