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Volkswagen

CrossPolo bobs up prior to Geneva

Volkswagen CrossPolo

Volkswagen’s new CrossPolo will join the Polo GTI in making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in just over a week. The CrossPolo is the fourth in the range, also including the regular Polo hatch, the fuel efficient BlueMotion and the sporty GTI.

Described by Volkswagen as an “all-rounder”, the CrossPolo has been raised by 15mm. A number of exterior tweaks have also been carried out which further enhance the model’s individual look compared to the rest of the Polo lineup.

A total of six engines will be offered to European customers, split evenly between petrol and diesel power. Following tradition, the CrossPolo will only be available in a 5 door layout and, new for this iteration, all models will be available with a 7-speed DSG transmission.

German customers will get their hands on the CrossPolo first, with deliveries commencing in May, with the rest of Europe and Japan to follow shortly after. No word yet on Volkswagen Australia’s plans for the car, but I would expect they will want it, but possibly with a limited engine lineup.

Further details and more pics are available after the break.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo GTI breaks cover ahead of Geneva

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen have released three images of its new Polo GTI ahead of next month’s Geneva Auto Salon. As expected, the latest baby GTI will be powered by a 1.4 litre twincharge engine, which has a supercharger providing low down boost before a turbo chimes in to keep the smile on your dial up to redline.

The headline stats of the TSI powerplant are, peak power of 180PS (132kW) with 184ft/lb (250Nm) of torque. Tipping the scales at a modern day lightweight 1184kg the Polo GTI can accelerate to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. This is achieved, in part, thanks to a 7-speed DSG transmission and and electronic XDS differential, similar to the system found in the Golf GTI.

Aside from all that, the new Polo GTI looks fantastic. There’s been a huge step in interior layout and refinement over the underrated model it replaces and the new exterior styling of the regular Polo has been enahnced by LED daytime lighting and a subtle body kit.

The Polo GTI promises to be one cracker of a hot hatch. A press release from Volkswagen UK is below and when we hear from Volkswagen Australia you’ll be able to read it here.

UPDATE: Volkswagen Australia have confirmed with AUSmotive that the Polo GTI will be on sale locally before the end of 2010. No news on pricing or final specs at this stage.

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Volkswagen

2010 Golf Wagon – Australian pricing

2010 VW Golf Wagon

Volkswagen Australia have just released an Estate version to their volume selling Golf range. Known in Australia as the Golf Wagon, it will be initially offered in two model lines—Trendline and Comfortline.

Entry level pricing, before those nasty delivery and government charges, starts at $26,990. That gets you a 90kW 1.4 TSI Trendline with 6 speed manual. The top of the range model, 103kW 2.0 TDI Comfortline with 6 speed DSG, is priced from $36,490. The usual range of options is also available and a list of prices is available below.

Four engines will be available for those wanting the maximum 1495 litres of cargo space the Golf Wagon provides. Two 1.4 TSI engines, with either 90kW or 118kW are complemented by a 77kW 1.6TDI and a 103kW 2.0 TDI. The full gamut of Volkswagen transmissions is on offer, including 5 and 6 speed manuals in addition to 6 and 7 speed DSG offerings. At a basic level you can choose a manual or DSG with all engine choices, the numbers of cogs you get depends on the engine choice.

This is the first time we have seen a Golf Estate/Variant/Wagon in Australia and it remains to be seen how successful this addition to the Golf line up will be. I know one thing, though, they’d sell a lot more of them if they bothered to get Volkswagen to design the rear of the car. Instead, it looks like they just picked up some 1990s Honda Accord tail lights, stuck them on the back and thought, that should do it. When the rest of the Volkswagen range is, generally, so expertly styled—and of particular note here is the Passat Wagon—one has to wonder just how on earth they came to this conclusion.

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Safety Issues Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf – Safest car of 2009

Volkswagen Golf VI

In 2009 , for the first time, the EuroNCAP authority collated its test results from a single year and announced its safest cars of the calendar year. With a total of 103 points the Golf VI topped last year’s list, which also included an impressive 97% score for Adult Occupant protection.

When the Golf VI was first released in 2008 it was granted a five-star rating. However, in 2009 EuroNCAP introduced stricter testing procedures and the Golf VI, along with 32 other cars, were tested in 2009 under the revised program.

The Golf finished ahead of the Honda Insight in the 2009 rankings. Third on the table was the new Toyota Prius, followed by the Hyundai i20, before a triumvirate of equally rated cars—Toyota Avensis, Volvo XC60 and Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

Official EuroNCAP footage of the Golf’s earlier 2008 test can be seen after the jump, reminding you just how ugly a vehicle crash in motion actually looks.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Amarok at 2010 Dakar Rally

2010 Volkswagen Amarok

Here’s a short and sweet photo gallery showing the Volkswagen Amarok getting down and dirty during the 2010 Dakar Rally. In all 35 Amaroks were used during the event, 20 of those assisting the successful Race Touareg teams, while the other 15 were used by media and race officials. Looks like they had fun.

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Audi

Mini-e-tron is R4-U2NV

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

Rumours are getting stronger that the Mini-e-tron revealed in Detroit this week is a thinly disguised preview of the upcoming Audi R4 mid-engine sportscar. US blog InsideLine claim they have been told as much by sources within Audi.

The underpinnings of such a car would likely be shared across the Volkswagen group’s range, including its own Concept BlueSport and even the next generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman.

In regards to the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron, you would expect a lot of the concept to get lost in production, such as the aluminium carbon-fibre composite body, but an electric powered engine option could stay. Speculation also suggests that the snarling five-pot turbo from the Audi TT RS could find its way under the R4’s skin—yes please!

How or where the R4 would slot into the Audi range with the company’s iconic TT is uncertain at this stage, but Autoblog reckon an entry-level R4 could fit under the TT. Hard to see that happening, but stranger things have happened.

[Source: InsideLine & Autoblog | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Jetta four-door sedan rendering

Volkswagen Jetta VI sedan rendering

US based site VWvortex brings us some great coverage of the New Compact Coupe, including this rendering of how they expect the next Jetta sedan will look. In fact, the report says the profile of the show car is pretty much exactly the same as the final shape for the production version of the four-door Jetta sedan, which is expected to go on sale in the US before October.

This is clearly Volkswagen’s best effort in recent years at making the Jetta a proper stand alone model, rather than simply “a Golf with a boot”. Moving away from platform sharing, to a degree, VW will rather employ component sharing across its model range. This Jetta, for example, has a wheelbase around 75mm longer than the Golf VI, but it will share components from the Polo, Passat and everything in between.

As you can see from the images of the New Compact Coupe, interior styling has also been given a hand to establish an identity of its own. Sure, it’s all Volkswagen design language, as you would expect. Now, though, the Golf and Jetta will appear as siblings, rather than identical twins in different outfits.

More on the New Compact Coupe from the Detroit show can be seen at the VWvortex gallery.

UPDATE 13 January: For more Jetta speculation head on over to The Motor Report.

[Source: VWvortex]

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Volkswagen

Night whiter

Volkswagen Eos Night White

Given yesterday’s news of the New Compact Coupe this special edition Eos model announced by Volkswagen Australia, called the White Night, looks like a bit of an afterthought.

Featuring a Candy White body with a Deep Black roof the convertible can be optioned with a 147kW TSI petrol engine ($55,990) or 103kW TDI diesel ($53,990).  Pricing for the White Night special edition is $3,500 more than the corresponding series model.

The White Night is only available with a 6-speed DSG transmission. There’s black leather with light contrast stitching, specially painted 18″ “Budapest” alloys, lowered sports suspension and an extra splash of black paint on the grille and wing mirrors.

Volkswagen call this a limited edition model, but at this stage are unable to put a number to the expected sales run. I dare say, if you want one, you’ll get one. So, you know the drill, head on down to your local dealer and ask a few questions.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Detroit: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe

Volkswagen New Compact Coupe

Today Volkswagen presents its stunning New Compact Coupe at the NAIAS in Detroit. There’s a nice and cuddly green side to this car, but for now, let’s just focus on the looks.

Said to offer a hint of what to expect from Volkswagen’s new four-door Jetta, which is due for release later this year, the New Compact Coupe takes some definite styling cues from the VAG stable. The high crease shoulder line and C-pillar is akin to the Audi A5, albeit somewhat straightened out. The rear tail lights, too, take inspiration from the current A4 sedan. There’s even a bit of 3 Series coupe Hofmeister kink in the rear fixed pane window.

Overall, though, well, what a beautiful design. Every detail is bang on, from the squared off headlights, to sharply styled wing mirrors. In silver, under controlled lighting the New Compact Coupe looks just about perfect.

Just don’t look too closely at the light gray interior! Aside from the colouring, the rest of the interior is smartly laid out with nice details throughout. Ford could definitely learn a thing or two from the Germans here.

Now, to the car’s green credentials. Volkswagen has made sure the NCC will attract attention with its looks, so this will only help the company push their Hybrid technology under the car’s skin. The headline figures are fuel consumption of 4.2l/100km with CO2 emissions of just 98g/km. That CO2 figure is quite good, but the fuel consumption isn’t setting any records, with a handful of production cars already bettering those numbers.

Forget that, as the New Compact Coupe can use its 110kW 1.4 litre TSI petrol and 20kW electric engines to propel itself to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds with a top speed of 227km/h. Kind of pointless when you’re promoting a Hybrid car, but it’s good to know anyway. And, in Volkswagen’s words they want this car to be “sporty and fun to drive”.

More detail on the NCC’s clever gadgets and engine spec is given in the second press release below. Fourteen more images are also available after the jump. As always, simply click on the pic you like to access it in a wallpaper-friendly 2000px super image.

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Volkswagen

Amarok gets dirty at Dakar

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen are happy on two counts as far as the 2010 Dakar Rally goes. Firstly, approaching half race distance Carlos Sainz currently leads the rally in his Race Touareg. However, of more importance to Volkswagen’s production vehicles is the debut of the new Amarok which is being used as a support vehicle during the event.

There are 35 Amaroks on duty during Dakar, with 20 for the Volkswagen race team, and a further 15 used by race officials. The Amarok is being built in Argentina, and the SUV has just gone on sale in South America. Australian deliveries are due towards the end of this year.

As you would expect, VW’s top brass are not missing the promotional opportunities presented by the Amarok’s Dakar role, “We are thrilled to put the new Amarok through its paces as part of this long distance challenge, the world’s toughest, before its official launch,” said Stephan Schaller, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

If you want to find out more on the Amarok, including updates from Dakar, then check out Volkswagen’s special microsite. For more on the progress of the Race Touaregs at the rally take a peek at Volkswagen’s Dakar iPhone app.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Amarok – first official photos

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen have already announced that the Amarok will take on support duties at next year’s Dakar Rally. Good idea, then, to release some official pics of the production ready model in advance, and here they are.

The Amarok will be built in Buenos Aires, Argentina and will go on sale in South America from January next year. European buyers can expect deliveries in mid-2010, while Australian customers will have to wait until the end of next year to get their hands on Volkswagen’s first serious foray into the pick-up segment.

Initially, the Amarok will be available only as a dual cab, but a single cab model is due for release in 2011. The SUV will be available in 2WD, switchable 4WD and permanent 4WD. The switchable system can be activated from inside the cabin with the touch of a button. The permanent 4motion system for the Amarok will utilise a Torsen diff set up and will distribute power to the wheels with a 40:60 rear bias.

Low gearing will be available for more heavy-duty off road duties, at which point electronic aids, such as Hill Descent Assist and an ABS system tuned for off road use, will start to do their thing.

From launch two engine options will be on offer, both 2 litre turbo diesels. The base spec 2.0 TDI will offer 90kW/340Nm, while a more powerful 120kW/400Nm will also be available. A bit under powered perhaps?

With a payload capacity of over 1 tonne and a towing capacity of 2.8 tonnes the Amarok should prove suitable for most needs in its target audience. Volkswagen boast the dimensions of the Amarok’s rear tray are the largest in its class and say a Euro sized pallet can fit in between the rear wheel arches.

Volkswagen Australia have been closely monitoring sales of Toyota’s Hi-Lux, which are very impressive, it must be said. For Volkswagen to cut deeply into the Hi-Lux’s customer base the Amarok will need to be priced competitively and pack a lot more punch under the bonnet. I just can’t see Volkswagen Australia entering the local market with a 120kW turbo diesel option, much less a 90kW version.

UPDATE 19 June 2010: Over 20 new photos added below.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Frankfurt: Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen Golf R

Finally, the über Golf has been confirmed by Volkswagen! The Golf R, complete with a fully revised 4motion all-wheel drive system, 199kW and 350Nm of torque, can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds when fitted with a DSG box, or 5.7 seconds for the manual version.

Over the model it replaces, the V6 powered R32, the new Golf R increases peak power by 15kW and maximum torque by 20Nm. With fuel consumption rated at 8.5l/100km the 2-litre four cylinder TSI reduces fuel use by a very respectable 21 per cent. CO2 emissions drop from 255g/km to 199g/km, or a reduction of 28 per cent.

Stopping power is provided by 345mm sized front discs, with barely smaller 310mm rotors at the rear. The R comes standard with 18″ Talladega alloys, fitted with 225/40/18 rubber. Larger 19″ wheels in the same style can also be optioned with 235/35/19 tyres. The ESP system has been tweaked and given a Sport setting that allows for greater slip in aggressive track-like driving situations.

Apart from the more obvious body styling, the Golf R sets itself apart from the rest of the Golf range by the latest bling lighting fad, with LED daytime running lights at the front and, for the first time on a Golf, LED rear tail lights.

The Golf R really is an Audi S3-lite. Brilliant! Just how “lite” will the pricing be, and when will we see the Golf R on Australia soil? You can ponder these questions while checking out the pics and reading Volkswagen’s press release after the jump. A reminder, too, that all pics can be viewed as wallpaper friendly 2000px super images by clicking on each image.

UPDATE 6 April 2010: 20 new images added at end of article.

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