Category: Volkswagen

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Volkswagen

Dieselgate puts Golf R400 on hold

Volkswagen Golf R400 Concept

The mighty Golf R400 project has been put on indefinite hold thanks to the financial fallout from Volkswagen’s deiselgate saga. At least that’s the word coming from motoring.com.au.

According to the Aussie based website a senior Volkswagen source has confirmed with them that R400 has been “paused” along with “several other projects”.

Meanwhile, local deiselgate victims will be pleased to know their cars will be getting fixed soon, starting with Amarok models. They may be less pleased to learn they will not receive any financial compensation like US customers.

[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks to John for the tip]

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Audi Skoda Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group Australia suspends TDI sales

Volkswagen Tiguan 130TDI

The noxgate issue has become very real for local car buyers after Volkswagen Group Australia this morning issued a statement announcing that all sales of models fitted with 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre EA189 diesel engines have been suspended:

“Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) met with the relevant government authorities yesterday to advise them of its strategy in Australia to address concerns that have been raised around the world regarding the diesel emissions issue.

“In its first step, effective immediately VGA has temporarily suspended the sale of affected vehicles fitted with 1.6 or 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engines. The suspension will remain until the emission issues are addressed in those vehicles.

“VGA will make further announcements next week.”

If you already own a vehicle with one of these diesel engines it remains safe to drive.

Other Volkswagen Group models fitted with different diesel engines do not feature the controversial defeat device, designed to cheat emissions tests, and remain unaffected.

It’s understood there are over 1000 affected vehicles in holding yards around the country. A list of suspended models is shown below:

Audi

  • A4 2.0 TDI
  • A5 2.0 TDI
  • Q5 2.0 TDI

Skoda

  • Yeti
  • Superb

Volkswagen

  • Caddy
  • Jetta
  • Passat
  • Passat CC
  • Tiguan

This list may not be exhaustive, if you have concerns please check with the relevant manufacturer using the numbers below:

  • Audi: 1800 502 834
  • Skoda: 1800 607 540​
  • Volkswagen: 1800 607 822

[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks to John for the tip]

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Porsche Volkswagen

Porsche boss takes on VW CEO position

Matthias Muller

Matthias Müller will move from his role as Porsche CEO into the Volkswagen Group CEO seat left vacant by the disgraced Martin Winterkorn.

On his appointment Müller said: “My most urgent task is to win back trust for the Volkswagen Group—by leaving no stone unturned and with maximum transparency, as well as drawing the right conclusions from the current situation.

“Under my leadership, Volkswagen will do everything it can to develop and implement the most stringent compliance and governance standards in our industry.”

Of course, you’d expect there to be glowing praise for Müller coming from inside Volkswagen and Bernd Osterloh, Chairman of the Group Works Council, has stepped up stating: “When it comes to leadership appointments the Volkswagen Group does not need hasty decisions. We know and value Matthias Müller for his determination and decisiveness. He does not work on his own, rather he is a team player. That is what Volkswagen needs now.”

Müller began his Volkswagen Group with Audi in the 1970s and and has also held positions with Seat, Lamborghini and Volkswagen during his rise to the top of the Volkswagen Group tree.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen says that five million of the 11 million vehicles affected worldwide by the noxgate scandal are Volkswagen products and those fitted with the affected EA189 2.0 TDI engines include the Golf VI, Passat VII and Tiguan.

Dr Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand stressed: “We are working at full speed on a technical solution that we will present to partners, to our customers and to the public as swiftly as possible. Our aim is to inform our customers as quickly as possible, so that their vehicles comply fully with regulations. I assure you that Volkswagen will do everything humanly possible to win back the trust of our customers, the dealerships and the public.”

For its part Volkswagen Australia remains eerily silent on the issue, with no official press releases or comment on its website about the noxgate drama.

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Volkswagen

Winterkorn walks over noxgate

Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn

Martin Winterkorn has resigned as Volkswagen Group CEO over the noxgate scandal. He has released a media statement which reads:

I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen Group.

As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group. I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part.

Volkswagen needs a fresh start – also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation.

I have always been driven by my desire to serve this company, especially our customers and employees. Volkswagen has been, is and will always be my life.

The process of clarification and transparency must continue. This is the only way to win back trust. I am convinced that the Volkswagen Group and its team will overcome this grave crisis.

The Executive Committee of Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board has responded with nine conclusions, which include thanking Winterkorn for his leadership and offer to resign as well as clearing the pathway for more management exits to follow in light of possible criminal proceedings. You can read the board’s statements below.

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Audi Video Volkswagen

Volkswagen CEO’s mea culpa on noxgate

Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen AG CEO, offers up this mea culpa in response to noxgate; the diesel NOx emissions issue which Volkswagen says affects up to 11 million vehicles worldwide.

In a new statement Volkswagen says all new diesel vehicles which meet EU6 emissions are not affected by this scandal. However, if your diesel powered Volkswagen or Audi A3 is powered by an EA189 2.0 TDI engine then your car is right in the middle of the deceit which Volkswagen has overseen.

For some technical explanation as to why Volkswagen might have thought cheating emissions tests was a good idea, check out this reddit thread.

This is going to be a very sticky mess for Volkswagen to extricate itself from.

If you own a car affected by this deceit please tell us below how you feel. Can Volkswagen ever win back your trust?

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Audi Volkswagen

Volkswagen shares go up in smoke

VW Golf GTD

Volkswagen’s shares have plummeted more than 18% in Germany as the company suffers the fallout from its diesel emissions scandal in the United States.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Volkswagen and Audi are in breach of California’s Clean Air Act after the manufacturers created software to deliberately cheat emissions testing. As a result, the EPA claims four-cylinder diesel powered models built between 2009–15 emit as much as 40 times more nitrogen oxides (NOx) than tests showed.

Over 480,000 vehicles are affected and Volkswagen could face penalties of up to US$18 billion, with fines of US$37,500 per vehicle in breach of the relevant laws.

“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules. EPA will continue to investigate these very serious matters.”

For its part Volkswagen is preparing to take its medicine with Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen AG CEO, issuing a statement apologising for the breaches.

“I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public,” Winterkorn said. “We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly, and completely establish all of the facts of this case.

“We do not and will not tolerate violations of any kind of our internal rules or of the law,” Winterkorn added. “The trust of our customers and the public is and continues to be our most important asset.”

Affected diesel-powered models include:

  • Audi A3 (Model Years 2009–2015)
  • Beetle (Model Years 2009–2015)
  • Golf (Model Years 2009–2015)
  • Jetta (Model Years 2009–2015)
  • Passat (Model Years 2009–2015)
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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport revealed

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport

The first Golf GTI was released in 1976 and this new Clubsport model is Volkswagen’s birthday present to itself. It’ll be released next year to celebrate the GTI’s 40th anniversary. Visually it’s pretty much as previewed in concept form earlier this year.

Powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine with 195kW it’s the most powerful GTI ever. But there’s more! With a 10-second overboost function power briefly peaks at 215kW. Coupled to a 6-speed DSG it’s enough to propel the GTI Clubsport to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds (manual 6.0 secdonds).

That’s all pretty good, but it’s the way this latest GTI looks that’s rocking our world. Finished in classic Oryx White paint and complemented by specially created forged alloy wheels looks awesome. And the aggressive body kit, from the sleek front spoiler to the large rear wing, just works.

Volkswagen Australia, don’t be pricks. Bring this car down under, in three door and with a manual transmission. Seriously!

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Audi Video Volkswagen

VIDEO: Audi RS3 v Volkswagen Golf R

Audi RS3 v Volkswagen Golf R

Should you buy the $80K Audi RS3 and get that lovely 270kW/465Nm in line five cylinder, or save your cash and buy its baby cousin, the $55K 206kW/380Nm Volkswagen Golf R? Dan Prosser from Evo is here to tell you what he thinks.

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Volkswagen

Golf R400 production to be limited, due in 2017

Volkswagen Golf R400

Thanks to a story emerging from France we can expect the Golf R400/R420 to be based on the facelifted Golf VII. This means we could be waiting until 2017 to see Volkswagen’s hottest ever hot hatch.

It’s also suggested the R400 will be built in strictly limited numbers, although we’re not sure how many or how few there could be. Unsurprisingly pricing rumours are saying the R400 will be more expensive than the Audi RS3, which retails for around €53,000 in Germany. It’s going to be expensive, but very fast!

And we’re still no closer to solving the R400 v R420 riddle as to the car’s final peak power output. Or, for that matter, whether the car will boast a crazy 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo or the growing talk of a mad as a hatter 2.5 litre five-pot.

[Source: L’Automobile Sportive via World Car Fans | Pic: BTG]

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen announces Golf R Wolfsburg Edition

Volkswagen Golf R Wagon Wolfsburg Edition

Volkswagen Australia will launch the Golf R Wagon locally in September and when it does it will be sold solely as a limited-run model badged as a Wolfsburg Edition.

It’s expected “limited-run” will translate to around 200 examples with a similar number of Golf R Wolfsburg Edition five-door hatchbacks also to be up from grabs from September.

The Golf R Wagon Wolfsburg Edition will be priced from $58,990, while the hatch version will be a bit cheaper at $56,990 ($1750 more than a regular Golf R).

Based on MY16 Golf R specifications, the Wolfsburg Editions will be available with a 6-speed DSG only and feature the standard 206kW/380Nm engine plus a list of equipment and cosmetic enhancements.

Those enhancements include 19″ Pretoria-style alloy wheels, black wing mirrors, black roof rails for the wagon, Carbon Nappa leather seats with front heating, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Proactive occupant monitoring system, blind spot monitor and, of course, a special Wolfsburg Edition badge on the rear. The only option available is a panoramic glass sunroof ($1850).

The Wolfsburg Editions will be available in three colours including Oryx White Pearl, which will be exclusive to the Wolfsburg Edition range. The other colours have not been specified in the available press material but judging by the supplied pics you can lock in Lapiz Blue metallic and we expect the third colour will be Deep Black Pearl Effect.

There’s a few more pics from Volkswagen and their official press release waiting for you after the break.

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Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf Racing wins on TCR debut

Pol Rosell, Volkswagen Golf Racing, TCR Series, Austria 2015

Team Engstler driver Pol Rosell won race 2 of the TCR International Series meeting at the Red Bull Ring on the weekend and in doing so gave the Golf Racing its maiden win. Not a bad effort for the car’s first competitive outing.

The Golf made its presence known early after Rosell’s teammate Mikhail Grachev set the fastest lap during the second free practice session with a time of 1:40.593.

Volkswagen Motorsport’s usual Monday morning newsletter had this brief report:

First appearance, first win: The new Volkswagen Golf for the racetrack made its debut in the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) and promptly claimed its first victory. The Golf run by cooperation partner Liqui Moly Team Engstler triumphed at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Spain’s Pol Rosell won race two, finishing ahead of his compatriots Pepe Oriola (Seat) and Jordi Gené (Seat). Starting from pole position, Rosell defended his lead until the chequered flag at the 4.318-kilometre Grand Prix circuit. Mikhail Grachev (RUS) came sixth in the second Golf.

Rosell finished ninth and Grachev seventh in race one. Victory went to Switzerland’s Stefano Comini (Seat).

The racing version in action in Austria is the first such model based on the seventh generation of Volkswagen Golf. The production-based, 330-hp concept car is assembled in accordance with TCR Regulations and is intended to allow Volkswagen to evaluate a possible customer racing programme as of the 2016 season. In order to accelerate the development process, the new Golf will be tested under competitive conditions in the TCR between now and the end of the season.

The next races will take place in Singapore from 19 to 20 September, when they will share the bill with the Formula One World Championship.

EDIT: A brief highlights video has been added below. [Thanks to Tom for the tip]

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Motorsports Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf Racing revealed

Volkswagen Golf VII Racing

Volkswagen Motorsport dropped these images to our inbox overnight and we like what we’re seeing. This is the 243kW/410Nm Golf Racing. It’s been built to compete in the final four races of the 2015 Touringcar International Series (TCR) and will make its competition debut at the Red Bull Ring this weekend.

The production-based concept will test the waters for Volkswagen Motorsport to see if there’s a market to offer this as an ongoing customer racing model for the 2016 season. The Volkswagen group is already represented in TCR with the Seat Leon and Audi TT.

Taking power from an uprated 2.0 litre Golf R engine the Golf Racing puts its power to the ground through the front wheels only, using a 6-speed DSG and 18-inch wheels and tyres. The somewhat extreme bodykit is in keeping with its competitors and is 400m wider than a standard Golf VII.

Officially still in a development phase, the Golf Racing will be run by Liqui Moly Team Engstler for the remainder of the TCR season, which has rounds to follow Austria in Singapore, Thailand and Macau.

“The newly created TCR category provides a promising platform for customer racing—on a national and international level,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “With exciting races, production-based technology and reasonable costs, it offers a new outlook for private racing teams.”

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