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Volkswagen

Next generation Golf GTI spied

Golf VI GTI

The next generation Golf VI GTI has been spied in testing. With the recent release of information on the broader Golf VI range only the front grille and rear light/bumper treatment needs disguising in this test mule. It is expected the GTI will feature Audi-like LED daytime running lights up front. You can also see from the image above that the new GTI will adopt the latest trend for dual exhaust pipes on either side. Earlier reports suggest the entry level GTI will have a revised 211bhp (160kW) 2-litre turbo and the car will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show (4-19 October). It is believed the GTI will be a precursor to a new hero GTI featuring Volkswagen’s ‘R’ badge, with an all wheel drive turbo four cylinder replacing the R32 at the top of the Golf range.

Source: GolfMk6.com & World Car Fans

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Volkswagen

Golf GTI Pirelli treads down under

Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli

Although not officially confirmed, it is believed that Volkswagen Australia will soon have a limited edition Golf GTI Pirelli in a showroom near you. The GTI Pirelli was first announced at the Wörthersee show in 2007, and launched for UK sales in April this year. The model features a distinctive body kit and reworked 2-litre TFSI engine, yielding figures of 169kW, up 22kW from the regular GTI, and torque has been bumped 20Nm to 300Nm. The Pirelli GTI also features model specific 18″ five spoke ‘P’ alloys, wearing Pirelli P-Zero rubber, of course. The wheels hark back to the original 1983 Mk1 GTI Pirelli, with its ‘P-slot’ wheels. Styling tweaks continue inside with yellow stitching and some choice tyre tread patterned seats. Okay, then. Not such a successful addition. Never mind.

So how much will all this Pirelli bling cost you? Expect pricing to be around $47,500 for the 3 door and $49,000 for the 5 door, offset by the fact only 300 will be delivered to Australia, all fitted with DSG transmissions. Thankfully, other colours will be available in addition to the unique Sunflower yellow featured in these pictures. The extra colours are Diamond Black (or possibly Black Magic as is currently available), Blue Graphite and Reflex Silver, the latter two being familiar to the usual GTI palette.

Look out for an announcement at the Sydney Motor Show in October, in the meantime check out the original European press releases and more pics below. Or you can just muck around with the configurator on Volkswagen’s UK website.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen plans 200kW all wheel drive Golf GTI ‘R’

Volkswagen Golf W12 650

Following the release of details for the Golf VI comes news that a GTI prototype could be revealed as soon as October this year. It is expected a 160kW Golf VI GTI will be on sale in the second half of 2009 for European customers.

But the big news is the reported plans for a special Audi S3-based 200kW (265bhp) all wheel drive GTI ‘R’ variant. This will fill the void left after the naturally aspirated R32 is dropped from the Golf VI range due to EU emissions regulations.

The GTI and up-spec ‘R’ variant are expected to take styling cues from the radical GTI W12 650 concept car pictured above. Many Volkswagen fans have been calling for an all wheel drive GTI for some time and while some will lament the loss of the sweet sounding R32, an Audi S3 in Volkswagen clothing, and pricing, should be something to look forward to indeed.

Source: Autocar.co.uk

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf VI in detail

2009 Volkswagen Golf VI in detail

Volkswagen’s release of images for the 2009 Golf VI has yielded the expected armchair evaluation in regards to the car’s exterior design. Some, like me, think the new car looks pretty good, while others think Volkswagen have played it too safe and not made enough of a progression from the current Golf V. Take a closer look at these images and decide for yourself (be sure to click each pic for a 1200x800px version). You may like to check out this AutoBild gallery for 55 new images. There is also quite a good Golf VI section on the autocar.co.uk website.

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Volkswagen

Yes, this is the new Golf VI!

2009 Volkswagen Golf VI

Following the leaked images from earlier this week Volkswagen has released official information about the new Golf VI. The images have also been released in higher resolution and 2000px super images can be accessed by clicking on the images in this article.

As expected the importance of the new Golf has not been lost by Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen AG Chairman, and he claims the VI will raise the bar again for its market segment, “This sixth generation of Golf cars will completely redefine the quality and comfort level of its class over broad categories, offering more customer value than ever before.”

Volkswagen says fuel consumption across the board has been reduced by up to 28 per cent, with emissions now meeting Euro-5 standards. New technologies, such as automatic distance control and park steering assistant have been introduced. Revised ESP systems help increase safety capabilities, along with seven-aribags and daytime running lights as standard. Volkswagen also says big improvements have been made to reduce interior noise through the likes of new door seals, special windscreens and reworked wing mirrors.

Revised diesel engines will now use common rail injection and all diesel Golfs will be fitted with a particulate filter. Petrol powered engines have reduced fuel consumption, with all engines at launch having quoted consumption figures under 6.5l/100kms (with the exception of the normally aspirated 1.6-litre at 7.1l/100km). Conventional automatics have been completely replaced with re-worked DSG trasmissions.

While stating the bleeding obvious, the Golf is Volkswagen’s most important model, and the aim with the VI is to reduce manufacturing costs over the previous Golf V. The necessity to do this brought the release of the Golf VI forward by around two years and it remains to be seen if the measures put in place by Volkswagen will achieve their ultimate aims. They will certainly sell plenty of them, they just need to hope their return on investment meets their expectations. One could consider this more of a Golf V.5, rather than a completely new model, however, Volkswagen knows they cannot afford to drop the ball with the Golf and the changes and improvements made appear to be a step in the right direction. Some consider the styling of the Golf to be boring and unimaginative, although, as an unabashed fan of teutonic design, the more I look the Golf VI the more I begin to appreciate the revisions made. The more angular and sharper look is a solid improvement over the Golf V.

So far, at least, the Golf VI has the AUSmotive seal of approval. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel. Barring any unforseen overseas junkets, that will have to wait until around this time next year when the Golf VI is expected to be on sale in Australia. The Golf VI GTI should arrive here sometime before July 2010.

Full details of Volkswagen’s release, along with more images, can be viewed after the jump.

Update 15 January: Expect the Golf VI to have its Australian launch at the Melbourne International Motor Show (27 February–9 March).

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News Volkswagen

Is this the next Volkswagen Golf VI?

Volkswagen Golf VI
Volkswagen Golf VI

These images appear to be the closest thing yet to officially released pics of the new Volkswagen Golf. Scheduled for debut at the Paris Motor Show in October the Golf VI is expected to go on sale in Europe in 2009. If these are legitmate images then Volkswagen has certainly taken the safe route and followed the company’s renowned evolution pathway. Indeed, the jump from the Golf V to Golf VI is probably the smallest the company has taken. Even the step from Golf I to Golf II seemed more dramatic!

Coming only five years after the launch of the Golf V—the shortest Golf model cycle to date—changes are expected to be kept to a minimum. The current Golf V is a very well regarded car, with dependable and enthusiastic handling, coupled to some very sweet and economical engines. Think of the Golf VI as an improved Golf V that costs Volkswagen a bit less to make.

Volkswagen will be shifting all production of the Golf VI to the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. This means the Uitenhage plant in South Africa will no longer be used to source Australian bound models (three door GTIs and all R32 models are currently sourced from Wolfsburg). Australian deliveries of the next-gen Golf are expected in a little over 12 months from now. Following previous model rollouts the Golf VI GTI, with a revised 2-litre turbo four cylinder pumping out a reported 200kW, should be on sale in Australia by the third or fourth quarter in 2010.

More images below…

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Audi News Skoda Volkswagen

Volkswagen claims ‘Green’ medal at 2008 Olympic Games

Volkswagen official automotive partner for 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing start next Friday—08.08.08—and Volkswagen is looming as having as much presence around the Chinese capital as any of the athletes. A total of 5,000 vehicles have been assigned by Volkswagen Group China to aid logistic support during the Games, moving around athletes, Olympic guests and media. The vehicles assigned to the press center have been labelled the “Green Fleet” on account of their low emissions and low fuel consumption.

Volkswagen, ready to harness a captive audience, will also have a special pavilion at the Olympic Games—the 2000m2 Volkswagen Showcase. Volkswagen Group China expects 4,000,000 visitors to pass through, or as many as 160,000 per day. Lutz Kothe, Head of Sponsoring & Events at Volkswagen AG, commented, “The pavilion gives our guests to the Olympic Games the opportunity to experience the Volkswagen Group and its brands in the unique environment of the world’s biggest sporting event.”

The pavilion will feature models from Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. More images and Volkwagen’s full press release can be seen below.

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News Porsche Volkswagen

Porsche ownership of Volkswagen draws closer

Porsche & Volkswagen logosPlans by Porsche to take full control of Volkswagen have drawn closer with a recent ruling from the European Commission declaring “the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition”. Although, the deal is not sealed yet.

The German government and the state of Lower Saxony have laws in place that preclude any full takeover of Volkswagen, however, this ruling seems to be on borrowed time with the European Commission willing to take the matter before an EU court if need be. The Commission believes competition will not suffer if Porsche achieves its ultimate aim stating, “The commission’s examination of the transaction showed that horizontal overlaps between Volkswagen and Porsche are limited and that, for all car segments concerned, Porsche will continue to face several strong, effective competitors”.

Porsche has previously stated it wants to increase its stake in Volkswagen to 36 per cent by this September, which would give them strong influence over Volkswagen’s manufacturing decisions. Once the green light has been given from competition regulators Porsche will look to take a controlling interest by lifting its stake over 50 per cent.

Source: Deutsche Welle

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News Volkswagen

Volkswagen wants slice of American pie

Volkswagen logoVolkswagen AG CEO, Prof Martin Winterkorn wants Volkswagen to be the “biggest European carmaker” in the United States, selling as many as 800,000 cars every year by 2018. To help achieve that goal Volkswagen AG announced today they will be building their first manufacturing plant in the United States.

The German giant has approved expenditure of up to 1 billion USD to establish a new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year the first stage of the new production line is set to open in 2011. The Chattanooga factory will employ around 2000 people and will join the Puebla facility in Mexico as the only other North American production facility for Volkswagen. The Jetta and Beetle are currently built in Mexico, but at this stage, no plans have been revealed as to the models that will be manufactured at the new US plant. Prof Winterkorn understands the importance of a strong presence in the US and this move will help Volkswagen stake a larger claim on the new car market. “The USA market is an important part of our volume strategy and we are now very resolutely accessing that market. Volkswagen will be extremely active there.”

Read Volkswagen’s official announcement after the jump.

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News Volkswagen

Volkswagen to launch ‘Twin Drive’ Hybrid by 2010

Volkswagen Twin Drive electric-diesel hybrid

Volkswagen is set to launch a ‘Twin Drive’ electric-diesel hybrid Golf by 2010. Hinting at the future of the automotive industry Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn stated, “the future belongs to all-electric cars.” In a switch to existing hybrid technology, the Volkswagen Twin Drive will source its primary power from an 82bhp electric engine, with supplementary power from a 122bhp diesel. Volkswagen has signed a deal with Sanyo to develop develop li-ion batteries, with current estimates for the Twin Drive suggesting a 50 kilomtere range to all-electric power.

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Volkswagen

TimesOnline drives all new Volkswagen Scirocco

Volkswagen Scirocco

Gavin Conway from TimesOnline has recently filed a report on the all new Volkswagen Scirocco (also reviewed by Greg Kable in the July 2008 issue of Wheels). The car is now available for order in the UK, but the car’s Australian future remains unclear. Volkswagen sales in Australia are going from strength to strength, and while the introduction of the Scirocco to our market may affect sales of the Golf GTI and the R32, it is the new sales the Scirocco’s stunning and swooping lines could help create that should be adding a sparkle to the eyes of the decision makers at Volkswagen Group Australia.

The Scirocco, in GT24 guise, made a stunning racing debut at the recent Nürburgring 24 hour race, claiming first, second and fourth spots in class from the three cars entered (see AUSringers.com for more detail, including some superb photography).

Certainly, Mr Conway thinks Volkswagen are on to a good thing with the first new Scirocco in over 30 years, “a third of a century may have elapsed but the new car does the same job the cultish Scirocco did back then—takes ordinary, reliable, proven VW mechanicals and wraps them in a form that will make people point and smile.”

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News Volkswagen

Volkswagen Australia confirms MkVI Golf plans

Volkswagen logoNewly appointed General Manager of Press and PR for Volkswagen Group Australia, Karl Gehling, has denied claims that the MkVI Golf will not be coming to Australia. A recent report suggested that the MkVI Golf would not be sold in Australia due to currency and return on investment concerns. In 2007, the MkV Golf was Australia’s best selling European car. That trend continues, with sales to the end of May 2008 up 25% from the same point last year.

Golfs delivered to Australia are built at Volkswagen’s Uitenhage plant in South Africa, with the exception of all R32 models and three door GTIs, which are built at Wolfsburg in Germany. Volkswagen plans to shift all MkVI Golf production to the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg. The MkVI will debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show in October and should be at your local Volkswagen dealer in the second half of 2009. Keep reading AUSmotive.com for more.