Sunday, August 21, 2011

2013 Volkswagen Up



















VW Up



Volkswagen has redrawn the map of the small car world. The goal: to develop a small car with charisma, a small car with maximum space on a minimal footprint, a small car with the most fuel-efficient engines or an electric drive, a small car with intuitive infotainment and operating systems, a small car with the safety of a large car. The result is the new Volkswagen up! It measures a short 3.54 metres and is a specialist for everyday urban living that was thought through to the last detail. This car - like the larger Polo and the even larger Golf - will appeal to people of all ages and mobility wishes.



Affordable for everyone. In launching the up!, Volkswagen is not only putting a new car in motion; it is also redefining the parameters of customisation and financing. This means that along with clearly delineated equipment lines on the Volkswagen up!, new features will be offered such as up! boxes - e.g. box sets for shopping, long trips or for children on board. The up! will have an infotainment system that owners can tailor to their personal profiles using apps. And because a small car needs to be affordable, a new financing model known as AutoCredit2 that is exclusively tailored to VW up! buyers will offer greater financial freedom thanks to its flexible configuration options. And for many people, this will make the goal of driving a safe and economical new car more attainable than ever. Like the Beetle back in the 1950s, one could say that the Volkswagen up! is once again "democratising" car driving.

2013 Volkswagen Up





The up! will first be launched in the European market. It all starts in December 2011. There are 3 versions for different budgets and needs: take up! is the entry-level car, move up! the comfort-oriented one and high up! the top version. Directly at the car's market launch, there will also be 2 independent models based on the high up!: the up! black and the up! white.



New generation of engines



Debuting in the Volkswagen up! is a new generation of three-cylinder petrol engines. They output 44 kW / 60 PS and 55 kW / 75 PS. Combined fuel consumption as a BlueMotion Technology version (including a Stop/Start system): 4.2 l/100 km (60 PS) and 4.3 l/100 km (75 PS). Both of these 1.0-litre engines emit less than the 100 g/km CO2 limit. A natural gas engine with 50 kW / 68 PS with the same basic configuration will follow. Its combined fuel consumption of 3.2 kg/100 km (natural gas) is equivalent to a CO2 value of 86 g/km; as a BlueMotion Technology version the natural-gas powered up! even attains a low CO2 value of 79 g/km. There are also definite plans for an up! with an electric drive for the year 2013.



First small car with City Emergency Braking



An important new safety technology system is the optional City Emergency Braking. It is automatically active at speeds under 30 km/h, and it uses a laser sensor to detect the risk of an imminent collision. Depending on the vehicle's speed and the driving situation, City Emergency Braking can reduce accident severity by initiating automatic brake interventions - and possibly even avoid a crash. So far, the VW up! is the only vehicle in the segment to be offered with an emergency braking function for city driving.



Dimensions and styling for the world's metropolitan areas



With its noted 3.54 metre length and 1.64 metre width, the Volkswagen up! is one of the smallest four-seat cars. The Volkswagen is 1.48 metres tall. Its overall length consists of conspicuously short body overhangs and a very long wheelbase (2.42 metres) - a body layout that fully utilises the space available in the new design. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Brand says: "If the goal is to maximise space, the ideal form for a small car would be a rectangular box. In the up! we were able to sculpt such a box with a clean and powerful design that does not lose sight of space utilisation." The front end of the VW up! reveals much about the car's character. Klaus Bischoff: "The face is unmistakably that of a genuine Volkswagen, but with a very independent personality. Naturally, the familiar styling characteristics of our brand face can also be found on the up! - the emphasis of horizontal elements and the connection of the grille and headlights to form a band, the accents created by small angles and the characteristic light signature of the headlights. But more than on any of the other models, the Volkswagen up! definitely shows a smile. The up! is simply appealing, and it appeals in a simple way!"



Uncompromisingly good use of interior space



Space utilisation in the car is exceptionally good, because of its wheelbase - one of the longest in the segment - combined with an engine that is mounted well forward. Although the driver, front passenger and 2 rear passengers are travelling in a small car, it is by no means a cramped vehicle. On the contrary. Consider the boot: 251 litres are significantly more than is typical in the vehicle class of the up! When the rear seat is fully folded, cargo space even increases to 951 litres. These two values show that in its interior the Volkswagen up! will be a giant among small cars.



An interior design that is fun



Essentially, the up! interior has a very clean and well-organised layout. The new Volkswagen also offers numerous clever and detailed solutions, fun styling and a level of quality that will enhance the market segment. Especially high-end is the Dash Pad, an instrument pad extending crosswise in front of the driver and front passenger. Depending on the equipment line, either decor paint or one of the 5 body colours is used in the interior.



VW up! boxes - small things that make a big difference



The developers of the Volkswagen up! asked themselves whether everyday living with the car could be structured in a simpler and friendlier way. Their answer was a decisive yes! Because it is often the small things that make a big difference. And that is how the idea of the up! boxes came about. Small, lightweight boxes for a wide variety of situations and needs. Take the "kid box", for example, that was designed for parents with small children; it includes a bag for the thousand small items that are essential with small children; and of course a toy to cuddle with and a lunch box for the obligatory snacks. Other Volkswagen up! boxes will be called the "city box" and the "travel box". And their names are their agendas.



maps + more - the Portable Infotainment Device (PID)



For the first time in a Volkswagen, the maps + more system is now being offered, a mobile Portable Infotainment Device (PID). In the economically priced up!, this is a system that is equally economical and was developed to organise the navigation, telephone, information and entertainment areas. In cooperation with Navigon, one of the world's leading suppliers of navigation systems, a special solution was tailored to the up! which is affordable for all buyers - maps + more. The user simply snaps the PID into place above the centre console. Unlike many other similar systems of this type, maps + more melds with the car's network of systems much better: navigation, telephone and infotainment can now be controlled and viewed via the PID touchscreen, and the touchscreen can also be used to view important vehicle information, such as the visual display of the ParkPilot (controls the car's distance to the next vehicle). Apps specially developed for the VW up! also let users extend maps + more to meet their specific needs.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

2011 Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept




Volkswagen is presenting the VW Golf R Cabriolet as a concept car with 270 PS of power and a top speed of 250 km/h; it is a fascinating thought experiment in cabrio dynamics. This "power cabrio" also demonstrates the inexhaustible potential of the Golf.

Volkswagen just recently introduced the new Golf Cabriolet, and the designers and engineers of Volkswagen R GmbH have already come up with an extremely sporty variant of this model: the Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept. Like its closed top counterpart, the 199 kW / 270 PS Cabriolet concept races to the 100 km/h mark in less than six seconds. Their top speeds are also identical at 250 km/h. This makes the R Cabriolet the fastest open-top Golf ever. Even more impressive, however, is the engine's tremendous torque - 350 Newton metres from a low 2,500 rpm make this cabriolet an ideal cruiser.

Like the closed-top Golf R, the cabriolet was lowered by 25 mm via a sport chassis. A 17-inch brake system with internally ventilated discs at all wheels and blue painted high-performance brake callipers (including R-logo) enables impressive deceleration values. Making contact to the road surface on the Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet Concept are 19-inch "Talladega" alloy wheels with size 235 tyres.

Naturally, the VW Golf R Cabriolet Concept also presents an especially sporty interior concept. Motorsport shell seats in dark blue carbon leather, combined with high-end Nappa leather in "Pure Grey", set the tone here. The backs of the shell seats are painted in luxurious black piano paint. Upholstery piping and decorative seams provide for colour contrast. Carbon accents emphasise the concept's technical-sporty character. The sand-blasted aluminium door sill plates with black piano paint inlays display finely crafted workmanship.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

2011 Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35






The 35th anniversary of the Golf GTI was an impetus for Volkswagen to create a very special type of anniversary model. In Germany, from May 12th, 2011 orders are taken for the anniversary model offered under the "Edition 35" label.

Since the debut of the first Golf GTI in 1976, this sporty Volkswagen has enjoyed an uninterrupted history of success spanning 35 years. The GTI has long become a car with cult appeal as well as an independent brand. Milestone GTI anniversaries have always been celebrated with exclusive special models. Volkswagen now continues in this tradition with the VW Golf GTI Edition 35: its coherent design approach combines classic GTI elements with features specially created for the Edition 35. Not only does the front bumper glisten in a new design; the car's exterior and interior showcase the special model's exclusivity as well. The "35" signature appears on the wing panels, door sill plates, head restraints and centre seat panel. The highly equipped concept, with its love for details, is also crowned by a high-end metal key ring in action styling. Along with customised features, the special model also promises more driving fun with power increased from 210 to 235 PS compared to the production model.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35 celebrates its world debut at the legendary GTI Meet at Wörthersee to be held from June 1st to 4th, 2011. Volkswagen will also be showing other well-known GTI anniversary models at this event, such as the Edition 20 and Edition 30. The anniversary model is available at a base price of 30,425 euros; it is a car that will appeal to both established GTI customers and interested prospective buyers. Its market launch in Germany begins in mid-June 2011.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Beetle










A look back to the start: at the beginning Volkswagen built one of the most successful cars of all time and did not even give it a name. Why should it? After all, it was the Volkswagen! People loved it, and on all of the world's continents the small car was nicknamed according to precisely what it looked like: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or 甲壳虫! It embodied the automotive concept itself and symbolised the democratisation of mobility. 21.5 million cars were sold. Then the New Beetle arrived in 1998. It introduced a new automotive feeling to the world and brought with it Beetle Mania. In 2010, the Final Edition completed the New Beetle series that had sold more than one million cars. And now? A look forward. The future of the most famous car in the world begins now. In a completely new generation. It's The Beetle! And because Volkswagen and the Beetle call the globe their home, the new car is celebrating a transcontinental world debut - simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York .

Technological goal: high-tech in harmony with the environment

Volkswagen Beetle is an icon. This car tells a story. Only someone who knows its history could make a new generation of this Volkswagen a reality. The task ahead for the engineers was very clear. They had to develop a high-tech car that was still affordable, did not leave any stone unturned, integrated the communication technologies of our times and of course achieved the lowest environmental impact. It also had to be a car that places driving fun at the forefront. The new generation VW Beetle would have to be a very agile, dynamic performer, and the people who developed the Golf GTI would also be able to achieve this.
Volkswagen Beetle (2012)


No previous Beetle was this fuel efficient. High performance no longer suffices by itself: At 4.3 l/100 km (European 1.6 TDI) and 33 mpg (American 2.0 TDI), the new Volkswagen Beetle is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever.

Design target: "Design a new original!"

The most recognisable automotive design in the world. Coke bottle, iPhone, Ray Ban Aviator, Beetle - how does one reinvent a design that is so recognisable and independent? There is a clear answer to this: It is necessary to understand the product and the brand; then it works! Volkswagen Design Chief Walter de Silva (Group) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand) "understand" both and therefore they set this as the objective for the Beetle: "Design a new original!"

Challenge as a thrill. The team began its task under Bischoff's guidance. The challenge of designing a new Volkswagen Beetle was inspiring. The designers knew that they wanted to develop the original Beetle profile more than on the 1998 New Beetle. They also made very dynamic proportions a high priority. An interesting aspect was that more than a few team members actually own their own air-cooled Beetles. It has also become a cult car among younger designers at Volkswagen. And that is how the final design of the 2011 Beetle came to be in Wolfsburg - a car of today as well as a design tribute to the automotive seed of an entire corporate group. And unmistakable indeed: If one were to take the first Beetle and the new Beetle and place them in a room together - shining light just over the roofs and viewing them from the side - one would see that the lines of the rear sections are nearly identical.

No standing still: "We remade every part."

Bolder, more dynamic, more masculine. A comparison to the 1998 New Beetle shows this: nothing remained as it was on the old car: "The Beetle is now characterised by a clean, self-confident and dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it is also substantially wider, the front bonnet is longer, the front windscreen is shifted further back and has a much steeper incline. All of this creates a new dynamism," explains Klaus Bischoff. While the New Beetle was defined by three semi-circles (front wing, rear wing, domed roof above it), the new model has broken free of this geometry. The roof profile actually runs distinctly lower and can be considered a continuation of the Ragster concept car shown in Detroit in 2005 - a type of hot rod based on the New Beetle. The new Beetle is bolder, more dynamic, more masculine.

The figures confirm this: The new car is 1,808 mm wide (84 mm wider), 1,486 mm tall (12 mm lower) and 4,278 mm long (152 mm longer). This has resulted in entirely new proportions. The gain in length meant that the roof could be extended further, the front windscreen could be shifted back, and the rear section could follow the contour of the original Beetle. The new focal point is the C-pillar. In parallel, the development team increased the car's track widths and wheelbase. All of this gives the VW Beetle a powerful appearance with muscular tension.

Typical Volkswagen, typical Beetle: a new DNA

2011 styling. Despite all of its individuality, the styling follows the Volkswagen design DNA created by Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff. It clearly expresses itself in the horizontal image of the front bumper, front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges, the precisely drawn line between the A-pillar and C-pillar and the styling of the rear lights.

Beetle, Microbus, original Golf. And yet it was possible to preserve all of the Volkswagen Beetle's typical styling characteristics. This should come as no surprise; after all, it was vehicles like the Beetle, Microbus and original Golf that had a decisive influence on Volkswagen's "design DNA." Of course, some of the Beetle's longstanding characteristics remain: these include its round headlights (optional bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are available for the first time in this model series), the flared wings, the shapes of the bonnets, sides and door sills and - more than ever - the large wheels (up to 19 inch) that can be integrated. A new feature is the rear spoiler that is homogeneously integrated in the design (standard for TSI engines with 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS); it aggressively maintains contact with the road on this Volkswagen, which has a top speed of up to 225 km/h, depending on the engine, and is available in the three equipment lines "Beetle", "Design" and "Sport". Incidentally, the top surface of the rear spoiler is always black, while its underside is painted in body colour. These colours - 12 different hues - will make everyday car driving more vibrant with names such as "Saturnyellow" and "Denim Blue".

An original interior like no other

The cockpit makes a visual impression. Is it possible for a cockpit to make an impression? Are you kidding? By its very nature! Car drivers sit in the cockpit. Sometimes for hours at a time. And yet, there are cars whose cockpits do not leave any lasting impression. They have a "look alike" appearance, as the marketing people say - one easily mistaken for another, lacking charisma. The VW Beetle's cockpit, on the other hand, is unique, unmistakable, cool, classic and designed with a passion for detail. This cockpit is perceived as something special.

Everything within reach and sight. The shape and use of colour in the painted or carbon-look front facia panel of the dashboard hark back to the design of the first VW Beetle, yet the new car does not have a retro look. In Europe, for example, this facia is styled in "Schwarz uni" (Black) on the base model ("Beetle"); in the "Design" equipment line, it is always painted in the specific exterior colour. Customers choosing the "Sport" level get the carbon look ("Carbon Fibre"). Regardless of which colours are used, Volkswagen drivers will be able to locate every interior feature with their eyes closed.

And yet everything has been redesigned. Three round instruments arranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) provide all key information; integrated in the speedometer (middle position) is a multifunction display. From the "Design" equipment level, the adjustable air vents and the instruments have chrome bezels. This also applies to the audio/navigation systems optimally located in the driver's visual field on the dashboard, framed by two air vents. This also includes the controls for the climate control system. Everything is within grasp and sight.

Comeback of the glovebox. Similar to the original Beetle, the new car has an extra glovebox integrated in the front facia whose lid folds upward (the standard glovebox that is also integrated opens downward). Another classic feature: the optional auxiliary instruments above the selected audio/navigation system: oil temperature, clock with stopwatch function and boost pressure gauge. Also new: the steering wheels specially designed for the Volkswagen Beetle with optional painted accents in the spokes depending on the equipment line. Details like these clearly indicate that the occupants are in a Beetle - there's no mistaking it.

Air-cooled Beetle. New Beetle. The Beetle. A distinguishing feature of The Beetle - the third generation if you will - is that its interior ergonomics and packaging are based on completely new parameters. While drivers in the air-cooled Beetle travelled in a very low-slung seat, and drivers of the New Beetle felt as if they were chauffeured because the bonnet was so far forward, the latest Volkswagen Beetle now offers an agile, driver-oriented coupé experience. Every feature is within easy reach. In addition, Volkswagen has once again succeeded in implementing a quality of materials that goes beyond all class limits. The car's styling, ergonomics, operability and quality interact to create a new, friendly car with a highly individual nature.

The New Beetle was a cathedral inside. In front, the Beetle is now somewhat lower in profile, since the domed roof of its predecessor has been eliminated. It now offers 1,044 mm interior height instead of the previous 1,082 mm. However, the 38 mm will hardly be missed, even by very tall drivers, since the New Beetle's interior was a "cathedral" among compact cars. Meanwhile, in the rear seating area, the longer roof section results in a distinctly larger feeling of space. The bootspace is significantly larger; it now holds 310 instead of 209 litres. As usual, the car has a split, folding rear seatback, and a wide opening bootlid making it is easy to load and unload.

More optional features: individualising the VW Beetle

"Beetle", "Design" and "Sport". The new Volkswagen will be available worldwide in the three equipment lines "Beetle", "Design" and "Sport". Each of these versions has a very unique character. In addition, individual markets themselves will emphasise certain aspects. Volkswagen will announce individual parameters of these customisation levels at an international driving presentation for journalists. In addition to the three equipment lines, the Beetle can be customised with a wide choice of optional features. An overview of certain key features:

Bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. Volkswagen is offering the Beetle with bi-xenon headlights for the first time. 15 LEDs frame the xenon module on the outer perimeters of the headlights; they implement the daytime running lights and parking lights.

Panoramic roof. It is transparent, and it can be tilted or opened. Therefore, the exact name is: panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof. Much more important: It is 80 percent larger (glass surface area) than on the previous model. Incidentally, the insulating glass blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 92 percent of heat energy.

Radio-CD and radio-navigation systems. The New Beetle was exclusively available with radio-CD systems specially designed for this model. No navigation systems were offered. Now, Volkswagen is taking a completely different approach and is offering all of the systems available in other model series such as the Golf, Jetta or Passat on new VW Beetle as well. Standard in the Beetle is the RCD 310 with 8 loudspeakers, which is a very good audio system (includes dual tuner). The top audio system is the RCD 510 with integrated CD changer, interface for SD cards and touchscreen. An attractively priced entry-level radio-navigation system is the RNS 315 with 5-inch touchscreen (400 x 240 pixel), CD player, SD card slot and dual tuner. The top radio-navigation system model is the RNS 510. It offers refinements such as a 6.5-inch touchscreen, DVD player, voice control, SD card slot and 30 Gigabyte hard drive.

Premium sound system by Fender. Anyone knowledgeable about the world of rock music is familiar with such greats as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The first played Fender guitars, while the latter still does. Now, the legendary producer of US musical instruments and amplifiers - in a joint venture with Panasonic - is exclusively sharing its know-how with the Volkswagen brand. The result is an optional Fender sound system that is being offered in the Volkswagen Beetle with an additional woofer and 400 Watts of output power. Those choosing this sound system also get adjustable interior ambiance lighting. Besides providing indirect illumination, it also includes two light rings around the loudspeaker boxes in the doors. In Europe, the Volkswagen Beetle is the first car to offer a Fender sound system.

Keyless Access. The Keyless Access locking and engine starting system is appearing for the first time in the Volkswagen Beetle; it operates without a door or ignition key. When one of the front door handles is touched, the system detects access authorisation from a transmitter carried in the person's jacket, trousers or hand bag; it then unlocks the Beetle and enables an engine start via the engine start button. Locking of the Volkswagen is from the outside, also activated by touching one of the two door handles; in this case, however, a specially marked surface is used.

All round safety. Let's get to the point. In The Beetle, Volkswagen is building an automobile that is one of the safest in terms of both active and passive safety. Naturally, the ESP electronic stabilisation programme is standard, as is an effective network of six airbags that protects in the passenger compartment. Naturally, the car body - much of it laser-welded and galvanised - exhibits one of the best torsional rigidity values in the segment at 26,000 Nm/º. Naturally, because safety is a fundamental quality in a Volkswagen.

Engines: top fuel economy of 40 mpg and 4.3 l/100km

US diesel with 140 PS. When it comes to engines, all signs point toward sustainability. In the USA, the VW Beetle will be offered as a turbodiesel for the first time. The Beetle 2.0 TDI (103 kW / 140 PS) meets all USA emission limits and attains 40 mpg fuel economy in the Highway cycle, 29 mpg in City driving, and 33 mpg combined. As a result, the Volkswagen Beetle is a good choice as one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class. Incidentally, the Volkswagen not only has excellent fuel economy values in the version with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but also - and this is a technical debut in the Beetle as well - with the optional 6-speed dual clutch transmission.

US petrol engines with 170 PS and 200 PS. Fuel economy values were also improved in the 2.5-litre five cylinder petrol engine, which was already a success in the previous model. The manually shifted VW Beetle attains 22 mpg (City), 31 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined). Its counterpart with a 6-speed automatic comes in at 22 mpg (City), 29 mpg (Highway) and 25 mpg (combined) - this represents an increase of up to 10 percent in fuel economy. Pioneering: even the Beetle 2.0 TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS of power attains a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. The large TSI is also available with an optional 6-speed DSG.

World engines with 105 PS, 140 PS, 160 PS and 200 PS. In markets such as Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand, the new Volkswagen Beetle will be offered exclusively with charged engines. All engine versions - all of them with four cylinders - are being used for the first time in this model series. The car exhibits significantly reduced fuel consumption and emission values compared to the previous model thanks to the switch to turbo-petrol (TSI) and common rail turbodiesel direct injection engines (TDI). The three charged petrol engines of the Beetle output 77 kW / 105 PS, 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. The two diesel engines develop 77 kW / 105 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS (TDI engines are not offered in China). All five engines may be combined with a dual clutch transmission as an option.

Engines with 160 PS and 200 PS in detail. Even the fast moving 225 km/h VW Beetle 2.0 TSI with 200 PS of power consumes just 7.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 173 g/km CO2) with a manual transmission. Also extremely economical is the 1.4 TSI with 160 PS shifted by a 7-speed DSG; in the Beetle it consumes just 5.9 l/100 km (139 g/km CO2). Fuel economy data like this makes the Beetle 1.4 TSI DSG (top speed: 207 km/h) a pleasant surprise in the engine programme. By comparison, the previous model with 110 kW / 150 PS attained a value of 8.9 l/100 km in the automatic version. Despite 10 PS more power, fuel consumption was reduced by 3.0 l/100 km or 34 percent.

Differential lock for top petrol engine. To ensure that the power of the two strongest Volkswagen Beetle versions is applied properly to the road in quickly approached curves as well, the models with 160 PS (European version) and 200 PS (worldwide) come with a factory-installed XDS electronic differential lock. This system extends the familiar EDS functionality. XDS improves handling in fast curve driving and calibrates the car toward more "neutral" steering; it does this by using active brake intervention to prevent wheelspin of the unloaded wheel on the inside of the curve, and this improves traction.

Engines with 105 PS and 140 PS in detail. The most fuel-efficient petrol engined model is the Beetle 1.2 TSI with BlueMotion Technology (including Stop/Start system and battery regeneration) and 105 PS with a top speed of 180 km/h. It has a combined fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100 km (129 g/km CO2). The comparable previous model (75 kW / 102 PS) consumed 7.5 l/100 km. Savings: 2.0 l/100 km or 27 percent. An extremely sustainable performer is the Beetle 1.6 TDI with 105 PS. At 4.3 l/100 km (equivalent to 112 g/km CO2), this diesel version is the most fuel-efficient VW Beetle ever built with BlueMotion Technology. Its fuel consumption is 20 percent lower than even the existing TDI engines which have always been very fuel efficient. Incidentally, on the Autobahn, the new Beetle 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology can reach a top speed of 180 km/h - in this case, fuel economy is not gained at the cost of performance. This is especially true of the even higher performance TDI with 2.0 litre displacement and 103 kW / 140 PS. This torque-strong turbodiesel (320 Nm from 1,750 rpm) takes the Volkswagen Beetle to a top speed of 198 km/h and combined fuel consumption of just 4.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 129 g/km CO2). This means that the Beetle for a new era will once again show how it can "go, and go and go ..."

Monday, February 28, 2011

2011 Volkswagen Bulli Concept










The Volkswagen bus, like no other car, stands for the spirit of freedom. It debuted over 60 years ago in 1950 with a contagiously simple design. Its internal Volkswagen code name was T1 for Transporter 1. The Germans called it the Bulli, and to Americans it was the Microbus. It was driven on all continents. And the world's first van is still appreciated by a fan base which spans the globe. Now Volkswagen is reinterpreting the compact original form of this automotive legend and sending it into the future - in the form of a concept vehicle for a new generation VW Bulli! It is spacious like it was in 1950, it is as inspirational as ever, and it has clean styling like never before.

In this vehicle, Volkswagen is finishing what it started in 2001: ten years ago, the vision of a new Volkswagen Bulli led to an unforgettable concept vehicle known as the Microbus. But some visions need to mature before they yield something new. Now, the time is right for this vision. That is because the concept was sharpened, and the necessary, sustainable technologies are now at hand. More compact and affordable than the earlier concept vehicle, it is now being shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The new VW Bulli - powered by an electric motor and fitted with six seats and infotainment control via iPad.

This concept has the potential to establish a new, fifth brand of people carrier next to the Caddy, Touran, Sharan and its large counterpart - the Caravelle. The Volkswagen Bulli could even become an icon like the T1 Samba that still trades at extremely high prices today - one of those few vehicles that simply do not fade with time.
Volkswagen Bulli Concept (2011)


Zero emissions - up to 300 km on a single battery charge

Thanks to highly advanced drive technologies, the Bulli being shown in Geneva is what is referred to as a 'zero emissions vehicle,' because the concept is electrically powered. Zero emissions at the tailpipe. The VW Bulli's electric motor outputs 85 kW of power and an impressive 270 Newton metres of torque. As is usual with this type of drive, its maximum forces are generated from standstill. The silent motor is supplied with energy from a lithium-ion battery with a maximum storage capacity of 40 kWh. This electrifying combination enables driving ranges of up to 300 km - a high value for an electric car. When the Bulli's battery is charged at an "electric refuelling station" specially designed for electric vehicles, the charging process takes less than one hour.

The new Bulli accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds, and its top speed is 140 km/h (electronically limited). Its range and driving performance not only make the compact vehicle ideal for short distances; but also ideal for most commuters and recreational activities with zero tailpipe emissions.

Naturally, the concept can also incorporate Volkswagen's extremely efficient petrol and diesel direct injection engines as alternative drives. Engines with 1.0 or 1.4 litre displacement that are fuel efficient yet strong; this is downsizing by the book. Ideal for anyone who wants to cover maximum distances with minimal fuel consumption.

Bulli - the idea goes back 64 years

Without the Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, the T1 might not have existed, and of course neither would the Volkswagen Bulli concept vehicle at Geneva. That is because Pon was the person who on 23 April, 1947, sketched a picture of a compact bus in his notebook. Actually, the Dutchman's drawing was a simple side view of a radically shortened public omnibus placed over the wheelbase of a Beetle with an "m" for "motor" written on it. That was it. The world's first van was born. Great ideas usually just take a few strokes of the pen, but then they require a dedicated effort to implement them. Volkswagen designers took this sketch and created the bus that became an automotive icon with the characteristic "V" in front.

The Bulli concept vehicle now follows in the footsteps of the original bus and demonstrates the concept of maximum space utilisation with the characteristic "V" with VW logo at the front end and the cleanest of proportions. In the process, the concept vehicle's design follows the maxims of the new Volkswagen "design DNA." Retro? Hardly. It is a Volkswagen! The team led by Walter de Silva, Head of Volkswagen Group Design, and Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen brand, developed the "design DNA" for the modern era based on styling principles of the bestselling Beetle, Golf I and T1.

Design - visual world of a masterpiece

The new edition of the Bulli is 3.99 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.70 metres tall. The T1 was somewhat longer and taller, but narrower. With a wheelbase of 2.62 metres, the Volkswagen Bulli utilises the overall length very well. Also striking here are the Bulli's relatively large track widths (1.50 m front and rear) in relation to body width.

Front end: Like the Samba bus before it, the Bulli being presented in Geneva also has two-tone paint - in this case white and red. The "V" on the bonnet, is kept white. The bonnet does house the engine: instead of rear-wheel drive with a boxer engine, as on the Samba, the Volkswagen Bulli has an electric motor located forward of the front axle and front-wheel drive. Here it is a compact integral drive whose primary components are an E-motor, high-voltage pulse inverter and DC/DC converter for the 12-Volt electrical system.

In keeping with the Volkswagen design DNA, there is a horizontal layout of the narrow dual headlights with L-shaped LED daytime running lights and turn indicators implemented as LEDs arranged in an inverted L shape at each outer corner. Incidentally, LEDs not only exhibit tremendous luminous power and long life; due to their low energy consumption they are ideal for the electrically powered Bulli of 2011. Located between the headlights in the bonnet is, as always, the VW logo. On the level beneath, one finds - once again arranged in a horizontal line - the air intakes for the passenger compartment and for battery cooling or for cooling the alternative conventional drives.

Finally, the bumper that is seamlessly integrated in the front end completes the design. Laterally, it exhibits a large round fog light on each side, another air intake in the middle, and a front spoiler in black below. This line matches the lines of the side sills.

Side profile: The Bulli's two-tone paint also distinguishes the sides. Treated in white is the entire area above what is known as the character line. Originating in the wings is a white stripe that runs to the distinctive D-pillars; above them, the entire roof section is painted in this colour. The continuous line of windows creates an especially striking contrast between the white sections. Here the visually slender black pillars executed in the style of the 2001 Microbus concept are visually striking. Painted in red are the door mirror housings protruding from the line of windows.

Beneath the character line is the red body area. Design elements such as the distinctive wheel housings, the additional shape modulation in the door surfaces above the side sills and the headlights that wrap around to the sides with minimal seams are details that would not have been possible to manufacture in this form and precision on a T1. Concealed in the sandwiched floor behind the sills is the 1,450 kg Volkswagen Bulli's lithium-ion battery. The white door handles are practical, opening in the direction of pull. The 18-inch alloy wheels are especially attractive. At their centres are stylised chrome hubcaps - another tribute to the bus of years past. Shorter than ever are the overhangs at the front and rear.

Rear section: The Volkswagen design DNA with its horizontal lines also dominates the rear of the new Bulli. Viewed from the bottom upwards, above the body-coloured bumper (including black, stylised diffuser) there is the tailgate that extends across the entire width of the vehicle. In the tailgate, the narrow LED rear lights continue a theme from the Microbus concept of 2001. At the centre, but smaller than at the front end: the VW symbol. When all six seating locations are fully occupied, there is a 370 litre bootspace behind the tailgate.

Interior space - melding of car and iPad

Like the body design, the interior is also marked by a level of clarity whose consistent application can only be found at Volkswagen. The passenger compartment - immersed in light during the day thanks to its panoramic sunroof - also harbours some surprises.

A practical highlight: like the T1 in times past, thanks to its level floor the new Bulli is also equipped with a single bench seat in front. The van offers space for three in the rear as well.

An infotainment highlight: a removable iPad in the centre console serves as a multifunctional touchscreen. Along with Internet-based iPad applications and the media centre, it also handles control of such functions as Bluetooth hands-free telephone and a navigation system. Integrated right on the iPad mount are controls for the climate control system and the centrally located hazard warning switch.

Typical Volkswagen: all cockpit details are clearly organised and designed to be intuitive. Running laterally across the entire width is a line with air vents. In front of the driver, there is a speedometer in the shape of a semicircle. A colour multifunction display, also semi-circular in shape, can be used to view and control (via multifunctional keys in the steering wheel and on it) the navigation system, telephone, trip computer and media centre - the entire unit of speedometer and multifunction display also communicates with the iPad. The key word here is sound: a system produced by legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer Fender (USA) ensures that the music sounds as though it were being performed live. At Woodstock in 1969, Jimi Hendrix played "The Star-Spangled Banner" - the American national anthem - on a Fender Stratocaster guitar.

What is not found in the Volkswagen Bulli is a tachometer (unnecessary with an electric motor) or a conventional gear shift or gear selection lever (also unnecessary with an electric motor). The latter is replaced by a rotary switch to the right of the driver, which is used to activate forward and reverse gears. A pushbutton in the same switch is used to start and stop the motor. Another rotary switch to the left of the driver is used to control the lighting functions.

Seats become reclining surface in an instant

The outer and middle seat positions of the front bench seat can be folded down (2/3 split); the rear beach seat, meanwhile, can be completely stowed. When the rear bench seat is stowed, cargo capacity increases to 1,600 litres. In addition - and here the new Bulli is reminiscent of its legendary ancestor - the seat system can be transformed into a large reclining surface with just a few manual movements. This turns the compact MPV into a compact camper - the ultimate companion for a weekend trip.

At least as important for many users, however, is that the seating system should not only be versatile but also offer maximum comfort. The seat position is comfortably high and is equally relaxing. As an added benefit, it offers an optimised view forward as well. And that is how it was in the T1 too. Contributing to peace of mind aboard today's vehicle is the fact that the new era Bulli is equipped with all conceivable safety features. And that is the crucial difference: the car has essentially been reinvented since the days of the first T1 aka the Bulli aka the Microbus.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet










In its presentation of the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, Volkswagen is writing a new chapter of a global success story. The four-seater has an innovative soft top with an electro-hydraulic drive that opens the Golf's top in just 9.5 seconds.

The new VW Golf Cabriolet's styling follows that of its hard-top three-door counterpart, but it shows a high level of independence with a new rear section, lower profile roof line and more swept-back angle of its front windscreen frame. The convertible's image is especially dynamic when ordered with optional bi-xenon headlights. Always a standard feature: the LED rear lights like those of the GTI. Other standard safety features offering peace of mind are the automatically deploying roll-over bar, front airbags, side head/thorax airbags, knee airbag for the driver and ESP.

The new VW Golf Cabriolet is one of the quietest convertibles today. Its soothing quietness is attributable to the new soft top that was optimised in specific ways. It also has a standard hydraulic drive that opens the Golf's top extremely quickly. The top can also be opened or closed during driving at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

Ideal for cruising with a convertible are the six turbocharged direct-injection engines whose power outputs range from 77 kW / 105 PS to 155 kW / 210 PS. Four of the petrol engines (TSI) and one diesel (TDI) are available with the DSG dual-clutch gearbox; while three of the engines are available with energy-saving BlueMotion Technology. Just how efficiently the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet handles fuel is illustrated by the 1.6 TDI with 105 PS and BlueMotion Technology: It only consumes 4.4 l/100 km (equivalent to 117 g/km CO2).

In Germany, advance sales begin tomorrow with prices starting at 23.625 Euros. Essentially, all of the features offered in the classic, hard top Golf are also available in the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. The only feature that will definitely not be offered is a sunroof...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI





Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced the debut of the new 2012 VW Jetta GLI, which combines the comfort and sophistication of a Jetta with aggressive performance and handling in a sporty yet sleek package. The all-new Jetta GLI is the most differentiated Jetta GLI model ever made by Volkswagen. With a rich heritage that dates back to 1984, the new Jetta GLI is sure to appeal to both automotive enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI offers exceptional features and options, for equally impressive pricing. Available in three trim levels, the Jetta GLI has a starting MSRP of $23,495. The GLI Autobahn, with an MSRP of $25,545, adds 18" alloy wheels, sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex Leatherette seats and the Fender® Premium Audio System. The top of the line Jetta GLI Autobahn with Navigation adds the RNS-315 navigation system and keyless access with push-button start technology for an MSRP of $26,445.

Engine and Transmission

The sporty Volkswagen Jetta GLI boasts the award winning 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, generating 200 horsepower and a full 207 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,700 rpm, contributing to drivability and response of the vehicle in both everyday and performance situations. The Jetta GLI is offered with a six speed manual transmission as standard equipment. This new model is significantly lighter than the previous Jetta GLI and it offers power and performance coupled with German sensibilities. While EPA figures are not yet available, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is expected to deliver 31 mpg highway with the manual and 32 mpg highway with the DSG® automatic.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI (2012)


Additional performance features for the VW Jetta GLI include:
Track tuned four-way Independent Performance Suspension for superb handling
DSG® automatic gearbox that offers steering wheel mounted paddles shifters, super quick shift times and rev-matched downshifts
XDS® cross differential system that debuted on the Volkswagen GTI, that helps prevent inside wheel spin during cornering
Four wheel disc brakes with floating red calipers

Premium Features

To make life on the road a little easier, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI offers sophisticated, German engineered premium appointments. Features include standard 6.5" touch screen premium VIII radio with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, standard one-touch up/down power on all four windows, standard multifunction display (for vehicle status, trip, radio and navigation information when equipped), available dual zone climate control, available RNS-315 navigation system and available keyless entry with pushbutton start.

The 2012 Jetta GLI Autobahn and Autobahn with navigation models come standard with a Fender® Premium Audio System, bringing the concert stage to the vehicle for the ultimate music experience. Designed exclusively for Volkswagen, the Fender® Premium Audio System is embedded in the vehicle design and features proprietary Panasonic® speaker technology. The system covers the cabin with directional sound from front door speakers that generate imaging beyond the capabilities of traditional speaker designs. It cuts through the noise and other distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, with extended range for all musical genres.

The sound system features lower inter-modulation distortion and smooth mid-range response to eliminate harshness. It is harmonically complex, with extended range tweeters and properly voiced 16cm speakers revealing original instrumentation timbre and harmonic richness, bringing the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience.

Exterior

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI combines performance, space and comfort in one sleek package. At 182.2 inches long, 57.2 inches tall and 70 inches wide, it is more than 2.9 inches longer than previous Jetta models.

The front end of the car is defined by prominent horizontal lines. The VW Jetta GLI grille and the car's trapezoidal headlights help create a distinct look. Below the bumper is a cooling air intake and tray-shaped front spoiler that completes the masculine look of the car. The upper front end section shows a powerful transition from the v-shaped engine hood to the fenders on the sides while the shoulder section provides dynamic and muscular styling.

The aggressive styling of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is powerfully emphasized by the arches of the wheel wells available with 17" or 18" alloys. Sleek lines and sporty shoulders dominate the rear section. The smoked taillights stand out with two distinct sections extending on either side from the fender into the tailgate above the dual exhaust tips.

Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of the Jetta GLI stays true to its sport and performance roots. Featuring sport bucket seats with red stitching and a sport flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, the GLI logo and aluminum accents, the interior styling consistently follows the clean, sporty lines of the car. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI is available in cloth or V-Tex Leatherette and also features sleek alloy pedals, shifter, dash and door trim.

Intuitive controls and well-arranged instruments allow drivers to enjoy a comfortable and ergonomically designed gear shift grip. Further up on the center console are the newly designed and intuitive controls for climate and radio. The console is also slightly inclined toward the driver to heighten comfort behind the wheel.

To increase versatility, the rear bench seatback is split 60/40 and folds. The trunk can also be opened from inside the car by a remote unlock switch.

Safety

The VW Jetta GLI includes several features designed to enhance driver and passenger safety including electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring and Volkswagen's advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the hazard lights switch on.

As part of the equipment package, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI also features driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags in front and Side Curtain Protection® airbags in front and rear.

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