Volkswagen – Page 42 – Automobiles Review

2012 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack UK – Price £28 475

Volkswagen has announced the UK price list of the new 2012 Passat Alltrack. Esentially, the vehicle features raised ride height, 4MOTION four-wheel drive and rugged body enhancements.

It is based on the popular and versatile Passat Estate, but offers better agility off-road. The vehicle is available in only one trim level in the UK with a choice of two engines: a 2.0 liter 140PS TDI with 6-speed manual gearbox starting at £28 475 OTR and a 2.0 liter 170PS TDI with 6-speed DSG transmission, which is £31 025.

Standard equipment includes Alcantara upholstery, 2Zone electronic climate control, RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation, DAB radio, MDI iPod connectivity, Bluetooth telephone preparation, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and 18” Canyon alloy wheels. A Driver Alert System that monitors the driver’s responses to raise awareness of fatigue is also standard, as is ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).

The options list can add High Beam Assist, which automatically controls dipping of the headlights; Side Scan Lane Change Assist, which monitors the vehicle’s blind spot; Lane Assist; ACC Adaptive Chassis Control; Automatic Distance Control with City Emergency Braking function; Park Assist (second generation); an interior ambient lighting pack; a rear-view camera; and an electrically deployed towbar.

The 2012 Passat Alltrack boasts a generous towing capacity of 2 000 kg, which is 200 kg more than an equivalent Passat Estate.

Check out the price list below.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack model line-up and pricing

Model	Engine derivative	CO₂, g/km	Combined mpg	Price, £ RRP OTR

Passat Alltrack	2.0-litre TDI 140 PS 6 spd manual	150	49.6	28,475
Passat Alltrack	2.0-litre TDI 170 PS 6 spd DSG	155	47.9	31,025

Source: Volkswagen

March 16, 2012

2012 Volkswagen up! 4-door

One of the most important automotive highlights of the last year was the introduction of the two-door Volkswagen up! Now, Volkswagen is a four-door version to the model range, which will be at dealership in Europe by early summer. The four-door doesn’t differ much from the two-door version- it has the same engines (44 kW/60 PS and 55 kW/75 PS), equipment versions (take up!, move up!, high up!, black up!, white up!) and dimensions (3,540 mm long, 1,641 mm wide without mirrors, 1,478 mm high).

Of course, the four doors have influenced and changed the appearance of the up! As the lower window line of the two-door rises towards the rear near the C-pillars, it forms a straight line on the four-door car. Other distinctive features are the crisp and short body overhangs. Nevertheless, the front and rear sections are identical on both body versions: the bootlid’s outer skin consists of a continuous glass surface. Beneath the bootlid, there is a boot with a volume of 251 litres; cargo capacity can be extended to up to 951 litres by folding down the rear backrest (60:40 split bench from the move up!).

The four-door model offers the same spacious interior as the two-door: headroom in the rear is 947 mm, and in the front is 993 mm. Legroom in the second row is a comfortable 789 mm. The seat height on the rear is 378 mm in the rear, which is higher than in front (306 mm). This allows the rear passengers to have a better view over the shoulders of the driver and front passenger. Furthermore, the car includes clever systems such as City Emergency Braking, which is automatically brake function working in a tight situation. The function is active over a speed range from 5 to 30 km/h. In addition, as an option there is also available a portable navigation and infotainment system with touchscreen, which offers navigation system, hands-free telephone unit, display of various vehicle parameters and media player. A highlight here as well is the enormous panoramic tilt/slide sunroof that Volkswagen decided to include in the up!

The standard version of the 2012 Volkswagen up! Is equipped with 14-inch wheels, body-colored bumpers and green tinted heat-insulating glass. The body of the car is partially galvanized. The interior includes details such as the folding rear bench seat, color contrasting air vent surrounds, carpeted floors and a fabric-lined bootspace cover. Furthermore, there are also featured rear windscreen wiper, electromechanical power assisted steering, height-adjustable steering column, convenience direction indicators and daytime running lights. The gloss black panel in the middle of the dashboard shows the sophistication of the interior design. And when it comes to passive and active safety, standard features include front airbags and head-thorax side airbags, seatbelt fastening reminder, belt tensioners in front, ABS with ASR, ESP electronic stabilization program, ISOFIX fixtures, top-tether fittings for mounting suitable child seats in the rear, deactivation function for the front passenger airbag.

Of course, there is no second thought on the great fuel economy that this car delivers. In fact, bith fuel economy and driving performance values are the same for both up! body versions. This means that they both use three-cylinder petrol engines with 44 kW/60 PS or 55 kW/75 PS. In addition both engines fulfill the Euro 5 emissions standard and drive the front wheels. In particular, the combined fuel consumption is 4.1 l/100 km (60 PS) and 4.2 l/100 km (75 PS), respectively. However, what is new here is the 5-speed automatic gearbox, mated to these two petrol engines. Nonetheless, both engines will be still offered with 5-speed manual gearbox.

Source: Volkswagen

March 15, 2012

2012 CFC Volkswagen GTI LeitGolf

This Volkswagen GTI Golf has been optimized by the company CFC Styling Station Neuss and now carries proudly the name LeitGolf. In it the tuner has applied their craftsmanship and had the aim to show the direct connection between the car and the street through the means of wheel and tyre combination. To accomplish this goal they have even equipped the car with two variations of different wheel designs – pink ASA GT1 8,5×19 inch wheels on the one side and red ASA GT3 wheels identical in size on the other side. Both were provided with Hankook EvoS1 225/35R19 tyres. At the front, one can see the Eibach spacers, while at the rear – the 5–mm H&R wheel disks. Furthermore, there has been also added APX AP coilovers, which in combination with H&R set of stabilizers, provide support for better dynamics. In addition, the car is supplied with the Kerscher carbon-lip and a 2,5 cm wide front fender. The new design of the car body is taken from the Golf VI’s R-variant, where side sills, rear diffuser, mirror caps and engine cover triumph as carbon-parts in Black-Gold-Design. Next, MR Car Design supplied the vehicle with down-pipe to the turbo exhaust system. The latter is equipped with a black end pipe as in R-Design. More importantly, this engine can develop 270 hp (199 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. Additionally, the car features unique braking system with TÜV certificate, aluminum 4-piston brake calipers, carbon-steel two-piece grooved brake discs and also an ultra light floating aluminum hub. A car racing feel while driving, is delivered thank to the high-performance brake pads.

The car is covered with matt gray foiling and also has fender’s matt Sticker Bombing and parts for black and white spoiler. The top of the car is painted in High Gloss Carbon Black (, while the fog-lights are in Pink Tint Lights. A significant contrast is made by the anthracitic colored tinted glass sets. Another highlight that has to be made is the unique audio systems featured in this project: the Hi-Fi Device, which is delivered by MK SoundStyle, while the radio set is supplied by Pioneer, the amplifiers are by Mosconi and the dynamics by Rainbow. The car tuning costs 12 900 Euro, additional 10 000 Euro go for the HiFi.

Source: CFC Styling Station Neuss

March 14, 2012

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spring Drive

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spring Drive will feature new entry-level engines, which will deliver even more driving fun with in combination with low fuel consumption. The new version is released of course – just in time for the spring, and will include expanded range of engines: 105 PS (77 kW) diesel engine (TDI) and a 160 PS (118 kW) (TSI) petrol engine. As the brand promises, the new engines are fuel efficient and agile downsized with small displacement, direct injection and charging. All this results in the fact that the 1.6 TDI Beetle needs only 4.5 l/100 km (equivalent to 119 g/km CO2) and to achieve the highest speed of 180 km/h. Fully fuelled (55 liters), the Beetle thus has a theoretical driving range of 1,222 km. On the other hand, with the 1.2 TSI (77 kW / 105 PS), petrol direct-injection engine has a performance data: 5.9 l/100 km or 137 g/km CO2. All this matched to 180 km/h top speed. However, the top engine is currently a 2.0-litre TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS, which has a fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 179 g/km CO2). It accelerates the Beetle to 223 km/h. The vehicle of course, still delivers its well-known suitability for day-to-day use as a full-fledged 4-seater. In addition, to this we have to highlight its high quality and safety standards with a solid basic equipment, which are also included on board, and in fact were always inherent features of the Beetle.

The price of 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spring Drive 1.2 TSI with 105 PS starts at 16 950 euros.

Source: Volkswagen

March 9, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: ABT Volkswagen up!

Another tuned vehicle by Abt sportsline has been exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show. It is the ABT up!, which gained a lot of interesting goodies.

The exterior received carbon-look stripes with aggressive red ones across the entire surface. The mix of retro and modern age is really successful. Window frames and side skirts are the “common thread” leading straight to the strong back of the ABT up!, where rear masks, an exhaust pipe tunnel and the sporty double exhaust pipe form a unit. There are also mirror caps or red hub covers with ABT logo.

VW ABT Up! benefits from a new suspension springs bringing the ride lower to the ground.

The tuning package brings better styling for the smallest Volkswagen and makes it a lot better looking.

However, price list or performance packages are not present up to date. Stay tuned!

Source: ABT

March 8, 2012

2012 Geneva Motor Show: ABT Volkswagen Beetle

Abt sportsline has unveiled the tuned 2012 Beetle at the 82^nd Geneva Motor Show.

The exterior package includes a new front bumper, a rear diffuser with oval exhaust pipes and a pair of side skirts. There are also headlight brows and some nice graphics. The car is lowered by a set of sport springs. It stands on Abt DR wheels fitted with low profile tires.

The tuning specialists have developed five performance packages for the “bug” – 1.2 TSI with 140PS (103 kW), 1.4TSI with 210PS (154 kW) and the mighty 2.0TFSI is delivering 240PS (176 kW). The diesel range features 1.6 TDI receiving additional 20PS (15 kW) and the bigger 2.0TDI will have 170PS (125 kW).

Actuall, the ABT Beetle looks much better than, it was originally planned. The headlight brows give more aggressive look and the stripes complete the stunning exterior.

Source: ABT

March 8, 2012

Volkswagen Amarok Canyon Concept

Volkswagen Amarok has proven itself as very reliable and well appreciated utility vehicle. However, the manufacturer introduced a new special version of the pick-up truck at the Geneva International Motor Show. The name of the project is Amarok Canyon Concept, which will show how versatile pick-up configurations can be created.

“We are using this extreme concept to illustrate one of the many diverse uses of the Amarok. By tuning its design to an extreme sport, we are bringing the original DNA of the Amarok into focus,” said Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, spokesperson for the Board of Management for the Volkswagen Brand and Head of Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The concept vehicle is very different than the regular Amarok. It was raised by 40 mm with a body lift kit; and when the tyres are included, the concept is a full 85 mm taller than the production model.

The freestyle pick-up also has auxiliary headlights mounted on its roof, and additional visual accents are provided by the smoked rear lights and the colour-contrasting underbody protection. Two electrically deployed tread plates make it easy for all occupants to step into and out of the vehicle, despite the raised ride height.

The wheel housings were widened by 35 mm on each side to make room for the big AT tyres, size 275/65 R 18, mounted on ‘Durban’ type wheels painted in ‘High Gloss Adamantium Dark’.

The two carbon fibre kayaks are securely mounted to the cargo floor: at the rear, the floor is designed with two formed cut-outs with soft padding, while the kayak bows are mounted on a styling bar in ‘High Gloss Adamantium Dark’ with straps for firmly securing the boats. The paddles are firmly latched in place on the inside surface of the easy-to-operate tailgate, ready to grab. All other gear – white-water helmets, flotation devices and rafting shoes – are also stowed securely: the helmets in nets on the front wall of the cargo bed, and the rest of the gear in smaller boxes that can be locked with watertight lids.

The interior features a special colour scheme was used with many details and new accents. The leather seats have two-tone styling: the seating surfaces are in ‘sterling’ colour, while the head restraints and side supports are elegantly offset in ‘adamant’ colour. The decorative seams on the seats take on the orange-red colour of the body. This colour is also reflected in numerous other details such as in the seams of the three-spoke steering wheel and gear shift lever trim, the safety belts and the air outlets. Housed in a cowl in the cockpit are three auxiliary instruments. They show the climbing and tilt angles of the Amarok, which gives the driver key information for extra safety on extreme off-road drives.

Amarok Concept is powered by the new 2.0 TDI bi-turbo with 180 PS and 400Nm at 1500RPM. The switchable 4MOTION all-wheel drive system – together with a reduction gearbox and differential lock at the rear axle – ensures effective power transfer to the wheels even in the toughest off-road conditions.

Source: Volkswagen

March 6, 2012

VW Polo BlueGT

What happens when you cross mad lunacy with refinement and sensibility? Obviously and epic lovechild that has the best of both worlds. In our case that’s the VW Polo BlueGT (no, it’s not a sad GTI). It’s a super fun 140 PS Polo that has the looks and feel of a GTI and the metabolism of a BlueMotion. Today, on a stand at the Geneva Motor Show and within months, on to the European roads.

A system described as “ACT cylinder deactivation” is at the core of the BlueGT ideology. The second and third cylinders are automatically shut down within the 1,250 and 4,000 rpm. range and when torque output is between 25 and 100 Nm. If the driver decides to give it the beans, reactivation of the cylinders happens seamlessly in a matter of milliseconds but the dashboard will tell you nevertheless. That gives the 1.4 turbocharged, 140 PS engine the upper edge in fuel economy. Its combined cycle of fuel consumption amounts to 4.7 litres per 100 km (around 60 mpg). CO2 emissions equal to 108 g/km. Opt for the DSG transmission and you’ll get even more frugality. At the same time the top speed is at 210 kmh (130 mph) and zero to 62 mph takes 7.9 seconds.

For the styling of the BlueGT, Volkswagen have gone the “Frankinstain’s monster” way – GTI strains account for the front and rear bumpers, the rear spoiler, the instruments inside, the sports seasts and the leather steering wheel. The BlueGT is also 15 mm closer to the ground and sits on 17-inch multi-spoked alloys. The side sills and front windscreen rain channels, on the other hand, are from a Polo BlueMotion. This particular model is also the typical BlueMotion shade and the badges are all blue. Unlike the Frankinstain story however, the BlueGT might turn out to be a success rather than a tragedy. In fact, the BlueGT carries the first of Volkswagen‘s EA211 series of engines – a line that will underpin most of the models in the company’s production future.

Hopefully, shipments are going to start in July within mainland Europe. Whether there’s going to be a production for the UK, is still not announced.

Source: Volkswagen

March 6, 2012

2012 Italdesign Giugiaro up! azzurra sailing team

2012 Italdesign Giugiaro up! azzurra sailing team is a newborn vehicle at Volkswagen, conceived and designed by two exceptionl names in the international car design world: Giorgetto Giugiaro and Walter de Silva. 2012 Italdesign Giugiaro up! azzurra sailing team carries a Mediterranean soul, because both designers grew up in this environment. And as you can see the design is all about the feeling, which leaves one with the “sunshine in the hair”.

The prototype is an open, small, eco-friendly vehicle, which is perfectly suitable for who live near the coast where the sea breezes blow. The concept’s name comes from yacht club on the Costa Smeralda.

Furthermore, the vehicle retains the original character of the up! with its precise and appealing lines. However, what is specifically developed for this concept is that is completely open and even more: there are no doors or roof. Of course, this lets the driver and passengers enjoy the summer breezes, and leave the feeling as if they were aboard a boat.

2012 Italdesign Giugiaro up! azzurra sailing team

A wide range of high-tech and quality materials were used inside the vehicle, all of which are completely waterproof, and they intentionally resemble the fittings of a luxury yacht. In details, these features include the four seats in white-blue leather, numerous chrome components and a dashboard in mahogany with maple wood inlays. In addition, its surfaces are coated in a synthetic resin. 2012 Italdesign Giugiaro up! azzurra sailing team is a prototype, which makes the perfect link between the heritages of Italian yachts and German automobiles.

Source: Italdesign Giugiaro

March 6, 2012

Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept II – 1.8 l per 100 km (157 mpg)

Volkswagen has announced the Cross Coupe concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, which is powered by a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid system. Now, it is turn to a new model – Cross Coupe Concept II. The vehicle will make its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in few days.

The new Cross Coupe Concept II will have even more frugal plug-in hybrid drivetrain boasting a superb 157 mpg fuel economy. The drivetrain includes a turbodiesel direct injection engine (TDI) and two electric motors with overall power of 306PS (225 kW). As we mentioned, the fuel consumption is as low as 1.8 l/ 100km and 46 g/km of CO2. The performance is also at decent level, because the SUV can reach speeds of 220 km/h (137 mph). Really, these will be amazing achievements considering the weight of 1 858 kg.

Further information about the Cross Coupé will be available when it makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday 6 March.

Check out the previous Cross Coupe Concept here.

Source: Volkswagen

March 4, 2012

MR Car Design Volkswagen Golf VI R32

MR Car Design has introduced their pimped Golf VI R32. The athlete is co-developed with BTS-Racing and the result is impressive. The engine conversion includes reinforced DSG gearbox and R 32 HPG Turbo-Kit. The result is whopping 465PS (342 kW) and 550Nm (406 lb-ft).

MR R32 also has a KW Clubsport suspension, a Stoptech 4-piston braking system with 355×32 mm discs. There are also H&R stabilizers – front and back as well as reinforced engine, transmission and suspension components. The chassis received polyurethane Superpro bushes.

The mighty tuned Golf R32 stads on OZ Ultraleggera HLT matt and powder-coated in two colours – 9J x 19“ ET45 with 225/35 ZR19 high-performance tires.

Last, but not least, a valve controlled 3“ sports exhaust system has been mounted, which delivers very good sound characteristics.

Car Design offers a wide range of the storage possibilities for interested customers, both in summer and in winter. When it comes to the maintenance of the sport cars it is extremely convenient service.

Source: MR Car Design

March 2, 2012

MTM Volkswagen T500 and Audi Q3 at Geneva

MTM are going to be at Geneva and do they have a treat for us or what? Two treats in fact. The world these days is mad about SUV’s and MTM is listening carefully. That is why at the show, the custom house will feature an MTM Q3 2.0 TFSI Quattro baby SUV and … a not-much-of-an-SUV MTM T 500 2.5 TFSI 4motion which is, and there is no other way of saying this, basically a VW T5 van. But things start looking a bit different when closing in. The company has really made an effort in bringing the sport back to utility.

Both of these MTMs are patriotically painted in bold black, red and gold and the idea is to celebrate the kickoff of the European Football Championship season – “If you want to play in the top league, you better drive in the top league”, comments the MTM owner Roland Mayer.

We do not know what exactly happens underneath the hood, but MTM say that the power in the Q3 has been pumped from 170 bhp to 310 bhp. Another claim is that it only needs 6.1 seconds to get to the 100 km/h threshold and that the top speed is just bellow 250 km/h. The company also offers some exhaust pipes and a diffuser to complement all that power. Equally impressive are the four MTM Bimoto 20″ wheels, each wrapped in a 255/35 ZR 20 tire.

The MTM T 500 2.5 TFSI 4motion gets its power from a straight five that develops 472 bhp at 6,900 rpm. Alsp, at 4,100 rpm, the unit racks up a torque of 625 Nm which calls for an overhauled transmission. Top speed stands at 280 km/h (in a van!). Some reassuring tweaks on the suspension are also provided – 6-piston calipers at the front grab hold of the giant disks whenever needed, a KW Street Comfort coilover suspension tweaked by MTM is also there to keep you on the road. As a roundup, we have four 9×20 inch MTM Bimoto rims with 275/35 ZR 20 Michelin SuperSport tires on them.

Whichever of the two you might fancy, it will be ideal for a trip to the European Football Championship. Two PSUVs suited for true football fans.

Source: MTM

March 2, 2012

Tag: Volkswagen