Paul Tan's Automotive News » Volkswagen

Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI Pacific – a SE for Australia

Anthony Lim — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:18:02 +0000

Yet another special edition has popped up, and this one, from Volkswagen, is meant exclusively for the Australian market. It’s called the Tiguan 132TSI Pacific, and helping to distinguish the vehicle as a SE are a host of comfort and convenience items as standard fitment.

Among the items in the kit bag are Park Assist 2, auto dimming rear view mirror, dual zone climate control, vanity mirror with lighting for driver and passenger, automatic headlight sensors, coming-and-leaving home function, rain sensing wipers and front fog lights.

VW Australia has four engine variants of the SUV on call, but the one that has been chosen to wear the Pacific tag is the 177 hp 2.0 litre TSI, which comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard, though there’s the DSG box available as an option.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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VW to assemble T5 Transporter and Multivan in Indonesia

Danny Tan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:57:40 +0000

Volkswagen will assemble “Semi Knocked Down” (SKD) units of its Transporter and Multivan vans in Indonesia. Both based on the current T5 platform, the vans will be for the local market. Indonesia is ASEAN’s most populous country and people carriers are the most popular choice of vehicle there.

The T5 Transporters and Multivans will be built at Volkswagen’s Hanover plant in Germany before being transported to its SKD Center in Bissendorf/Wedemark nearby. Here, the vehicles will be partially disassembled and before making the long journey to Jakarta via Hamburg. At the destination, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ partner Indomobil/Garuda Mataram Motor will pay duty on the SKD units before piecing back the vans.

“We are very pleased that this successful and trusted partner is now also assembling our models for this growth-oriented market. This ensures the product quality which Volkswagen customers are accustomed to, and which they expect from a premium product like the T5,” said Jens Ocksen, Member of the Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for Production.

A hassle yes, but the duties and taxes saved over bringing in a fully CBU car from Germany must be worthwhile. VW plans to assemble around 220 T5s this year, and the first vehicles will be delivered this month. Do you think a Hyundai Starex type of Volkswagen passenger van will work in Malaysia?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Reports: Volkswagen AG directors visit DRB-Hicom, looking into technical collaboration with Proton

Danny Tan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:15:30 +0000

Reports linking Volkswagen with Proton have emerged, with the national carmaker’s new owner playing host. According to Business Times, DRB-Hicom is understood to have hosted two Volkswagen AG group directors last Thursday. The duo met with key stakeholders of DRB-Hicom, including its top management.

“They also reviewed all Proton Holdings Bhd’s models,” the publication’s unnamed source revealed. BT says that the Volkswagen directors came down to evaluate the possibility of having a collaborative technical agreement on technology transfer with Proton.

“This is the first step and I think that there will be many more such meetings before a deal could be struck,” their source added.

As all of us know, this isn’t the first time Europe’s biggest carmaker Volkswagen is being linked with Proton; the previous marriage attempt broke down because of issues over majority stake. With a new owner in place (DRB-Hicom is VW’s local assembler), will this latest “on” in the “on-off” relationship stick, or will it fizzle out like it always does?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Reports: Volkswagen thinking of F1, to supply engines first

Danny Tan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:06:14 +0000

This is not something we’ve heard of the first time, but Volkswagen is considering joining Formula 1, according to a report from Germany. Apparently, VW’s motor sport representative Wolfgang Durheimer told prominent business mag Wirtschaftswoche that he has come up with a preliminary plan for the future, which includes F1.

“Later this year I will put forward proposals to the executive group for (involvement in) not only the racing series that we do already,” he said. “It is true, in America, Asia and the Middle East, we are not sufficiently represented in motor sport,” added Durheimer.

Wirtschaftswoche cited sources in saying the first step for VW in the premier four-wheel racing series is to be an engine supplier. The VW badge is already seen in F1, as the brand is linked commercially with the Red Bull rookie team Toro Rosso.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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2011 Volkswagen Phaeton facelift spied in Malaysia!

Paul Tan — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:12:33 +0000

The Volkswagen sedan you see on the trailer above with its badges covered up is not a Jetta or a Passat. Notice the twin rear tailpipes, one on each side of the rear bumper? You’re looking at the ultimate Volkswagen – the Phaeton! And the car’s presence here in Malaysia could be an indication of an impending launch.

If you think the Audi A8 is the underdog choice in the full size luxury car segment, you haven’t met the Volkswagen Phaeton yet. The Phaeton is the ultimate underdog luxury car – said to be brilliant in its capabilities by the motoring press but somehow losing out in sales to the S-Class and the 7-Series because of a “people’s car” badge.

The car you see above is the latest 2011 facelifted version, with a refreshed front and rear, now featuring headlamps with LED daytime running lights and new tail lamps that bring it in line with the current Volkswagen design language. I’m not entirely sure whether the car above is the long wheelbase version or the short wheelbase version though, but most of the players in that segment in this country offer only the long wheelbase version because of the buyer profile.

Curiously, the Phaeton is only available as a V6 TDI in the UK. There are also other engines available of course – I don’t see Volkswagen offering diesels here at this point of time. The Phaeton’s petrol engine line-up include a base V6 FSI engine producing 280 PS, accompanying a V8 and a top of the line line W12 producing 335 PS and 450 PS respectively.

Look after the jump for a picture gallery of the Phaeton facelift.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Polo Sedan sighted at a Malaysian port

Paul Tan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:40:41 +0000

The new Volkswagen Polo Sedan – we’ve seen it being tested on the roads before, and now reader Wan has sent in photos of a big shipment of mostly white, silver, grey and black Volkswagen Polo Sedans lined up at a port in Malaysia.

The badges on the rear left of the car confirms that the car will share a name with its hatchback sibling and be called the Volkswagen Polo in Malaysia, instead of the Volkswagen Vento as it is marketed in India.

The rear right badge says 1.6, and there’s no TSI badging, which indicates that this affordable Volkswagen sedan will use a normally aspirated 1.6 liter engine, which we expect should be similiar to the one in the last generation Polo. For India specs, the 1.6 liter petrol engine makes 105 PS and 153Nm of torque at a relatively early 3,800rpm, mated to a 6-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual.

India also has a nice 1.6 liter turbodiesel making 105 PS and 250Nm from as low as 1,500rpm – that should be nice, if only diesels were more popular in Malaysia!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid – 1.4 TSI marries 20 kW motor

Danny Tan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:50:46 +0000

You’ve seen the cool Volkswagen E-Bugster earlier, now here’s something less exciting but nearer to the showrooms, the Jetta Hybrid. The Jetta’s zero-flair bodyshell now houses a hybrid powertrain which marries a 150 PS/250 Nm 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine to a 20 kW electric motor.

Together, the combo delivers around 20% better fuel consumption over an equivalent petrol-powered Jetta (19 km/l) and decent performance – 0-100 km/h takes less than nine seconds.

Like the Touareg Hybrid, the Jetta is a parallel hybrid, using a decoupling clutch that can disengage the petrol motor for pure electric drive (or when coasting or braking), disengage the electric motor (for higher speeds or when the battery charge is low), or combine the two units for maximum power. Power is directed to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox

Using electric power alone, the Jetta Hybrid can be driven at speeds of up to 70 km/h and over a distance of 2 km, depending on conditions. For maximum performance, both the TSI engine and the electric motor combine for peak power of 170 PS.

A lithium-ion battery supplies energy to the electric motor. It is located behind the rear seat bench, making no compromises on interior space. The 38.5 kg pack is made up of 60 individual cells, and together they produce a nominal voltage of 220 V and an energy capacity of 1.1 kWh.

Cooling is provided by an integrated fan, operated by the battery’s own management system that performs diagnostic, monitoring and safety functions, including disconnecting itself in an accident.

If the battery has enough juice, the Jetta Hybrid is switched to electric drive mode either automatically (at speeds of up to 60 km/h) or at the press of a button next to the gear lever (up to 70 km/h).

When the driver releases the gas pedal at higher speeds (up to 135 km/h) the TSI engine is decoupled, reducing drag torque losses. Under braking, it switches to battery regeneration mode. At higher speeds, or when the battery is depleted, the engine provides extra power to recharge the battery.

Despite the extra weight of the battery, motor and extra safety mods to the vehicle structure, the Jetta Hybrid weighs only 100 kg more than the non-hybrid sedan at below 1,500 kg. Externally, the Jetta Hybrid can be identified by aero mods including a new front spoiler, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler that help to improve the car’s Cd value by 10%.

With a 1.4-litre engine, the Jetta Hybrid qualifies for Malaysia’s tax incentives for hybrid cars – will this be the first non-Japanese hybrid player in our market? Read our review of the Jetta 1.4 TSI here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen E-Bugster – the Beetle gets electrified!

Anthony Lim — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:51:46 +0000

Volkswagen has debuted a Beetle concept car called the E-Bugster at the NAIAS in Detroit. The two-seat Beetle speedster features pure electric drive and is a powered by a Blue-e-Motion system, with a 85 kW motor at the heart of it. The concept is lower (by 90 mm) and wider (by 30 mm) than the stock Bug.

Taking some cues from the Ragster concept from 2005, external design elements include a swept-back and wide windscreen, LED headlights and highly customised bumpers from the production Beetle, and these feature daytime running lights to the left and right of the central air intake styled in C-shape fashion. These styling elements also appear in modified form as reflectors in the rear bumper, which was also redesigned.

Inside, the car features a lightweight construction steering wheel, sport seats, the use of aluminium as material for door handles and belt guides as well as a continuous centre tunnel finished in body colour, among other things.

Staring up the E-Bugster is a bit of a light show – engaging the Start button immerses the interior in a white light, then a blue light. It begins with a light pulse in the instrument cluster – from there the light emanates as a thin line of light, just one millimetre wide, coursing into the door window sills and around the air nozzles.

The car’s central electric module weighs just 80 kg, and juice for the motor is stored in a lithium-ion battery whose modules are housed in a space-saving location behind the front seats. The battery has an energy capacity of 28.3 kWh, offering the car a 180 km operating range.

The car features a new Combined Charging System, which has been developed in cooperation with Audi, BMW, Daimler and Porsche as well as American carmakers Ford and General Motors. The system’s standardised interface offers single-phase charging with AC current and fast DC charging. Via a quick charge, the battery can be topped up within 35 minutes at suitable charging stations.

The E-Bugster rides on 20-inch versions of the production Beetle’s 18-inch Twister wheels, and these are wrapped with 235/35 series rubbers.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen opens its latest showroom in Kuantan

Anthony Lim — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:23:43 +0000

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has opened its latest VW showroom in the country, and the new outlet – operated by authorised dealer Okuan Otomobil – is located in Kuantan, Pahang. The new dealership extends the brand’s reach to customers in the East Coast of the Peninsular, and brings VGM’s operational outlets nationwide to 17.

Ricky Tay, VGM’s MD, said the launch of the showroom is part of Volkswagen’s rapid expansion plans in Malaysia, which was carried out extensively last year to extend the customer satisfaction experience.

“As the first showroom to be launched in 2012, we believe Okuan Otomobil will set the pace for Volkswagen to further strengthen its brand awareness and customer service in the region, especially in the state of Pahang,” he said.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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VW gives workers respite from Blackberry messages

Anthony Lim — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:16:49 +0000

In a move that should hopefully unshackle the idea that work has to follow one home, Volkswagen has agreed to stop sending emails through Blackberry devices to its workers in Germany after working hours.

According to reports, an agreement was reached between the company and its labour representatives that will see the email function being deactivated at night for the 1,154 pay-scale employees at VW’s six plants in Germany who have a smartphone device furnished by the company.

These workers will only receive e-mails from half an hour before the start of flex-time working hours until half an hour after they end, but will still be able to receive and make phone calls. Board level execs will however continue to receive emails via their Blackberry devices.

The move came about following complaints from employees that being reachable all the time blurred the lines between work and home life as well as heighten the risk of burnout. Needless to say, the response to the decision to deactivate e-mails at night has been very positive.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Passat “The Force” ad is the top watched car video on YouTube in 2011!

Paul Tan — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:21:50 +0000

Remember Volkswagen’s The Force commercial? The one featuring a pint-sized Darth Vader trying his “powers” out on the new Volkswagen Passat in his parent’s driveway. Well, it turns out that the amusing ad made it as one of the top 10 most watched videos on YouTube in 2011. The ad made its debut at the Super Bowl, and the recipe combining one of the most popular car brands in the world with one of the biggest movie franchises in the world sent the ad on its way to becoming one of the most viral videos of 2011.

The commercial showcases the Passat’s Remote Start feature, which allows you to start your Volkswagen Passat’s engine from your remote control while you are still outside the car – this is a useful feature if you want to crank up your car to let the air conditioning run and cool down the interior before you get into the driver’s seat.

The Passat featured in the ad is the North American model, which is a unique larger model designed specifically for the North American and Chinese markets. The Passat sedan with the 1.8 liter TSI engine that was launched in Malaysia this year is the European model.

Check our the rest of the Top 10 Most Watched Videos on YouTube.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Tokyo 2011: VW Cross Coupe Concept is small but stout

Danny Tan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:19:46 +0000

One of the best looking and realistic concepts on show in Tokyo is German. Volkswagen brought this broad, hunky piece of metal to Japan, called the Cross Coupe Concept. VW says that this crossover is part four-door coupe, part compact SUV – sounds a little like a mini Range Rover Evoque, doesn’t it?

Wide body, low roof, plunging roofline, raked windscreen, prominent square cut wheel arches and an imposing bold front end – the Cross Coupe lookes even better in grey metal than pics. All the right ingredients for an urban fashionable crossover.

After circling the showcar a few times, I was sold. VW says that the “Cross Coupé hints at the future of SUV design at Volkswagen,” which can only be a good thing.

A neat design touch is at the nose, where Walter de Silva, Klaus Bischoff and co have combined VW’s usual inner headlight elements with the grille bars, emphasising the wide look. This CC’s proportions also make the Tiguan look gawky. By the way, while it may look large, the Cross Coupe, while bigger than a Golf, is actually smaller than a Tiguan.

More good signs inside. VW isn’t known for designing sporty, driver centered cabins, but here’s one that deviates from the straight laced, business-like dashboards that they usually prefer.

We see a centre stack tilted to the driver, a high centre console for a boxed in cockpit feel and a flat bottomed steering wheel. Actually if you strip off the obvious show car detailing such as the fancy inner air vents and gear knob, this could well be a production design. Try it.

The Cross Coupe sits on VW’s new modular transverse matrix (MQB), the first time a vehicle has been shown off this platform. It has three power sources. Under the hood is a 148 hp/210 Nm TSI engine as well as an electric motor that makes 54 hp and 180 Nm.

If the Cross Coupe is to be used in AWD or pure electric mode, a further electric motor integrated as a co-axial drive unit in the back axle powers the rear wheels. This one generates up to 114 hp and 270 Nm. Overall output of the system is 262 hp.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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New Volkswagen showroom opens in Ipoh, 10th in M’sia

Danny Tan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:36:37 +0000

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) and Goh Brothers Motor, an authorised dealer of VGM, recently launched Goh Brothers Motor’s Volkswagen showroom in Ipoh, located along Jalan Kuala Kangsar.

In his speech at the launch, Ricky Tay, MD of VGM said the launch is in line with VGM’s rapid expansion plans in Malaysia and also to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the region. “Volkswagen’s presence in the northern region will further strengthen VGM’s nationwide network as well as bringing the Volkswagen brand and service closer to customers and Volkswagen lovers in this region,” he said.

“Volkswagen‘s main guiding principles in Network Development are Optimised Coverage, Customer Oriented, Dealer Profitability and Investor Friendly, all of which are values shared by Goh Brothers, and they are thus equally keen to translate these principles into business achievements and results,” Tay added.

Goh Brothers Motor is an old name, having been in the automotive industry for over 23 years, and with experience dealing with both local and international car brands. Goh Brothers Motor was appointed an official authorised VW dealer in May 2007. To date, Volkswagen has 10 showrooms across Malaysia.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Suzuki wants to divorce VW, taking the dispute to court

Danny Tan — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:29:06 +0000

We saw it coming, and the sour relationship between Suzuki and VW is now going to the courts, with the Japanese bride demanding that her estranged German husband sign the divorce papers.

“Suzuki is today commencing arbitration proceedings in London with the ICC, International Court of Arbitration, in order to compel Volkswagen AG to dispose of its Suzuki shares to Suzuki or Suzuki’s designated third party,” the company said in a statement released yesterday.

“The arbitration proceedings follow Suzuki’s termination of its alliance, and Volkswagen AG’s lack of response to Suzuki’s requests for the disposition of its shares,” it added.

The Japanese small car expert declared last week that it had ended its alliance with VW, and demanded that the German giant sell back its stake in Suzuki by November 2012. Suzuki also warned that it would seek arbitration if VW refused to sell the 112.21 million shares, or 19.89%, back to Suzuki or an appointed third party.

Suzuki’s executive VP Yasuhito Harayama was previously quoted as saying: “It was made very clear when we tied up with Volkswagen that we did not want to become consolidated, and that we would remain independent. We feel we need to return to the starting point, including over the ownership ratio. The understanding that we are independent companies, and equal partners, is the absolute prerequisite in pursuing any specific cooperation.”

Besides that, Suzuki has complained that VW failed to provide promised access to green technologies, while VW is sore about the supply of diesel engines to Suzuki from Italian rival Fiat.

VW denies any wrongdoing in the marriage and dismissed Suzuki’s claims that it had violated terms of partnership. “Volkswagen categorically rejects these accusations. We are very disappointed (by Suzuki’s decision to seek arbitration). There is no legal reason to take such action,” a company spokesman told AFP.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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VW briefs local and ASEAN vendors at Suppliers’ Day

Danny Tan — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:22:59 +0000

Volkswagen’s Regional Sourcing Office recently hosted a Suppliers’ Day, which saw the attendance of more than 300 automotive suppliers from Malaysia and throughout the ASEAN region.

The purpose was to share information with the vendors on the upcoming Volkswagen local assembly operations in Malaysia, and for them to better understand VW processes such as supplier management, logistics, quality assurance and engineering.

Among those who also attended were Government officials, current and potential suppliers, officials from DRB-HICOM and Volkswagen production officials from Wolfsburg, Germany.

Tay added that with 62 production facilities throughout the world, Volkswagen is constantly looking out for production opportunities and to build and establish a bigger network of suppliers to complement the brand’s growth in key markets.

A total of 11 speakers from various organisations presented their plans and strategies, including supplier quality awareness and logistics requirement processes, during the half-day event.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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WRC star Sebastien Ogier leaves Citroen for Volkswagen

Danny Tan — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:30:52 +0000

Highly rated World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Sebastien Ogier has joined Volkswagen after exiting the sport’s top team Citroen. The Frenchman, who was a strong and competitive teammate to 2011 champ and living legend Seb Loeb, will be replaced by Finn Mikko Hirvonen at Citroen.

Ogier, who left Citroen with a year remaining on his contract, is joining Volkswagen effective immediately. The 27-year-old ex Junior World Rally Championship champion will now be helping the development of the Polo R WRC for VW’s planned 2013 entry. This means that we won’t see him in action next season.

“Volkswagen is the number one in Europe and will soon be number one in the world. I’m sure that they’re going to compete with the goal of clinching the WRC title. And I’m happy to be part of this from the outset,” Ogier said.

“We are proud that such a successful and quick duo as Sebastian Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia have decided to join Volkswagen. The aim of putting a competitive Polo R WRC on the road for them as quickly as possible will additionally drive our team. We look forward to working with them and are hoping for many victories and titles in the future,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

VW confirmed its 2013 WRC entry and previewed the Polo R WRC back in May. Click here to view a video of it.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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No CKD VW Passat launch yesterday, DRB-Hicom clarifies

Danny Tan — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:53:24 +0000

So November 23 came and passed, and we had no news or sight of the locally-assembled Volkswagen Passat, as reported by Bernama. It could be that the national news agency reporter at the International College of Automotive (ICAM) launch misquoted the Group MD of DRB-Hicom, Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil. We would have been surprised if it was true – no press invites were sent out for a “launch.”

What actually happened yesterday was the production roll-out of the CKD Passat at the DRB-Hicom Automotive Complex in Pekan, DRB-Hicom clarified. “Volkswagen Group Malaysia has submitted the recommended retail price of CKD Passat to the government and was awaiting approval before retailing could commence,” Mohd Khamil said, adding that to date, DRB-Hicom has assembled about 70 units of the CKD Passat 1.8.

“Volkswagen Group Malaysia will make the necessary announcements pertaining to availability of the CKD Volkswagen Passat and its recommended retail price in due course,” he added.

There you go, no CKD Passat for now. What you can have now is our first impressions of the CBU Passat – click here to read.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Passat Alltrack – VW does an Audi Allroad

Danny Tan — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:28:39 +0000

The upcoming Tokyo Motor Show will see Volkswagen give this Passat Alltrack a world debut. The Alltrack is basically a raised and tougher looking Passat wagon with VW’s 4Motion AWD system, pretty much the same recipe as Audi’s Allroad wagons. The Passat Alltrack is positioned between the standard Passat Variant and the Tiguan SUV.

VW’s rationale is that there are many who use their car as a towing vehicle, or in light off-road situations, who want a versatile, sporty and roomy passenger car with rugged qualities. The Alltrack is defined by new SUV style bumpers with wheel well and side sill flares.

Compared to the standard car, it has greater off-road ramp angle (12.8 degrees), approach angle (16 degrees) and departure angle (13.6 degrees). The 165 mm ground clearance has been raised by 30 mm.

Two TSI engines (160 PS/210 PS) and two TDI units (140 PS/170 PS) are available. The more powerful engine from each camp have standard 4Motion AWD and a dual clutch DSG.

Something new here is the ‘Off-Road Driving Programme’ from VW’s SUVs. It works up to 30 km/h and electronically tailors settings for the AWD hardware including the electronic differential, ABS, torque control, hill descent and, in DSG-equipped cars, gearbox shift points to provide easier and better off-road performance.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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CKD Volkswagen Passat 1.8 launching tomorrow?

Danny Tan — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:50:58 +0000

Bernama has reported that the locally assembled CKD version of the Volkswagen Passat 1.8 will be launched tomorrow. The national news agency got the news from Group Managing Director of DRB-Hicom, Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil, after the opening of International College of Automotive (ICAM) yesterday.

The DRB boss told reporters that about 70 units of the Passat 1.8 model will be marketed initially. No price was given though, as they are still awaiting government’s approval.

This comes as a bit of a surprise, since Volkswagen Group Malaysia only recently launched the fully imported Passat in mid October, alongside fellow CBU models Jetta and CrossTouran. In CBU form, the D-segment Passat is powered by a 1.8-litre TSI engine with 160 PS and 250 Nm, paired to a 7-speed DSG ‘box.

Kit includes 17-inch alloys, bi-Xenon headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, RCD 510 touch-screen, 6-disc CD changer / eight=speaker audio system and leather seats. Other items include cruise control, electric parking brake with auto-hold function and hill-hold control, PDC for the front and rear and a tyre pressure monitoring system. It is priced at RM184,888.

We’ll keep tabs, in the meantime you can read our review of the CBU Passat here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen eT! is the delivery man’s perfect partner

Danny Tan — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:48:47 +0000

Here’s a research vehicle from Volkswagen that’s not going to make production soon, belonging more to an 80s TV series. They’ve done cabs before, but this time it’s a light commercial van. The eT! is the fruit of a think tank on future transport and mobility issues by VW, Deutsche Post AG (Germany’s Pos Malaysia) and University of Art at Braunschweig, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

“We analysed process flows and customer needs in detail, and from these analyses we derived ideas on how the segment of delivery and courier vehicles could be further developed over the long term. In this context, we focused on zero-emissions driving and available space in urban areas, semiautomatic driving functions that offer relevant support and simplify work processes and the integration of new communication technologies,” said Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Research.

The eT!’s wheel hub electric motors mean that space for cargo is optimised and it’s better at manoeuvering the narrow European city streets. And to make the life of courier drivers simpler, the eT! can be operated semiautomatically in certain situations. For instance, the van can follow the delivery man from house to house (“Follow me”), or return to the delivery person on command (“Come to me”), instead of him hopping in and out the vehicle for a string of short distance deliveries. Like a good dog!

Or, the driver can direct the car’s movements via a “drive stick” from the passenger’s side that also offers a standing seat and quick access to the vehicle. This makes sense because the passenger’s side in Europe is the side that faces the sidewalk and is therefore the working side of the delivery person – no more walking around the vehicle. There’s also an electrically opening sliding door that opens to 2 different stages.

And let’s not forget that the eT! is a zero emissions EV which doesn’t add to city pollution. VW says that the eT! will now be put in a driving test study and further analysed.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Toyota to lose No 1 spot for 2011 – GM to return to top of the heap, while Volkswagen moves into second place

Anthony Lim — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:49:27 +0000

It hasn’t been a good year for Japanese automakers, with the Japanese earthquake earlier in the year and more recently, floods in Thailand disrupting production, schedule and plans. All this has certainly lost them a fair bit of ground in terms of sales and expansion.

Toyota, the world’s number one automaker, looks set to lose the most – the company is set to cede the top spot in global new-vehicle sales in 2011 to the resurgent General Motors, according to reports. Toyota was No. 1 for the past three years, but now looks certain to drop to third place after the Asian disasters forced the company to cut production at home and abroad.

GM’s global sales for the January-September period rose 9% on the year to 6.79 million units, and with sales in Q4 on track to outpace the 2.17 million units recorded in same 2010 period, the US automaker’s full-year total is likely to exceed nine million units. This number would be 20% above the figure for 2009, when the company filed for bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen is expected to advance one spot to second place, with group sales surging 14% on the year to 6.17 million units in the first nine months of 2011. In 2010, Toyota and GM were the only carmakers to achieve more than eight million units sold – VW is positioned to reach that milestone for the first time this year, helped by double-digit sales growth in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, the reports say.

As for Toyota, its January-September sales slid 9% on the year to 5.77 million units, and with the effects of the Thai floods set to impact the October-December figures, it looks unlikely that Toyota will narrow the gap with GM and VW, which have also enjoyed a head start the world’s largest market, China.

Elsewhere, Hyundai, which surged past Ford in 2010, is on pace to consolidate its position thanks to robust sales in the US, China and other key markets – the company has already upgraded its sales forecast for the full year to at least 6.5 million units, from the 6.33 million units projected, the reports add.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 TSI – first drive impressions

Anthony Lim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:28:19 +0000

Showing all your cards at one go is a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s undoubtedly great for effect, where the blanket covers significant acreage in one swipe, and it also allows one to understand the philosophy and underlying values at work in much more complete fashion.

It can also prove to be a distraction, not so much for the person sampling the wares, but rather in how each is perceived – there’s a distinct difference in taking each on an individual basis, as opposed to when they’re all lumped together. The danger, of course, is that it ends up showing each other up in some areas, even if the products in question don’t ply their wares in the same category and class.

Such was the case with the three vehicle spread that Volkswagen Group Malaysia launched a couple of weeks ago. The Passat 1.8 TSI, Jetta 1.4 TSI and Cross Touran 1.4 TSI are markedly dissimilar in tone, even if they do share common family traits in behaviour and characteristics. By the end of a two-day drive, however, there was much to be gleaned subjectively as there was objectively.

To improve clarity, we’ve decided to separate the first impressions of the trio into three individual pieces. Granted, there’ll still be observations on each vis-a-vis, especially with regards to the Jetta and Passat, but let’s see if we can dissect and take each on their own strengths and make it easier reading than together as a collective whole.

Full report after the jump.

The drive, which took us to Penang and back, began with the Jetta sedan. Equipped with a 1.4 TSI twin-charged mill offering 160 PS at 5,800 rpm and 240 Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm, mated to a seven-speed DSG tranny, the sixth-generation Jetta – which is made in Mexico – is tagged by VGM as the most powerful sedan in its category.

For RM149,888 (on the road, without insurance), the A6, Typ 1K is equipped fairly well enough, though a bit on the sedate side. There are no Xenons and corresponding LED DRLs, but the on-board kit is more than serviceable.

Not much where the exterior is concerned. The headlamps are of the halogen variety, you get front foglamps, twin exhaust tailpipes and Navarra 16-inch five-spoke alloys shod with 205/55 series tyres, and that just about sums it up with this one, which is 90 mm longer than the previous generation model.

You do get a number of exterior shades to pick from, eight in this case, made up of two solid (Candy White and Tornado Red, the last as seen on the Golf GTI), five metallic (Platinum Grey, Silver Leaf, Reflex Silver, Toffee Brown and Tempest Blue) and a single pearl effect colour (Deep Black).

It’s all in keeping with the presentation – the exterior shape, which VW is proud to say doesn’t share any common panels with the Golf Mk VI (and thus, should not be viewed as a Golf with a boot, so it goes!), has an austerity about it, much of it to do with the strong shoulder line, which is supposed to make the car look lower and to lend it better athleticism.

I wouldn’t go as far as to call the Jetta sporty; the simplest way to describe it would be that it’s all business-like with this one. I quite like the rear though – there’s a fair bit of Audi A4 in there, especially with the rear lamp arrangement.

Interior items include a Climatronic air-conditioning system with two-zone temperature control, a RCD310 audio system, a three-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, Park Distance Control (PDC) for the front and rear, rain sensing wipers, cruise control and seats covered in ‘Sienna’ fabric. There’s less sense of occasion compared to the Passat, but that’s pretty much to be expected.

In the safety department, there’s the usual mix of ABS, EBD and BA, as well as TCS and ESP, and six airbags (front, front side and front/rear curtain), Isofix points on the rear seats and Hill-hold control. Elsewhere, other numbers for the car include 510 litres of boot space, an 8.3 seconds 0-100 km/h sprint time, a top speed of 221 km/h and a combined fuel consumption of 6.0 litres per 100 km.

Despite its 1,417 kg kerb mass, the Jetta never felt sluggish – it’s no rocket, but what it serves up should be pacy enough for most in this segment. The 1.4 TSI mill was its eager and willing self, as is the case with the mill, and that willingness to run offers the car good midband energy. During the drive up to Ipoh, getting back to higher running speeds from the more sedentary moments at 120-130 km/h, to accommodate slower overtaking traffic, was never an issue.

Some thoughts about the car’s suspension. In terms of ride and handling, I thought it was the best balanced of the trio, sitting midway in how it presents things in terms of compliancy and performance, hinting on the side of firm. At the higher end of the speed spectrum, all three vehicles have a sterling composure about them, as expected of the breed, but across a wider speed range and conditions, it is the Jetta’s that remains the most uniform and appealing.

This lends the car the best drivability of the lot, with the overall tone being brisk, dynamic and even cheerful in character, something you wouldn’t expect as you give the exterior the twice over when you walk up to the car.

You can even push it into corners and come out feeling very respectable, the steering is quite precise and the car fairly grippy, though the caveat is measured sensibility and commitment once in – the suspension, in what is just about its only less than desirable moment, comes undone if you carry too much speed in and attempt to correct midway. All lovely if you think those big pitch and wobble moments are great giggly fun, less so if you happen to have folks strapped on at the back. I had fun, but can’t say it wasn’t hairy.

Of course, like as with all good, no-nonsense family sedans, this isn’t what most Jetta owners are likely to do, be a bit scatter-brained about it all. Away from those hijinks moments, which should theoretically be few and far in between, the car accomplishes its intended brief very respectably – the thing is, you come up to it expecting less than what you eventually get, from a driving point of view at least, and that surely can’t be a bad thing.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI – first drive impressions

Anthony Lim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:27:55 +0000

Next up in the three vehicle VW spread is the Passat, the changeover from the Jetta taking place in Ipoh. Jumping in from the latter, the shift in presentation with the seventh-generation B7, as its designated, was distinct.

The interior, as befits the car’s D-segment executive sedan status, is naturally the most polished of the three. The material and trim ups the luxury level a fair bit, with brushed aluminium inserts for the centre console and Iridium deco inserts on the dash and doors helping things along, but there’s no denying that it’s all accomplished in VW fashion, presented more matter of fact – and very cleanly so – than with flair and elan. Indeed, there’s nothing ostentatious about all that familiarity, which is undoubtedly in line with how the suits, which are the target market, like it.

Full story after the jump.

Cabin kit on this one includes a RCD 510 6.5-inch touchscreen, six-disc CD changer and eight speaker audio system, black leather Vienna upholstery, three-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, a press and drive comfort start function and electric-adjustment front seats.

Also to be found are an analogue clock, cruise control, electric parking brake with auto-hold function and hill-hold control, PDC for the front and rear, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a rest assist drowsiness detection system, which is seen for the first time in the Passat.

As expected, build quality and finish is tight for the German-assembled car, though it is when you go through it and the Jetta’s interior on a comparison basis that you find the latter’s fitment a little bit less rounded. Which is not to say that Pablo cannot build a car as well as Hans, of course.

The exterior follows the process – the facelift from B6 to B7 has brought about a slight change in dimensions (it’s 4 mm longer, 2 mm lower and has a 2 mm longer wheelbase than the older car), but looks-wise retains the sturdy sensibility expected of it. I’m not quite sure about the back, especially when viewed dead-on centre; the plainness needs something to dress it up, at least to me it does.

So, nothing too dramatic with this one, because there’s the Passat CC to take care of those looking for more splashes of dash and flash. On the item list are bi-Xenons with integrated LED daytime running lights, LED-equipped tail lamps, multi-spoke Minneapolis 17-inch alloys and 235/45 profile rubbers, six airbags and the usual host of three-letter acronym electronic driver aids. Ten exterior colours abound, three solid, four metallic and three pearl effect shades making up the complement.

The 1.8 TSI turbocharged engine on the RM184,888 offering has 160 PS at 5,000 to 6,200 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm for output numbers, and the block is mated to a seven-speed DSG box. Performance figures are a 0-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds for the 1,517 kg vehicle, and it gets all the way up to 220 km/h.

From a drive performance viewpoint, civilised would best describe the Passat. The output numbers are the same as that of the Jetta, but the tune coming off the 1.8 litre mill is aimed squarely at linearity and progression rather than punch. It isn’t bereft of heft, and is rapid enough getting to highway cruising speeds and shuffling along at even higher ones, but it’s all tinged with a definite modicum of restraint getting there, not just from the midband up.

So, you go along in generally unhurried fashion, as you should. In urban use, for the exec crawling his way to and fro work through morning and evening traffic, with the occasional mild sprint when the road opens up, it’s simply dandy. And on long haul runs, the strong cruiser element in it makes it the most winsome of the trio for the job.

Much of the appeal of the last comes from the ride, which plays ably to the workings of the powertrain. The honour of having the softest take of the trio in terms of ride comfort goes to it, and not the Cross Touran, which, as it turned out, offered the firmest take on things.

The Passat’s suspension is still very much anchored in ‘Continental’ fashion, but there’s less edge to the nuggets of information from the chassis and feedback coming off the rack compared to the Jetta. Most importantly, you perish any thought of doing the dirty with it in the twisty bits, such is how its character is – I simply didn’t bother.

Still, based on what I can remember of it, it’s firmer than that of the Peugeot 508 in its standard MacPherson strut layout – it’d certainly be interesting to toss both up along with something like the new EcoBoost-equipped Ford Mondeo to see what comes about. There’s a thought, then, eh?

In all, the entire direction of the Passat’s presentation falls in line with what’s expected of a car working this particular route. Sturdy and dependable, in a no-nonsense manner, the Passat is the strong and silent type, the one who gets the job done every time, with nary a peep or hint of fuss. The German answer to the likes of the Camry? Absolutely.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Cross Touran 1.4 TSI – first drive impressions

Anthony Lim — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:27:28 +0000

Finally, we come to the last of the Volkswagen trio – after the previous day spent going up in the Jetta and Passat, the return trip from Penang was made in the Cross Touran. The compact MPV sits on a PQ35 platform that the Golf Mk VI wears (the Jetta does too, but in modified form), but still offers seating for seven.

The RM166,888 vehicle, which is assembled in Wolfsburg, gets wider wheel arches and longer suspension springs than the standard Touran in its Cross form here, and the last means that it has 20 mm more ground clearance than the normal Touran. The Cross package also gives it Funplay 17-inch alloys in 6.5J front and 8J rear form, to accommodate the staggered 215/50 front and 235/45 rear tyres it wears.

Full story after the jump.

It’s also equipped with a 1.4 TSI twincharger mill, though in this case in its 140 PS at 5,600 rpm and 220 Nm at 1,250 to 4,500 rpm output derivative form, a positioning choice made to keep fuel consumption low. Performance numbers include a 0-100 km/h time of 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 193 km/h, as well as a combined fuel consumption of 7.1 litres per 100 km.

On the equipment list are bi-Xenon headlamps with dynamic bending lights and daytime running lights, an electronic panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof, cruise control, ‘Fey’ fabric seats (in natural brown or anthracite options), a leather-covered three-spoke steering wheel, the same RCD 310 audio system as found in the Jetta, park distance control, Iridium decorative inserts for the dash and door panels as well as interior chrome trim, among others.

Like the other two, the Cross Touran comes with six airbags, as well as ABS, EBD, ESP, ASR and engine drag torque control (EDTC). And there are eleven colours to pick from for this one – eight metallic (Pepper Grey, Night Blue, Titanium Beige, Acapulco Blue, Reflex Silver, Silver Leaf, Toffee Brown and Wild Cherry Red), two pearl effect (Venetian Green and Deep Black) and a single solid shade, this being Candy White.

Veedub shouts it up that the vehicle offers plenty of interior comfort and convenience options, despite its size – there are 40 storage bins of all sorts to be found inside, and the Cross Touran offers up to 1,989 litres of cargo carrying space. Mention was made that there are 500 different possible configurations to be had with it in terms of folding, removing or tweaking the cabin layout. Which is a bit, really.

Certainly, there was more than enough space to carry a load of three people and a comprehensive amount of bags and kit. I was originally supposed to drive back to KL on my own, my drive partner having left earlier in the morning with another journo. The inclusion of the event cameraman and videographer as passengers meant that the Cross Touran made the return trip fairly filled up, with the rearmost seats folded to handle baggage duty.

Coming in from the sedans, the dashboard feels the most bare, but though the general presentation remains typical VW, all orderly and functional, the Cross Touran’s interior felt the breeziest – in this regard, the panoramic roof lends the cabin an airier and roomier feel and the suggestion that it was bigger than it was. For its intended role and its size, the presentation and functionality it offers scores high marks.

From a driving perspective, the 140 PS output from the 1.4 TSI mill – and 1,587 kg kerb weight – does take the edge of things somewhat, giving the Cross a more propulsive quality as opposed to it being tagged sprightly. Once you get going, it’s pretty capable of chugging along merrily, and there’s a decent spread of usable midband energy, but by and large this is very much a vehicle in which you ought to go along in unhurried fashion.

Which is where I can’t quite make out the suspension’s workings, or rather the intent. The Cross Touran is the firmest riding vehicle of the three. It’s not jarring, but firm enough for the rear passengers to feel a continuous attenuation at mid-level speeds, especially on poor roads, and for all occupants to discern that stiff is the operative word for this one at national highway speed limits.

Certainly, the amplitude all but disappeared as the vehicle went faster along and, at the top end of the speed scale, is certainly very impressive. Barreling along at maximum speed for most of the second half of the drive, tagged behind the pace-setting Eos, the Cross’ poise and composure was downright exemplary, the vehicle planted and unwavering, even if the engine had effectively run out of puff short off the double century mark, as advertised.

Perhaps it has all been geared up to carry a full load of seven and a fair amount of baggage in mind without turning into a soggy sponge, especially when pushed, I dunno. Whatever it is though, if you decide to fit your entire litter into it and charge along at 160-180 km/h, this one will shuffle along happily without inducing any girly screams from your occupants, that much can be said. It’ll drink like a fish too, if you do so. Still, not many compact MPVs can do what this one does, if it’s such thrills that amuse you.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Passat CC facelift – debut at LA Auto Show

Paul Tan — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:05:54 +0000

Volkswagen has given its popular Volkswagen Passat CC four door coupe a mid-life facelift that revises the car’s appearance as well as adds a few new features.

We’re used to getting only one or two specs of vehicles here in Malaysia but in Europe, cars start out with very basic specs and you have to tick checkboxes to upgrade the options which increase the price of the car.

For the Passat CC, they’ve made a few options standard with the facelift, sich as bi-xenon headlamps, static cornering lights, LED tail lamps, fatigue detection. RCD 310 audio, stainless steel door sill plates, and safety head restraints with additional longitudinal adjustment for the front seats.

The facelifted Passat CC also gets new assistance systems like Side Assist Plus with integrated Lane Assist, which warns the driver of vehicles in blind spots and assists the driver in avoiding accidents by steering intervention. There’s also Dynamic Light Assist, which is automatic high beam control, and a camera-based traffic sign detection system. There’s also a new “climate seat” that has integrated massage function.

Various engines are available – we’re already familiar with the 2.0 litre TSI engine of course. In Europe, the facelifted Passat CC will come with various petrol engines ranging from a 160 PS tune up to a powerful 300 PS engine as well as a 140 PS TDI diesel engine, while in the US a different selection is available – a 200 PS TSI and a 280 PS FSI.

The new facelifted Passat CC will make its world debut at the LA Auto Show.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Tiguan facelift arrives in Malaysia – RM237k

Anthony Lim — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:47:49 +0000

The facelifted Volkswagen Tiguan, which made its debut in Geneva earlier this year, has quietly made its way into VW showrooms in Malaysia. Reader Farhan spotted an example in a JB outlet, and duly snapped a couple of photos for us.

It’s available in a single engine variant form, this being a 2.0 litre TSI unit offering 210 PS at 5,300 to 6,200 rpm and 280 Nm of torque at 1,700-5,200 rpm, and the 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive vehicle also wears a seven-speed DSG transmission.

Features for the SUV, as listed on the VGM website, include Vienna upholstery leather seats, six airbags (front, side and front/rear curtain), bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, cruise control, electronic parking brake with an Auto Hold function, speed sensitive electro-mechanical power steering as well as park distance control PDC, replete with ‘Rear Assist’ rear view camera, among others.

The Tiguan 2.0 TSI, which sits on 17-inch New Orleans style alloys wrapped with 235/55 series rubbers, is priced at RM236,888 on the road, without insurance. A tip of the hat to Farhan for the spot.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Up! – you can squeeze 16 people into one

Anthony Lim — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:04:56 +0000

So, how many people can you squeeze into a Volkswagen Up!? Sixteen, it seems, in what is the first try with the 3.54-metre long and 1.64-metre wide car. The folks at Volkswagen Communications recently made the attempt, partly for a giggle and partly to show how small can be big, presumably.

The feat eventually saw 16 people, in this case 15 women and a man, finding their way into the car – two in the boot, one on the dashboard, seven on the rear bench, four on the front seats, and two in the footwells, before the boot lid and doors were shut and the windows were closed.

It’s a bit short of that achieved with the original Beetle. At a car meet in Australia, 17 Beetle friends spontaneously decided to squeeze into the Volkswagen icon. Then, in 2010, 20 people – who obviously had extremely high levels of pain tolerance – raised the bar with a record in Wilmore, Kentucky, which landed them in the Guinness World Records.

Naturally, attempts were also made in the successor model. In January 2001, a record 27 students in the US squeezed their way into a New Beetle. You can expect that some adventurous lot will probably try to better the Up! numbers when it makes its market debut next year. The things people do to pass time, indeed.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Volkswagen Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran launched – RM150k, RM185k and RM167k respectively, all CBU

Anthony Lim — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:59:01 +0000

Volkswagen Group Malaysia today launched the Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran, following their preview debut at the Volkswagen Das Auto Show 2011 last month. All three models arrive in CBU form, though of course at some point in the near future the Passat and Jetta are set to be assembled locally, in Pekan – no details yet on that one though.

The Jetta sedan, which rolls in at RM149,888 (on the road, without insurance), is powered by a 1.4 TSI twin-charged engine, offering 160 PS at 5,800 rpm and 240 Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm, mated to a seven-speed DSG tranny; this specification places the car as the most powerful sedan in its category, VGM says.

Features include Volkswagen’s Climatronic air-conditioning system, a RCD310 audio system, Park Distance Control (PDC) for the front and rear, cruise control and seats covered in ‘Sienna’ fabric.

As for the Passat, the 1.8 TSI-equipped D segment offering is priced at RM184,888, and has 160 PS at 5,000 to 6,200 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm for output numbers, with a seven-speed DSG box in attendance.

Lastly, the Cross Touran, which goes for RM166,888. The seven-seater’s ”Cross” kit includes wider wheel arches and longer suspension springs than the standard Touran, giving it 20 mm more ground clearance than the latter. It’s also equipped with a 1.4 TSI mill, though in this case in its 140 hp and 220 Nm form.

Features on this one include 17-inch alloys with staggered tyres and bi-Xenon headlamps with daytime running lights, as well as plenty of interior comfort and convenience options, including 40 storage bins and up to 1,989 litres of cargo carrying space. The MPV also comes equipped with six airbags – the Jetta and Passat also have the same number..

We’re in the midst of the media drive involving all three vehicles, and we’ll have more for you when we return from Penang! Stay tuned.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Undisguised VW Jetta and Passat all ready for launch

Danny Tan — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:55:28 +0000

Here are some pics taken by reader Ching Hong. They show some new Volkswagens – Passat and Jetta – on a car transporter, not wearing any sort of disguise, and probably heading to showrooms.

This is probably the last time you’re gonna see spy shots of the two sedans – Volkswagen Group Malaysia released teasers of three cars that will be launched on 21 October last week – and the Passat, Jetta and CrossTouran were our guesses. Two of those are seen here.

There’s nothing much to learn from these pics, other than a glimpse at the colours and wheel design of the Passat. The Passat is a D-segment sedan sharing a class with the Camry, Accord and Teana, and we’re getting the European version of the car. The American Passat has a rear end that’s a lot like the Jetta’s The Jetta is a C-segment sedan version of the Mk6 Golf.

Four more days to go!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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Suzuki-Volkswagen squabble: no backing down either way

Anthony Lim — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:26:08 +0000

According to reports, the ongoing dispute between Suzuki and Volkswagen over the companies’ capital tie-up took a turn for the worse last Friday, and there’s a likelihood that the matter may be taken to court.

At a press conference in Tokyo, Suzuki executive VP Yasuhiti Harayama said that Suzuki was promised easy access to VW’s environmental car technologies, but it never became a reality, referring to the 2009 agreement between the firms.

The German automaker said that it has honoured its commitments all along, and expostulates that it’s prepared to provide comprehensive technological assistance, but that Suzuki is misunderstanding the situation, the reports add.

On Friday, VW said – in response to Suzuki – that every possibility will be considered in weighing its options, suggesting that it may file suit to prove that the agreement has not been violated on its side.

Volkswagen also reiterated its stand that Suzuki has done nothing about its own violation of the contract, with regards to Suzuki’s cooperation with Fiat to procure diesel engines from the latter – VW says that the engine deal violates their tie-up agreement, but Harayama stated that it was not a breach of contract.

A September 30 deadline issued by Suzuki for VW to retract what it called a defamatory accusation went by without the desired response from the German automaker; it had received a response from the German automaker, but had then stated that it was “not worth commenting on.”

Both sides are effectively refusing to budge, and so a meeting between top executives may hold the key to resolving the conflict; Harayama added that Suzuki is hoping to talk to VW’s chief executive Martin Winterkorn as soon as possible.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:21:32 +0000.

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