This is the Volkswagen Golf GTI Black Dynamic. However, it is not the usual boffins at Volkswagen that added parts to the already brilliant Golf GTI.

Nine Volkswagen apprentices from four professions got together for seven months to produce this custom car. The team is made out of four women and five men between the ages from 18 to 23.

With guidance from their trainers, the apprentices planned the entire design, created the respective project plans, selected appropriate parts from the Volkswagen’s catalog, negotiated with suppliers and performed their own work on the car. And since they created it, they got to name it.

The result: 360 PS Golf GTI. The apprentices have tuned the 2.0 litre TSI engine and gearbox management to churn an extra 150 PS over the 210 PS. The engine is mated to a six-speed DSG. The exhaust system has been supersized with a 76 mm diametre pipe.

The car rolls on Barracuda ET 41 8J19 wheels wrapped with 255/35 ZR19 tyres. Stopping power comes from a K-Sport brake system with 380 mm brake discs and eight pistons. Black Dynamic has also been lowered by another 35 mm compared to the production GTI.

Also added by the younglings is a nine-speaker 1,800 watt Focal Utopia Sound stereo system in the boot. It is covered by Plexiglas with black piano finish trim strips. An Alpine sound processer, located under the driver’s seat, manages the sound system.

Another special feature is the GTI lettering in the doors and hatch, which are handmade characters. Seats, steering, door trim and roof are covered in Alcantara.

The Golf GTI Black Dynamic was unveiled to 150,000 Volkswagen and custom car fans at the 31^st GTI Festival at Wörthersee in Austria. The Wolfsburg-based company has always used these festivals to unveil special car projects.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Shoehorning big engines into tiny cars is what Volkswagen do best and this time, it looks like they’ve outdone themselves, again. This week, at the Wörthersee festival in Austria, the Wolfsburg-based carmaker has unveiled the Polo WRC Street concept car.

As you can see, the design inspiration for the concept is taken from Volkswagen’s WRC car. It wears new aero parts to make it look close to the racing version. These additions include a redesigned front bumper with larger vents and lip spoiler, a rear diffuser, black wheel arch extensions, a rear wing and bigger alloy wheels.

On the inside, the car comes with new sport seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

Powering the very sizzling Polo will be a 2.0 litre TSI four-cylinder engine that generates 220 PS, 10 PS more than the Golf GTI. And because this is the hottest street version of the Polo, it comes as no surprise when Volkswagen says they have tuned up the chassis. This Polo R WRC Street will have lowered sports suspension.

The launch is expected to happen late 2013.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 champion turned pundit, will race for the first time since 1999 when he gets behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup car. The event, a DTM support race, will be at Brands Hatch on May 18-19.

Hill, who became champion driving the famous Rothmans-liveried, Renault-powered Williams, will be joined by a group of his junior racing rivals for the Scirocco race. They are Mark Blundell, Perry McCarthy, Martin Donnelly and Julian Bailey (the rat pack), along with David Brabham. McCarthy organised the race reunion to raise funds for Damon Hill’s Halow charity.

“Perry, Julian and I are coming out of retirement for this race, so we are sure to be pretty rusty. But it promises to be a great weekend for all friends and family to get together and a great way to draw attention to the aims and objectives of the charity. I am looking forward to it,” Hill said.

If Damon needs some tips on the VW, he’s welcome to call our Harvinder, who has recent track experience in the racing Scirocco

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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The Bug is coming! We’ve spotted an ad of the new Volkswagen Beetle on auto classifieds site oto.my. Placed by a Volkswagen salesman from Penang, the new (not New) Beetle is listed as having two engine options – 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI – and starts from RM138,888. The figure is an “estimate price for 1.2″.

The Beetle made its world debut in April 2011 and went on sale in America late last year as a MY2012 car. UK deliveries started this spring so it’s hot off the press. The Beetle’s new shape, a departure from the 1998 New Beetle’s three semi-circles, is lower, wider and has a pushed back cab. Easily more dynamic looking than its predecessor, the new Bug has been widely praised for its looks.

Click to enlarge image

The 1.2 TSI engine in question is the 105 PS/175 Nm turbocharged engine used in the Polo hatchback, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox. The also-advertised 1.4 TSI could be the 160 PS engine from the Golf TSI. In the UK, this engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Hmmm…

Click here to read our previous post on the Beetle. It has all you need to know about the Bug and a full high-res gallery. Never thought I’ll say this, but I’m strangely attracted to this little round bug. You?

Also, remember to check out our sister site oto.my. Do try it out if you have a car to sell – not only will you get to upload up to 20 high-res pics of your ride, your ad will be featured on this website. And since you’re here, it should not surprise you that paultan.org is Malaysia’s number one motoring site with the highest traffic and reach, as audited by third-party Effective Measure. We welcome feedback on your experience at oto.my – tell us what you think

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Unlike other car manufacturers out there, Volkswagen Malaysia has found itself in a very unique situation. It now has a car for pretty much every segment of the market, with prices that start from a hair under RM100,000, right up to a few strands under RM400,000.

The company’s latest is also the least expensive of its offerings. This is the Polo Sedan, and it’s made in India, one of the many Volkswagen factories in the world that produces cars to the exact specification and quality directives that come from Wolfsburg.

The car you see here is also sold in Russia, South Africa, India and China. It comes at a price of RM99,888, to make it a viable choice to those who want a starter Volkswagen, but need something bigger than the pocket-sized Polo.

But earning 454 litres of boot space is not as simple as taking a Polo and gluing a boot behind it; that would just make the car look awkward. Instead, the Polo Sedan has been designed from a clean-ish sheet of paper.

Clean-ish, because the sedan sits on a stretched version of the PQ25 platform that the hatchback is currently running on. It gives the sedan another 82 mm to the wheelbase, for a total of 2,552 mm. Elsewhere, the car measures in at 4,384 mm long, 1,699 mm wide and 1,466 mm tall.

Truth be told, the look of the Polo Sedan is not one you’d call awe-inspiring. In fact, the car has the same subdued tone and manner similar to the Passat. That said, I do think that the look of the headlight assembly is one of the best in the market.

The interior looks simple as well. One glance is all you need to see most of the car. All amenities are in here and accounted for, and there are quite a number of storage areas. Two catches my attention – the bottle holder on the door panels can fit a 1.5 litre bottle snugly, and the pocket underneath the radio is surprisingly deep. If you need to know more of what the Polo Sedan has inside, I’ve already covered that in the launch report.

There’s also quality in here. While most of the materials used for the dashboard and the door cards feel inflexible, they are well textured to cheat the eye into thinking otherwise. The bits of chrome also successfully elevate the status of the interior. The pieces of the interior are well joined together, with no glaring gaps that commonly plague cars in the similar segment.

Let me side track a bit, still going about its quality. The doors open with the slightest of touches and it takes getting used. You’ll pull the door too hard at first, expecting something heavy to move, but the door is light feel like feather at the handle, yet gives a satisfying solid thud when you shut it close.

The sedan also ticks the ‘comfort’ box. The foam is not too firm and the fabric holds quite well. Importantly, there is space in here. Admittedly, I am one of those who feel like a gorilla in a cage whenever I get into a Polo hatchback. Not so with the Polo Sedan. Space in here seems to have been expanded … as if it has been pushed outwards, none more obvious than with the rear seats. Not only I can easily get inside, there is also significant legroom that actually allows my knees some breathing room. Headroom is adequate, although you might find it nearer if you’re above six feet in height.

You can also turn the rear seating area into an extension of the boot. The seats folds flat and fit flushed to the boot floor without much fuss. And figuring out what folds where is easy. Here’s a paultan.org seat-folding top tip: tilt the seats forward before removing the headrests.

Move to the front and we’re at the bonnet. Pop it skyward and you’ll notice how light the lid is. Inside the engine bay is a controversy, in this case a 1.6 litre MPI (multi-point injection) powerplant that does 105 PS at 5,250 rpm and 153 Nm at 3,800 rpm. The engine comes with its long-standing partner, a six-speed conventional automatic transmission with tiptronic.

The Polo Sedan clocks its 0-100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and has a top speed of 183 km/h. The numbers are not extraordinary, but they are what you would normally squeeze out from a 1.6 litre naturally-aspirated engine.

If these facts make the Polo Sedan feel like its less compensated, well, it isn’t. There’s a reason this choice has been made. For one, Volkswagen has employed the engine and transmission partner many times, and the pairing has proved reliable. Also, if you stop to ponder about it, the maintenance will also be easier, because the engine and transmission is less complicated. Still, does this mean that Volkswagen’s latest pride and joy is any less ‘momentous’?

A step on the accelerator proves that it is not. It feels more powerful than the quoted 105 PS, and it definitely feels more able than examples that boast 120 PS with their petrol burners. The six-speeder picks up the power quickly and makes for a lively push away from zero.

So, maybe a slushbox transmission with a non-charged engine isn’t the end of the world, as you might think. You’ll barely notice the transmission going through up or down the gears. The engine noise is muted until you stand on the accelerator, at which point do you begin to hear the engine straining to meet your demands.

You’ll also hear wind noises coming in at around 100 km/h, and you’ll hear the road noise throughout. No shakes and rattles from the dashboard though, even when the car is traversing on a particular piece of craggy road. Then again, Langkawi does not have beaten up roads like the rest of Klang Valley.

The ride has that signature Volkswagen pliability, dialed in enough to make the spring and dampers firm without forgetting creature comfort. Handling is respectable too. The Polo Sedan does well in restraining body roll and understeer does not kick up a big fuss.

The car also feels sure-footed, a sign that the unfamiliar-brand tyre is up to task. There’s enough communication through the steering, which also feels immediate and sharp. It is a class above than the rest of the B-segments, with the exception of the Fiesta.

In spite of the fact that the Polo Sedan is a basic car, it also has the same Volkswagen vibe that a high-range Passat gives. There is no denying that it is better than most of the crop out there, and my initial impression of it has been a positive one.

Still, there’s only so much you can take back from a one-hour test drive around a small island on the Straits. A preview drive indeed; a more complete four-day test drive is in the works, and we’ll be giving you a full report once that happens.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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11 months ago, in China, Volkswagen launched a project that invited the Chinese to submit their design, personalisation and connectivity ideas for tomorrow. The project was called the ‘People’s Car Project’ and the website garnered 33 million visitors and 119,000 ideas. Three of those ideas were further developed by Volkswagen and displayed at Auto China 2012.

First of the three is called the Hover Car, which is the picture on top. It is a two-seater city car that hovers along electromagnetic road networks. Volkswagen presented this as a study of a zero-emissions vehicle.

Next is the Music Car and it is equipped with organic LEDs that change the exterior colour of the car with the music. Volkswagen thinks that this car becomes a platform of self-expression and fashion statement for the young drivers.

The third isn’t a car but part of it. It is called the Smart Key and it integrates online technologies with a car key. It is only nine millimetres thick and has a hi-res touchscreen that tells the driver the fuel level of the car, climate conditions and the car’s security through a 3G network. With this key, the driver can also monitor the vehicle from the bird’s eye view via real-time satellite transmission. I personally hope this one gets made.

The People’s Car Project, that was originally scheduled to run for a year, will be extended indefinitely due to the project’s popularity. Plus, there will be a new project phase coming up soon. If you are curious as to what the Chinese can come up with, go to the website: http://www.zaoche.cn/welcome. It is all written in Chinese but the site also has plenty of pictures to see.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Soon-to-be Volkswagen Polo owners in the UK have another trim to consider. The Polo R Line builds on the Polo Match trim, which replaced the SE and Moda trims in the UK.

The R Line gives the Polo a sportier styling pack. It consists of a deeper, more aggressive R Line front and rear bumpers, a black gloss radiator grille with R Line badging, deeper side sills and 16-inch ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels. The rear windows are dark-tinted with a 65% light-absorbing material. As for the foglights, it gets the static cornering function.

The R Line also extends inside beginning with the aluminium scuff plates with R Line logos. Sports seats are wrapped in ‘Kyalami’ cloth and the R Line logo are displayed into the headrests. The three-spoke steering is wrapped in leather, again with the R Line logo incorporated into it. Two more changes come in the form of aluminium-capped pedals and the roof is finished in black cloth lining.

Not to be confused with Volkswagen R cars, which are the hottest versions of its respective range, the R Line only tweaks the trim and styling. Which is why only one engine will be getting the R Line treatment: the 1.2-litre 105 PS TSI paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Prices on the road start at £15,195 for the three-door model and £15,815 for the five-door versions. Volkswagen UK has opened orders for the car with first deliveries expected in July.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Looks like the Volkswagen Cross Coupé is making its rounds around the world. First in Tokyo then in Geneva and now it debuts China with a notch more information.

As previously reported by Anthony, the 1,858 kg Cross Coupé draws power from a diesel-electric hybrid engine that, when combined, produces 306 PS and 700 Nm. Yes, that’s 700 Nm of torque.

The 2.0 litre TDI gives 190 PS and 400 Nm and transfers power via a six-speed DSG. While the front 40 kW E-motor provides an additional 180 Nm and the rear 85 kW E-motor gives 270 Nm. Both motors siphon juice from a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The Cross Coupe clocks its 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and is capable of hitting a top speed of 220 km/h.

So, does this sports car like speed comes at a cost? No. The fact is the power comes almost at a steal: 1.8 litres/100km and just 48 g/km of CO2 released from its exhaust.

The concept SUV has a range of 45 km at speeds of up to 120 km/h when running in pure electric. The TDI kicks in within fractions of a second, without notice, when needed. Volkswagen theorise that the Cross Coupé’s can squeeze a range of 1,287 km out from a full 55 litre fuel tank.

Holding all of these technologies together is Volkswagen new modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform. The MQB sets some parameters in stone (like the distance between the accelerator pedal and the front axle) but makes others easily changeable, which means that the MQB has the flexibility to be used in a wide range of vehicles.

If the Cross Coupe sounds brilliant, well, there is one tiny problem. Volkswagen has no plans to put the Cross Coupe into production. Still, technologies from here might just surface in other vehicles. We’ll keep our eyes peeled.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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The E-Bugster is strapped with an electric motor that provides 85 kWh (115 PS) of power. The motor is capable of launching the E-Bugster from standstill to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.9 seconds. The motor draws power from the 28.3 kWh lithium-ion batteries that offer a range of at least 177 km.

Hungry E-Bugsters can recharge to full within 35 minutes from a specialist DC source. If feeding from an AC source such as a 230-volt domestic outlet, then expect to take a little while longer for the E-Bugster to be fully charged.

The E-Bugster also has the ability to transform kinetic energy into electricity then stores it into the battery when the driver’s foot leaves the accelerator pedal. Stepping on the brakes increases makes the electric Beetle recharge quicker. The E-Bugster wears important indicators that allow the driver to constantly monitor the power. The instruments include brake-regeneration intensity, driving range, state of the battery and a meter that shows how much energy the driver is demanding from the car.

Volkswagen’s electric car measures 4,278 mm long and 1,838 mm wide, giving the E-Bugster the standard length of a Beetle but 30 mm wider. It is also 90 mm lower, created partly by the windscreen. The E-Bugster complete its sporty look by sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 235/55 tyres.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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UPDATE: Studio photos added to the gallery

It’s time to end all speculation you have about the Volkswagen Polo Sedan, because it has been launched, just over an hour ago. The first thing that’s on your mind now is the price, which you will find at the end of this post. Go ahead, scroll down, I’ll wait. Back? Good.

The Polo Sedan is billed to be the affordable Volkswagen, and to an extent, the most affordable German car this corner of the world. It’s made in India, and plans for CKDs will depend on market demand.

On the outside, the car comes with chrome finishing on the front grille and on the front air-dam, trunk and fog light surrounds, and there’s also height adjustable halogen headlights as well as green-tinted heat-absorbing glass. It wears 15-inch alloy wheels and comes in six colours – Candy White, Flash Red, Terra Beige, Shadow Blue, Reflex Silver and Deep Black.

There are also chrome accents on the inside, as the Polo Sedan comes with an interior chrome package (chrome surrounds for light switches, AC vents, steering wheel accent, handbrake level knob and gearshift). As expected, there’s a fair bit of leather about, and that can be found wrapped around the steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and gearshift boot.

The seats are wrapped in ‘Metric’ fabric seat upholstery. Completing the salient equipment list are one-touch powered windows for all four windows, multi-function display, music player hooked to four speakers and rear doors with storage pockets.

In terms of safety, the vehicle is outfitted with four airbags (two at the front and two at the sides), electronic Brake Pressure Distribution (EBD) and pinch-guard for all four windows. There’s also an Intelligent Crash Response System, or ICRS, that automatically unlocks your doors and turns on the hazard lights in case of accidents.

At the heart of the Polo Sedan is a 1.6 litre MPI naturally-aspirated engine, which generates 105 PS and 153 Nm of torque. It completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 12.3 seconds and has a top speed of 183 km/h. As for fuel efficiency, the Polo Sedan does 6.5 l per 100 km. Paired with the engine is a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

The price that Volkswagen is asking for a Polo Sedan is RM99,888, without registration and insurance.

The story does not end here, of course. There will be more to digest in our first-impressions drive of the Polo Sedan, coming soon.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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It’s shaping up to be quite an exciting week for the local auto scene. With everyone in still in Preve hangover mode, Volkswagen has announced that it will launch the Polo Sedan on April 19. That’s tomorrow folks!

No surprise here, we’ve seen the Polo Sedan in Malaysia before, and we actually spotted a trailer full of them last week (our mobile phones cameras couldn’t perform at night, though).

The Polo Sedan is set to be the brand’s most affordable model, so don’t expect TSI and DSG as per the Polo hatchback. A proven 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine mated to a six-speed automatic is likely to be the chosen drivetrain.

What we can expect however is “German engineered excellence” and “one of the most stylish and practical rides for our time”, according to VW’s thepeoplescar.com.my microsite.

We will be there to bring you the details. For now, take a look at the Indian market Polo Sedan called the Vento. Ours won’t differ by much.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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The Volkswagen Scirocco R is here, the third R car introduced by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia after last month’s debut of the Golf R and Passat CC R-Line. The R will be the range topping Scirocco, sitting on top of the existing 210 PS and 160 PS versions.

Like the Golf R, the Scirocco R is powered by a 2.0 TSI engine making 255 PS and 330 Nm of torque, the latter is constant from 2,400 to 5,200 rpm.

The direct injection unit is paired to a six-speed DSG gearbox, and the combo delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in six seconds flat. That’s 0.3 seconds slower than the Golf R, and it’s because of the Golf’s AWD traction advantage. The Scirocco R remains front-wheel driven.

The ‘Roc R comes with a “specially tuned sport chassis” and XDS electronic transverse differential lock on the front axle as standard. The latter refers to a functional extension of the electronic differential lock (EDS) that is integrated in the ESP system and “effectively eliminates any type of traction loss”.

Also included is Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) and R-specific 19-inch “Talladega” alloys with 235/35 tyres. Like the Golf R, the brakes have been upgraded to handle the extra power. Other standard kit include bi-xenons, a larger rear spoiler and glossy black finish on the diffuser and wing mirrors. The rear lights are “smoked” to match.

Inside, you’ll find leather sports seats, dual-zone Climatronic, RNS 510 navigation system (CD, MP3, USB, AUX-in), a panoramic tilting glass roof, Dynaudio ‘Excite’ 300W eight-speaker sound system and keyless entry/start.

Available in six colours – Candy White, Viper Green, Rising Blue, Reflex Silver, Iridium Grey, Deep Black – the Scirocco R is priced at RM281,060 on the road, excluding insurance.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Click to enlarge.

The Volkswagen Scirocco, in the UK at least, is getting a refreshing splash to the exterior as well as the interior.

All models in the range now comes with RNS 315 touch screen sat-nav, multi-function steering wheel and 17” ‘Long Beach’ alloys while the Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) now becomes optional. The entry-level ‘Roc, which enjoys the upgrades, also will have its price cut between £420 and £600, depending on the engine.

The Scirocco in GT trim will be decked out Nappa leather upholstery and heated front seats. Now standard with the GT trim are the ACC, 2-zone climate control, front fog lights, heat-insulating tinted glass from the B-pillars back and 18” ‘Interlagos’ alloy wheels.

A step up from the GT is the R Line, which gets a new bodykit and 19” ‘Lugano’ alloys. Inside, the car comes with Nappa leather R Line sport seats and chrome pedal covers.

There are no changes to the engine and transmission. But hey, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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According to reports, Wolfsburg is looking at opening up the cards in the lower end of the price scale, aimed primarily at the Chinese and Indian markets, but surely to also include many upcoming economies once it starts chugging along, one senses.

VW’s head of research and development, Ulrich Hackenburg, said that in India, the company already builds the Vento and a local Polo variant, which goes for around 7,000 euros, but plans are afoot to come up with a more attractively priced offering in China, which will be the size of a Seat Toledo. No decision had yet been made whether such a car is to be manufactured with a Chinese partner.

The car will sell for about 5,000 euros, he said. He added that the trick would be to find the right amount of content to omit from the car to price it affordably. “Here you really have to closely look at what can be done away with, but those cars would not be sold under the name Volkswagen, more as their own brand,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Volkswagen’s XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV), which premiered in concept form at the Qatar Motor Show in January last year, is set to go into small-series production in 2013, presumably as a primary field test.

VW’s CEO Martin Winterkorn said that production will start in two years time in Germany, according to a report by Automotive News Europe. The report added that sources said the plug-in hybrid will be built either in Dresden or Wolfsburg.

The lightweight 795 kg vehicle is an evolution of the 1-Litre car from 2002 and the L1 concept of 2009, and is capable of offering a staggering 110.9 km per litre in fuel consumption on a combined cycle.

It’s powered by an 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common-rail diesel engine offering 47 hp and an electric motor producing 27 hp, and the hybrid powertrain works with a seven-speed DSG gearbox with an automatic clutch mounted between each unit.

The electric motor can either work independently of the TDI engine or in tandem when accelerating – in pure electric mode the XL1 can travel up to 35 km before the diesel engine cuts in. Performance figures for the 3.97 metre-long two-seater include a 0-100 km/h time of 11.9 seconds and an electronically-limited 160 km/h top speed.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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The Volkswagen CC has officially hit UK streets, so it should be anytime now that we get the facelift car here in Malaysia. Yes, Volkswagen has dropped the Passat name from the successful Passat CC model, opting to call the facelift simply the Volkswagen CC.

Four engines are available – a 160 PS 1.8 litre TSI, a 210 PS 2.0 litre TSI, and for the oil burners there are two different 2.0 litre TDI tunes – 140 PS and 170 PS. Prices for the car start at £24,200 (RRP OTR) for the entry-level 1.8-litre TSI 160 PS, and rise to £30,100 for the range-topping GT 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS DSG with BlueMotion Technology.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Volkswagen’s Passat Alltrack, which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, is set to begin its entry into the market in Europe – over in the UK, the first vehicles arrive in the showrooms at the end of May.

Based on the Passat Estate, the Alltrack features 4MOTION four-wheel drive and raised ride height to give it greater agility off-road, while body enhancements provide some protection from scrapes when covering rough terrain.

Just one trim level is available in the UK, with a choice of two drivetrains, both 2.0 litre TDI units, a 140 PS variant with a six-speed manual gearbox, and a 170 PS version with six-speed DSG transmission. Standard equipment includes Alcantara upholstery, a RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and 18-inch Canyon alloy wheels.

A Driver Alert System that monitors the driver’s responses to raise awareness of fatigue is also standard, with options including Park Assist, Side Scan Lane Change Assist, Adaptive Chassis Control and Automatic Distance Control with City Emergency Braking function.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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We spent our weekend in Pekan, Pahang to witness the unveiling of the CKD Volkswagen Passat, and also caught an interesting sideshow featuring VW’s R cars. Last week, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia announced the availability of the R performance range in Malaysia, starting with the Golf R and Passat CC R-Line. We gave you a live gallery of the hot Golf yesterday, so let’s look at the big engined Passat CC today.

The Passat CC R-Line comes in with a big capacity 3.6 litre V6 engine with 300 PS and 350 Nm between 2,400 and 5,300 rpm. With six-pot firepower, the sleek sedan is actually faster than the Golf R to 100 km/h, by a tenth – 5.6 seconds versus 5.7.

Like the hot hatch, the flagship Passat CC also comes with a six-speed DSG, 4MOTION AWD and Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC). From the outside, you can spot the R-Line by its 18-inch “Mallory” wheels, panoramic tilting glass roof and R badges at the base of the A pillars. Bi-xenon and bending lights are also standard. It’s all very subtle.

Inside, the top dog CC is enhanced with aluminium front scuff plates with the R logo, sports seats finished in Nappa leather, a flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel, brushed aluminium inserts and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Also on the kit list are Climatronic with dual-zone control, DYNAUDIO 600-watt “Confidence” sound system with 10 speakers, keyless entry and start, electronic parking brake with hill hold and auto hold, Park Distance Control with Rear Assist reverse camera and the RNS510 touch screen stereo with integrated sat nav.

The Passat CC R-Line is priced at RM373,888. Choose from nine colours – Urano Grey, Candy White, Night Blue, Reflex Silver, Light Brown, Iron Grey, Deep Black, Mocca Anthracite and Icelandic Grey. Want the style but not the engine? The Passat CC 2.0 TSI (210 PS/280 Nm) is priced from RM254,888 to RM269,888.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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We were in Pekan, Pahang over the weekend for the launch of the CKD Volkswagen Passat by DRB-Hicom and VW, and while all the attention was on the PM and Passat, we spotted a rather appealing sideshow in a corner – Volkswagen’s R cars!

Last week, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia announced the availability of its high performance R cars for the first time in Malaysia. To start things, they have brought in the Golf R and the Passat CC R-Line. Both cars are are performance flagships for their respective families and are fruits of Volkswagen R GmbH, VeeDub’s performance division.

Let’s focus on the Golf R for now. This successor to the Mk5 R32 has a downsized engine. It no longer uses a V6, but a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0 TSI that makes 255 PS and 330 Nm from 2,400 to 5,200 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox and power is channeled to the wheels via VW’s 4MOTION AWD system.

0-100 km/h is done in just 5.7 seconds on to a limited 250 km/h top speed. Fuel consumption is 13.4% better than the R32 at 8.4 litres per 100 km.

The RM268,888 Golf is only available as a five-door here, like the GTI. Goodies include Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC), internally ventilated discs all around with R brake calipers, ESP with delayed intervention, 19-inch Talladega alloys with 235/35 tyres, bi xenons with dynamic cornering lamps, trademark central tailpipes and the really cool looking “Motorsport Bucket Seats”.

Golf GTI owners also won’t recognise the instrument’s blue needles, and the push start button. The latter is unusually located where the key normally goes in, which explains why it sports some scratches in the display car!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Last week, we picked up a report from Business Times that said Volkswagen AG had earmarked the Polo for Proton to remodel, and that Proton’s Polo will be priced below RM70,000.

Quoting insider sources, the report even mentioned where the proposal was made (Hong Kong) and who was involved (VW’s Head of Commercial Operations China/ASEAN Soh Wei Ming and DRB-Hicom’s chief operating officer, Datuk Lukman Ibrahim).

At yesterday’s unveiling of the CKD Volkswagen Passat in Pekan, DRB-Hicom’s Group MD Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil rubbished talks of Proton rebadging VW models. DRB-Hicom is of course the new owner of national carmaker Proton, and counts VW as partner and biggest customer of its Pekan facility.

“The reports got me by surprise,” Khamil said. “Rebadging was never in our plans. If we want to develop the national auto industry, we got to move forward. Rebadging is taking a step backwards,” he said, adding that “short term pains, but long term gains” is needed for Proton.

“I may have to eat my words someday, but as long as I’m in charge, I will never allow that [rebadging] to happen,” he stated firmly.

However, no rebadging doesn’t mean that Proton, a small carmaker in the grand scheme of things, needs to do it all alone, for Khamil believes that Proton needs a reputable OEM as partner.

So there you go, erase that RM70k “Proton Sago” from your mind!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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We just got home from Pekan, Pahang, where DRB-Hicom and Volkswagen unveiled the CKD Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI in an event officiated by PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Locally assembled by DRB-Hicom at its sprawling and growing Pekan facility, the D-segment sedan is now available at Volkswagen dealerships nationwide at RM170,888.

This is one variant of a future strategy for the Passat family that will eventually see the CKD range priced between RM169,888 and RM184,888. The Passat is already roaming our streets, in fully-imported CBU form, since Volkswagen Group Malaysia launched it last October. The CBU car was priced at RM184,888 – click here to read the review.

We drove the CKD Passat today, and it appears that spec-wise, it’s exactly the same as the CBU unit we reviewed. That means a 1.8 TSI turbocharged engine with 160 PS and 250 Nm from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm. Mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox, it does 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and gets all the way to 220 km/h.

Bi-Xenons with integrated LED daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, multi-spoke “Minneapolis” 17-inch alloys and 235/45 CSC3 rubber, six airbags, semi-auto seats, cruise control, electric parking brake with auto-hold function and hill-hold control, PDC for the front and rear and a RCD 510 6.5-inch touchscreen head unit are standard kit.

At the event in Pekan, it was revealed that CKD assembly for the Passat started in October last year, and 311 units have been completed to date. Dr Christof Spathelf, Volkswagen AG’s senior VP, Group Manufacturing Overseas, assured that the CKD Passat’s quality is the same as that coming out from Germany. “We don’t compromise on quality,” he said, adding that key DRB-Hicom staff were sent to Europe for training.

“Nowadays, localisation takes a much more important role. At Volkswagen, we have the goal to assemble vehicles within the region of sales. This is what we call ‘local for local’. In combination with German engineering, proven quality standards and high performance, each vehicle we manufacture is a true Volkswagen,” added Spathelf.

The eventual local content target is 40%, and when that is achieved, VW will consider exports to the ASEAN region and even to right-hand-drive markets beyond the region. 2014 is the target. Currently, DRB-Hicom and VW are in the process of assessing local vendors, and so far, 20 out of 27 have passed VW’s “no compromise on quality” standards. The whole process will take 12 to 18 months, but for now, much of the car is shipped in from Europe in kits.

Click here for our review of the Passat, and a full gallery.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Volkswagen has presented another take on its Amarok pick-up, with the Canyon concept paddling in at the Geneva show. While specially configured for the extreme sport of freestyle kayaking, it’s really a means to illustrate the versatility of pick-up configurations that can be created with the truck.

All aspects of the Amarok Canyon concept being shown in Geneva are designed to meet the requirements of the sport, from the pick-up’s running gear to details of the cargo box. The concept vehicle is significantly taller and wider than the production Amarok – it’s 40 mm higher courtesy of a body lift kit, and when the tyres are included, the concept is a full 85 mm taller than the production model.

Meanwhile, the wheel housings have been widened by 35 mm on each side to make room for the big AT tyres the Canyon wears, in this case 275/65 rubbers on 18-inch Durban type wheels painted in High Gloss Adamantium Dark. Even the exterior colour goes the exotic route – the vehicle is finished in a three-layer Baladi Orange shade.

Elsewhere, the concept gets auxiliary headlights mounted on its roof, as well as smoked rear lights and colour-contrasting underbody protection. The 4MOTION-equipped vehicle features a 177 hp 2.0 litre TDI mill, offering 400 Nm from 1,500 to 2,250 rpm.

Click to enlarge.

To aid ingress and egress in light of the raised ride height, two electrically-deployed tread plates make getting in and out of the vehicle an easy job. The tread plates, designed to be visually unobtrusive, retract when the vehicle is moving to maintain the high level of off-road capability.

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 – again, 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.

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.

Inside, the leather seats feature a two-tone styling, with the seating surfaces in a shade called Sterling, and the head restraints and side supports offset in what’s called Adamant.

The orange-red finish outside finds its way into the cabin as well – the safety belts and the air outlets wear the shade, as do the decorative seams for the seats, the three-spoke steering wheel and gear shift lever trim. Completing the kit on the concept is a three auxiliary instrument array, which displays the climbing and tilt angles of the Amarok when tackling tough terrain.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Volkswagen in bringing new green tech to Geneva, and this Polo BlueGT is the host. The headline feature is active cylinder management or ACT. It’s basically a cylinder deactivation system, something that’s being introduced for the first time in a VW, and in a small engine.

The results are spectacular – the 1.4-litre TSI Polo BlueGT with 140 PS has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.7 litres per 100 km, and if specified with the seven-speed DSG gearbox, FC drops to just 4.5 litres per 100 km. All the more amazing on a petrol engine with a 0-100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds and a 210 km/h top speed.

VW attributes these amazing figures to the combined strength of ACT, downsizing and BlueMotion tech such as stop/start and battery regeneration.

This 1.4 TSI is the top engine of the entirely new EA211 series. EA211 and EA288 series diesel engines are “technological pillars” of Volkswagen’s future Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform.

Here’s how ACT works. It becomes active at engine speeds from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm, and at torque outputs from 25 to around 100 Nm. VW says that this range includes nearly 70% of all driving states in the EU driving cycle. When the driver presses the accelerator, two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated. VW says that even with two cylinders, the 1.4 TSI runs just as quietly with as little vibration as on all fours.

All mechanical switchover actions are completed within one half of a camshaft revolution, or between 13 and 36 milliseconds. The transitions are smoothed by supporting interventions to the ignition and throttle valve.

There’s also an accelerator pedal sensor and monitoring software that can also detect non-uniform driving profiles – such as while driving through traffic or in a sporty manner. In such cases, cylinder shutoff is disabled. The multifunction display between the speedo and tacho shows the driver how many cylinders are active.

VW says that shutting down two cylinders under low and medium loads reduces fuel consumption in the EU driving cycle by about 0.4 litres per 100 km. In constant speed driving at 50 km/h in third or fourth gear, fuel savings are as much as one litre per 100 km, which is significant.

To further reduce emission and consumption while boosting low end torque, the intake camshaft was designed to be adjustable over a range of 50 degrees crank angle on all EA211 engines. In the 1.4 TSI here, an exhaust camshaft adjuster is added.

The Polo BlueGT will go on sale in July. Looking like the best balanced pick of the range, it slots between the Polo 1.2 TSI (105 PS) and the Polo GTI (180 PS).

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia has launched two products from Volkswagen R GmbH in Malaysia, and they are the Golf R and Passat CC R-Line. Both the Golf R and the Passat CC R-Line are performance flagships for their respective families.

Let’s start with the Golf R. This is the flagship of the Golf range, and is a step up from the popular Golf GTI. While the previous Mk5 R32 was powered by a (great sounding) 3.2L V6, this new one follows the downsizing trend and is motivated by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder TSI turbo engine. Despite the switch, this is the most powerful Golf ever, with 255 PS and 330 Nm of torque from 2,400 to 5,200 rpm.

The engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox and power is channeled to the wheels via Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. 0-100 km/h is done in just 5.7 seconds on to a limited 250 km/h top speed. Fuel consumption is 13.4% better than the R32 at 8.4 litres per 100 km.

Available here as a five-door hatchback like the GTI, the Golf R is packed with goodies befitting its performance. Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC), internally ventilated discs all around with R-specific brake calipers, ESP with delayed intervention, 19-inch “Talladega” alloys with 235/35 tyres, bi xenons with dynamic cornering lamps, trademark central tailpipes and “Motorsport Bucket Seats” are all standard, among other kit.

Also included is Climatronic, the RNS 510 sat nav system with DYNAUDIO “Excite” 300W, 8-speaker stereo and an electric tilt/slide sunroof. Available in six colours (Candy White, Tornado Red, Rising Blue, Reflex Silver, United Grey, and Deep Black), the Golf R is yours for RM268,888.

Like big power but prefer a sleek saloon? The Passat CC R-Line will tempt. The Passat CC R-Line comes with a 3.6 litre V6 engine with 300 PS and 350 Nm between 2,400 and 5,300 rpm. It’s actually faster than the Golf R to 100 km/h, by a tenth, 5.6 seconds versus 5.7.

Like the hot hatch, the flagship Passat CC also comes with a six-speed DSG, 4MOTION AWD and DCC. From the outside, you can spot the R-Line by its 18-inch “Mallory” wheels, panoramic tilting glass roof and R badges at both ends. Bi-xenon and bending lights are also standard.

Inside, the top dog CC is enhanced with aluminium front scuff plates with the R logo, sports seats finished in Nappa leather, a flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel, brushed aluminium inserts and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Also on the kit list are Climatronic with dual-zone control, DYNAUDIO 600-watt “Confidence” sound system with 10 speakers, keyless entry and start, electronic parking brake with hill hold and auto hold, Park Distance Control with Rear Assist reverse camera and the RNS510 touch screen stereo with integrated sat nav.

The Passat CC R-Line is yours for RM373,888. Choose from nine colours – Urano Grey, Candy White, Night Blue, Reflex Silver, Light Brown, Iron Grey, Deep Black, Mocca Anthracite and Icelandic Grey.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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At last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen unveiled its Cross Coupé concept, which was powered by a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid system. This week, a new version of the Cross Coupé is set to debut in Geneva, with an even more frugal plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The concept now goes the diesel route, and the Swiss show car is powered by a combination of a turbodiesel direct-injection engine (TDI) and two electric motors, in total offering 306 PS of power.

Top speed for the 1,858 kg vehicle is 220 km/h, and the combined fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is a sensationally low 1.8 litres per 100 km, or a staggering 55.5 km per litre, with just 46 g/km of C02 emissions. More details on the Cross Coupé redux, soon enough.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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It’s a known fact that Volkswagen is bullish in its attempt to increase its market share in Malaysia, and we’re seeing this with the company’s latest model lineup. Buyers certainly have more Volkswagen variants to choose from, with no less than 13 models in the local range. In recent months, we’ve seen the arrival of the Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran, and just last month, the Sharan MPV.

Cars like the Jetta and Golf TSI are allowing more and more Malaysians to breach into the Continental market segment, with their attractive pricing and healthy specifications list, with things like ESP and a handful of airbags on the kit list. Things should get more interesting once the impending CKD assembly fires up, although we’re not certain when the move to full-scale production will happen.

The increase in models have naturally brought about an increase in sales too, and dealerships will need to cope with the increased demand, not just in terms of sales but also in after-sales service. Volkswagen TTDI, which is operated by Cergaz Autohaus, is set to tackle this challenge with relish.

For starters, it’s equipped for the task. The company’s 43,400 sq ft facility is a 3S centre which has a display area for eight vehicles and a workshop equipped with 10 work bays, as well as a spare parts store and a special tools room. The facility also houses a training room that’s utilised by Volkswagen Group Malaysia for training purposes, whenever a new model is introduced into the market.

The company says it’s confident that it’ll be able to handle the demands brought about growth and is confident that the increasing lineup will mean that consumers will simply have more choices in the end.

We were present at the showroom last week, when the dealership was having a test drive event for the new Sharan seven-seater MPV. The people mover is powered by a 200 PS 2.0 litre TSI unit and retails for RM245,888 in standard trim. In this form, the car is loaded with Park Assist with a rear view camera, ESP, nine airbags, Engine Drag Torque Control (EDTC), Trailer Roll Stabilisation Program (TRSP), among other things.

It’ll be interesting to see how the brand progresses through the next few months in Malaysia, and speaking of new models from VW, we could well see the introduction of the much-awaited Golf R sometime within the first quarter this year.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Yes, things are certainly looking up! for Volkswagen, for the automaker is set to present four different design studies of its city car in Geneva to showcase the versatility and potential of the cleverly compact critter.

First up on the list is the winter up!, which is based on the cross up! concept first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. The exterior is finished in a two-colour scheme, with the large body surfaces painted in Pure White, while Malibu Blue is used as a contrasting colour for the impact surfaces of the bumpers, the door mirror housings and the seam that runs parallel to the side windows.

Exterior accents are done in Anthracite, with a satin effect on wheel wells and side sills, and the raised ride height and underbody protection add to create a rugged look for the concept. Features include a roof rail-mounted snowboard holder, and the lockable unit allows up to four boards to be stowed – the carrier is also designed to carry six skis.

The interior colour matches the exterior colour precisely – the seats are upholstered in Peak White and Glacier Blue shades and upgraded with an embossed up! logo.

Then there’s the x up!, which is again based on the cross up!, but this time equipped for night-time expeditions, thanks to a roof box that comes with built-in searchlights. Burnt Orange metallic exterior paint is complemented on the inside by two-tone door inserts, a special gear shift grip and hand-sewn up! logos. Robust side panellings protect this up! on off-road terrain.

Third up is the cargo up! concept, which shows how you can load up the vehicle for city deliveries – this one offers a 1,400 litre or 426 kg payload ability. Powered by the entry-level 60 PS engine of the model series, the insides of this one, save the driver’s seat and cockpit, has all but been emptied to provide for a flat load area.

The car features a bulkhead – with the upper half made from Plexiglas – to separate cargo from driver, while the rear and rear side windows are body-coloured, keeping cargo safe from prying eyes. The ride height of the 929 kg vehicle has been raised by 15 mm.

There’s also a fastening system for tools and shipping crates. In addition to the standard storage bins in the centre console, the doors and rear side trim, more storage compartments – such as for documents, invoices and orders – are located to the right of the seat in two huge fabric-covered pockets.

Last up, the Swiss up! concept, which is a tribute to country hosting the show the cars will debut in. The vehicle depicts the colours of the Swiss flag, both inside and out – the exterior is finished in a Tornado Red shade, with Porcelain White mirror housings, a white dashboard fascia and red bezels around the air-condition vents being the main cues.

There’s even a leather band across the back of each front seat, and this can be used to store a Victorinox Swiss Army pocket knife.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Ah, nothing like taking the top off things to give a new spin to a venerable fave, and it was bound to happen with this one at some point. Looks like the folks at Volkswagen have decided to rip the lid off the Mk6 Golf GTI and come up with a convertible version of the hot hatch.

Yes, the Golf GTI Cabriolet, which is making its debut in Geneva, packs in all the performance and practicality of the GTI hatchback, but adds the pleasures of open-air motoring for four, thanks to an electrically-powered fabric roof which can be folded away in just 9.5 seconds and is operable at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

Visually, the Golf GTI Cabriolet bears all the classic GTI design cues – the radiator grille has a honeycomb structure with red edging and the GTI badge, while the front bumper incorporates a deep honeycomb air dam and distinctive vertical fog lights. A bespoke rear diffuser is framed by a chrome tailpipe on either side, and smoked LED tail lights complete the look.

The car comes with the standard 17-inch Denver type alloys with their five prominent openings, fitted with 225/45 tyres, though an optional 18-inch Detroit wheel, with machine-polished surface and contrasting black inner surfaces, is available.

Under the bonnet is the same 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the hatchback, offering 210 PS and 280 Nm, mated to either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional six-speed DSG transmission. It’s a shade slower to the 100 km/h mark than the hatch, doing so in 7.3 seconds with either transmission (vs 6.9 seconds for the hatch), while top speed is 237 km/h.

Under the insulated, fully automatic roof, you’ll find four individual seats covered in the classic tartan Jacky cloth upholstery, with an option to go the Vienna leather path. Elsewhere, the hood lining and roof pillar trims are finished in black.

Safety-wise, as like all Golf Cabriolet models, the GTI Cabriolet comes with automatically deploying rollover protection, front and side head/thorax airbags and a driver’s knee airbag as standard.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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Volkswagen Group Malaysia has added another vehicle to its growing lineup in the country, with the Sharan joining the fold. The MPV, which was launched yesterday, is equipped with a 2.0 litre TSI turbocharged mill, mated to a six-speed DSG transmission.

Output numbers for the unit are 200 PS at 5,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 280 Nm from 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. This is good enough to haul the 1,838 kg seven-seater from zero to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds and to a top speed of 218 km/h.

Key features on the 4.85 metre-long vehicle include remote-operated electric sliding side doors, nine airbags, a touchscreen SatNav system and three-zone Climatronic air-conditioning system. The electrically-powered sliding doors come equipped with a pinch protection function to ensure that there’ll be no safety issues regarding entry and exit from the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the RNS510 TFT display touchscreen radio with integrated satellite navigation system comes with a SD card reader, a DVD drive as well as a 30 GB hard disk, USB and aux-in functions.

The interior of the Sharan is dressed up in ‘Vienna’ leather seat upholstery, with titanium silver decorative inserts for the dashboard and front door trim panels dressing things up further. Convenience features include two cup holders for every seat row and roll-up sunshades for the rear door windows.

Also in the kit bag is an electric panoramic tilt and slide sunroof, a headlight washer system, rain sensors and a remote operated electric tailgate/trunk lid. There’s also a Park Assist parallel parking system, with Park Distance Control (PDC) enhanced by a rear view camera – the Sharan has the honour of debuting the Park Assist 2.0 in a VW vehicle.

The Sharan – which rides on 17-inch ‘Sydney’ alloy wheels wrapped with 225/50 series rubbers – also comes with bi-xenon headlamps, replete with dynamic bending light feature, and the now ubiquitous daytime running lights.

As for safety, besides the nine airbags (including side airbags for front and second row seats, a curtain airbag system that covers all rows and a driver knee airbag), the MPV is equipped with ESP, ABS, EBD and brake assist. Other safety features include an anti-slip regulator, electronic differential lock as well as Engine Drag Torque Control (EDTC) and Trailer Roll Stabilisation Program (TRSP).

Additionally, the Sharan comes with an integrated child seat on the left side on the second row, including belt tensioners for the outer seats of the second row, in addition to ISOFIX anchor points.

Six exterior shades are available for the car, these being Candy White, Toffee Brown, Reflex Silver, Night Blue, Indium Grey and Deep Black.

In its standard form, the Sharan rolls in at RM245,888, with an optional Tech Package taking this figure up to RM269,888. The Tech Package includes the addition of the DCC adaptive chassis control, a 300-watt, eight-speaker Dynaudio Contour premium sound system, a ‘Keyless Access’ keyless locking and starting system as well as the inclusion of a ‘Lane Assist’ lane departure warning system.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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The juggernaut keeps rolling. Volkswagen’s two joint ventures in China, Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co and FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co, will start making electric vehicles in 2014, VW China CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann revealed.

Initial EV output from the two companies is estimated at a few thousand units, and is predicted to reach 100,000 by 2018, Neumann told a EU-China business convention. In addition, the first plug-in hybrid will be launched in China by 2015.

“I am convinced e-vehicles will be a success in China because I think it is desperately needed,” said Neumann, who added that each JV would develop its own EV model.

The Chinese government is making the production of EVs a top priority, and wants the country to be the top producer of EVs. It has named 25 cities, including mega ones like Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, to lead the green vehicle movement.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:13:37 +0000.

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