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The newly launched Volkswagen Polo is a great little car, introducing not just German car ownership, but the latest technology into this price range in the form of turbocharged downsizing and DSG. For just RM55 road tax per year, you get a sub-10 second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 190 km/h, which is quite amazing.

We’ve driven the Malaysian spec Polo 1.2 TSI already (click here for the review), and found that while the hardware is top notch (great drivetrain and safety, good quality cabin materials), it doesn’t look very premium, whether from the outside or from the driver’s seat. Volkswagen Group Malaysia has already done well to price the car below RM110K, and we understand that some sacrifices were needed to achieve that. It’s not a problem that can’t be fixed though.

Famous VW Group tuner ABT has aesthetic and engine upgrades for the Polo 1.2 TSI. The ABT Power kit raises power from 105 bhp to 140 bhp, now available from 4,500 rpm, 500 revs lower than stock. Torque is up from 175 Nm to a stout 220 Nm. While top speed remains, the Polo’s 0-100 km/h time has dropped from 9.7 seconds to just 8.8 seconds! That’s just 0.1 sec slower than a six-cylinder BMW 323i, if you need a benchmark.

There are also plenty of exterior parts to spice up the Polo. ABT has bodykits, wheels, as well as suspension and exhaust upgrades for the supermini. ABT, which is now under Federal Auto, opened a showroom in Glenmarie back in September. At that time, they only had parts for the Mk5/Mk6 Golf, Scirocco and Tiguan, but now with the Polo on sale, it should be just a matter of time before the parts come in.

Volkswagen has unveiled the Euro spec Volkswagen Jetta, and it’s pretty much similar to the North American version unveiled earlier, except the European Jetta’s rear suspension gets the more sophisticated Golf-derived four-link suspension instead of the US spec Jetta’s cheaper torsion beam suspension.

The new Jetta has a 70mm longer wheelbase compared to the outgoing Jetta, and this translates to better interior space – rear legroom is said to have increased by 67mm while the car’s overall exterior length is up by 90mm.

Compared to the outgoing Mk5 Golf-based Jetta, the four-link rear suspension now has revised springs, dampers, and a wider rear track.

Could this new Jetta be one of the models that Volkswagen is looking to CKD in Malaysia with DRB-HICOM? If so, will we get a four-link rear suspension or the more economical torsion bar? Look after the jump for a four image photo gallery.
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Volkswagen has dreams to be the world’s top carmaker, and it’s not just the figures that are on the up, their coffers are pretty stuffed too. The VW Group has just issued an ad hoc release which reveals key figures for the first nine months of 2010, and they are doing very well.

The Group, which consists of nine brands, recorded an increase in operating profit by 3.3 billion euros compared to the January-September 2009 period to 4.8 billion euros this year. Profit before tax increased by 4.4 billion euros to 5.4 billion euros, which the company attributes to positive effects from equity-accounted investments and from measurement of put/call rights relating to Porsche GmbH at 863 million euros.

Strong demand for its cars were responsible for the profit jump. Group deliveries to customers went up 12.9% year-on-year to 5.4 million vehicles, or about 11.6% of global market share. The Group performed well in China, Western Europe, North and South America. Slower growth is expected for the final quarter of 2010, but all figures are on track to beat last year’s, while the exchange rate will continue to have a positive effect on earnings.

“In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Volkswagen Group’s nine brands will again unveil key new models, thus systematically extending our position in the global markets. We therefore continue to anticipate that our deliveries to customers will be significantly higher than in 2009, due among other factors to the positive business growth in China,” the statement read.

While it sounds like a bit of a stretch, customers really won’t mind it. According to reports, Volkswagen’s new Passat will be produced in China, with plans to offer a stretched version to the regular one as well.

The B7 Passat will likely be made by FAW-VW, which builds the previous B6 version, called the Magotan. Alongside the standard sedan, the long-wheelbase variant is expected to be 120mm longer than the European model of the type – with the Passat favoured as a chauffeur-driven car in the Chinese market, a roomier rear would be just dandy for most.

No other details as yet, but with the B7 slated to make its market debut in China in early 2011, expect more news on it in the months to come.

Now, VW’s new Touareg is already winsome enough for most in its regular form, but what’s there for the person who thinks standard isn’t spiffy enough? Well, how about a Touareg kitted out with a Volkswagen Exclusive package then?

Available to order with all engine variants, including the hybrid, the version boasts a range of luxurious features, starting with an exterior that comes with a Chrome & Style package and anodised silver roof rails.

Inside, things begin with seats in a high-quality two-tone Nappa leather combination as standard. Available in two colour combinations, Pepper Beige/Titan Black and Dark Burgundy/Titan Black, the leather offers a practical feature besides looks, in this case treated “cool leather”, which prevents the seats from becoming too hot under direct sunlight.

The leather seat system includes heated front seats with electric 12-way settings, electro-pneumatically adjustable backrest side bolsters and head restraints with longitudinal and height adjustment.

Inclusive to the Exclusive package are leather door inserts, a black headliner and sill panel strips in stainless steel, with exclusive lettering to boot. Decorative real wood elements, finished in Olive Silk Gloss, round off the items in the interior.

The package also includes 19-inch Salamanca alloy wheels – finished in Sterling Silver – as standard, with a 19-inch Girona wheel available as a no-cost alternative. There’s also an optional 20-inch Tarragona wheel if one thinks the nineteens are too small and don’t cut it.

It might still only be available in selected markets, but Volkswagen’s Amarok is certainly going places, winning new friends and influencing people. It has, as its type suggests, picked up the inaugural International Pick-up Award 2011. The award was judged by a panel from 23 countries, the same that elects the International Van of the Year awards winners.

During the judging process, the Amarok was praised by the jury for its ‘effortless off-road abilities’, while its capacity on-road was judged to be the best against all other competitors.

The jury also thought the vehicle’s interior to be pretty impressive, noting with kudos the layout and generous space for both front and rear passengers in the double-cab cabin.

Summing up, the jury had plenty of positives for the vehicle. ‘The new Volkswagen Amarok distinguishes itself by fantastic driving qualities, both on- and off-road. It sets new standards in the pick-up category in respect to load capacity, payload, interior room, comfort, ergonomics and fuel consumption.’ High praise, indeed.

VW recently stated that the Amarok – which is currently only being assembled in Argentina, with production in Hannover for European markets being mulled – could help the group make its way into Thailand and allow the company to gain a foothold in South-East Asian markets, though that may yet be a little ways away. One can’t also discount the possibility that the pick-up may figure favourably in certain plans locally, though that’s just speculation.