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Volkswagen Golf GTI “Excessive” Concept at Wörthersee

May 15, 2010 at 1:56 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

Is there really such a thing as too much modification to a Golf GTI? Volkswagen’s Austrian Wörthersee Show debut is a concept Mk6 called the Volkswagen Golf GTI Excessive, which incorporates a series of small but effective modifications to the vehicle’s running gear to create a sharper, more focused iteration of the iconic GTI.

The list of mods include firmer springs and dampers, a wider track as well as 30mm wheel arch extensions to accommodate the wider track, uprated 370mm brakes at the front and 310mm brakes at the rear, new 19 inch flow-formed BBS alloys with 35mm offset wrapped with 235/35ZR19 track-oriented tyros, a free-flowing exhaust system that’s also lighter in terms of weight, a deep front splitter, revised airdams on the either side of the grille, gloss black sill extensions and a new rear diffuser.

On the inside, you get redesigned bucket seats with integrated headrests finished in black and red, with brushed aluminium and gloss black trim. It’s definitely an interesting set of equipment for one to pimp out his Golf GTI in order to make it stand out a little more. There isn’t a day driving around KL where you won’t see at least one Mk5, and if the new Mk6 becomes as popular as the Mk5 here in KL, it will become a dime a dozen as well. There will always be those who value individuality and will splurge on such mods.

Volkswagen is already seeing the dollar signs and says that if there is an enthusiastic reaction to the concept at Wörthersee, the GTI Excessive may inspire an accessories pack which could be retrofitted to the MkVI Golf GTI to put it somewhere in the middle of the GTI and the Golf R.

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Volkswagen Golf GTI adidas revealed at Wörthersee 2010

May 14, 2010 at 9:21 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has amassed multitudes of fans all around the world since production started in 1976. In just six years, the passion for the car was so strong that a GTI-Meet in Reifnitz at Wörthersee was organised. The stage was set for fans to share their love for the GTI. Fast forward to the present and the same scene can be experienced, apart from the updated models of course.

Wörthersee 2007 saw the introduction of the ultimately insane GTI W12-650 which packed a 650 horsepower W12 engine in a Golf GTI shell. In 2008 there was the Golf Estate RaVe 270, and in 2009 it was the Golf GTI Wörthersee 09. This year VW offers to fans the Golf GTI adidas.

Three German historical brands, adidas, GTI and Volkswagen, combine for this car. The Golf GTI adidas will be customisable and features 18-inch “Serron” alloy wheels, specially developed sport seat design (with three stripes) and bi-xenon headlights and LED rear lights as standard. The car’s interior is customised in the style of adidas and the sports brand’s logo sits on the base of the B-pillar. We like the dimpled golf ball gear knob and also noticed that the instruments are backlit in a cool blue colour, which differs from the white in the standard car.

More pictures after the jump
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VW starts DSG production in China for local consumption

May 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under International News, Volkswagen

China based Volkswagen Automatic Transmission Co. Ltd. has begun production of the efficient dual clutch transmission (DSG). 300,000 units will be produced in the first phase of the plan, which will gradually increase to 600,000 units seeing a total of 400 million euros being invested in the Dalian plant. This comes from the 6 billion euro investment package that has been set aside to expand production capacity and develop new vehicles in China from now till 2012.

Besides DSG, VW launched TSI engines in China back in 2007 and have started making most of the components in the country. Will we be getting Chinese made DSGs anytime soon? No, because all units produced in the Dalian factory be used for the local market as there is a great domestic demand for the efficient TSI/DSG combo.

Volkswagen Kassel is the main plant producing DSG units in Europe and the Dalian plant has been set up with on site support from Kassel based experts. Chinese staff have also received specialist training in Kassel before production started.

“The start of DSG production in China is another important step for Volkswagen Group China. We can progress towards our goal of further extending our market share while at the same time achieving a greater reduction in the fuel consumption and emissions of our vehicles by fostering progressive powertrain technologies,” said Dr. Winfried Vahland, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

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More sketches of the Volkswagen Polo Sedan appear online

May 4, 2010 at 5:53 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Volkswagen

These are supposed to be new sketches of the new Volkswagen Polo Sedan, which some people are beginning to refer as the Vento.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen alleged sketches of the new subcompact sedan, but these look more complete compared to the last one we saw. Theophilus has even done an artist rendering of what a new Polo Sedan could look like.

Volkswagen has a history of selling Polo versions of the sedan in a few parts of the world. Even the previous generation Polo had a sedan variant called the Polo Classic, but because of the previous Polo’s more bulbous rounded look, it didn’t really translate into a sedan shape very well. The new Polo has straighter lines and a sedan variant actually looks decent. It doesn’t look stunted because wheelbase and length of the Polo platform has said to be have been increased by about 50mm.

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Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion Concept previews future electric Golf due for 2013 production

May 3, 2010 at 9:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Volkswagen

This concept called the Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion is powered by an electric motor producing 85 kW, which is about 115 PS. Torque is 270Nm across the entire rev range starting from zero revs, and top speed is around 140km/h (due to it having only 1 ratio) which is more than enough for regular driving. And yes, there’s not a single drop of fuel burned in this vehicle – it’s not a hybrid, but a pure electric vehicle.

500 units of the car will be manufactured next year for testing purposes, and full fledged production will happen in 2013 when the car will be launched together with the Jetta blue-e-motion and the Chinese market Lavida blue-e-motion. Volkswagen’s bet is to use bestseller bodies such as the Golf to launch its electric cars as they are already very familiar to consumers, which seems to be a completely different (but perhaps better) strategy from other manufacturers which are going for exclusively hybrid or exclusively electric bodies, such as the Leaf.

“Future electric cars give us enormous opportunities for reshaping mobility to be even more sustainable. When it comes to the environment, however, we must ensure that the energy used to operate these electric cars is produced from renewable sources. Since automotive manufacturers do not have any influence on the types of power plants that are built, the federal government must ensure that eco-friendly energy sources are utilised. Only then will we experience a genuine transition to a new era,” says Dr Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen’s chairman.

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Volkswagen’s 3-cylinder TDI does 30 km/l in Polo Bluemotion

May 3, 2010 at 4:53 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s new baby in its diesel engine range, a 1.2-litre three-cylinder TDI, was paraded at the recent 31st International Vienna Motor Symposium. This block will feature in the latest Polo Bluemotion, which will be delivered to European customers this month. Bluemotion, Wolfsburg’s eco car brand name, took home the World Green Car gong at the recent 2010 World Car Awards.

Although this 1.2 TDI is small in capacity and has only three cylinders, its 74 bhp and torque of 180 Nm at 2,000 rpm should prove to be adequate in the reigning European Car of the Year, and spirited if you put it on Malaysian urban roads (the Honda Civic 2.0, for instance, makes 188 Nm at 4,500 rpm). Less cylinders means less weight and friction power loss, and VW says that it has miked out the most performance, maximum “acoustic comfort” and weight reduction from this configuration without compromising the engine’s thermodynamic efficiency.

Fuel consumption? The previous gen Polo Bluemotion’s claimed figures was 26.3 km/l (3.8 litres per 100 km) and this car is expected to achieve 30.3 km/l (3.3 litres per 100 km) while emitting only 87 g/km of CO2. Green (or rather blue) measures include stop/start, higher gearing, regenerative braking, tweaked aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres. Cars like these are the reason why Europeans have not wholeheartedly embraced hybrid technology.

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Volkswagen: China vital to the success of EVs

April 26, 2010 at 8:34 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Volkswagen

The Chinese market has become so important for world automakers that Volkswagen is betting the success or failure of the electric car on how well it is received by consumers in China. It has displayed an electric version of the Volkswagen Lavida in China called the E-Lavida and will also be reportedly showcasing an electric Golf next week in Shanghai. The Chinese government is supportive of EVs – it will start an EV funding initiative in July, and charging stations will be built within the next few years.

“China is the most important market worldwide for the Volkswagen group, and the success of e-mobility in China is decisive for the global execution of the e-mobility strategy,” said Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn in a media statement. Volkswagen intends to start selling EVs in China in four years time. It will be investing over US$5.9 billion in China over the next few years, hoping to ride on the Chinese market boom. Volkswagen already expects that China will overtake Germany as the company’s largest market this year.

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Volkswagen E-Lavida concept at Auto China 2010

April 26, 2010 at 9:56 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Volkswagen

Volkswagen arrived in Beijing for the Auto China 2010 event with the E-Lavida concept which is essentially an electric version of the Lavida, a Chinese-market sedan that is based on the Volkswagen Golf. The E-Lavida is the company’s first electric car that was completely designed and built in China with the help of SAIC of course. The concept is expected to go into production by 2013.

Unfortunately technical details are still limited regarding this ‘greener’ Lavida. The introduction of the E-Lavida is part of Volkwagen’s move to capitalize on low-emissions motoring in the country. “China is one of the most important auto markets in the company’s global strategy,” said Martin Winterkorn chairman of Volkswagen.

“Success in China has a significant meaning for Volkswagen in achieving its electric car strategy worldwide,” he added. China’s National Development and Reform Commission includes low-carbon targets in its 12th five-year plan between 2011 and 2015.

The Chinese government also aims to increase the proportion of non-fossil and renewable energy including wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and nuclear into the energy mix to 15% by 2020.

Continue reading to check out an image gallery.
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Volkswagen Phaeton facelift for Auto China 2010 exhibit

April 22, 2010 at 6:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, China, International News, Volkswagen

Volkswagen has given the Phaeton a makeover and is set to launch it at the Auto China 2010 expo. Other than the aesthetic changes, the car also gets some new equipment such as a satnav system with a 30GB hard drive that can pull Google Maps “Satellite Hybrid View” data via UMTS (3G), a camera-based main beam adjustment system called Dynamic Light Assist, and speed limit signboard recognition. The Phaeton’s recognition system can also recognize the “no overtaking” signs and this is claimed to be a first in the world feature.

Both a short wheelbase and a long wheelbase version will be available, and the rear bench can be configured to be either a 3 seater or with 2 individual seats. There will be one V6 TDI engine making 240 PS and the rest are V6, V8 and W12 petrol engines making 280 PS, 335 PS and 450 PS respectively.

The Phaeton is not sold here in Malaysia, although there are a few running around. We’re much likely to spot the A8L on the road than the new Phaeton. Look after the jump to see the new Phaeton in a hi-res gallery.
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