Volkswagen UK : Beetle News Feed

Volkswagen introduces standard DAB radio from Polo to Phaeton

2012-05-15T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen is tuning in to customer demand and fitting DAB radios as standard on all models from the Polo to the Phaeton, giving buyers not only a wider choice of radio stations but also a higher quality of sound.

The change means all 2013 model-year Volkswagens, from the Polo to the Phaeton, will be ready for the UK’s switch to digital radio. Digital radio not only offers listeners clear, crackle-free sound, but it also gives them a bigger choice of radio stations than is available through conventional FM or AM broadcasts alone. Listening options range from specialist music stations to comedy, current affairs and, of course, the all-important cricket coverage.

Naturally, all of Volkswagen’s audio systems will still be able to pick up conventional FM or AM analogue radio signals, as well as play audio CDs (including MP3 files), while every model in the Volkswagen range comes with an aux-in socket, to allow the connection of external audio devices such as an iPod or MP3 player.

To make the most of the higher quality of digital audio, every model from the Polo S upwards now comes with at least six speakers (the majority of models have eight speakers), connected to a standard RCD 310 audio unit or better.

Upgrade options include the MDI multi-device interface, which allows easy connection of iPods or USB sticks, which can then be controlled via the car’s audio system; Bluetooth connection of compatible telephones; Bluetooth music playback; audiophile-pleasing speakers and amplifiers from Danish specialist Dynaudio; higher-power audio systems with colour touchscreen controls and an SD memory card slot; and touchscreen satellite navigation systems, including with built-in HD memory. Beetle models may also be optionally ordered with an audio system developed in conjunction with legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer, Fender.

The 2013 model-year vehicles can be ordered from your Volkswagen retailer now. To find your nearest Volkswagen retailer please visit http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/find-a-retailer.

Seventh issue of "Das." now online

2012-05-13T23:00:00Z

In the summer of 2010, Volkswagen successfully launched its new digital, international customer magazine ‘Das.’ The seventh issue of this ‘Digital Automotive Space’ can be found online now at www.volkswagen-das.co.uk.

Everybody’s always loved the Beetle – and now there’s even more to love, thanks to sharp new styling, and sharper performance too – all built around the classic Beetle shape.

And if you’re into something a little more compact, meet the new Volkswagen up! It’s the perfect city car – so where better to put it through its paces than the busy streets of Rome? See the up! zip its way round the sights of the Eternal City – and turn plenty of heads en route.

Those with further to roam like a comfortable, powerful, stylish ride. Time you saw the new Volkswagen CC for yourself – our photo shoot lays bare the best of this classy new model.

And if all these great models aren’t enough, we can even show you the cars of tomorrow, today. We’ll give you a peek behind the scenes at Volkswagen Research – is that electronic car really driving itself? And how environmentally friendly can car protection get – at our award-winning Chattanooga plant?

As with the previous issue, Volkswagen offers an iPad version of Das. along with the Internet version. The Das. app can be downloaded free of charge at the iTunes Store.

Volkswagen at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show

2012-04-22T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen is lifting the lid on the E-Bugster concept car at the Beijing Motor Show, which opens its doors to the press on Monday 23 April. The E-Bugster made its debut as a coupé at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but this time the electric concept’s hard-top has been removed, giving the best hint yet of the look of the future Beetle Cabriolet, and also showing the potential for Volkswagen’s future all-electric drivetrains.

An electric motor provides the E-Bugster with 85 kWh (115 PS) of power, which can propel it from 0 to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds, and yet offers a range of at least 110 miles from the 28.3 kWh lithium-ion batteries. If the E-Bugster needs a top-up, a fast-charging function allows complete recharging in just 35 minutes from a specialist DC source, or slower charging from an AC source such as a 230-volt domestic outlet.

The E-Bugster also charges itself as soon as the driver’s foot leaves the accelerator pedal, when kinetic energy is transformed into electricity and stored in the battery. Applying the brakes increases the intensity of regeneration, a function that is indicated to the driver in the instrument panel. Other instruments include driving range and battery state indicators, and a meter that shows how much energy the driver is requesting via the accelerator pedal.

The E-Bugster’s speedster look is created partly by a 90 mm lower windscreen, and also by the distinctive shape of the panel that covers the lithium-ion batteries behind the seats. Both front and rear bumpers have been substantially modified from those of the production Beetle. At the front, LED daytime running lights at the outer edges of the central air intake form a C-shape on the left that is mirrored on the right – a signature of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle concepts. At the back, reflectors take the place of LEDs.

At 4,278 mm long and 1,838 mm wide, the E-Bugster is the same length as a standard Beetle but 30 mm wider. Beneath the flared wheel arches sit 20-inch alloy wheels with 235/35 tyres.

Cross Coupé: diesel-electric hybrid makes Chinese debut

Also making its Chinese debut is the Cross Coupé concept. This diesel-electric hybrid was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show and promises a combined cycle figure of 1.8 litres per 100 km (around 157 mpg) and emissions of just 46 g/km of CO2. This is possible thanks to a drivetrain consisting of a turbodiesel direct injection engine and two electric motors, which together produce 306 PS (225 kW) of power. That’s enough to propel the 1,858 kg Cross Coupé to a top speed of 220 kmh (137 mph).

The Cross Coupé is built on Volkswagen’s new modular transverse matrix (MQB). This revolutionary platform standardises certain parameters across models (such as the distance between the accelerator pedal and the front axle), but makes many other parameters variable, creating huge flexibility for developing a wide range of models. This means it is as easy to make a Cross Coupé that uses a petrol-electric hybrid system as a diesel-electric hybrid, or to use combustion engines alone, or electric power alone for example.

The Cross Coupé uses many elements of the new MQB modular toolkit: MQB front and rear SUV suspension, plus the new 190 PS TDI EA 288 engine, in this case mated to a six-speed DSG transmission. Added to this is a 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery in the centre console, plus a 40 kW electric motor at the front and an 85 kW motor at the rear. Together, these can propel the Cross Coupé from zero to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds.

The 2.0-litre TDI engine alone provides the Cross Coupé with 295 lbs ft of torque (400 Nm) from just 1,600 rpm, while the front E-motor provides 133 lbs ft (180 Nm) and the rear E-motor a further 199 lbs ft (270 Nm) The drive system can provide a maximum of 516 lbs ft (700 Nm) at any one time. This helps give the Cross Coupé the performance of a sports car, but with efficiency greater than that of a city car.

In pure electric mode, the Cross Coupé can cover up to 45 km (28 miles) at speeds of up to 120 kmh (75 mph). If the TDI is needed (for example if the battery’s charge is depleted), it seamlessly re-engages within fractions of a second. So that in theory, the Cross Coupé’s 55-litre fuel tank gives it a range of 1,287 km (800 miles).

The Cross Coupé is a concept vehicle, and there are no plans to put it into production.

New Lavida: new version of one of China’s best-sellers

Making its world premiere at Beijing is the New Lavida, presented by Shanghai Volkswagen. This redeveloped and completely restyled saloon follows in the footsteps of its highly successful predecessor, the Lavida, which launched in June 2008. Since then, over 700,000 of these A-segment saloons have been sold, making the Lavida among the best-selling vehicles in Chinese automotive history.

New Lavida is offered with a choice of three engines and four equipment lines. Standard equipment includes ABS, ESP and front airbags. It is not available in Europe.

CC 3.0-litre V6

FAW Volkswagen is expanding the CC line-up with this new V6 version. It is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 producing 250 PS at 6,300 rpm and torque of 228 lbs ft (310 Nm) at 3,300 rpm. A six-speed DSG gearbox helps the CC to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 7.4 seconds, while fuel economy is 9.4 litres per 100 km (around 30 mpg).

Tiguan R-Line, Scirocco R and Phaeton Exclusive Concept

Also making their Chinese debuts in Beijing are the Tiguan R-Line, Scirocco R and Phaeton Exclusive Concept. The Tiguan R-Line offers stylish looks to match the performance of the 170 PS TSI engine, including R-Design bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery for the R-Line sports seats.

The Scirocco R is similar to the model available in the UK, but for China the engine produces 255 PS and maximum torque of 243 lbs ft (330 Nm), where the UK version offers 265 PS and 258 lbs ft (350 Nm).

The Phaeton Exclusive Concept, which made its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011, was developed with Poltrona Frau, an upmarket Italian company that is one of the world’s top sources for finely crafted leather upholstery.

The beginning of a new era: Volkswagen introduces the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB)

2012-02-02T00:00:00Z

This year, the Volkswagen Group will be introducing the Modular Transverse Matrix – the German acronym is MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten) – for the Volkswagen, Audi, ŠKODA and SEAT brands. The MQB strategy represents a turning point in the design and production of future automobiles with transverse-mounted engines. The Modular Transverse Matrix standardises many vehicle component parameters – across brands and vehicle classes. At the same time, it offers access to new technologies.

The MQB extends from the A0 to the B segment. At the Volkswagen brand, for example, it covers the following models: Polo, Beetle, Golf, Scirocco, Jetta, Tiguan, Touran, Sharan, Passat and Volkswagen CC. In the future, all of these models could theoretically be produced on the same assembly line – despite their different wheelbases and track widths. It will be possible to produce MQB models of different brands together. The first new vehicles to be produced based on the MQB will be the successor to the Audi A3 and the next generation Golf.

One of the prominent characteristics of the Modular Transverse Matrix is the uniform mounting position of all engines. Two systems integrated in the MQB strategy which play a key role here are the modular petrol engine system (MOB) with the new EA211 engine series (60 to 150 PS) – this range includes the world’s first four-cylinder engine with cylinder deactivation (ACT) – and the modular diesel engine system (MDB) with the new EA288 engine series (90 to 190 PS). In one fell swoop, the new engine series will reduce the Group’s engine and gearbox variants in the MQB system by approximately 90 per cent, without a detrimental effect. On the contrary; in addition to standardising conventional internal combustion engines, the MQB also enables an identical mounting position for all current alternative drive concepts without limitations – from natural gas and hybrid versions to the pure electric drive. Volkswagen has already announced the launch of the latter within the MQB in 2013 in the new Golf Blue-e-Motion.

The MQB opens up new opportunities at the Volkswagen Group, allowing it to produce high-volume and niche models at the highest quality and extremely competitive costs over the long term and worldwide – vehicles that are individually tailored to the requirements of very diverse markets such as Europe, China and America, as well as emerging markets such as India. In parallel, the Volkswagen Group will significantly reduce vehicle weights with the launch of the first MQB model series and will introduce 20 innovations in the areas of safety and infotainment, which until now were reserved for higher vehicle segments.

They include the new multicollision brake; after an initial collision, it helps to reduce the intensity of secondary collisions by automatically initiated braking. Very recently, ADAC awarded this system the ‘Yellow Angel’ award for innovations. The multicollision brake will be standard equipment in the next generations of the Audi A3 and the Golf.

Within the Group, the MQB developed under the auspices of the Volkswagen brand is supplemented by the Modular Longitudinal System (MLB) from Audi, the Modular Standard System (MSB) with Porsche as the competence centre and finally the ‘New Small Family’ – the most compact vehicle model series with the Volkswagen up!, SEAT Mii and ŠKODA Citigo.

One indicator of the pioneering significance of the modular systems strategy and the innovative potential realised by these new vehicle and production architectures is that Volkswagen was selected as one of five finalists for the ‘Innovation Award of the German Economy – The World’s First Innovation Award®’ for its Modular Transverse Matrix. This prestigious award for outstanding technical, scientific and intellectual achievements has been awarded annually since 1980 by the Economics Club of Rhein-Main and since 2011 in conjunction with the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. On 11 February, the prize winners will be announced at the Palais 'Thurn und Taxis' in Frankfurt, Germany, by Günther Oettinger, EU Commissar for Energy.

E-Bugster: The Volkswagen Beetle with e-lectrifying performance

2012-01-09T00:00:00Z

The latest Beetle might be ‘more power, less flower’, but that doesn’t mean that it’s anything other than environmentally conscientious, and that’s especially the case with the E-Bugster concept, which is powered purely by electricity.

Revealed this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the
two-seat E-Bugster continues the latest Beetle’s sporty theme. An electric motor provides 85 kWh of power, which can propel it from 0 to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds, and yet offer a range of at least 110 miles from the 28.3 kWh lithium-ion batteries. Even in a country as large as America, that’s sufficient for the majority of commuters’ needs, while if the E-Bugster needs a top-up, a fast-charging function allows complete recharging in just 35 minutes.

The quick charging is possible thanks to a new Combined Charging System that was developed in co-operation with Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, Ford and General Motors/Opel. This allows charging via single-phase AC sources (for example a 120-Volt US or 230-Volt European domestic outlet) or via ultra-fast DC sources at specific charging stations. To succeed, this will require the development of a uniform industry standard for sockets and plugs and also for the charge controller, so that all charging types can be handled.

Of course, the E-Bugster doesn’t charge only when plugged in: as soon as the driver’s foot leaves the accelerator pedal kinetic energy is transformed into electricity and stored in the battery. Applying the brakes increases the intensity of regeneration, a function that is indicated to the driver in the instrument panel. Other instruments include driving range and battery state indicators, and a meter that shows how much energy the driver is requesting via the accelerator pedal.

At 4,278 mm long and 1,838 mm wide, the E-Bugster is the same length as a standard Beetle but 30 mm wider, while the new roof lowers the height by around 90 mm to 1,400 mm. This helps to give the E-Bugster its more dynamic and sporty look. The low, swept-back windscreen ensures maximum visibility, as does the wide rear screen, which shows that speedster-style vehicles need not be impractical.

Both front and rear bumpers have been substantially modified from those of the production Beetle. At the front, LED daytime running lights at the outer edges of the central air intake form a C-shape on the left that is mirrored on the right – a signature feature of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle concepts. This is also true at the back, where reflectors take the place of LEDs. Beneath the flared wheel arches sit 20-inch alloy wheels that are adapted from the 18-inch ‘Twister’ alloys of the production car, with 235/35 tyres. Around the bottom edge of the side windows is a chrome strip that loops around the vehicle from A-pillar to A-pillar. From this chrome strip to the top of the E-Bugster’s hard top the height is a low 400mm.

Inside, the two-seat interior reflects the E-Bugster’s blend of high-tech and sportiness, with sports seats nestling either side of a continuous centre console, plus aluminium door handles and seatbelt guides.

Starting the E-Bugster is pure theatre: upon pressing the Start button the interior is bathed in white light, then blue light. It starts with a light pulse in the instrument cluster, from where the light emanates in a millimetre-wide strip, coursing into the doors and around the air nozzles.

If the E-Bugster’s name is familiar, it should be: it takes some inspiration from the Ragster concept that made its debut at the 2005 Detroit Show, and which itself inspired the current Beetle. The ‘E’ of the name signifies the vehicle’s electric power, and the ‘Bug’ part of the name should need no explanation.

The E-Bugster is only a concept at this stage. The petrol-powered production Beetle is available to order now, with first deliveries due in April. For more details click here.

Top Euro NCAP ratings for new Volkswagen up! and Beetle models

2011-11-25T00:00:00Z

The overall packages of occupant, child and pedestrian protection and the safety assistance systems installed in the up! and the new generation Beetle have been evaluated by the European consumer protection organisation, Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme), and the results are first-rate: five stars for both new Volkswagen cars.

In addition, the up! received Euro NCAP’s Advanced Award for the car’s innovative City Emergency Braking function. This positions the new Volkswagen ahead of its direct competitors, because no vehicle in its class has earned five stars and the Advanced Award before. So, the Volkswagen up! is ‘Best in class’ when it comes to safety.

In occupant protection, both vehicles attained top results in all seat positions and regardless of the sizes of the driver and front passenger. Factored into the rating were results of frontal and side impact tests, a pole side impact test and what is known as a whiplash test – which determines loads to the cervical spine of the neck. It is not only the large vehicles that are safe. Both small Volkswagen cars achieved excellent child protection results with dummies representing 18 month and three-year old children.

The up! and Beetle also attained impressive results in the area of safety equipment. Here, Euro NCAP rated the seatbelt reminders for all seats and use of a vehicle dynamic control system (ESP) as especially positive. Euro NCAP is increasingly evaluating active safety assist systems in vehicles. Along with its five star rating, this also led to the up! receiving the Advanced Award for its City Emergency Braking function.

The optional City Emergency Braking is automatically active at speeds between five and 30 km/h, and it utilises a laser sensor (integrated in the upper part of the windscreen) to scan an area of up to 10 metres in front of the up! and detect the risk of an impending collision. If a collision is about to occur with a vehicle moving in the driving direction or with a stationary object without the driver reacting, first the braking system is preconditioned, and in a second stage the hydraulic brake assistant is switched to a more sensitive level. Depending on the situation, City Emergency Braking might then initiate hard braking to a stop as a third stage or support the driver with full braking power if brake pedal pressure is insufficient. Depending on the vehicle’s speed and the particular situation, the emergency braking function with its automatic brake intervention can reduce the severity of accidents and in some cases avoid a collision altogether.

Euro NCAP is a manufacturer independent international crash test programme. The full test results can be viewed at www.euroncap.com. After the Golf, Golf Cabriolet, Jetta, Passat, Polo, Scirocco, Sharan and Tiguan, the up! and Beetle are the ninth and tenth vehicles from Volkswagen to earn a top ‘Five Star’ rating from Euro NCAP. This is another sign that Volkswagen is promoting vehicle safety as a top priority, and of course for all sizes of vehicles.

Less flower, more power: order books open for Volkswagen Beetle

2011-10-19T23:00:00Z

The new Volkswagen Beetle is now open for ordering, ahead of the first UK deliveries in spring 2012. At launch, two engines will be available: a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission and a 1.4-litre 160 PS TSI with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Three trim levels will be available: Beetle, Design and Sport. The 1.2-litre is offered in Beetle or Design trim from £16,490 (RRP OTR) and the 1.4-litre in Design or Sport trim from £19,470. Three other engines – a 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion Technology 105 PS, 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS and 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS – will be joining the line-up later in 2012 along with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox for the 1.2-litre TSI model.

Specification levels are high. The standard Beetle comes with air conditioning, remote central locking, an RCD 310 CD system with DAB radio and rear Isofix seat preparation.

Moving to the mid-level Design trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels in a choice of two styles, Bluetooth telephone preparation with MDI (multi-device interface) iPod connectivity, front fog lights, an alarm, an RCD 510 DAB CD/radio, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel and body-coloured door and dashboard panels.

The range-topping Sport specification brings 18-inch alloys in a choice of two styles, tinted glass, cruise control, sports seats, parking sensors, gloss black door mirrors, dashboard and door panel and 2Zone electronic climate control.

A wide range of optional equipment will also be available, including Keyless Access, satellite navigation systems, a panoramic sunroof and bi-xenon headlights.

The option that is expected to make the biggest impact is the Fender sound pack. Developed in conjunction with the legendary electric guitar firm of the same name, this audiophile’s delight offers a 400W output and a subwoofer, along with switchable three-colour illumination surrounding the front loudspeakers, all for just £495.

Order books open today, with initial customer deliveries expected in spring 2012.
For more information please visit your Retailer or www.volkswagen.co.uk.

New generation Beetle revealed at Shanghai Show

2011-04-17T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen has unveiled the latest generation Beetle in Shanghai on the eve of the city’s motor show, marking a new era in this iconic car’s history. The latest generation moves away from design of the New Beetle of 1998 and instead draws on cues from the original and Beetle Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 2005. As such it’s longer, wider and lower, giving a more masculine and dynamic appearance.

The Beetle now measures 4,278 mm in length (+152 mm), 1,808 mm in width (+84 mm) and 1,486 in height (-12 mm). The track width front and rear, as well as the wheelbase at 2,537 mm, are also increased. Overseen by Walter de Silva (Volkswagen Group) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand), with Marc Lichte the team leader for exterior design, the car’s new proportions mean the roof extends back further, the windscreen is shifted back and the rear section is now more akin to that of the original Beetle. The boot capacity is a practical 310 litres, up from 209 litres in the 1998 model. The Beetle has four seats, with a split-fold rear seat for added versatility.

Inside the cabin, the Beetle’s designers created a modern, practical and distinctive appearance with easy to identify and ergonomic controls. Certain features, such as the glovebox and colour accent panels hark back to the original.

Three trim levels will be available – Beetle, Design and Sport – and each will be endowed with its own individual character and features. A wide range of innovative optional equipment will also be available, ranging from Keyless Access through satellite navigation systems and a panoramic sunroof to bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights – all of which are available for the first time on a Beetle.

In the UK, a choice of four engines will be offered: three petrol – a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS, a 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS and a 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS; and one diesel – a 1.6-litre 105 PS with BlueMotion Technology. Thanks to the addition of Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems the Beetle 1.6-litre 105 PS is estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 65.7 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 112 g/km.

As well as being economical and environmentally sound, the Beetle is also built to be one of the safest cars on the road thanks not only to features such as standard ESP and six airbags but also a laser-welded and galvanised body structure which has one of the highest torsional rigidity values in the segment at 26,000 Nm/?. In addition the range-topping engine, the 2.0-litre 200 PS, will feature standard XDS electronic differential lock as fitted to the Golf GTI.

The new car will be available to order in the UK in the summer, with first cars arriving in showrooms early in 2012. More details will be available closer to launch.

When the original was launched in 1938, it was known simply as ‘the Volkswagen’, quickly acquiring a raft of nicknames from across the world. Whatever the name, its popularity is not in question, with 21.5 million sold in the past 73 years.

The 21st Century Beetle: world debut on three continents

2011-04-03T23:00:00Z

In just a few weeks, Volkswagen will write another chapter in the history of an automotive icon. On 18 April, the latest iteration of the Beetle will be showcased to the public – and with spectacular world debut staging. Volkswagen will be celebrating the new Beetle almost simultaneously as a world premiere in Shanghai with MTV’s VJ guest hosting an exclusive MTV Sound System followed by World Stage events in New York and Berlin.

Appearing at the World Stage Event in New York will be The Black Eyed Peas performing hits from their latest album, The Beginning, as well as some of their most loved material from the past at Terminal 5; and in Berlin (EWerk) the MTV World Stage Party, will be headlined by Belgian duo 2manydjs performing a DJ set. The World Stage in New York, will be the most widely distributed World Stage event to date and highlights of both events will be available on www.worldstage.mtv.com. The World Stage show from New York City will be streamed live (excluding the UK) and highlights from the show will be broadcast later on MTV channels around the world.

‘The Beetle is an icon of the automotive world, just like MTV is an icon of the music world. In the context of this marketing alliance, we are taking the new Volkswagen directly to our customers and fans of the Volkswagen brand – and we are doing it globally. We are certain that the car’s one-of-a-kind styling combined with the latest technology will be very well received by customers,’ said Luca de Meo, Director of Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand.

The new Beetle’s exterior reinterprets the silhouette of the famous Volkswagen Beetle and combines stylistic elements borrowed from the original with the latest technology. This guarantees Beetle drivers a lot of driving fun and individuality.

MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than half a billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennium generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile and its online hub is the leading destination for music, news and pop culture.

To receive updates on the 21st Century Beetle click here.

Das. World of Volkswagen magazine takes off

2010-08-05T23:00:00Z

The first edition of Das. Volkswagen’s new quarterly digital magazine has been released. The first edition kicks off with a feature called Think Blue, which explores Volkswagen’s energy efficient BlueMotion technologies, start/stop and a range of economical engines. There is also an opportunity to discover our new cars first hand – this month, meet the smart new Touareg.

Perhaps, most exciting of all, you can win tickets for the Red Bull Air Race 2011 – the airborne version of Formula 1 – which will be hosted in Abu Dhabi.

To explore our new magazine click here

Perry and Taylor thrill their way to victory at Thruxton

2008-06-29T23:00:00Z

Two superbly exciting Thruxton Volkswagen Racing Cup events brought the Hampshire circuit’s British F3/GT meeting to life today (Sunday) as Golf drivers Jamie Perry and Paul Taylor shared the victory honours. A brace of podium finishes for Bora man Joe Fulbrook ensured his continued hold on the lead on the Hankook-backed championship.

Perry’s first-race victory was not only a tactical masterstroke but also the result of a technical rethink by his team. After Jamie’s Golf broke a driveshaft and cost him victory at Snetterton last time out, Force Ten Motorsport opted to remap the engine and reduce overall power, handing Perry the dual benefits of being able to run at a lower class weight and imposing less strain on the drivetrain.

Jamie’s Keith Garages-backed machine shot from second on the grid past pole-sitter Fulbrook into the first corner, Allard, and quickly built a small lead, but Jamie was careful not to overdo it: ‘I have learned to read Joe’s style,’ said Perry. ‘He was hoping that I would disappear off in front and use my tyres up so that he could catch me at the end, so I knew that I had to be careful to conserve my tyres too.’

A second-lap crash involving three cars brought out the Safety Car for a two-lap spell, which aided Perry’s tyre preservation efforts. The crash came at the Campbell/Cobb/Segrave complex of corners as Martyn Culley’s Beetle, the Golf of James Griffiths, and Auto Express writer Owen Mildenhall, taking a turn at the wheel of the new Jetta TSI Sport, disputed eighth place.

A late-breaking manoeuvre by 18-year-old Griffiths brought him into contact with Culley, who spun through 180 degrees and collided head on with Mildenhall. Both the Beetle and the Jetta were badly damaged; Griffiths was able to continue but he was later excluded from fifth place by stewards for his part in the incident. Culley suffered a bruised shoulder in the impact but there were no other injuries.

The restart brought the expected challenge from Fulbrook. Joe had been happy to hold third behind Perry and Adrian Dziurzynski’s Golf GTI in the early laps but the run up Woodham Hill provided him with the perfect opportunity to move past Dziurzynski and up to second, right on Perry’s tail.

Jamie responded to Joe’s every challenge, without overplaying his hand, until the 12th and penultimate lap, when Fulbrook erred. ‘I was trying really hard,’ said Joe, ‘and then I went wide and right off on to the grass. It was then that I decided that I had better settle for second.’

Fulbrook had also to defend his second place from the increasingly enthusiastic attentions of Steve Chaplin, whose ‘Herbie’-liveried Beetle was on top form. Chaplin lifted fifth from Liam Griffin’s Golf on the second lap, and then fourth when Paul Taylor ran well off the circuit out of Church. His next target was Dziurzynski, who was dispatched within two laps as Chaplin set fastest lap after fastest lap on his way to a new circuit record.

Perry crossed the line for his second win of the season half a second clear of Fulbrook, with Chaplin nine-tenths further back for third place and another podium finish for Herbie. ‘It’s a wonderful feeling,’ said Steve. ‘We’ve done a lot of work to the car and it’s beginning to pay off.’

Dziurzynski lacked the pace to stay with the leading trio but was a long way clear in fourth and happy with his result. Following the exclusion of Griffiths, Mike Kurton was promoted to fifth – turbo problems doing little to hamper the progress of his Golf GTI from 12th on the grid. Relative novice Griffin continued his excellent recent form in the Addison Lee-backed Golf GTI; he was beaten to fifth by Kurton by only half a second.

Peter Wyhinny’s Caddy TDI placed seventh, well ahead of the recovered Taylor, whose sixth-lap off was caused by the sudden loss of an anti-roll bar. ‘Something shifted and I was a passenger at the fastest part of the circuit,’ said Paul. ‘I still don’t know how I avoided hitting anything.’

Barrie Culley’s Vento placed ninth, ahead of James Walker’s TDI Golf, which had had to make a brief pit stop for an ECU reset, the Beetles of Paul Lloyd-Roach (who slowed at the end with a ’box full of neutrals) and Nick Dunn, and the Europcar Golf of Michael McInerney. John Quartermaine and Giles Lock joined Mildenhall and Martyn Culley in retirement.

Race two was a stunner all the way from the lights to the finish line, with the result in doubt right up to (and including) the final corner and less than half a second covering the top three at the chequered flag in what was the best event of the whole Thruxton meeting.

By dint of his sixth place finish in the first race, Griffin started from the pole. Alas Liam’s first experience of leading from the front was a brief and unhappy one – a shove from the pursuing Taylor, who had made a typically swift getaway from eighth on the grid, sent the Addison Lee car spinning at the complex. Griffin plunged to the back of the field

Taylor, his first-race suspension dramas rectified, found himself well in front after this incident. By the first lap’s end, Paul’s Golf R32 was nearly two-and-a-half seconds clear of Perry, with Dziurzynski holding third from Kurton, Fulbrook, Walker and Chaplin.

It took a charging Perry seven laps to get on terms with Taylor. Fulbrook was right behind him, Joe having passed Kurton and Dziurzynski for third on lap two, and the scene was set for a dramatic final five laps…

On lap eight Fulbrook shattered Chaplin’s lap record and then swept past Perry for second next time around at Brooklands. Joe lowered the lap record yet again on lap 10 but was ambushed by Perry into the Club chicane on the penultimate tour and pushed back to third once more. Taylor’s grip on the lead was looking ever more shaky as Paul battled against not only his two determined rivals but also severe tyre wear.

In the end it came down to a final-tour drag race up Woodham Hill with the three of them arriving abreast at the chicane. Fulbrook took the outside line and looked to have pulled the manoeuvre off as he nipped past his rivals for the lead. But Joe had left his braking a fraction too late, locked up and bounced over the kerbs, allowing Taylor and Perry to regain positions one and two.

‘I just missed my braking point,’ said a far from disappointed Fulbrook. ‘It was a great race, one of the best I have ever had…’ Joe retains the championship lead.

‘It was a superb race,’ agreed Taylor, ‘and it could have gone one of three ways. My tyres were all but used up and I doubt I could have hung on for another lap.’

Taylor, Perry and Fulbrook finished 10 seconds clear of the pack, such was their dominance. Chaplin took fourth, having battled back from seventh past Kurton, Walker and Dziurzynski to take a useful haul of points thanks to playing his ‘Joker’ card.

Dziurzynski held on in front of a determined Walker for fifth, with Griffiths lifting seventh from Kurton and Griffin battling back from the tail end to ninth at the line. Barrie Culley, Lloyd-Roach, Lock, McInerney and Dunn completed the finishers, the latter two drivers enjoying a race-long duel continued from the first event. Wyhinny’s race came to an end after just two laps with a broken driveshaft.

The frenetic summer pace of the championship continues with just a fortnight before the next pair of races, on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

The Volkswagen Racing Cup in association with Hankook is additionally supported by Augustus Martin, Castrol, Ceva Logistics, ECM Vehicle Delivery, Milltek Sport, Mondial Assistance, KW Automotive, Superchips, Turbo Dynamics, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volkswagen Financial Services UK.

Provisional results 2008 Volkswagen Racing Cup in association with Hankook
Round 7 (of 14) / Thruxton, 29 June / 13 laps = 30.63 miles

1	Jamie Perry	Castle Hedingham	Golf GTI	20m 26.702s
2	Joe Fulbrook	Maidenhead	Bora 1.8T	+0.541s
3	Steve Chaplin	Maisemore	Beetle RSI	+1.407s
4	Adrian Dziurzynski	Bournemouth	Golf GTI	+9.467s
5	Mike Kurton	Corse Lawn	Golf GTI	+17.405s
6	Liam Griffin	Essendon	Golf GTI	+17.911s
7	Peter Wyhinny	Milton Keynes	Caddy TDI	+20.660s
8	Paul Taylor	Great Amwell	Golf R32	+29.580s
9	Barrie Culley	Thatcham	Vento VR6	+47.733s
10	James Walker	Normanton on Trent	Golf TDI	+51.454s

Fastest lap Chaplin 1m 28.363s / 95.98mph Record

Round 8 / Thruxton, 29 June / 12 laps = 28.27 miles

1	Paul Taylor	Great Amwell	Golf R32	17m 58.826s
2	Jamie Perry	Castle Hedingham	Golf GTI	+0.201s
3	Joe Fulbrook	Maidenhead	Bora 1.8T	+0.494s
4	Steve Chaplin	Maisemore	Beetle RSI	+10.134s
5	Adrian Dziurzynski	Bournemouth	Golf GTI	+10.754s
6	James Walker	Normanton on Trent	Golf TDI	+11.575s
7	James Griffiths	Nantwich	Golf GTI	+11.769s
8	Mike Kurton	Corse Lawn	Golf GTI	+12.168s
9	Liam Griffin	Essendon	Golf GTI	+29.679s
10	Barrie Culley	Thatcham	Vento VR6	+31.422s

Fastest lap Fulbrook 1m 27.939s / 96.44mph Record

Full results www.tsl-timing.com

Provisional championship placings
1 Fulbrook 366 points; 2 Chaplin 280; 3 Taylor 268; 4 Perry 260; 5 Walker 252; 6 Kurton 244; 7 Griffin 186; 8 Nick Dunn 176; 9 Giles Lock 156; 10 Wyhinny 152 etc

Next rounds: 12/13 July Brands Hatch