Volkswagen UK : Golf Plus News Feed

Take a spin in the Scirocco R around the virtual 'Green hell'

2009-09-21T23:00:00Z

New racing game for the iPhone is available to download for free now.

As the covers are taken off the new Scirocco R at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), Volkswagen is revving it up with a new interactive racing game. The “Scirocco R 24 hour Challenge” allows gamers to drive the most powerful and fastest accelerating production Scirocco ever built through a series of difficult corners and expansive landscapes similar to the Nürburgring. The game is available now to download for free for the iPhone and iPod touch from the Apple App store.

A perfectly animated race circuit that comes so close to the legendary Nordschleife makes the “Scirocco R 24 hour Challenge” pure racing game fun. Three different play modes – qualifying mode, 24 hour mode and multiplayer mode (via Bluetooth) – liven up the game, and extras including the genuine engine note of the Scirocco R, different sound effects and the chance to customise your own Scirocco R provide long lasting enjoyment. The player can choose to control the Scirocco R by touchscreen or by tilt sensor to provide the best possible intuitive driving fun.

In real life, the star of the racing game, the Scirocco R, is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine producing 265 PS and 350 Nm of torque. This accelerates the Scirocco R to 62 mph from standstill in 6.0 seconds (5.8 seconds with DSG gearbox) and on to a top speed of 155 mph. The Scirocco R is also fitted with Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) and ensuring greater grip in all conditions, especially on tight corners, is XDS (first seen on the new Golf GTI) an electronic cross-axle traction control system.

The mechanical changes to the Scirocco R are joined by a purposeful new look. The new front bumper, featuring a set of LED running lights, is dominated by a trio of deep airdams providing optimal cooling to the engine and braking systems, while Xenon headlights frame a new gloss black grille element set into which is a single ‘R’ badge. The rear section features the distinctly enlarged roof spoiler and twin chrome exhaust pipes separated by a striking polished black diffuser.

This is the second time that Volkswagen has used a racing game as a form of marketing. In March this year, as the new Polo debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, the racing game “Volkswagen Polo challenge” was presented; with more than 1.4 million downloads in four weeks, it conquered the Apple App stores worldwide.

The Scirocco R will be available to order in October with prices and specifications due to be announced nearer this time.

New Golf R unveiled at Frankfurt Motorshow

2009-09-14T23:00:00Z

The most powerful and fastest-accelerating Golf ever produced – the Golf R – has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Developed by Volkswagen Individual, the special projects wing of Volkswagen, and following on from the Mk4 and Mk5 Golf R32 models, the four-wheel-drive Golf R is equipped with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine developing 270PS.

New engine
Not only is the new engine 35kg lighter and 20PS more powerful than the 3.2-litre V6 found in the outgoing Golf R32, it’s also more efficient. Economy rises from a combined 26.4mpg to 33.2mpg while CO2 emissions fall from 257g/km to 199g/km. Despite the gains in efficiency, the Golf R is faster and sharper than ever – the new car can accelerate from rest to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds. Equipped with a six-speed DSG gearbox, this figure falls to 5.5 seconds. The top speed is limited to 155mph.

The 1,984cc, four-cylinder EA113 engine (as opposed to the EA888 fitted to the current Golf GTI) is derived from the Mk5 Golf GTI. To extract the extra power the block has been reinforced with an entirely new alloy head, uprated pistons, conrods and high-pressure injectors. An uprated turbocharger generates 1.2 bar of boost and a new intercooler helps the engine cope with the extra heat generated. The result is 270PS developed at 6,000rpm and 258 lbs ft of torque at 2,500rpm.

Safety
The powerful new Golf R has new 345mm diameter front brake discs (rear: 310 mm) and callipers. The uprated suspension has been lowered by 25mm with revised spring and damper rates, and there are new anti-roll bars. The Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) has been revised with two stages designed for track use, and the electro-mechanical power steering system has been tweaked to sharpen its response.

Four-wheel drive
Unlike the four-wheel-drive system fitted to the R32, which relied on differing wheel speeds between the front and rear axles, the Golf R uses a pre-charged hydraulic system that reacts quicker and reduces wheelspin by limiting the torque channelled through either axle. In extreme cases, up to 100 per cent of the torque can be channelled to the rear wheels if required.

Exterior style
To set the Golf R apart from a conventional Golf or GTI it’s fitted with new front and rear bumpers with LED running lights at the front and a gloss black diffuser at the rear, which houses a pair of central exhausts. The new car is fitted with Xenon headlights, a new black grille, wing mirrors and a set of sill extensions. The Golf R is fitted with 18-inch five-spoke wheels with 225/40 tyres as standard – 19-inch wheels with 235/35 tyres are optional. At the back, unique rear light units lend the Golf R an aggressive look – the high-intensity LED bulbs are hidden behind smoked lenses.

Interior style
The Golf R has a set of distinctive aluminium ‘R’ kick plates, and new seats finished in grey Alcantara and contrasting high-grip black mesh cloth. Gloss-black highlights throughout the interior are complemented by the subtle, electric-blue needles in the revised instrument column.

The new Golf R is set to arrive in the UK in December. Prices and specification will be announced nearer the time.

More economical, more practical: The New Golf Plus BlueMotion

2009-08-12T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen has revealed pricing and details of its latest BlueMotion model, the Golf Plus. The new model offers all the practicality and comfort of the new standard Golf Plus which went on sale in May, but with even greater economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. Prices start at £17,570 RRP ‘on the road’ for the Golf Plus BlueMotion S, rising to £18,920 for the SE; that’s just £325 more than the equivalent standard Golf Plus S and SE models.

Using the latest 1.6-litre common rail TDI 105 PS engine combined with a number of BlueMotion modifications, the Golf Plus BlueMotion is capable of returning 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting just 114 g/km of CO₂. By comparison, the previous generation Golf Plus BlueMotion with a 1.9-litre TDI engine and 105 PS returned 58.9 mpg while producing 127 g/km; that’s an 11 per cent improvement in economy and a ten per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

The new Golf Plus BlueMotion’s CO₂ emissions figure of 114 g/km allows it to break the 121 g/km threshold, saving fleet drivers up to £1,000 in Benefit in Kind tax over a three year period. The car’s economy statistics mean, in real terms, that a Golf Plus BlueMotion owner could take a trip from London to the Lake District, enjoy 200 miles-worth of day trips while there, and return to London before having to refuel. Put another way, a buyer covering under 8,000 miles a year – which is typical of more than a half of Golf Plus customers – need only fill up with fuel once every five weeks.

This frugality is thanks to a number of BlueMotion modifications including revised gear ratios in third, fourth and fifth, the addidition of low rolling resistance tyres, a Start/Stop function and regenerative braking. The Start/Stop system allows the engine to shut down completely when the car is at a standstill before automatically restarting as soon as the clutch is depressed, ready to engage first gear and move off. Regenerative braking helps to utilise energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, so that in deceleration and braking phases the alternator’s voltage is boosted and used for bulk recharging of the car’s battery.

The Golf Plus BlueMotion is available in two trim levels, S and SE, and its standard features are the same as on these standard models. Owners therefore benefit from ABS with ESP, six airbags, air conditioning, a CD player and multi-function computer – with the addition of gearchange recommendation on BlueMotion for maximum economy. SE adds Park Assist to ease parallel parking manouvres, cruise control and alloy wheels. All Golf Plus diesel models have a standard Diesel Particulate Filter.

The new model is available to order now with the first cars arriving in October. For more details visit your Volkswagen Retailer or see www.volkswagen.co.uk.

Golf Honoured twice at the Auto Express new car awards 2009

2009-08-09T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen has been honoured by a pair of wins at the prestigious Auto Express New Car Awards.

The event, recognising the best new cars on sale in the UK, saw the Golf scoop the fiercely contested ‘Best Compact Family Car’ honour.

The award was accompanied by praise for the Golf’s abilities from the Auto Express road testers who commented: ‘With a cabin to rival the best compact executive models the new Golf moves the game on when it comes to interior quality in the family car sector. Sharp handling, impressive refinement and excellent comfort make the latest Golf the best yet in terms of dynamics. It simply does everything that’s required to the highest standards.’

The second win for Volkswagen came in the highly competitive ‘Best Hot Hatch’ category which was won by the new Golf GTI.

Launched in May this year, 32 years after the first examples arrived in the UK, the sixth generation Golf GTI continues to evolve with sharper responses, greater power and refinement to mark out the Mk VI as the most advanced vehicle to wear the GTI badge yet.

Commenting on the award, the Auto Express road test team stated: ‘Whether you are embarking on a long motorway drive, a city commute or rural sprint the GTI makes the perfect companion. All of this combines to make the latest Golf GTI one of the most desirable real world cars on the planet – and a worthy winner of our hot hatch prize.’

Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: ‘It’s a tremendous achievement to win a pair of awards in such hard fought categories. The new Golf has proved to be a hit with UK buyers and continues to defy extremely challenging market conditions to post strong sales.’

Double victory for Volkswagen Golf at Towcar Awards 2009

2009-06-18T23:00:00Z

In the same week that Volkswagen claimed the Green Award at the International Engine of the Year 2009 awards, the company’s best-selling car, the Golf has been given another ‘green’ accolade – this time at the Towcar Awards, judged by experts from What Car?, Practical Caravan and The Camping and Caravanning Club.

As well as the Green Award, the Golf 2.0-litre TDI 140 SE 5dr also won the ‘under 1425 kg kerbweight’ category. Overall, the judges praised the Golf for its towing abilities, on road practicalities as well as being good value, yielding low CO2 and maintaining high residual values.

The 39 cars tested in this year’s competition were put through their paces at the MIRA testing ground in Warwickshire for their towing ability and were assessed for a host of other qualities including driving performance when not towing, practicality, value for money and safety.

Matthew Eastlake, The Camping and Caravanning Club’s Marketing and Communications Director, said: ‘This annual testing programme is led by three of the most experienced and qualified organisations in their respective fields.

‘The aim is to provide campers and caravanners with the very best and latest information about the leading vehicles suitable for towing. We believe that this helps our members to take informed decisions about high value purchases and hopefully they are able to enjoy safe, comfortable and enjoyable motoring as a result.’

The latest and sixth generation of Volkswagen Golf, Europe’s best-selling car, went on sale in the UK in January this year. It has since been praised highly and won accolades in the What Diesel Car of the Year and Fleet News awards, as well as being named World Car of the Year in April at the New York Auto Show.

Smarter, safer, greener: new Golf Estate unveiled

2009-05-24T23:00:00Z

The new generation Golf Estate has been unveiled featuring a fresh look, revised engines and the latest comfort and safety technologies. Drawing on the design established by the Scirocco, new Golf and fifth generation Polo, the new Golf Estate features redesigned headlamps and front and rear bumpers to lend the car a clean and cohesive look. The use of horizontal lines on the nose helps to create the impression that the Golf Estate is both lower and wider than it really is. Further back, new wheel designs join revised rear lights to lend the car a fresh new look.

The changes continue inside the vehicle with dashboard improvements adopted from the New Golf, upgraded trim materials and a new range of upholstery. Like the existing model the new Golf Estate will be available in S, SE and Sportline trims, each boasting a high level of standard specification including air conditioning, a CD player, multi-function computer, electric windows and mirrors, and body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles. As you would expect from any car in the Golf family, the Golf Estate will also have a comprehensive array of safety features including ABS, ESP, driver and front passenger’s whiplash-optimised head restraints and six airbags including a deactivation switch for front passenger airbag.

Petrol engines will include a 1.4-litre 122PS model, giving excellent performance and economy thanks to Volkswagen’s TSI technology, which uses turbocharging in combination with a small capacity engine. A new 1.6-litre TDI common rail unit producing 105PS is set to be a popular diesel choice, while a 2.0-litre TDI 140PS tops the engine range. A BlueMotion version of the Golf Estate will also be offered giving additional economy and environmental benefits.

Retailers will begin taking orders for the new Golf Estate in October this year, with the first cars arriving early in 2010. Full pricing and specification details will be announced in due course.

The new Golf Estate will be the fourth generation of the model. The original Golf Estate was launched in 1993 – since then over 1.2 million have been produced worldwide.

Volkswagen at the Bologna motor show 2008

2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

Volkswagen is presenting a range of new models at the Bologna Motor Show including the world premieres of the second-generation Golf Plus, the race derived Scirocco Studie R concept and the LPG-powered Golf BiFuel.

Golf Plus
The second-generation Golf Plus makes its world debut in Bologna, with styling revisions forging a link to the design of the new, sixth generation Golf hatchback. Equipped with a range of highly-efficient petrol and common rail diesel engines with improved levels of fuel economy and reduced emissions, the new Golf Plus reaches new levels of quality and refinement while continuing to be one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class.

Scirocco Studie R
Volkswagen’s latest design study, the Scirocco Studie R, premieres at Bologna and is inspired by the Scirocco GT24 which raced to success in its class at the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race earlier this year. Finished in white, the Studie R has contrasting high-gloss black detailing and styling accents in red and green to the wing mirrors and on the ‘Bologna ‘08’ badging, paying homage to the Show’s host nation.

Three large air intakes at the front aid cooling to the uprated 2.0-litre 270 PS engine, while a front splitter is designed to minimise lift. The rear is dominated by a large rear wing and a distinctive revised rear bumper which incorporates a diffuser and twin oval exhausts. The Studie R is fitted with racing-derived sports suspension and four-piston brake callipers sit behind specially developed bespoke polished five arm, triple spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, the Scirocco Studie R is upholstered with black and white nappa leather and complemented with low and high-gloss carbonfibre trim. The Italian-inspired red and green design accents continue on the seams of the Recaro seats, steering wheel, armrest, gearknob and floor mats.

Golf BiFuel
The third Volkswagen making its debut in Bologna is the Golf BiFuel which has been specifically developed to run on both LPG and conventional petrol. The factory-built hatchback is fitted with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder 98 PS engine which, in conventional petrol mode, returns 39.8 mpg and emits 149 g/km of carbon dioxide. When run on LPG, the Golf BiFuel has a theoretical range of more than 260 miles, and this emissions figure is reduced by ten per cent.

The engine fitted to the Golf BiFuel has been specifically configured and tested for LPG operation making it more durable than modified petrol engines. The vehicle, with both petrol and LPG fuel tanks, has also undergone extensive crash-testing making it safer than aftermarket alternatives.

New Golf Plus premieres at Bologna Motor show

2008-12-03T00:00:00Z

Volkswagen has today unveiled the second generation Golf Plus at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy.

The updated design of the new Golf Plus forges a link to the bodystyle of the sixth generation Golf hatchback and gives a distinctive and dynamic appearance. The front is dominated by the horizontally aligned band of the radiator grille with two high-gloss black cross-bars and an integrated Volkswagen roundel, between revised headlights.

Exterior styling revisions continue with a slightly lower profile than the previous generation and with newly designed integrated roof rails. At the rear, the new Golf Plus has a fully colour-coded redesigned bumper and revised ‘cherry red’ rear lights incorporating LED technology. The exterior styling modifications are complemented by a range of new wheel and tyre options, including 18-inch ‘Bilbao’ alloy wheels from Volkswagen Individual.

Inside the cabin, further improvements have been made and the new Golf Plus reaches a new level of quality while continuing to be one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class. New upholstery materials and details are carried over from the new Golf, while clearly defined white backlit instruments, with brushed chrome surrounds, steering wheel options and air conditioning systems are similar to those in the new Golf and Passat CC.

Engines are still to be confirmed but a range of advanced petrol and diesels add further refinement to the revised model, with improved levels of fuel economy and reduced emissions. Both petrol and diesel models are linked to either a five- or six-speed manual or a six- or seven-speed DSG gearbox.

One petrol option will be a 1.4-litre 122 PS TSI engine which is forecast to return 44.8 mpg with carbon dioxide emissions of 146 g/km and a top speed of 124 mph. Common rail TDI engines, all fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will be available with outputs between 90 PS and 140 PS. The 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS has a top speed of 127 mph, and is expected to emit just 135 g/km while returning 55.4 mpg.

For the first time on the Golf Plus, Volkswagen’s ParkAssist will be offered. This system has the ability to operate the steering automatically during reverse parallel parking manoeuvres. A rear-view camera, mounted behind the Volkswagen roundel on the bootlid, is also available as an option. The system, currently available on the new Golf, Tiguan and Passat CC, transmits an image and graphic guidelines to the dash-mounted radio or navigation screen to assist with parking.

Prices, engines and specifications for the new Golf Plus will be announced closer to the vehicle’s UK launch in Spring 2009.

New round of Golf begins as the latest model opens for ordering

2008-10-16T23:00:00Z

Prices have been announced for the sixth-generation Golf model, and customers can now place an order for the new car in a Volkswagen Retailer ahead of the cars arriving in the UK in January.

Prices start from £13,150 ‘on the road’ RRP for the entry-level S three-door model with a 1.4-litre 80 PS engine, rising to £20,980 for the range-topping GT TDI five-door with 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS and six-speed DSG gearbox.

The new Golf is available in three trim levels – S, SE and GT – and all boast a high level of standard specification. S has, among a number of features, ABS and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), seven airbags (including a new driver’s knee airbag), remote central locking, Climatic air conditioning, CD/radio, plus body-coloured bumpers, door handles and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors.

Moving to SE trim adds an uprated stereo with eight speakers and an MDI (multi-device interface) for connection to external multimedia sources such as an iPod,
16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and coming/leaving home lighting function as well as rain and dusk sensors. At the top of the range, GT buyers will benefit from sports suspension (lowered by around 15 mm), sports seats with Alcantara trim, front fog lights and a multifunction steering wheel plus 17-inch alloys.

Under the bonnet, customers have a choice of four petrol and two diesel engines. Petrol units are a 1.4-litre 80 PS or 1.6-litre 102 PS, plus 1.4-litre TSI powerplants with 122 or 160 PS. The 2.0-litre common rail diesels offer power outputs of 110 or 140 PS.

A number of options are available on the Golf for the first time, including Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), which allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension, steering and accelerator response settings for any particular journey. ParkAssist, which takes over steering inputs to make parallel parking manoeuvres easy, is also available as an option.

Instantly apparent in the new Golf is a sharply defined look that draws on the design direction established by the Scirocco. What can’t be seen are the changes that have gone into making this car the most refined Golf yet. These include advances made in reducing wind noise, a completely new design of door and window seals, a new damping film that supports the windscreen and a new engine mounting system.

Inside, the adoption of materials and equipment usually associated with a vehicle in a higher class give a high-quality feel, enhanced by new soft-touch plastics and tasteful aluminium and chrome highlights.

Few cars have a history like that of the Volkswagen Golf, yet with global sales now topping 26 million, and in its sixth generation, the latest Golf continues to offer buyers a car that sets benchmarks in quality, style, safety and refinement.

For more information visit your local Volkswagen Retailer, call 0800 333666 or log on to www.volkswagen.co.uk. A full list of new Golf prices follows.

The 2008 Paris Motor Show

2008-10-02T23:00:00Z

The 2008 Paris Motor Show opens its doors to the public on 4 October at the Porte de Versailles.

The biennial show is one of the biggest in the motoring calendar, with around 360 exhibitors and 90 world premieres expected this year.

For Volkswagen, the most significant debut is the first show appearance for the all-new Mk6 Golf.

The new Golf has already won massive acclaim in the media, where it has impressed with its upmarket feel and confidence-inspiring handling.

Paris also marks the public debut of the new Golf GTI concept. With a 210PS engine and the clever new Adaptive Chassis Control system – as found on the Scirocco – the GTI promises to be a truly exciting drive, and of course it looks the part, too.

The French show also gives you the opportunity to take a closer look at the new BlueMotion Golf concept. Offering a phenomenal 74.3mpg and emitting just 99g/km of CO2, the super-frugal new BlueMotion Golf is sure to be a draw, as is its larger sibling, the Passat BlueMotion 2.

This latest BlueMotion Passat builds on the original BlueMotion concept, using a 2.0-litre TDI common-rail engine producing 110PS, rather than the 105PS 1.9-litre TDI unit found in the current Passat BlueMotion

Along with the new engine, the new Passat BlueMotion 2 uses an automatic Start/Stop system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in city driving

When the driver puts the car into neutral and takes their foot off the clutch, the Start/Stop system temporarily stops the engine until the clutch is re-engaged, saving fuel and lowering emissions.

Fuel economy –is improved from 55.4 (54.3 for the Estate) to 57.6mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 output from 136 (137 Estate) to 128 g/km (129 Estate).

There's even more frugality on show, too, in the form of the Passat Blue TDI. This exciting new model is the cleanest Passat of all time, emitting just 137g/km of CO2 in saloon form, while managing 54.3mpg.

To achieve this, the Passat Blue TDI uses a new generation of catalytic converter, dubbed SCR, for Selective Catalytic Reduction. A water-based liquid containing urea, known as AdBlue, is added to significantly reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from the exhaust. This allows the Passat Blue TDI to meet forthcoming Euro 6 emissions regulations that come into effect in 2014.

Finally, the revised Phaeton will also be on show in Paris. This is the most technologically advanced car Volkswagen has ever made, and now features a raft of enhancements including a new 3.6-litre V6 engine.

The Paris Motor Show runs until 19 October. For more information, visit www.mondialautomobile.com.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2008: Volkswagen TSI engines clean up in a double victory

2008-05-06T23:00:00Z

The winning streak continues: for the third time, Volkswagen's dual charged TSI engines have won the "International Engine of the Year Award" in the category "1 litre to 1.4 litres". It is no coincidence that the 103 kW (140 PS) and 125 kW (170 PS) TSI's, which are charged by both a turbocharger and a supercharger, are among the most efficient petrol engines in the world. The motto for these engines is "maximum dynamics with minimum fuel consumption". And that's also how the jury, comprising 65 journalists from 32 countries, saw it. According to one jury member, 'This engine does everything right and fits into the most diverse types of vehicles.' Moreover, the new 122 PS TSI took second place in the same category in its first attempt. The "International Engine of the Year Awards 2008" will be presented today in Stuttgart.

Dr Rüdiger Szengel, Head of Petrol Engine Development, accepted the award for Volkswagen commenting, 'Our TSI engines have set the standard since their introduction in the performance class of 90 kW to 125 kW. They achieve new levels of economy for petrol engines while providing performance that offers real fun. We take it as a compliment to the entire development team that our TSI has won again in the displacement class to 1.4 litres.'

TSI engines are already powering diverse models in ten Volkswagen families. The petrol direct injection engines between 90 kW (122 PS) and 169 kW (230 PS) cover the entire range from Golf to the recently introduced Passat CC. What's more, the new Scirocco will be off to a running start in 2008 with TSI engines. In the 122 PS version, it requires only 6.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, making it one of the world's most economical sports cars.