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Tow-tal victory for Volkswagen in Caravan Club Towcar Awards

2011-09-21T23:00:00Z

The Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0-litre TDI DSG has been named the winner of The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2012 awards, on top of its victory over 12 rivals in the under £25,000 class.

The Jetta was not Volkswagen’s only double winner: the Touareg Escape 3.0-litre V6 TDI proved it pulls everything but punches, securing victory in both the over £32,000 class and the all-wheel-drive vehicles over 1800 kg category.

The award was presented at a prestigious ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club in London. The vehicles were voted for by an 11-strong panel of judges, which conducted rigorous towing tests at the Millbrook Testing Ground in Bedfordshire. Here, 30 vehicles were put through their paces to assess their towing ability, acceleration, braking, ability to cope with demanding hill starts and an assessment of usability in terms of everyday caravanning.

The judges said of the Jetta: ‘This car is as controlled as it is quick, offering stable towing both at speed and while driving around hills and bends. It steers smartly and accurately with little body roll, yet offers a well-damped ride even with a lively caravan on the back. It zooms up hills, stops on them securely and pulls away cleanly. And when you’re not driving it, it’s great to look at.’

‘A near-ultimate towcar,’ was the judges’ opinion of the Touareg. They went on to say that: ‘The Touareg flew round the bowl at Millbrook with never a twitch, even on the hill circuit. On-rails cornering was interspersed with an apparently insignificant collection of steep gradients, including hill-stops and starts.’

The Jetta Sport 2.0-litre TDI DSG has a 140 PS common rail diesel engine, a six-speed DSG gearbox, and produces impressive amounts of torque – 320 Nm from just 1,750 rpm. Despite its compact dimensions, it has a generous noseweight of 75 kg.

The Touareg Escape 3.0-litre V6 TDI comes with a 245 PS common rail diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It features permanent 4XMOTION four-wheel drive, raised suspension, a centre differential lock and a rear axle mechanical differential lock to ensure it can cope with treacherous conditions off-road. Torque is a prodigious 550 Nm from 2,000 rpm, while noseweight is 140 kg, and overall towing capacity a mammoth 3500 kg.

The up! is on its way

2011-09-13T23:00:00Z

A new city car from Volkswagen has been launched. The up! is an entirely new design, offering maximum space on a minimal footprint (3.54 x 1.64 m), making it ideal for driving in the world’s cities.

Explore class-leading safety technology, stylish exterior and cleverly designed interior at volkswagen-up.com.

The up! is due for UK launch in Spring 2012 and will be available for order from October 2011.

New Small Family car - World premieres

2011-09-12T23:00:00Z

World premieres of 6 concept cars – all related to the up!

- buggy up! and up! azzurra: specially designed for the world’s beaches
- cross up!, GT up!, eco up! and e-up! show potential of the new car series

Wolfsburg / Frankfurt, September 2011. The world premiere of the new up! at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt does not just involve the debut of one model. Rather, the world premiere of the two-door up! signifies the beginning of an entire series of cars: the New Small Family. At the IAA, Volkswagen is demonstrating – with no less than 6 exciting concept cars – how this family could be further developed based on the new up!. Specially designed for the world’s beaches are the buggy up! and the up! azzurra sailing team. Then there is the cross up!, which was conceptualised for urban driving. The GT up! is a concept car tuned for the German Autobahn. Another concept car is the eco up! that is powered by natural gas and extremely clean to drive: The e-up! is a zero-emissions specialist with an electric drive. And it all starts now!

buggy up! – the up! for endless summer

Freedom. A buggy is more than just a car; it is an automotive lifestyle feeling. It was born in California in the 1960s and was based on the Beetle, which provided the engine and the chassis. The rest was created by buggy pioneers such as American Bruce Meyers: out of GRP, or glass-reinforced plastics. Buggies have had a cult following that continues to today. That is reason enough for Volkswagen to now present a 21st century buggy concept based on the new up!: the buggy up!. This buggy is not made of GRP, but instead of strong, high-tech, lightweight construction steels. Yet, the conceptual approach for developing the two-seater, as original as it is, still follows the lead of historic models from California.

Openness. The (reinforced) underbody, running gear and drive technology of the up! were kept, while the roof-less exterior skin of the body was completely redesigned, and the ride height was lowered by 20 mm. Nonetheless, the design of the buggy up! with its headlights, the position of the VW badge – and signature trait of the front bumper that appears to smile – all tie the car to the two-door up!. Yet, everything is different: the bonnet is built much flatter, the bumpers show an independent character, the roof is not just clipped off, rather it takes its idea from small convertible sports cars. The rear section was also completely redesigned. This is logical, because the buggy up! does not have a boot like the “normal” up!, nor does it have any C-pillars. However, it is immediately recognisable as an up! by its rear lights, which are like a reflection of the headlights. Practical: the bootlid is constructed of two pieces; the main part of the lid lifts upward like a classic bootlid, but the section above the bumper folds down, like the tailgate on a pick-up. And this makes it extremely easy to stow even heavy and bulky items. On top of the lid, there are also tie-down straps for a set of luggage.

Safe. The designers also made this up! a purebred buggy in its side profile. Of course, it has no doors, but in their place it has extensive body reinforcements and a sturdy roll bar behind the two seats. Especially cool: the open side sills. This makes the experience of open-air driving even more exciting than in a conventional convertible.

Snappy. At 3,584 mm, the buggy up! is somewhat longer than the production up! with a hard top (+44 mm), and its width of 1,672 mm is somewhat wider (+31 mm). As might be expected, the height of the buggy up! comes in significantly lower at 1,288 mm (-190 mm). The minimalistic overhangs, front and rear, show sharp styling. Filling the wheel housings are 18-inch alloy wheels – enormous for a vehicle of this size – which have 205/40 tyres.

Colourful. The area above the bumper and the open side sills are in the colour “hot orange”, which was specially created for this vehicle; those who think back to the buggies of the 1960s when they hear this colour name are right on track. The bumpers and side sills are designed in a matt and rugged “metallic grey” colour. The same colour schemes dominate in the interior.

Waterproof. As is proper for a beach vehicle, the new interior styling is completely waterproof. Drains in the vehicle floor and the open side sills prevent flooding. Even the neoprene coated shell seats have water drains, so that no water accumulates in the vehicle after a swim in the ocean. If it should rain for a longer period of time, it is possible to stretch a sail between the window frames and the roll bar.

Sound. The controls for the infotainment system also sport a waterproof design. Among its features, the system has an iPod/iPhone dock. The entire module can be removed – including the integrated active loudspeakers – so that it can be used as a sound system for parties on the beach.

Go-kart. Compared to the two-door up! the buggy up! has a lower seat position – in keeping with the lower vehicle height. The specially designed seats were lowered by 58 mm compared to the production model. To ensure that everything makes ergonomic sense for the driver, engineers reduced the basic angle of the height-adjustable steering wheel by 4 degrees to an angle of 21 degrees. The result is a go-kart feeling. A sturdy handle is installed on the dash panel for the front passenger – just as it once was in the Beetle – because one never knows what lies over the next dune. In essence, the buggy up! is pure emotion, but it is easy to drive and very safe. A car that would not only be good to drive in California. One thing should be made up!solutely clear at this point: the New Small Family is just beginning to grow ...

up! azzurra sailing team – the up! with a Mediterranean soul

The up! azzurra sailing team was created by Italian designers Giorgetto Giugiaro and Walter de Silva. Giugiaro and de Silva both grew up in nautical environments. And it was in this environment that the up! azzurra sailing team was created – a prototype of an open, small, eco-friendly automobile for the world’s marinas. Giorgetto Giugiaro, born in Garessio – a town near the Ligurian coast where the sea breezes blow strong – and Walter de Silva – born in Lecco on Lake Como – have extended the potential range of the New Small Family here to include a nautical version. The prototype’s name comes from a yacht club on the Costa Smeralda.

The up! azzurra sailing team retains the original character of the up! with its precise and appealing lines. Yet the concept vehicle is completely open – there are no doors or roof. This lets the driver and passengers enjoy the summer breezes, as if they were aboard a boat.

High-tech and highly stylish materials are used inside the vehicle, all of which are completely waterproof, and they intentionally resemble the fittings of a luxury yacht. These features include the four seats in white-blue leather, numerous chrome components and a dashboard in mahogany with maple wood inlays. Its surfaces are coated in a synthetic resin.

The up! azzurra sailing team is more than just a prototype – it forges a link between the heritages of Italian yachts and German automobiles. And that is how an up! was created with a Mediterranean soul!

cross up! – the up! for big city driving

Near production. The up! family continues with the cross up!. It is also still a concept car, but it demonstrates three 3 aspects very clearly: 1. How the four-door up! will look. 2. What the four-door up! might look like in a cross up! version. 3. That Volkswagen will be expanding its successful cross programme over more models. Cross models that are currently available are the CrossPolo, CrossGolf and CrossTouran. Cross stands for customised and especially rugged Volkswagen designs with rugged lifestyle qualities.

up!date. Aside from its cross features, characteristics distinguishing this member of the New Small Family compared to the two-door car are of course the additional doors and the fully independent styling of the C-pillars. While the shoulder or ‘tornado’ line and windows ascend towards the rear near the C-pillars on the two-door car, on the four-door car the two elements form a straight line. This gives this body variant its independence, and it has a nearly van-like appearance. As on the two-door version, the C-pillars are also supported over the rear wheel housings; in conjunction with the extremely short rear overhang, this creates a very powerful, dynamic appearance.

Rugged qualities. Typical of a cross model from Volkswagen: the wheel well extensions and side sill extensions designed in a dark anthracite (with satin effect) as well as the black side protection strips above the sills; worked into these strips is the “cross up!” signature. The rugged bumpers are also a new design. Eye-catching at the front is the silver cross-bar in the bumper which has integrated fog lights and an air intake with a honeycomb grille that is distinctly larger, especially towards its bottom. Also designed in a silver colour is the underbody protection. The rear of the car also has a counterpart to this underbody protection and a silver cross-bar on the bumper. Another unmistakable trait of the cross version is its greater ground clearance: 15 mm higher.

Tornado red. The concept car makes its appearance with “Tornado Red” exterior paint and other silver elements. Such as with machine-polished 16-inch alloy wheels in cross design (“mythos” type) and 185 tyres; the red circle around the VW logo at the centre of the wheel matches the colour of the body. The roof rails of the cross up! concept car are painted in “matt silver”. Matching them in styling are the door mirror caps in “light silver”.

Living spaces. As soon as one of the doors or the bootlid of the cross up! is opened, the view is of the seats in their special cross trim (red centre panels, grey side panels). As in all up! models, the dash pad (designer panel in the cockpit in front of the driver and front passenger) and upper door trim panels are painted; in this case, it matches the exterior colour “Tornado Red”. Other accents such as the bezels of the air nozzles and the centre console are designed in black piano paint. A “small leather pack” with coloured decorative seams upgrades the steering wheel, gear shift grip and parking brake grip. Last but not least, door sill guards with the “cross” signature protect against tracks left by either rugged or party shoes.

GT up! – the up! for the fast roads

Agility. Volkswagen will offer the new up! with engines whose power only ranges up to 55 kW / 75 PS. That makes sense, because the up! is primarily driven in the urban world. However, the car design could handle much more power. And that too can be desirable. Showing how such a more powerful up! might appear is the highly dynamic GT up!. Conceivably, its engine could have a power of 100 PS. Such an engine would offer drivers of the barely 900 kg GT up! more affordable driving fun than hardly any other vehicle. This would be very much in the style of the ancestor of the sporty small car – the first generation GTI. When an I is added for injection, its identifier refers to the Volkswagen icon. And the GT up! is performing on the same playing field.

Dominating. The concept car is painted in the sporty colour “oryx white pearl effect”. Designers completely redesigned the front bumper. It deviates completely from the typical up! design: instead of the centrally integrated and painted cross-wise component, which is in metal colour on the cross up!, the GT up! features a large, central cooling air intake with a grille in honeycomb look – similar to the one used on the Golf GTI, for example. Outside there are two cooling air intakes for the brakes; integrated in these openings are the wing-shaped LED daytime running lights. Prominent on its sides are the painted side sills, black door mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels with 195 tyres. A roof edge spoiler generates tremendous downforce at the rear axle, and powerful sound is generated by a double flow exhaust system with two visible chrome tailpipes, one on the left and one on the right.

Ergonomics. Inside, the GT up! also projects a dynamic image with its anthracite coloured interior. Offering a contrast to the anthracite are the centre seat panels with their blue checked pattern and the “paint blue” rings around the air vent nozzles. Painted in a sophisticated glossy black are the dashboard and upper door trim panels. The black roofliner is coordinated with them.

eco up! – the up! for clean natural gas

EcoFuel. At the 2011 IAA, Volkswagen is presenting an up! which – thanks to its natural gas engine (EcoFuel) and BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system and battery regeneration) – emits just 79 g/km CO2, a new best value in CO2 emissions: the eco up!. So far, no one has documented such low emissions in a small car with CNG natural gas drive. Moreover, this fuel offers tremendous advantages: natural gas engines are very clean and receive favourable taxation benefits in such countries as Germany. When used in the smallest vehicle class, natural gas drives – besides achieving these best values in emissions – are significantly more economical than hybrid systems that are unrealistically expensive in the small car segment. So, even though the natural gas version of the eco up! with BlueMotion Technology is still a concept car at this IAA, by the time of next year’s IAA it will have long been on the road as a production vehicle.

EcoFuel facts: Volkswagen is also using a newly developed 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine for the eco up!. It outputs 50 kW / 68 PS. As an EcoFuel version without BlueMotion Technology, the car will already launch on the market next year. Its combined fuel consumption: 3.2 kg/100 km natural gas (CNG = Compressed Natural Gas). This value is equivalent to a CO2 value of 86 g/km, which is already extremely low. As a BlueMotion Technology version in the style of the eco up!, fuel consumption drops to 2.5 kg/100 km and CO2 emissions are reduced to the mentioned 79 g/km. As noteworthy as the environmental aspect: fuel costs per 100 km are well under 2.50 euros (price in Germany in August 2011)! It is hardly possible to drive more economically than this.

Natural gas tanks in the underbody. These incredible values are made possible by the high energy content of the natural gas; one kg of CNG has the same energy content as about 1.5 litres of petrol. The natural gas is stored in 2 underfloor tanks (combined fuel capacity: 72 litres or 11 kg CNG) located near the rear axle. Tank 1 is located in front of the axle together with a 10-litre reserve petrol tank; tank 2 makes use of the spare wheel recess. Since the entire EcoFuel system was integrated in the vehicle structure, it does not impose any limitations on the car, except for the use of the spare wheel recess.

Colourful. The eco up! with 16-inch alloy wheels is painted in the light colour “oryx white pearl effect”. A visual link to the theme of natural gas: the turn indicator covers of the rear lights are tinted blue. Inside, the basic colour of the concept car is anthracite. This also applies to the centre seat panels in “lorno” fabric. Forming a colourful contrast to the anthracite is the yellow “neon” colour of the outer borders of the seats. It fits in well with the “limette” paint colour of the air vents. In turn, the air vents are colour coordinated with the dash pad in front of the driver and front passenger, centre console and door trim panels whose paint matches the exterior colour “oryx white pearl effect”.

e-up! – the up! for zero emissions driving

Enlightening. It has been decided: a production version of the e-up! will be launched on the market in 2013. At the IAA in 2011, Volkswagen is already presenting a near-production study of this zero-emissions car. It has a distinctive identifying characteristic at its front end: the arc-shaped layout of the LED daytime running lights in the bumper. Of technical interest: on the e-up!, the upper engine cooling air slot – a slot between the headlights and the VW logo – is fully covered by an elegant chrome trim strip. That is because narrow air intake slots above and below the licence plate suffice to cool the drive system of the e-up! that is painted in the colour “planet blue metallic”.

Friendly. The interior of the e-up! is dominated by friendly beige colours; the designer panel in front of the driver and front passenger, centre console and door trim panels are painted in the new colour mix known as “two drops blue”; accents around the air vents glisten in a sophisticated black.

Silent. Supplying the propulsive power for the concept car, which can reach a top speed of 135 km/h, is an electric motor with a peak power of 60 kW (continuous power: 40 kW). As is typical of electric motors, the nearly silent motor develops a high maximum torque of 210 Newton metres from a standstill. The driver activates the forward or reversing gear by pushbutton on the centre console.

Energetic: The car’s battery capacity of 18kilowatt-hours (kWh) enables distances of up to 130 km, depending on driving style – enough driving range for the city and for the trips of most commuters. The batteries themselves are located in the underbody of the e-up!. Meanwhile, all key drive and ancillary components are housed in front in the engine compartment.

Volkswagen at the Frankfurt motor show

2011-09-08T23:00:00Z

As the organisers prepare to open the door to this year’s IAA in Frankfurt next week, a team of around 1,000 people are on site putting the finishing touches to the Volkswagen stand in Hall 3.

Shaped like a cloud, the 8,893 square metre stand will accommodate over 50 vehicles and is designed to showcase the new up! city car which is making its public debut along with the recently unveiled new generation Beetle, new Tiguan and Golf Cabriolet. The NILS single-seat electric commuting vehicle concept will also be making its world premiere.

As well as the cars themselves, Volkswagen is using a 30 metre interactive wall which will give visitors a taste of mobility in the future, as well as presenting details on innovations and alternative technologies.

Volkswagen’s Motorsport and Commercial Vehicle divisions will also be displaying a number of new models in Hall 3.

There will be a press conference on the first press day (Tuesday 13 September) at 11:20 on the Volkswagen stand.

Golf claims second Green Car of the Year award

2011-09-07T23:00:00Z

The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion has claimed its second What Car? Green Car of the Year accolade. The Golf’s success was announced last night at an awards ceremony at Battersea Power Station in London, which is also currently playing host to this year’s EcoVelocity low-carbon motor show.

For the second consecutive year, the Golf BlueMotion was named best Green Small Family Car by the What Car? judges. What Car? editor-in-chief Chas Hallett said: ‘The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion shows that it is still possible to be green by simply improving the technology that is already proven and available at the moment. The Golf offers a seamless driving experience that is hard to differentiate from a regular diesel Golf. It also has loads of luxury and safety features.’

At the heart of the Golf BlueMotion is a 1.6-litre TDI engine, producing 105 PS and 250 Nm of torque from just 1,500 rpm. Its remarkable economy and low emissions – 74.3 mpg on the combined cycle and 99 g/km of CO2 – are achieved through a package of measures which includes a Start/Stop system, low-rolling-resistance tyres, battery regeneration, revised gearing, a multifunction computer that provides visual gearchange recommendations, and aerodynamic changes.

Collecting the award on behalf of Volkswagen was Head of Group Environmental Management, Andrew Bannister. He said: ‘I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Golf. Amid a raft of environmental developments in the industry, the BlueMotion remains one of the most solid performers and sensible choices. It retains all the safe, practical and reliable virtues of the standard Golf model while returning class-leading fuel economy and carbon dioxide figures. A best-selling family favourite made even better.’

BlueMotion is Volkswagen’s umbrella term for a raft of innovations that help to cut the cost of motoring by making every drop of fuel take you further. In addition to the Polo, Golf and Passat BlueMotion models is acomprehensive line-up of BlueMotion Technology products that use a range of economy measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Key to all BlueMotion and BlueMotion Technology vehicles, however, is that they all remain as practical, comfortable and desirable as the standard models on which they are based and are just as easy to service, repair and maintain.

The What Car? title comes on top of the Volkswagen BlueMotion range winning the Auto Express inaugural green award last month, and adds yet another honour to the brand’s long list of accolades.

For more information please click here or enquire at your local Volkswagen Retailer. To see and experience BlueMotion products at EcoVelocity at Battersea until 11 September, visit www.ecovelocity.co.uk.

Volkswagen AG rejects allegations from Greenpeace

2011-09-07T23:00:00Z

Wolfsburg, September 8, 2011 – Volkswagen AG is again today rejecting allegations from Greenpeace and has expressed incomprehension at the action taken at the factory premises in Wolfsburg.

‘We are again surprised that Greenpeace is targeting Volkswagen with this action. In just a few days at the IAA in Frankfurt we will be presenting the most efficient and environmentally friendly range of vehicles. With the new small car, the up!, we have an environmental champion with carbon dioxide emissions of just 79 g/km. This is the best evidence for our responsible conduct in reducing CO2 emissions. We have made offers to hold talks with Greenpeace which unfortunately have not been accepted,’ said Head of Communications Stephan Grühsem.

There is a large amount of information available on the following website - www.volkswagen-environment.com – which also contains a link to the Volkswagen Group’s Sustainability Report: also available here.

Celebrations begin as Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35 goes on sale

2011-09-01T23:00:00Z

A 35^th birthday can mark the onset of a mini midlife crisis, the tipping point between the big 3-0 and even bigger 4-0. Luckily the iconic Golf GTI is in no such predicament, but rather celebrating in style with a special edition model which has an uplift in spec and appearance and, underneath the skin, the most powerful production Golf GTI engine to date. Clearly those gym sessions have paid off.

On sale from today, the Golf GTI Edition 35 – which made its debut at the GTI enthusiasts’ meeting on the shores of Lake Wörthersee in Austria at the start of June – has a 1,984 cc four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which produces 235 PS (25 more than the standard GTI) at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm (221 lbs ft) of torque at 2,200 rpm. Like the standard GTI, the Edition 35 is front engined and front-wheel drive. Standstill to 62 mph takes 6.6 seconds and top speed is 153 mph. The model still returns a very respectable 34.9 mpg on the combined economy cycle (35.3 DSG) and emits 189 g/km of CO₂ (185 for the DSG model).

Bespoke exterior styling changes include a more sporty bodykit incorporating new side skirts and a revised front bumper which sits below bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. Unique lightweight 18-inch ‘Watkins Glen’ alloy wheels, finished in ‘Dark Steel’ or – at no additional cost – silver, distinguish this model from the standard GTI, along with an Edition 35 badge on the front wing, gloss black door mirror casings, rear windows with 90 per cent tinted glass and rear tinted LED lights.

Subtle ‘35’ signatures are carried through to the interior, featuring on the head restraints of the heated Vienna leather front sports seats as well as the door sills and floor mats, along with a red stripe on the seatbelts and the now famous GTI ‘golf ball’ gearknob which is available on both manual and DSG transmissions.

Prices for the GTI Edition 35 start at £27,525 (RRP OTR) for the manual three-door model. There is a £1,295 premium for the DSG gearbox and £585 for five doors.

Although the new car is a special edition model, there is not a specific restriction on the number available. Volkswagen Retailers will begin taking orders now with first customer deliveries due next month. For more information contact your nearest Retailer or click here.

Volkswagen presents latest efficiency technology system: Worlds first cylinder shut-off in four-cylinder TSI

2011-09-01T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen is the first manufacturer in the world to implement cylinder shut-off on a four-cylinder TSI engine in high-volume production. The primary goal of the high-tech system is to reduce fuel consumption significantly by temporarily shutting off two of the four cylinders under low to medium loads. In fact, cylinder shut-off reduces fuel consumption of the 1.4-litre TSI by 0.4 litre per 100 km in the NEDC driving cycle. When Start/Stop functionality is integrated, which deactivates the engine in neutral gear, the savings effect adds up to about 0.6 litre per 100 km.

The greatest benefits of the cutting edge technology are realised while driving at constant moderate speeds. At 50 km/h, in third or fourth gear, savings amount to nearly one litre per 100 km. This new fuel efficient TSI will therefore also fulfil the future EU6 emissions standard. High efficiency does not exclude driving comfort: even when running on just two cylinders, the 1.4-litre TSI – with its excellent engine balance – is still very quiet and low in vibration.

Cylinder shut-off is active whenever the engine speed of the 1.4-litre TSI is between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm and its torque is between 25 and 75 Nm. This applies to nearly 70 per cent of the driving distance in the EU fuel economy driving cycle. As soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal sufficiently hard, cylinders 2 and 3 are reactivated imperceptibly. The system takes its information from the accelerator pedal sensor to detect the mode of driving. If the driving exhibits a non-uniform pattern – for example, while driving in roundabout traffic or in a sporty style on a country road – shut-off functionality is automatically suppressed.

Meet NILS... The future of commuting from Volkswagen

2011-08-31T23:00:00Z

NILS, a single-seat electric concept vehicle that offers a glimpse of a new form of minimalist mobility, has been unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month. This concept car – which features an aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels – has the dynamic performance of a sports car, yet travels silently, and with zero emissions.

The NILS project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, and is designed to be both technically realistic and economically supportable.

‘NILS anticipates the future. The goal of the NILS project is to research a technically concrete and economically feasible vehicle concept for micromobility which restructures individual transportation to make it more efficient and environmentally compatible based on electric drive technology,’ said Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volkswagen Brand.

With a range of 65 kilometres (40 miles) and a top speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) NILS would be the ideal vehicle for the majority of commuters in Germany. According to the German Bureau of Statistics, 73.9 per cent of all commuters residing between Berlin and Munich cover less than 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) on their way to work.

Cars have always been mirrors of their times – their design styles and technological standards reflecting a particular era – and NILS is no different. It uses emissions-reducing electric drive technology to fulfil the specific requirements of commuters. In Germany, for example, about 60 per cent of all commuters travel by car, according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics; of these over 90 per cent travel alone. Zero-emissions vehicles like NILS will offer these frequent drivers a new eco-friendly mobility solution.

NILS is a very compact car that requires extremely little space in traffic. It is only 3.04 metres long – making it about 50 cm shorter than the new Volkswagen up! – just 0.39 metres wide from wheel to wheel, and a mere 1.2 metres tall.

NILS has the same basic layout as a Formula 1 race car, with the driver in the middle, the engine in back, and free-standing outboard wheels. The 17-inch alloy wheels are equipped with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.

Though its inspiration may come from Formula 1, the styling has its origins at the Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam, Berlin. Designer Thomas Ingenlath, the centre’s director, said: ‘NILS was designed to make a visual statement and transport a vision of the automotive future to the present. I am especially pleased that we managed to implement the concept of the two glass wing doors. This allowed us to create large transparent surfaces and simultaneously to make entering and exiting the vehicle very comfortable, even in the most cramped of parking spaces.’

Because NILS is so compact and lightweight (460 kg), it is a lot of fun to drive. It has a top speed of 130 km/h, and can accelerate to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds. This is achieved using an electric motor with a reasonably small 15 kW nominal power and short-term peak power of 25 kW. A lithium-ion battery supplies the electric motor with energy. The battery capacity (5.3 kWh) enables driving ranges of up to 65 km, depending on the style of driving. A battery of this size is relatively inexpensive, and can be charged either via a conventional 230-volt electrical outlet (maximum charging time two hours) or at an electric vehicle charging station. The socket is located at the back underneath the rear lighting module.

The centrepiece of the electric drive system is the lightweight 19 kg electric motor together with its transmission and battery. Energy management is via a high-voltage pulse inverter, which – together with the 12-Volt DC/DC converter for the vehicle electrical system and the charger – forms an integral drive unit. All drive unit components are located compactly in an aluminium housing at the rear of NILS; drive is to the rear wheels.

The motor, battery and all other components are so compact that there is still space for a small but practical bootspace. The body-coloured area above the rear lighting module swings upward, revealing space suitable for items such as a case of drinks and a bag.

Optimal weight distribution helps to ensure that NILS allows drivers not only to commute with zero emissions, but also to have fun while doing so. The lightweight NILS drives like a go-kart. The steering is purely mechanical (the low weight means power assistance is unnecessary), while the electric motor produces its maximum torque of 130 Nm from standstill, via a one-speed transmission. Suspension is by double wishbones front and rear; while ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) helps to tame any over-exuberance on the part of the driver.

Safety is of course even more important than fun, and NILS is fitted with an automatic distance control system. This uses radar sensors to scan the space in front of the vehicle over a distance of about 200 metres and uses brake interventions to ensure that the distance to vehicles in traffic in front of the car does not drop below a specified minimum value. The system can even automatically brake the car to a stop, depending on the situation. Not only are the four disc brakes used to brake; electric traction by electric motor and battery regeneration can be used to brake as well. Last but not least, Front Assist is integrated in the automatic distance control system. This continually active system warns the driver of a potential collision; at speeds below 30 km/h (18 mph), automatic braking can avoid a collision under some circumstances.

The instrument cluster is a seven-inch TFT display. The vehicle’s speed is shown digitally in the middle, while energy flow is represented by bars. Another graphic display offers information on the driving range. The second central instrument is a mobile multifunctional device like the one used in the new up!: the Portable Infotainment Device (PID). It is snapped into the A-pillar to the right of the instrument cluster. Via touchscreen, the driver controls functions related to Navigation, Radio, Media, Telephone, Trip computer and – to preconfigure the driving range – ‘Eco. The PID computes the expected driving range, then it not only displays the route on the map display, but also the radius and thereby the destinations that can be reached using the current battery charge.

To save on weight and costs, certain functional elements and controls do without electrical assistance. The side mirrors, for example, are adjusted manually. The heating and ventilation system has full electronic control, and there is seat heating. Located to the right of the steering column is the motor start-stop switch; this round switch is also used to select D, N or R.

The aluminium space frame body was designed to be a highly effective safety cell. The body in white is produced from extruded aluminium, cast aluminium and sheet aluminium. The roof frame together with the door mounts, a roll bar, the bootspace and the front bulkhead consist of high-strength sheet aluminium. Extruded aluminium is used in the side sills, the transverse profiles and the front and rear car sections. The front and rear side body are aluminium. Parts made of high-strength plastic include the bumpers and the trim panels on the side sills.

The frames of the wing doors consist of three main elements: an inner section, a crash reinforcement section and an exterior part. When closed, they offer optimal crash safety. The door windows are made of lightweight, scratch-resistant, layered polycarbonate, while the front window is made of laminated safety glass.

The headlights are striking bi-xenon modules, while the indicator lights and daytime running lights are white and yellow LEDs. In the acrylic glass of the rear lights – integrated in the rear section like small wings – the light generated by LEDs is routed via transparent semiconductors which (appropriately for an electric vehicle) consume minimal amounts of power.

The new up! - small but perfectly formed

2011-08-21T23:00:00Z

The first photos of the Volkswagen up! have been released, ahead of the new small car making its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The up! is an entirely new design, offering maximum space on a minimal footprint (3.54 x 1.64 m), making it ideal for driving in the world’s cities. It will be launched in Europe in December. There are three versions for different budgets and needs: take up! is the entry-level car, move up! the comfort-oriented model and high up! the top version. At the car’s market launch, there will also be two models based on the high up!: up! black and up! white.

Making its debut in the up! is a new generation of three-cylinder petrol engines, with outputs of 60 PS and 75 PS. Combined fuel consumption as a BlueMotion Technology version (including a Stop/Start system) is 4.2 l/100 km (60 PS), and CO2 emissions for this version are less than 100 g/km. There are also plans for an up! with electric drive.

An important new safety technology in the up! is the optional City Emergency Braking system. It is automatically active at speeds under 18mph, and uses a laser sensor to detect the risk of an impending collision. Depending on speed and situation, City Emergency Braking can reduce accident severity by initiating automatic brake interventions that can even avoid a crash. So far, the up! is the only vehicle in the segment to be offered with this function.

At 3.54 metres in length and 1.64 metres in width and 1.48 metres in height, the up! is one of the smallest four-seater cars. Its overall length consists of short body overhangs and a long wheelbase of 2.42 metres. Use of space in the car is exceptionally good, because of the wheelbase, which is one of the longest in the segment, combined with an engine that is mounted well forward. The 251-litre boot is also significantly larger than is typical in this class. When the rear seat is fully folded, cargo space is increased to 951 litres.

The interior is as colourful as it is capacious, with either decor paint or body colour (depending on the equipment line) used in the interior, including across the dashboard facia. The clean and well-organised layout of the interior of the up! also offers clever details, fun styling and a level of quality that will enhance the market segment.

For the first time in a Volkswagen, the maps + more system is now being offered, which is a mobile Personal Infotainment Device (PID). In the economically priced up!, this is an equally economical system that was developed to organise navigation, telephone, information and entertainment, and was designed in cooperation with Navigon, one of the world’s leading suppliers of navigation systems. The user simply snaps the PID into place above the centre console. Unlike many other similar systems of this type, maps + more melds with the car’s network of systems more effectively: navigation, telephone and infotainment can be controlled and viewed via the maps + more touchscreen, which can also be used to view vehicle information, such as the display of the parking sensors (where fitted). Apps specially developed for the up! also let users extend maps + more to meet their specific needs.

More details and pricing information will be available closer to launch.

Scirocco R-Cup tickets competition currently open on Facebook

2011-08-21T23:00:00Z

The Volkswagen UK Facebook page is currently running an exclusive competition, to win one of ten pairs of VIP tickets to the Scirocco R-Cup race weekend at Brands Hatch on the 3rd and 4th of September. Running until midnight on Tuesday 23rd August, it is the first time that Volkswagen Motorsport have offered tickets to a UK audience in a Facebook competition.

The prize is significant and includes:
• Two weekend tickets to the event (The Scirocco R-Cup race on 3rd September and the DTM race on 4th September) with access to Grandstand, Paddock, VIP Hospitality & Legends party on Saturday night
• An overnight stay on 3rd September for two in a 4* hotel close to the event
• Transfers between the hotel and the event
• Special VW Motorsport pocket guide

The Scirocco R-Cup has returned in 2011 after a successful first season in 2010 where it took over from the Volkswagen Polo cup. The cup promotes and encourages young drivers and the cars are fuelled by bio natural gas. The two-litre engine’s overall carbon footprint of racing plus logistics is reduced by 80 per cent compared with conventional racing petrol.

The season consists of 8 races starting in April at Hockenheim, moving around Germany, Austria and the UK through the summer and returning for a final race back in Hockenheim on 21st October.

Currently the British driver Daniel Lloyd is placed 2nd in the points standings and Brands Hatch will be a key race for him to try and take the top spot.

For more information about the Scirocco R-Cup or Volkswagen Motorsport, please visit: www.volkswagen-motorsport.info

You’ll find the competition on the Volkswagen UK Facebook page here: http://apps.facebook.com/sciroccorcuptickets/contests/146160

Volkswagen brings BlueMotion to EcoVelocity 2011

2011-08-09T23:00:00Z

Visitors to EcoVelocity, the low-carbon motor show being held at Battersea Power Station, London from 8-11 September, will be encouraged by Volkswagen to ‘Think Blue’, as they get up close and personal with some of the company’s latest BlueMotion products, both on the stand and on the track.

The Touareg Hybrid and Scirocco BlueMotion Technology will be among vehicles available to test on EcoVelocity’s near mile-long circuit.

Along with its advanced and efficient 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS engine, the Scirocco BlueMotion Technology uses a Stop/Start system to save fuel when the vehicle is stationary, along with battery regeneration, which recovers energy which would otherwise be lost to recharge the battery.

The Touareg Hybrid combines a 3.0-litre V6 TSI engine and 34.3 kW electric motor and can travel on electric drive alone at speeds of up to 31mph.

Those without a driving licence will still be able to engage with BlueMotion Technologies on the Volkswagen stand, which features an interactive touchscreen experience and the ‘rollercoaster,’ which takes visitors on a journey of discovery into the innovations which reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Also on the Volkswagen stand will be the Golf BlueMotion – which returns 74.3 mpg on the combined cycle and emits just 99 g/km of carbon dioxide, making it exempt from VED and the London Congestion Charge – as well as the frugal Polo 1.2-litre TSI 105PS.

Giles Brown, EcoVelocity Director, said, “We’re delighted to have Volkswagen at EcoVelocity as it is one of the game-changing brands that really started the movement towards no-compromise ultra-low carbon motoring. Its BlueMotion range set the industry benchmark and we look forward to getting a further insight into their ground-breaking technology at EcoVelocity in September.”

Hat trick for Volkswagen at Auto Express New Car Awards 2011

2011-08-09T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen has won a trio of honours at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2011, with class victories for the Golf and Golf GTI as well as a triumph for the BlueMotion range.

The awards recognise the best cars on sale today, as judged by the editorial team at Auto Express. Both new and existing models are eligible and the best vehicles in every class are selected for an award.

For the third year in a row, the Golf has been awarded the title of Best Compact Family Car. Auto Express acting editor Graham Hope said: ‘The all-conquering Golf has turned winning Auto Express road tests into an art form and the beauty of the handsome hatchback is that there is something in the range for everyone. Whichever model you choose, you’re guaranteed the best cabin quality in the sector, as well as superb refinement and affordable running costs.’

The Golf, now in its sixth generation, has accounted for over 28 million sales worldwide since it was launched in 1974, making it the most popular model Volkswagen has ever produced, surpassing the 21 million sales achieved by the original Beetle.

The second award was won by the most iconic iteration of the Golf – the Golf GTI – which retained the title of Best Hot Hatch for the third year running. Despite 35 years having passed since the Golf GTI was launched, the car that defines the hot hatch remains the benchmark in its class.

Graham Hope added: ‘The Golf’s talented underpinnings can easily handle the GTI’s extra power, and its spacious cabin and high-quality trimmings help to make our winner both hugely desirable and very easy to live with.’

The third award went to Volkswagen’s BlueMotion range, the umbrella term for a raft of innovations that help to cut the cost of motoring by making every drop of fuel take you further.

Graham Hope commented: ‘The winner of our inaugural Green Award could have been a car, a person or a piece of technology – but in the end it went to an entire brand. The Volkswagen BlueMotion range takes the prize for the way its economy boosting kit delivers real-world gains to consumers with so few compromises.’

Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: ‘We’re delighted that the Golf has retained these coveted titles, and especially proud to have won the Green Award for our BlueMotion range, which shows that it is possible to offer practical real-world fuel economy benefits without compromising on practicality, affordability, quality, safety or comfort.’

The Auto Express award adds to the list of accolades claimed by Volkswagen in the past year from such prestigious titles as What Car?, Top Gear, Fleet News, Honest John and BusinessCar.

Save a mint with the new value-packed Volkswagen Polo Match

2011-07-10T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen’s Polo range now offers customers even greater value for money, thanks to the addition of a new Match model which replaces the existing SE and Moda trim levels and provides £650 worth of equipment – but with a pricetag that means it costs £215 less than those models. Prices for the Polo Match start at £11,300 (RRP ‘on the road’) for the 1.2-litre 60 PS manual version.

The Polo Match combines the most popular features of the existing SE and Moda trims that it replaces, while adding extra specification. Exterior highlights include stylish 15-inch ‘Castille’ alloy wheels, front fog lights and heat-insulating tinted rear windows. Comfort and convenience are the main focus inside the cabin with manual air conditioning, an RCD 310 radio / CD player, multifunction computer and MDI (Multi Device Interface) with iPod connectivity all standard. The model is also fitted with electric windows and a comfort pack, incorporating remote central locking and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors

Naturally all the Polo’s usual safety equipment remains on board with standard specification including four airbags, ABS and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme).

Also available are a range of attractive finance deals for the Polo Match. And when the car is bought with a Solutions PCP package, it also qualifies for one year’s free insurance and three years or 30,000 miles free servicing.

The Match is offered in three- and five-door guise, and is available with a choice of three highly efficient engines. The two petrol units – a 1.2-litre three-cylinder producing 60 PS and a 1.4-litre 85 PS – plus one diesel – a 1.2-litre 75 PS – are fitted with a five-speed manual transmission as standard. A seven-speed DSG option is also available with the 1.4-litre petrol engine.

Volkswagen named top manufacturer

2011-06-30T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen has come out on top in the annual What Car? Security Test, which is run in conjunction with Thatcham Vehicle Security.

In the overall manufacturer ranking, Audi came in second place and Volvo was third.

The VW Sharan was top large MPV, while the Tiguan was the best crossover and the Phaeton the most secure luxury car.

The Manufacturer’s award is dictated by how many qualifying cars each manufacturer has in the security league. With the Caddy Maxi, Caravelle, Eos, Jetta, Passat, Passat CC, Phaeton, Sharan, Tiguan, Touareg and Touran, Volkswagen tops the list with 11 models.

Audis topped the supermini, compact executive, performance car and compact 4x4 categories.

What Car? editor John McIlroy said: “It makes sense for buyers to consider security when buying their next new car. If a thief has the choice of a car that they know is easy to break into or a top-rated Volkswagen product, their choice is going to be easy.

“Our tests have also shown that as manufacturers constantly improve the security of their cars, the motorist has become the weak link. Owners need to keep their car keys out of sight of would-be car thieves at all times. It’s only common sense.”

New Tiguan raises the game in the compact SUV class

2011-06-30T23:00:00Z

Volkswagen’s revised Tiguan compact SUV has gone on sale with prices starting from £21,085 and rising to £28,020 (RRP OTR). Customers will be able to order a new Tiguan, with the first customer deliveries arriving in the UK in September.

Like the previous model, the latest Tiguan is unique in being available not only with a choice of two- or four-wheel drive, but also with the option of two front ends. One has a front end biased towards on-road driving with an 18 degree angle of approach while an ‘Escape’ model has a 28 degree angle of approach and additional technologies for off-road driving.

Whichever version is chosen, all new Tiguans feature a new look dominated by horizontal lines on the front grille, bringing the model into line with other new Volkswagen models. The Tiguan now also once again bears a strong resemblance to its ‘big brother’ the Touareg. At the rear, new two-part light clusters give the Tiguan a distinctive appearance. Again, similar to those of the Touareg, they form an ‘L’ shape, while the lower border of the lights also follows a horizontal geometry.

Four trim levels available: S, SE, Sport and Escape. All models will be well equipped, with 16-inch alloy wheels, Climatic air conditioning, DAB radio and alarm standard on even the entry-level S. SE adds 17-inch alloys, 2Zone electronic air conditioning, Park Assist, iPod and Bluetooth preparation plus Fatigue Detection system (as fitted to the new Passat) as standard. Sport versions gain multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth connectivity, plus chrome plated roof rails, heat insulated and tinted glass from the B-pillar back, sport seats, front fog lights and sports suspension among other items. The new Escape model features comfort and convenience features (including Bluetooth and multi-function steering wheel) which were not previously available, reflecting a change in customer demands for off-road capability and a high level of equipment.

Six engines are available, three petrol and three diesel, four of which are new to the Tiguan. New engines include a twin-charged 1.4-litre TSI with 160 PS (up from 150 in previous generation), a 2.0-litre TSI with 180 PS and a 2.0-litre TSI with 210 PS (previously 200 PS). Despite the increase in power CO2 emissions have remained as before or improved.

A 2.0-litre TDI 110 PS engine is offered in two-wheel drive and with a CO2 output of 139 g/km. A further two diesel power units are carried over from the previous generation (the 2.0-litre common rail TDI with 140 and 170 PS). All have improved carbon dioxide emissions values: the 170 PS engine now emits 158 rather than 165 g/km; while the 140 PS unit has been improved substantially meaning it is now in a lower VED band (reduction from 164 to 150 g/km manual and 169 to 158 g/km for seven-speed DSG). Diesel engines will account for around 90 per cent of Tiguan sales; the best-selling derivative is expected to be the 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS.

Both the 2.0-litre TDI 110 and 140 PS models, as well as the 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS with two-wheel drive are designated BlueMotion Technology models. As such they feature Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.

A number of options are available for the first time on the latest Tiguan, including Kessy (Keyless Entry and Start System), the RNS 315 satellite navigation system, Lane Assist (which helps prevent accidents caused by the driver drifting out of the lane) and Light Assist which switches between dipped and main beam depending on oncoming traffic.

Also available as an option is XDS electronic differential lock – as fitted to the Golf GTI.
A functional extension of the electronic locks already integrated via ESP, XDS improves handling when driving quickly through bends.

Naturally the latest Tiguan retains all the versatility and practicality for which the previous model was renowned, being a four-door, five-seater. The rear seat (from SE upwards) is a 60:40 split bench that can be adjusted forwards and backwards by up to 16 cm and also reclined, while cargo capacity ranges from 470 to 1,510 litres.

The first images of the new Tiguan were revealed in February, ahead of the car making its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s fourth best-selling model (after Golf, Polo and Passat), and in the four years since launch nearly 600,000 have been sold worldwide

The new Golf Cabriolet goes on sale

2011-06-30T23:00:00Z

Glastonbury wellies are packed away, Wimbledon is running to schedule and there’s an abundance of red shoulders on show: yes, the English summer has finally arrived and it’s here to stay (for at least a day or two). What better time then to open the order books for the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet which is back after a nine year absence and in better shape than ever. Prices for the new model range from £20,720 (RRP OTR) to £26,595.

First shown earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, the new two-door, four-seater, front-engined soft top joins the range alongside the Eos hard-top convertible. It is fitted as standard with an electrically-powered fabric roof which can be lowered in just 9.5 seconds including on the move at speeds up to around 18 mph. No separate roof cover is needed, contributing to the very rapid opening time, and resulting in less bootspace intrusion and meaning that even with the roof down, there is 250 litres of available space.

The Golf Cabriolet is around 20 cm shorter than the Eos, measuring 4,215 mm in length, 1,424 mm in height and 1,779 mm wide. The 2,578 mm wheelbase (same as Golf hatchback) ensures there is plenty of interior space for all four passengers, while a 50:50 split/folding rear seat and Easy-Entry function ensure maximum practicality and good access to the rear.

At the front, the grille and bonnet make the new soft-top model clearly identifiable as a Golf; however from the heavily raked windscreen back, it’s all new, giving a sportier appearance. At the rear, new lights plus a deep crease in the bootlid are distinctive design features.

What can’t be seen from the outside are the differences that have been incorporated under the skin. In changing the hatchback to a soft-top, modifications were made to ensure that safety, comfort and refinement were not compromised in the cabriolet version. These include reinforced window frames and structural modifications to the underbody, side panels, cross-members and doors to endow the new car with an extremely high level of torsional rigidity. Also benefiting refinement is the design of the fabric roof which has an additional exterior skin, as well as new window and door seals.

Safety has always been a Golf attribute and the Cabriolet is no different in this respect. An active rollover protection system is employed, ABS, ESP and front and side head/thorax airbags are also all standard.

The new Golf Cabriolet will be available with a choice of three engines: a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS, 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS and a 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS. A further petrol and two diesels will be offered later in the year. DSG automatic transmission will be offered while BlueMotion Technology modifications will be applied to the diesel engines to ensure high efficiency and low emissions.

Three trim levels will be offered – S, SE and GT – and all will have a high level of standard specification, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, and Bluetooth among other items (for full details see the price list by clicking here). Moving up to SE, features such as 2Zone climate control, cruise control, parking sensors and automatic lights are added, while at the top of the range, GT adds a number of new highlights including sports suspension, Alcantara upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels.

With total sales of around 1.42 million units, Volkswagen is one of the world’s most successful producers of convertibles; from 1979 to 2002, 684,000 Golf Cabriolets were sold. The new model will be built at Volkswagen Osnabrück (formerly the Karmann company) in Germany.

Order books are now open, with the first customer deliveries due to take place at the start of September. For more information please visit your Retailer.

Volkswagen presents latest findings of electric mobility research

2011-06-29T23:00:00Z

Today, Volkswagen – in cooperation with six project partners and the German Ministry of the Environment – is presenting the current status of the “Fleet study in electric mobility” that was initiated in July 2008. The primary goal of the project which runs until June 2012: consistently utilise renewable energy sources for electrically powered vehicles. Within the framework of the fleet study, Volkswagen is implementing a total of 20 of the latest generation Golf Variant twïnDRIVE cars as research vehicles.

Their plug-in hybrid drives operate with zero emissions in urban operation using an electric motor. The Golf Variant twïnDRIVE enables distances of up to 57 km on pure electrical power; an additional small internal combustion engine provides for a total range of about 900 km. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn,

Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen AG, comments on the twïnDRIVE: “When it comes to driving with zero emissions within cities while covering far greater distances as pure electric vehicles – the twïnDRIVE system by Volkswagen sets new standards and could over the mid-term develop into the ideal form of mobility for the vast majority of car drivers.”

Fleet study encounters transition in energy production

The “Fleet study in electric mobility” is now assuming a high level of importance, in the wake of events in Japan and the German federal government’s mandatory exit from nuclear energy production. According to plans by the federal government, the number of pure electric vehicles will reach one million units in Germany alone by 2020. And these vehicles must be operated sustainably – i.e. from renewable energy sources – to attain significant progress in environmental protection.

Volkswagen counting on renewable energies

Before the transition in energy policy, Volkswagen had already appealed for the intensified use of renewable energy sources. During a workshop on electric mobility in Shanghai in mid-2010, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn emphasised that: “Future electric cars offer us tremendous opportunities for reshaping mobility to become even more sustainable. However, we must – on behalf of the environment – ensure that the energy used to operate these electric cars is also generated renewably, i.e. from renewable resources. Since carmakers do not make decisions on which types of power plants will be built, governments must assure that environmentally-friendly energy sources are utilised. Only then will we experience a genuine transition to a new era.” This new era is now within reach.

Optimising the stability of the power grid

Over 16 per cent of Germany’s electrical needs are already covered by renewable energy sources, and plans are afoot to extend this share to 30 per cent by 2020. Volkswagen, for example, has installed one of the highest performance wind power systems in the world at its German plant in Emden; it already supplies one-third of the factory’s energy requirements. In parallel, more and more electricity is being generated from solar and water power. These forms of energy must also be used for mobility. However, the amount of renewably generated energy is subject to fluctuations due to natural factors (e.g. sunshine duration, wind strength). This means that it is necessary to control intelligently electrical demand to avoid load peaks. In this context, the “Fleet study in electric mobility” is analysing the usage behaviour of drivers of cars with electrical charging, electric load control and intelligent strategies in the charging process. In addition, a scenario is being tested, in which some of the daily peak electrical demand might be buffered by the cars’ lithium-ion batteries in the future.

Plug-in hybrid will assume much greater importance

Through its “Fleet study in electric mobility”, Volkswagen is acquiring valuable knowledge on how cars with plug-in hybrid drives like the Golf Variant twïnDRIVE handle continual use. As already noted, the 20 Golf Variant twïnDRIVE cars can be driven over long distances in pure electric mode, i.e. with zero emissions. The expression “environmental zone” takes on an entirely new meaning in cities.

One of the goals of Volkswagen AG is to launch numerous plug-in hybrid cars on the market in the years 2013/2014. In the area of electric mobility, they are intended to supplement the Group’s hybrid models that are already being produced today (these models currently include cars by Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen), as well as the pure electric vehicles that will also debut from 2013. Clearly, plug-in hybrid models – i.e. cars with combustion engine, E-motor and a battery that can be charged by an external power source – will acquire special significance in the urban environment. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn comments on this: “Over the mid-term, the plug-in hybrid offers great potential here, because it unites the best of 2 worlds in one vehicle.” The plug-in hybrid, according to Winterkorn, enables precisely what many customers expect: an unlimited driving range with internal combustion engine mobility and an attractive electrical driving range in everyday driving.

Fleet study brings together specialists in Germany

The large-scale introduction of plug-in hybrid cars and pure electric cars continues to be associated with great challenges. Prof. Dr. Winterkorn: “Electric mobility will be a century-long endeavour for Europe as a centre of automotive production and industry. Carmakers, suppliers, energy providers, scientists and politicians – everyone must step up to the plate.” In Germany, the “Fleet study in electric mobility” is bringing together precisely these partners.

Six project partners

The “Fleet study in electric mobility” is being conducted by six project partners from research and commerce under the leadership of Volkswagen AG. Representing the energy industry is energy provider E.ON. From the research area, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft ISIT (representation of the battery systems and development of new battery chemistry), Heidelberger Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IFEU; creating eco-balance), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR; analysis, forecasting traffic scenarios) and the Westphalian Wilhelm University in Münster (development of methodologies, laboratory testing of battery cells) will contribute their expertise and know-how to the fleet study.

Depreciation

2011-06-28T23:00:00Z

You may have recently seen this advert running in national newspapers, magazines or on poster sites around the country and are wondering how we calculated this rather “unbelievable” figure. Well it’s time to believe, over 12 months or 12,000 miles, the average Volkswagen really does retain an average 10% more of their original value than competitors.

In order to make this a fair comparison we chose several of our most popular models from different categories, in this instance the Golf from the Lower Medium Hatchback sector, the Polo from the Supermini Hatchback sector, the Passat Estate from the Upper Medium Estate Sector and the Passat Saloon from the Upper Medium Saloon, and compared them with equivalent models from Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota and Vauxhall. In order to be fair we have chosen models that have engines with a similar engine capacity and power output, where possible we have also tried to match equal levels of specifications across the models we compare.

We then use an Independent data source: Derwent Management Services to analyse the results. In this calculation we have used Derwent Management Services to forecast the likely depreciation of the vehicles over the course of 12 months (April 2010 to April 2011.) The last step is to compare the models average residual value with comparative competitors residual values and then work out the percentage difference. The last step is to compare the models total running costs with each other and then work out the percentage difference.

We compared all models, doors, transmissions. fuel types and trims of the Volkswagen Polo to all models, doors, transmissions fuel types and trims of the equivalent models within the Supermini Hatchback sector (the Peugeot 206, Peugeot 207, Toyota Aygo, Citroen C2, Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corse, Skoda Fabia, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Getz, Fiat Grande Punto, Hyundai i10, SEAT Ibiza, Honda Jazz, Ford Ka, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Suzuki OneSwift and Toyota Yaris)

For the Volkswagen Golf we compared all models, doors, transmissions. fuel types and trims to all models, doors, transmissions fuel types and trims of the equivalent models within the Lower Medium Hatchback sector (the Peugeot 307, Peugeot 308, Vauxhall Astra, Toyota Auris, Fiat Bravo, Citroen C4, Kia C’eed, Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Colt, Ford Focus, Hyundai i30, SEAT Leon, Mazda 3 and Renault Megane.)

For the Volkswagen Passat Saloon we compared all models, doors, transmissions. fuel types and trims to all models, doors, transmissions fuel types and trims of the equivalent models within the Upper Medium Saloon sector (the Peugeot 407, Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis, Citroen C5, Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo and Skoda Superb.)

For the Volkswagen Passat Estate we compared all models, doors, transmissions. fuel types and trims to all models, doors, transmissions fuel types and trims of the equivalent models within the Upper Medium Estate sector (the Peugeot 407, Honda Accord, Toyota Avensis, Citroen C5, Renault Laguna, Mazda 6, Ford Mondeo and Skoda Octavia.)

The selected Volkswagen models (Polo, Golf, Passat Saloon and Passat Estate) retain an average of 69.29% residual value for this period, whilst the competitive models retain an average of 59.65%. Making these Volkswagens retain an average of 9.64% more of their original value than the competitors. We have rounded this number to 10% to achieve a whole number.

Golf 3 year costs

2011-06-26T23:00:00Z

You may have recently seen this advert running in national newspapers, magazines or on poster sites around the country and are wondering how we calculated this rather “unbelievable” figure. Well it’s time to believe, the average Golf really is up to 10% cheaper to run over 3 years or 36,000 miles.

In order to make this a fair comparison we chose one of the most popular specifications of Golf, in this instance the Golf S TSI 85 5dr 1.2L and compared it with equivalent models from Ford, Toyota, Honda and Vauxhall. In order to be fair we have chosen models that have engines with a similar engine capacity and power output, where possible we have also tried to match equal levels of specifications across the models we compare. (The Ford Focus Edge 105 5dr 1.6L, Toyota Auris Edition 5dr 1.3L, Honda Civic i-VTEC SE 5dr 1.4L and Vauxhall Astra Exclusiv 5dr 1.4L)

We then use an Independent data source: KeeResources KWIKCarCost to analyse the results. In this calculation we have used the independent data source to forecast the likely depreciation and running costs of the vehicles over the course of 3 years and with an average annual mileage of 12,000. The running costs calculation is based on the likely service, maintenance and repair bills as well as fuel costs (calculated using an average price per litre), we have also included the cost of registering the vehicle and the vehicle excise duty. The last step is to compare the models total running costs with each other and then work out the percentage difference. In this instance the Golf is up to 14.678% cheaper to run than its competitors but, in the interests of presenting the most accurate figure we have averaged the results of all 4 competitors which results in the Golf being 9.54% cheaper to run than its competitors, which we have rounded up to 10% to achieve a whole number.

The exact figures are:
Volkswagen Golf S TSI 85 5dr 1.2L costs £14,160 to run over 3 years
Honda Civic i-VTEC SE 5dr 1.4L costs £15,479 to run over 3 years (8.521% more)
Ford Focus Edge 105 5dr 1.6L costs £14,975 to run over 3 years (5.442% more)
Toyota Auris Edition 5dr 1.3L costs £15,558 to run over 3 years (8.985% more)
Vauxhall Astra Exclusiv 5dr 1.4L costs £16,596 to run over 3 years (14.678 % more)

To compare any of our models against any competitor for yourself please visit our comparison tool which uses data supplied by KeeResources KWIKCarCost . http://www.volkswagencomparison.co.uk/VWComparator.html

Details: Data supplied by KeeResources Kwik Car Cost June, 2011. Based on a comparison of equivalent models from Honda (Civic i-VTEC SE 5-door 1.4), Vauxhall (Astra Esclusiv 5-door 1.4), Ford (Focus Edge 105 5-door 1.6) and Toyota (Auris Edition 5-door 1.3) to the Volkswagen (Golf S TSI 85 5-door 1.2T). Assumes vehicles cover 36,000 miles over 36 months and cost includes depreciation, fuel costs and road tax over 3 years. Official fuel consumption for the Golf S 1.2 85 PS 5-speed, 3-door manual mpg (litres/100km): urban 40.4 (7.0); extra urban 61.4 (4.6); combined 51.4 (5.5). CO2 emissions 129g/km.