Volkswagen R is presenting its most powerful Golf models this month: the new Golf R and the new Golf R Variant. In addition to outstanding performance, the new Golf R models also impress visually: one highlight is the new 19-inch Warmenau forged wheel available as an option.

Stability, appearance and lightweight construction in harmony. The innovative forged wheel was developed by Volkswagen R in cooperation with Volkswagen Design and can be ordered as an option for all new Golf R models. With a weight of only eight kilograms per wheel rim, the wheels are about 20 per cent lighter than comparable alloy wheels – this reduces the unsprung masses and ensures perfect handling. “The ambitious weight target posed a major challenge for us, as the structural stability of the wheel rim is paramount. It took months and many iterations and simulations to find the right balance between strength and weight,” explains Volkswagen designer Ranbir Kalha.

Design allows higher performance. At the heart of the wheel rim design are ten overlapping rectangles. “We tried out different proportions to make the wheel look as big as possible,” says Kalha. The stability and wear resistance have been improved with a very large opening ratio of 71 per cent. This allows the brakes to be cooled even more effectively, thereby reducing thermal stress, especially on racetracks.

Volkswagen R in its genes. The Warmenau wheel rim – named after Volkswagen R’s headquarters in the village of Warmenau on the outskirts of Wolfsburg – is available in black or dark grey with a diamond-cut finish (also with 235/35 tyres). The design of the new performance rim is inspired by the wheels on the first sporty Golf R32 models.

Volkswagen R. Volkswagen’s premium performance brand is responsible for the sportiest vehicles that complement the product range. With more than 35,000 vehicles produced, the year 2023 was a record year for Volkswagen R. More than 300,000 R models have been delivered since 2002. Volkswagen R is now realigning itself for the future: based on the four pillars of performance, design, innovation and quality, the portfolio will gradually see a shift to all-electric R models by 2030. Volkswagen R was founded in 2002 as Volkswagen Individual GmbH. Since 2020, the department has been a separate business unit within the Volkswagen brand. The R in the name continues to symbolise the passion for motorsport and racing up to the present day.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Wolfsburg and the Golf – a perfect combination for 50 years. Mass production of the first model generation began at Volkswagen’s main plant in spring 1974. This Monday, the company celebrated the anniversary with a ceremony under the motto “50 years of Golf production”. The guests gathered in Hall 12 of the Wolfsburg plant included employees from Golf production along with the brand Board of Management led by CEO Thomas Schäfer, representatives from the Group Board of Management, the Chair of the General and Group Works Council Daniela Cavallo and other leading Works Council members, as well as numerous representatives from the world of politics. Minister President Stephan Weil paid tribute to the outstanding achievements of the Volkswagen workforce and the economic significance of the Golf for the State of Lower Saxony and Germany as an industrial powerhouse.

“The Golf is more than just a car: it’s a cult! I’m an absolute fan of the Golf and have myself been driving one for several years. For many people in Lower Saxony, the Golf is a piece of home and something they can identify with. Just like the VW Beetle was in the past, the Golf has been a symbol of mobility and freedom for decades. Since 1974, the Golf has made a significant contribution to the stability and growth of Volkswagen and industry in Lower Saxony”, Weil underlined. Prior to the ceremony, the Minister President was joined by Daniela Cavallo, Thomas Schäfer, Production Board Member Christian Vollmer and Group Chief Human Resources Officer Gunnar Kilian on a tour of Golf production. Plant Manager Rainer Fessel explained how manual tasks performed by employees to apply the underseal are supported by AI.

During the event, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer underscored the significance of the Golf for the Volkswagen brand. “The Golf is at the heart of the VW brand and has stood for affordable mobility at the highest technical level for half a century. It is the Germans’ favorite car, it has shaped a whole generation, created a new vehicle class and established itself as an international bestseller in over 70 countries with more than 37 million units sold. We love the Golf!” Schäfer said, and added that the Golf would transition to the electric future. “The electric era model will retain all the characteristics of a genuine Golf as regards design, innovation, high utility and quality.”

“50 years ago, the Golf stood for a fresh start and a new beginning as the Beetle era came to an end, today it is a symbol of continuity, reliability and innovation. As someone born in Wolfsburg, for me it is also a symbol of my home in Lower Saxony. Young or old, tradespeople, technical workers or professors – the Golf is a hit in all walks of life and unites society across generations. At the same time, our bestseller from Wolfsburg epitomizes what makes VW so successful: innovation, teamwork, passion and dedicated colleagues. Our VW family worldwide can be proud of this achievement,” said Daniela Cavallo, Chair of the General and Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG.

The ceremony that was accompanied by music from the Volkswagen Big Band focused on employees at the Wolfsburg plant. Nicola Benenati, for example, has worked in Golf production for 45 years and has therefore been involved in building all eight generations. And Roland Walter, who 40 years ago witnessed the production start of the second-generation Golf in the newly-built Hall 54, talked with Viktoria Schoke, forewoman-in-training in Hall 12, about how production has changed during the last five decades. More than half of the 37 million Golf sold worldwide in the last 50 years were produced at the brand headquarters: over 20 million in total.

Employees unveiled a very special Golf during the ceremony. Trainees presented a new Golf 8 they had decorated with a collage of employee images. This one-of-a-kind model now forms part of the plant’s internal fleet.

About the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg

The heart of the Volkswagen brand is located on the Mittelland Canal between Hanover and Magdeburg: the Wolfsburg plant is the headquarters of Volkswagen Passenger Cars and the world’s largest single car manufacturing complex. The plant has a workforce of some 70,000 employees. The factory halls take up a surface area of some 1.6 square kilometers. Over 48 million vehicles have been built in Wolfsburg to date – more than in any other automotive plant in the world. With a production volume of over 20 million vehicles, the Golf is the most-built model at the plant. Second place goes to the Beetle, with almost 12 million units produced in Wolfsburg between 1945 and 1975. In addition to the Golf and Golf Variant, the Touran and Tiguan are also currently built in Wolfsburg. They will be joined by the Tayron at the end of the year.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen is expanding its range of ID.7 models. The new ID.7 GTX – a fastback with 250 kW (340 PS) output and electric all-wheel drive – celebrates its world premiere first. Just two days later, on 6 June, pre-sales are scheduled to start in Germany at prices starting from 63,155 euros. Pre-sales of the ID.7 GTX Tourer (from 63,955 euros), ID.7 Pro S (from 58,985 euros) and ID.7 Tourer Pro S (from 59,785 euros) models presented in March will start at the same time. Like the ID.7 GTX, the 250-kW ID.7 GTX Tourer also has electric all-wheel drive. The rear-wheel drive models ID.7 Pro S and ID.7 Tourer Pro S develop a maximum output of 210 kW (286 PS). All four new ID.7 versions are equipped with an 86-kWh battery.

ID.7 GTX – 0–100 in 5.4 seconds. Alongside the ID.7 GTX Tourer, the new ID.7 GTX is currently the most powerful electric vehicle from Volkswagen. This fastback powers from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. It’s a thrill to experience the punch with which the 250 kW become available from one second to the next. The ID.7 GTX effortlessly brings its power to the road thanks to the electric dual-motor all-wheel drive with an electric motor on the front and rear axles. And this performance model boasts a WLTP range of up to 595 km. The ID.7 GTX’s battery can be charged with up to 200 kW at DC fast charging stations. At its quickest, the 86-kWh battery charges from 10 to 80 per cent in just 26 minutes.

ID.7 GTX – exclusive look and equipment. The new ID.7 GTX is recognisable thanks to the distinctive GTX design at the front and rear. In addition, the fastback now has a significantly improved range of standard equipment. Exterior features include the new 20-inch Skagen alloy wheels with diamond-cut surfaces and the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights with illuminated Volkswagen logos at the front and rear. The vehicle has a unique light design thanks to the GTX-specific light signature in the air intakes at the front. Meanwhile, the interior has a refined look owing to features such as heated seats with red contrasting topstitching and perforated GTX lettering on the backrests. Another GTX-specific feature is the multifunction steering wheel with a red centre panel and red topstitching. The interior of the ID.7 GTX is illuminated by 30-colour ambient lighting. Other standard equipment includes wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the augmented reality head-up display, the IDA voice assistant with integrated ChatGPT (AI/artificial intelligence), a two-zone automatic air conditioner, the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access and an anti-theft alarm system. Among the latest optional technologies is Park Assist Pro, which allows users to control parking procedures using their smartphone.

ID.7 GTX Tourer – the most powerful of all Volkswagen estates. Pre-sales of the new ID.7 GTX and the three other new models with 86-kWh batteries are scheduled to start on 6 June. The new ID.7 GTX Tourer is identical to the GTX fastback in terms of its technology. However, the two versions differ when it comes to their luggage compartments. While the ID.7 GTX Tourer can hold up to 605 litres of luggage with five people on board (with Tourer rear seat backrests in cargo position), the ID.7 GTX fastback has a maximum luggage compartment capacity of 532 litres. This means the GTX models offer the same generous luggage compartment capacity as the other vehicles in the ID.7 product line. The same applies to the maximum roof load of 75 kg. The new ID.7 GTX Tourer accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The WLTP range of the most powerful Volkswagen estate ever built is up to 584 km.

ID.7 Pro S and ID.7 Tourer Pro S – 86 kWh instead of 77 kWh. Until now, the ID.7 models have been available exclusively as Pro versions with a 77-kWh battery on board. The new ID.7 Pro S versions – just like the new ID.7 GTX models – are now equipped with an 86-kWh battery as standard (gross capacity: 91 kWh). The ranges are thus noticeably longer: the WLTP range of the new ID.7 Tourer Pro S has been boosted to up to 690 km, while the ID.7 Pro S fastback’s range is up to 709 km. This means that both ID.7 Pro S versions have entered the range spectrum of models with combustion engines.In terms of equipment, the ID.7 Pro S and ID.7 Tourer Pro S take their lead from the Pro versions.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The countdown for Germany’s largest motorsport event has started: the legendary ADAC 24-hour race will start at the Nürburgring on 1 June, with more than 200,000 spectators expected. This time, the event will also be a stage for the most successful European car of all time: the Golf. Volkswagen is celebrating the icon’s 50th birthday at the Nürburgring. And this celebration will be quite impressive: Volkswagen is presenting the new Golf GTI Clubsport with powerful drive and high-end sports suspension to visitors as a world premiere. The second highlight is the participation of the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h in the 24-hour race. The one-off GTI with an output of 256 kW / 348 PS will be driven by motorsport stars such as Benny Leuchter (Germany) and Johan Kristoffersson (Sweden). The starting number of the GTI race car powered by alternative fuel: the number 50, of course – a birthday gift from the organiser for half a century of the Golf success story. In addition, as a tribute to the more than 37 million Golf vehicles built to date, three classic Golf GTIs will take part in the ADAC 24h Classic race.

World premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport. This represents the start of a true GTI weekend: on Friday afternoon (31 May, 4:30 p.m.), Volkswagen will unveil the Golf GTI Clubsport, the most powerful Golf with front-wheel drive, in front of thousands of visitors and present it on the ‘Ring Boulevard’. The enhanced Golf GTI Clubsport is characterised by a completely redesigned front, which has become even more powerful and more distinct. The standard LED Plus headlights have been revamped. In addition, the Volkswagen logo at the front is illuminated for the first time. A large roof spoiler at the rear ensures maximum downforce. The LED tail light clusters have also had a makeover. The 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels are also new. With their striking design of five oval semi-circles, they evoke the classic Detroit wheel, which was introduced for the fifth-generation Golf GTI. As a further option, the Golf GTI Clubsport can be configured with the new 19-inch Warmenau forged wheel. With a weight of only eight kilograms per wheel rim, the forged wheels reduce the unsprung masses and thus optimise performance. The functions of the Golf GTI Clubsport are coordinated via a newly developed multifunction leather sports steering wheel and a new Infotainment system. This is extremely intuitive and ensures that the driver can concentrate even better on the road ahead. In addition, the new GTI top model has the new voice assistant IDA with Chat GPT integration.

The "Special" driving profile is adapted to the Nordschleife. The performance and torque of the GTI turbocharged engineare transferred to the track via an electronically controlled front differential lock. The DCC adaptive chassis control is available as optional equipment. Another highlight of the Golf GTI Clubsport is the exclusive Special driving profile. This matches systems relevant for driving dynamics to the special track characteristics of the Nürburgring Nordschleife – in order to compensate for the undulations typical of the Nordschleife, maximum performance is achieved by means of a specific vertical setup of the DCC adaptive chassis control and a modified lateral dynamics setup of the standard Vehicle Dynamics Manager.

Motorsport becomes a test laboratory for the use of alternative fuels. The Golf GTI Clubsport 24h used by Max Kruse Racing in the 24-hour race impressively demonstrates the potential of the new Golf GTI Clubsport because the production GTI served as the development basis for the race car. The latter was built by Volkswagen Motorsport, and the car was initially transferred to Volkswagen Classic in 2021 after the end of its motorsport activities. The prototype has now been reactivated and further perfected by racing driver Benny Leuchter and his team Max Kruse Racing specifically for use on the race track also known as ‘The Green Hell’. The race car will start in the AT3 class (SP3T / class for vehicles with "alternative fuels"), as the 348 PS 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is powered by a new bioethanol fuel from technology partner Shell: the high-tech fuel E20. The extremely knock-resistant fuel enables significantly more efficient operation of the near-production GTI engine thanks to software adaptation and ensures a significantly greater reduction in CO2 emissions than the familiar bioethanol fuels E5 and E10. The E20 fuel developed at the Shell Technology Centre in Hamburg reduces CO2 emissions in the well-to-wheel balance by 35 to 40 per cent, as it contains a further 40 per cent share of renewable components from residual and waste materials in addition to the 20 per cent bioethanol content.

Powerful race car, strong team. The 270 km/h Golf GTI Clubsport 24h delivers first-class performance for a compact athlete. This is due firstly to its technical basis: the 1,170 kg Volkswagen has a weight-to-power ratio of 3.36 kg/PS. The turbocharged engine sends a maximum of 450 Nm of torque to the front axle. The efficient E20 fuel, of which the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h has up to 100 litres in the tank, also ensures excellent power output. The second success factor for the race is the driver team put together by Max Kruse Racing. Benny Leuchter won a class victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2017 driving a Golf GTI TCR. In 2019, he was also the first German to win a WTCR qualifying race – in the Golf GTI TCR at the Nürburgring. One of the best racing drivers in the world is Johan Kristoffersson, who has written motorsport history with Volkswagen as the current and six-time FIA World Rallycross Champion. The Swede was Benny Leuchter’s teammate in the WTCR and also won a Nürburgring race there with the Golf GTI TCR. This well-established team is supported by the two German Nürburgring professionals Nico Otto and Heiko Hammel. From the outside, the Golf GTI Clubsport 24h, equipped with a racing camera, attracts attention with its sophisticated aerodynamics and a special camouflage design that was previously only used on the Golf GTI Clubsport’s camouflaged production vehicles.

Three GTIs in the ADAC 24h Classic race. Before the main race, three first-generation classic Golf GTIs will create a fantastic atmosphere among visitors to the Eifel track at the ADAC 24h Classic. All three cars will start in the KWL Motorsport team, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2024. 45 years of KWL, 50 years of Golf – a perfect double anniversary on the Nordschleife. The team from Burscheid will enter a legendary Golf GTI 16S Oettinger (Group 4) from 1981 that has an output of 208 PS. Just as legendary: a 1978 Golf GTI Kamei (Group 2) with 183 PS. The third classic model is wrapped in the GTI camouflage design (with the ‘50 years of Golf’ logo): a 1980 Golf GTI from Group 2 with an output of 184 PS.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com