Following the devastating bush fires at the beginning of the year, Volkswagen is now do-nating one million Australian dollars (about 617,000 euros) to "Bush Heritage Australia" for bush fire and reforestation projects in Australia. The "One Million Trees Project" in the Eurardy Nature Reserve in Western Australia will receive 250,000 dollars and a project to restore 400 hectares in the Scottsdale Reserve in New South Wales will receive 750,000 dollars.

"Although the world has been ravaged by the COVID 19 pandemic since the fires earlier this year, Volkswagen remains committed to supporting bush fire relief and restoration," said Michael Bartsch, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Australia.

The donation is part of a 2.5 million Australian dollar donation framework that Volkswagen had pledged in response to the devastating bush fires in early 2020. 500,000 dollars was immediately sent to the volunteer fire brigades of Queensland, News South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Potential recipients for the remaining one million Australian dollars are currently being examined.

Bush Heritage Australia is an independent, not-for-profit national organisation that acquires and manages land and works with indigenous people to protect the local flora and fauna. Bush Heritage owns 37 nature reserves covering an area of 1.24 million hectares. Through its 25 Aboriginal partnerships, the organisation supports the management of an additional 10.1 million hectares. 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

One model series, two versions! Volkswagen is presenting the new Arteon in a world premiere and is unveiling a second version – the new Arteon Shooting Brake – at the same time. This model is a completely new interpretation of the estate concept. “Volkswagen will launch 34 new models this year. There has never been such an extensive model initiative in the history of the brand,“ says Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer und designated CEO of the Volkswagen Pkw brand. “The Arteon Shooting Brake extends our model range in the important midsize-segment. It will set standards in its class with its dynamic design, high functionality and modern technologies.“

Stylish and dynamic. The Arteon has been the Volkswagen Gran Turismo since 2017.Volkswagen is now unveiling a far-reaching update to the model series. The new Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake are characterised by an expressive and avant-garde design. The distinctive features include in particular the front end with a new continuous light strip, striking chrome bars and new air intakes at the bottom. The radiator grille and the long, wide bonnet are combined as a formal unit and make both Arteon versions stand out as the face in the crowd – also at night thanks to a unique LED light signature at the front and rear.

The two new models – the Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake – are both characterised by athletic lines. However, they differ significantly from each other from the B-pillars to the rear. Whereas on the fastback model, the roof and window contours are swept down in parallel from the B-pillars and therefore become part of the coupé-shaped rear, the roof and window lines are extended towards the rear on the Shooting Brake and end in the new roof spoiler. At the top, the window line runs parallel to the roof. However, at the bottom the lines move upwards towards the D-pillars, thus making the window area at the rear narrower and more striking. All elements together form the sporty rear profile typical for a Shooting Brake.

Arteon eHybrid. All new technical developments are applied in both body versions. For the first time in the Arteon, this includes a plug-in hybrid drive. With the long purely electric range many Arteon eHybrid02 and Arteon Shooting Brake eHybrid02 drivers will be able to cover their daily driving distances with zero emissions locally. As a fastback version and Shooting Brake, the two Arteon models are among the first of their kind to be available with a plug-in hybrid drive in the luxury mid-sized vehicle segment.

Arteon R – dynamic performance for the business class. The Arteon R will be the flagship in the model series. With this model, Volkswagen is pushing further into the premium performance segment. It is not just the unadulterated output that is fascinating here, but also the way that the vehicles convert their power into propulsion. Thanks to a new progressive technology known as R-Performance Torque Vectoring, the torque is distributed variably both between the axles and also between the rear wheels depending on the driving situation by means of selective wheel torque control. And this creates a new level of driving dynamics in this category.

Plenty of space for driver, occupants and luggage. The Arteon is characterised by a highly functional overall concept. All occupants in the front and rear of both Arteon versions benefit from the modular transverse matrix (MQB). The maximum legroom at the rear is 1,016 mm and is a benchmark value in this class. Thanks to the unique design of its roof section, the Shooting Brake offers more headroom at both the front and rear. As standard, the rear seat backrest can be folded asymmetrically in both models. Behind the Arteon Shooting Brake’s rear seat bench is a luggage compartment capacity of up to 565 litres when loaded up to the rear seat backrest and luggage compartment cover (fastback: 563 litres). Loading the vehicle up to the front seat backrests increases the loading capacity to 1,632 litres (fastback: 1,557 litres). In both cases, the load space has a maximum length of 2,09 mm (up to the front seats).

New assist systems: Travel Assist – assisted driving up to 210 km/h. The range of technical innovations involves powertrains as well as further IQ.DRIVE assist systems. New in this product line: the optional Travel Assist system. The system enables partly automated driving within a speed range from 0 km/h to 210 km/h (within the system limits). Travel Assist makes driving in stop-and-go traffic and through roadworks in particular noticeably more convenient. An integral part of Travel Assist is the ACC with predictive speed control. The adaptive cruise control reacts to speed limits, towns, bends, roundabouts and junctions with corresponding speed adaptation. The Lane Assist lane keeping system that keeps the vehicle in the centre of the lane and Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring also form part of the range of Travel Assist functions. The Rear View reversing camera (optional) was further enhanced and now also features among other things a Corner View (which expands the camera image on the infotainment system screen from 90 degrees to a wide angle of 170 degrees) and a special trailer view (of the tow bar from above to facilitate hitching up the trailer).

New cockpit environment in the interior. In the interior, the model series impresses with a newly designed cockpit environment that lends the Arteon an even greater feeling of exclusivity. Operation has been made easier through touch sliders for the automatic air conditioner and a new multifunction steering wheel with touch controls. Also new: the now wireless integration of apps via “App-Connect Wireless” for “Apple CarPlay” and “Android Auto” (Google), and a powerful 700 watt high-end sound system from the audio specialists harman/kardon, which has been customised specifically for the Arteon and Arteon Shooting Brake (both optional). Background lighting that can be adjusted in up to 30 colours is also optionally available to give the new interior an attractive finishing touch. Here, the trims in the dash panel and doors are illuminated – in this way, light becomes the new chrome.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The Volkswagen Tiguan is Europe’s most successful Sports Utility Vehicle and one of the top-selling SUVs in the world. More than six million units have been produced to date. In 2019, the Tiguan was again the most popular model of the brand and entire Volkswagen Group, with around 911,000 units produced. Volkswagen is now showcasing a comprehensive update of the best-selling vehicle as part of its world premiere. Ralf Brandstätter who has today been appointed the new CEO of the Volkswagen brand: “We launched our global SUV strategy with the second-generation Tiguan in 2016. It served as the basis for many successful models worldwide. Volkswagen is now taking the next step by electrifying, digitalising and networking the new Tiguan. This will equip the compact SUV to handle the challenges of the modern era.”

All key technology on board the bestseller is set to take a significant step forward. Volkswagen is electrifying the Tiguan with a new, state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid drive. The SUV will now also be available as a separate Tiguan R model for the very first time. Volkswagen R’s performance experts have developed a new all-wheel drive with selective wheel torque control for the extremely dynamic, top-of-the-range model. The so called “R-Performance Torque Vectoring” enables totally new SUV driving dynamics by distributing the drive power variably between the front and rear axles as well as the left and right rear wheels.

Volkswagen’s use of twin dosing now ensures that the turbo diesel engines (TDI) in the Tiguan are among the cleanest combustion engines in the world. With the new Travel Assist system in the Tiguan, the compact SUV is now capable of assisted driving at speeds up to 210 km/h. The Tiguan also applies the most recent generation of infotainment systems (MIB3) to bring a completely new range of online-based services and functions on board. Also new: the optional 480-watt sound system by audio specialist Harman Kardon.

A new steering wheel generation featuring touch controls is also among the highlights of the new Tiguan. Volkswagen has also digitalised the climate control functions by means of touch sliders and touch buttons. And last, but by no means least, the Tiguan’s new IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights guide drivers through the night with enhanced convenience.

One of the characteristic, new exterior features of the new Tiguan includes the redesigned front end. Klaus Zyciora, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Group and Chief Designer for the Volkswagen brand: “At the front, Volkswagen’s new SUV radiator grille forges a visual link between the Tiguan and models such as the larger Touareg and the Atlas Cross Sport sold in North America. It really lends the new Tiguan a significantly more confident appearance.” The bonnet is more concise in its appearance and the new radiator grille with LED headlights is wider, with the new Volkswagen badge positioned centrally at the front. The eye-catching bumpers have also undergone a makeover. At the rear, the Tiguan lettering is now in a prominent central position below the VW badge.

Like its predecessors, the new Tiguan is versatile. It is a genuine SUV capable of towing loads – a Volkswagen that can handle every motoring situation with aplomb. This is truer than ever, thanks to the new range of drive, assist and infotainment systems on board the Tiguan.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The Volkswagen Group is increasing its stake in QuantumScape and making an additional investment of up to US$200 million in the US battery specialist. The goal is to drive forward the joint development of solid-state battery technology. In future, solid-state batteries are expected to significantly increase range and shorten charging times further. “We are making technological progress with our partner QuantumScape. The additional investment will effectively strengthen and accelerate our joint development work”, said Thomas Schmall, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components, which has end-to-end responsibility for batteries. The Volkswagen Group and QuantumScape have also been collaborating in a joint venture to enable industrial-level production of solid-state batteries since 2018.

“Volkswagen is taking e-mobility to the mainstream. A strong position in the field of batteries is a decisive factor in this regard”, said Frank Blome, Head of the Battery Cell business, Volkswagen Group Components. “We are securing our global supply base with efficient producers, gradually building up manufacturing capacities and driving the development of cutting-edge solid-state battery technology. Our focus in this context is on long-term strategic partnerships.”

Solid-state batteries are seen as the most promising technology for the next-but-one generation of e-mobility. With the same size of a current battery pack, the solid-state battery could enable electrical ranges at the level of conventional drives. Moreover, charging time could be significantly shortened.

The Volkswagen Group has already been collaborating with QuantumScape since 2012, and is the largest automotive shareholder with its previous investment of over US$100 million. Closing of the new additional investment of up to US$200 million and the associated increase of Volkswagen’s stake in QuantumScape is still subject to various conditions. The two partners formed a joint venture in 2018 to enable industrial-level production of solid-state batteries for Volkswagen. Both partners envisage setting up a pilot plant. The plans are envisaged to be firmed up in the course of this year.

Expanding e-mobility is an important building block on the road to a carbon neutral balance for the company as a whole. This goal is to be achieved by 2050. The Volkswagen Group is therefore fully committed to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com