Two top Volkswagen concept cars from Germany will be among the major attractions at this year’s GTI International, Britain’s longest-running and most successful annual event for enthusiasts of the Golf GTI and other related high-performance Volkswagen Group models.

GTI International will this year again be staged at the Shakespeare County Raceway, near Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4-5 July.

Star attractions this year will be the 190 mph Golf R 400, with 400 PS and 450 Nm of torque – plus the looks to match its huge performance – as well as the XL Sport two-seater sports car, which is powered by a 200 PS Ducati Superleggera V2 engine and has a top speed of 168 mph.

Both cars will be on display in the main Show ’n’ Shine and Concours area, sponsored by Dialynx Performance, which also attracts hundreds of the best-kept Volkswagens in Britain and Europe, with entries from original and restored concours classics to highly modified and customised cars.

Another novel attraction that needs to be seen to be believed, is a 70 mph four-wheel-drive Volkswagen V6-powered fully road-legal wooden shed!

The other main focus of attention will be the quarter-mile sprint track, sponsored by Milltek Sport, where visitors to the event can test the acceleration of their cars against the clock on a real drag strip with world-class timing, watched by a crowd from the 3,000-seater grandstand.

The strip will also witness demo runs from many of the country’s top tuning companies, as well as members of the Volkswagen Drag Racing Club. Returning this year and planning to break his previous record will be Paul Jordan with his four-wheel-drive Scirocco 20VT that last year covered the quarter-mile track in 9.021 seconds at 148.78 mph.

The club display area will be crammed with all the country’s top Volkswagen clubs and there will also be a wide range of trade stands, cars for sale, an autojumble, Monster truck rides and a funfair, while overnight camping on site – with permanent toilet and shower facilities, catering, clubhouse and bar – provides cost-effective accommodation as well as great camaraderie, with Saturday evening entertainment supplied by a live band – the UB40 Experience.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen Retailers will begin taking orders for the new Sharan MPV today, ahead of first UK deliveries in October.

The seven-seat people-carrier, the first generation of which was unveiled in 1995, has been refreshed and now features improved specification as well as a range of engines which all meet EU6 standards and are up to 15 per cent more efficient than those they replace.

The current model went on sale in November 2010, and was the first Sharan to benefit from an all-new EasyFold seating concept and side sliding doors.  Both of these key user-friendly features are carried over to the new model, along with a host of other changes.

Inside, the new Sharan gets a boost in the form of new upholsteries, new steering wheels and the brand new second generation colour touchscreen MIB infotainment systems across the range of S, SE and SEL models.  Also standard across the range are an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Bluetooth phone connection and three-zone Climatronic air conditioning. 

SE trim gains chrome roof rails and tinted rear glass, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control among other items, while the range-topping SEL trim now features Front Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control, panoramic sunroof, Alcantara upholstery and Discover Navigation with CarNet Guide and Inform. 

Four engines are available in the new Sharan: one petrol and three diesel, ranging in power from 115 to 184 PS.  All are EU6 compliant, more efficient and have improved CO2 emissions.  The entry-level is a 2.0-litre TDI with 115 PS which is available in S trim only.  Moving up the range customers have the choice of a 1.4-litre TSI and a 2.0-litre TDI, both with 150 PS; while at the top is a 2.0-litre TDI with 184 PS.  All apart from the 115 PS TDI are available with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearboxes.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

A big step forward in the race for the World Championship: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Volkswagen made a big point with victory at the Rally Italy. Ogier and Ingrassia’s third win in a row on Sardinia allowed Volkswagen to significantly extend its leads in the Drivers’, Co-Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships. After almost half the season in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Ogier/Ingrassia are now 66 points clear of their closest rivals, while Volkswagen holds a 65-point lead. The road to the Polo R WRC’s fifth win of the season at the sixth rally of the year was literally a rocky one: faced with extremely tough conditions, scorching heat and the longest day of rallying for over a decade, the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg proved to be the fastest and most reliable. 14 special stages went to Volkswagen in Italy. Despite set-backs, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) were able to fight their way back to finish sixth in Italy. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene, returning for the second time under Rally 2 regulations, finished third behind their two team-mates to claim a bonus point on the Power Stage.

Top class: TurbOgier on the podium for the 25th time with Volkswagen

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are the weekend’s biggest winners, and not only courtesy of their third victory in a row on Sardinia: they paced themselves intelligently at a rally that placed the car under enormous strain, ramping up the pressure at exactly the right time to move into the lead, and then defending that lead cleverly in the closing stages. All the top teams suffered set-backs at the Rally Italy, as the tough conditions took their toll – except Ogier and Ingrassia. Ogier/Ingrassia took their place on the podium for the 25th time with the Polo R WRC – 21 times as winners and four times as runners-up.

Sheer willpower rewarded with points: Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila

In contrast, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) lost time on several occasions. However, they showed an exemplary attitude to score valuable World Championship points for themselves and Volkswagen. Two punctures on Friday and Saturday initially cost them about three minutes, while damage to the suspension following a collision with a rock on the racing line cost a further five. Despite this, Latvala/Anttila and a valiant mechanic – coupled with a magnificent driving display – ensured the damage was kept to an absolute minimum. In total, the Finnish duo won seven special stages – more than their team-mates. The final result: an outstanding sixth place, given the set-backs.

A courageous point on the Power Stage: strong finishing sprint from Andreas Mikkelsen
    
Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N) also claimed a moral victory. The duo were forced to retire on Friday after unfortunately hitting a hole in the road, and also failed to complete the Saturday. However, rejoining the race under Rally 2 regulations for the second time, they took their chance on Sunday to ensure they did not leave Italy empty-handed: Mikkelsen/Fløene scored one World Championship point, courtesy of third place on the Power Stage, on which points are awarded to the fastest three cars. They were only beaten by their team-mates Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia and Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila. For Volkswagen, these marked the 53rd, 54th and 55th time that one of the duos had picked up bonus points in 31 Power Stages.

Almost 30 degrees – Rally Italy a real scorcher and a bone-shaker

The kind of high temperatures that have virtually become a tradition on Sardinia made the Rally Italy a real scorcher – with air temperatures of around 29 degrees and up to 43 degrees out on the road. Faced with an extremely rutty gravel route, including large rocks, the drivers and co-drivers had to remain fully focussed at all times. This was a particularly tough challenge on Saturday: at 212.83 kilometres, this was the longest day of rallying since the 2002 Safari Rally. The long days meant the team was also pushed to its limit. The mechanics were working until shortly before midnight – the alarm then woke them again at five in the morning. However, the team provided the perfect backing for Ogier, Latvala and Mikkelsen and guaranteed three perfectly-prepared Polo R WRCs every morning.

Formula for success: the Rally Italy in facts and figures

The 27th victory for the Polo R WRC in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and podium number 52 since the World Rally Car made its debut in January 2013: Volkswagen added new chapters to its remarkable success story on Sardinia. The Polo R WRC now has 406 stage wins from 592 special stages, having added a further 14 in Italy. Since the project started at the Rally Monte Carlo in 2013, the Polo R WRCs have completed a total of 30,108.95 kilometres against the clock. That is the equivalent of about three quarters of the way around the earth at rally speed. 

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

As good as it gets: Volkswagen got a triumphant one-two-three win in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), seeing them celebrate the most successful rally in the history of the Polo R WRC. In Portugal, at the fifth event of the season, Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) won ahead of their team-mates Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (N/N), and with the triple success on the power stage, also secured the maximum number of points in all three WRC standings for the works team from Wolfsburg. This makes Volkswagen the first manufacturer to achieve this since the introduction of the special stage for which bonus points are awarded to the top three. The total of 122 championship points for the drivers', co-drivers' and manufacturers' standings were the icing on the cake of an extremely exciting Rally Portugal, in which all four manufacturers – alongside Volkswagen, the teams of Citroën, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford – fought for the lead, and a four-way battle for the podium kept thousands upon thousands of enthusiastic fans on tenterhooks right to the end.

During the Rally Portugal, the Volkswagen brand board members Dr. Arno Antlitz (Controlling and Accounting) and Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer (Technical Development) paid a visit to the works team. Dr. Neußer and Dr. Antlitz are regular guests in the service parks. Dr. Antlitz was also on site at the team's Rally Dakar win in 2011. "The one-two-three win in Portugal is a magnificent success for Volkswagen. It underlines that the drivers and co-drivers, the whole team, and the Polo R WRC were once again the measure of all things, in extremely difficult conditions for both drivers and cars," said Dr. Neußer, who is also responsible for Volkswagen's involvement in motorsport. "At the same time, the open contest for the win proved just how fascinating the sport on offer in the World Rally Championship is – a first-class stage for our cars. I am proud of the whole team."

Thrilling final: only 0.065 percent made the difference

Advantage Latvala on Friday, pursuit Ogier on Saturday and Sunday: A thrilling duel for the win intensified right up to the closing special stage, the legendary classic "Fafe", with the win going to Latvala with an advantage of 8.2 seconds. 10.4 seconds separated Jari-Matti Latvala and Sébastien Ogier going into the final special stage. Only a further 16.4 seconds placed Andreas Mikkelsen in third. In the end, only 28.6 seconds separated the top three – converted to a distance, this was 0.2 percent of the kilometres of special stages covered. And only 0.065 percent between Latvala and Ogier.

On marbles – Volkswagen drivers conquer new territory in difficult conditions

The conditions in Portugal proved difficult for drivers, co-drivers and World Rally Cars. For the first time since 2001, the Rally Portugal was held in the north of the country again, proving to be new territory for the majority of competitors. The special stages were covered in a thick layer of loose gravel, which produced more grip with every World Rally Car that covered the track. The tyre selection proved to be a challenge. The fastest option was the soft compound of the Michelin competition tyres. With the quantity of soft and hard compounds available, the trick was also to economise wisely over the four days of rallying.

A matter of honour: 172 plus one – Finland ahead of France in the nations ranking

The duel between Jari-Matti Latvala and Sébastien Ogier in Portugal was also the duel for the lead in the battle of the nations in the all-time rankings of the WRC. Going into the fifth  event of the season, the two most successful countries in WRC history were level-pegging.Jari-Matti Latvala's win saw Finland retain the upper hand. The Volkswagen drivers Latvala and Ogier are the only regular starters for their countries in the WRC elite and are fighting  this prestigious battle amongst themselves with identical equipment. Ahead of the upcoming WRC events, Finland is now slightly ahead with 173 wins, France has 172 to its name.

It was also a successful rally for Portugal. With Jari-Matti Latvala, his long-term chief mechanic Jose Azevedo da Silva and his mechanic Rui Cabeda won their home rally. Also tothe delight of the thousands upon thousands of fans along the rally routes and in the service park, who despite their great passion for the sport, stuck to the strict safety zones, enabling a successful Rally Portugal.

Best result of the season: eleven number ones – stage wins for Volkswagen, one special winfor Ogier

Volkswagen secured eleven of the 15 possible stage best times at the Rally Portugal – and in this respect, also achieved the record of the season (73.33 percent). In light of the regulation changes to the starting order for 2015, the previous record of the season stood at 66.66 percent – achieved in Sweden and Argentina. Volkswagen have bagged a total of 392 out of 569 possible best times since January 2013 (69 percent).

Furthermore, for the 23rd time in 30 power stages, it was one of the Volkswagen duos who picked up the three bonus points for the best time – Ogier/Ingrassia. Out of 87 chances topick up bonus points since the Rally Monte Carlo in 2013, the drivers from Wolfsburg have capitalised on this 52 times.

Milestone achieved – 48 plus three equals 51 podium finishes for the Polo R WRC

Latvala, Ogier and Mikkelsen finished in first, second and third to add podium finishes 49 to 51 to Volkswagen's name. This saw the works team from Wolfsburg achieve another milestone on their 31st start in the WRC with the Polo R WRC.

Advantage Wolfsburg – lead extended in all three WRC standings

Ogier ahead of Mikkelsen – Volkswagen has regained a one-two lead in the drivers' and co- drivers' standings. Ogier leads with 105 points, with Mikkelsen behind (63). Jari-Matti Latvala's win sees him move up from ninth into fifth place – he now has 46 points to his name. In the manufacturers' standings, Volkswagen is 43 points ahead of Citroën, making them as far ahead as the maximum number of points for a manufacturer per rally.

Quotes, day 04 Rally Portugal

Sébastien Ogier, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #1

“We can be proud of our performance this weekend. Julien and I really did not have easy conditions here in Portugal, but we still made the most of what we had. From a driving point of view, that was possibly one of my best rallies. And second place extends our lead in the World Championship. That is important. Congratulations to Jari-Matti, who was particularly strong on the all-important penultimate stage. I would obviously have preferred to pick up my fifth win and pulled level with Markku Alén, but in the end it was not worth risking everything. The World Championship remains our priority. I would like to thank the fans, whose enthusiasm makes this rally so special.”

Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #2

“That was a very important win! Not just for me, but for the entire team. That was the right response to the poor result in Argentina. For me personally, it was important to get back in the points after my long lean period – and to do that with a win is awesome. It was anexciting battle with Sébastien Ogier, who really put us under pressure. However, I resisted it at the crucial moment. Thank you to my team for their work and support when things were not running so smoothly lately. I am looking forward to the next rallies.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Polo R WRC #9

“I am really happy and delighted with my own performance. However, I am even morepleased with the new Polo R WRC, which I drove for the first time here. What an incredible car Volkswagen has built! It behaved exactly as I would want it to under every circumstance and is just great to drive. We were constantly operating within ourselves this weekend, so as to avoid any major mistakes, and were ultimately right with our tyre selection. Third place and a point from the Power Stage is a great result and I am particularly pleased for the teamthat we made it a one-two-three. Between us, we could not have done a better job. It is a great feeling to have been involved and to have done my bit.”

Jost Capito, Volkswagen Motorsport Director

“What a great reaction from the entire team here in Portugal after the huge disappointment in Argentina! Portugal was Volkswagen’s most successful rally since we lined up with the Polo R WRC, and a lot of people have made a valuable contribution to this outstanding triumph – particularly our drivers and co-drivers. Jari-Matti Latvala produced a strong, mature display and, like Sébastien Ogier, made the most of what he had to play with. This time Seb just missed out. Andreas Mikkelsen also put in a very fine performance on his debut with the second-generation Polo R WRC. I take my hat off to all three. They once again had a dream team behind them, who did a flawless job. Every one of them did their utmost to banish the memory of Argentina. I am incredibly proud of our team.”

And then there was ...

... a great honour for the 2014 Polo R WRC. It lined up alongside such legendary cars as the Lancia Stratos, Porsche 911, Renault Alpine and the Ford Escort in an exhibition of historic rally cars at the Rally Portugal. With a win rate of almost 84 per cent, the reigning world champion car from Wolfsburg is currently the most successful model in the history of rallying.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk