Volkswagen has unveiled the all-new Passat at a ceremony at the Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam, Germany.  The latest car, which will receive its public premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October, is the eighth-generation of the Passat, which over the past 41 years has racked up over 23 million sales worldwide.

Everything in this car is new: its design, technologies and engines.  The Passat sets new standards with an unladen weight that has been reduced by up to 85 kg and fuel economy figures that have been improved by up to 20 per cent.  For the first time, there will also be a Passat with a plug-in hybrid drive system.  In its design and in the advanced features it offers, the new Passat bridges the gap between the upper medium and premium class. 

At 4,767 mm long, the saloon is two millimetres shorter than the previous model, while the wheelbase is 79 mm longer at 2,791 mm and therefore the body overhangs significantly shorter. At the same time, the Passat is 14 mm lower at 1,456 mm, and 12 mm wider at 1,832 mm.

Because of the optimised engine orientation, it was possible to lower significantly the bonnet and shift the windscreen towards the rear. This ‘cab backward design’ helps to create the impression of a premium-class car.  Extremely precisely drawn edges and creases which develop individual light-reflecting surfaces help to continue this impression.  At the front, the new Passat’s radiator grille features four chrome bars which bend inward towards the headlights in a trapezoidal shape.  The lowermost chrome bar of the grille is continued into the headlights.  

Immediately noticeable at the rear is that the cab has a strong inward sweep, and at the bottom it transitions into the wide, flared shoulder section.  The rear lights have been made considerably wider and leaner.  In this area, the Saloon looks like a young sibling of the Phaeton with its large bootlid surface, and a distinctive crease beneath the rear lights that extends across the rear.

All models of Passat have LED rear lights, while the higher-specification versions feature a distinctive horizontal tail light signature that switches over to a vertically oriented brake light signature under braking.  Headlights are halogen or LED.  In conjunction with Dynamic Light Assist, one of the two LED headlight options automatically adjusts the beam for maximum illumination of the road without dazzling other traffic.

Despite exterior dimensions that are actually marginally smaller than those of the previous Passat, interior space is improved, with more leg- and head-room, as well as increased luggage space.

The interior has been developed to match the sophisticated exterior of the eighth-generation Passat.  New technologies to be offered on the new Passat include the optional Active Info Display, which replaces the instrument cluster with a fully configurable interactive 12.3-inch TFT display; a heads-up display; the latest Modular Infotainment System, including the Car-Net remote app; a further-developed 360-degree Area View function; and the latest generation of Park Assist.  This newly developed Park Assist includes the option for the car to park itself forwards into perpendicular spaces – useful, for example at supermarket car parks, where access to the boot is important.  It also includes a world-first Trailer Assist system, which provides assistance when reversing a vehicle with a trailer attached – without the need for any modification or adaptation of the trailer.

Safety technology includes Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert; Traffic Jam Assist which makes stop-and-go driving more comfortable; Emergency Assist, which can potentially halt a vehicle when the driver is incapacitated; and the latest Front Assist system with City Emergency Braking, which optionally combines both radar and camera sensors to add pedestrian detection.

A highlight of the Passat’s new range of engines is a high-performance, four-cylinder,
2.0-litre, bi-turbo diesel delivering 240 PS and an extraordinary 500 Nm from 1,750 rpm.  This engine will be available only with a new seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.  A plug-in hybrid model will also be offered, with potential to travel 31 miles on battery power alone, and with a maximum range of around 600 miles.

Further details and UK pricing are expected to be announced at the time of the Paris Motor Show in October.  UK sales will start before the end of the year, with first deliveries expected in early 2015.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen has taken another step forwards in the democratisation of technology, with the introduction of standard-fit ESC electronic stability control and DAB digital radio on all of its passenger car models in the UK, from the up! to the Phaeton.

ESC (previously fitted to almost every model in the range and optional on others) now comes included as standard in every 2015 model-year Volkswagen.  ESC detects critical situations at an early stage, and takes action – by applying the brakes to one or more wheels and reducing engine power if necessary – to stop skidding and help bring the car safely back under control.  

As well as enhanced safety, there’s now enhanced entertainment in every Volkswagen, too, thanks to standard-fit DAB digital radio tuners across the range.  Volkswagen UK was one of the first manufacturers to make DAB standard on many models, having added it from May 2012 in every 2013 model-year vehicle from Polo to Touareg. It was added to the Phaeton later in 2012, and introduced as an option on the up! in 2013.

DAB digital radio gives customers a greater than ever choice of stations for their listening pleasure, from music to comedy to drama to sport (cricket aficionados in particular will be delighted that they will be able to listen to Test Match Special, while crystal clear BBC Radio 5 Live is a boon for all sports fans).  Of course, all Volkswagen audio systems also include FM radio reception too, and the majority of models come with Bluetooth audio connectivity, as well as iPod, USB or aux-in connections.

Volkswagen has one of the largest model ranges in the UK, spanning from the up! city car via the Polo, Golf, Golf Estate, Golf SV, Golf Cabriolet, Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Cabriolet, Scirocco, Eos, Tiguan, Passat, Passat Estate, Passat Alltrack, CC, Touran, Sharan and Touareg to the Phaeton.  Engines include a wide range of petrol and diesel units, as well as fully electric vehicles.  A plug-in hybrid joins the UK line-up next year.

The 2015 model-year range of Volkswagen models is available to order now.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen is gearing up to join thousands of automotive fans at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed on 26-29 June. The Festival, dubbed the ‘largest motoring garden party in the world’ is a unique weekend that brings together cars, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create a celebration of all things automotive. It is held in the grounds of Goodwood House, Sussex, and includes a famous hillclimb event up the drive of the house.

This year, Volkswagen UK’s stand will provide a great opportunity for fans to engage with the brand, from the latest innovations to some exciting performance models, as well as some fantastic merchandise. 

One of the biggest attractions on the stand in expected to be the radical GTI Roadster concept, which is making its UK debut, fresh from its appearance at the annual gathering of GTI fans on the shores of Woerthersee in Austria last month. Originally created as a virtual car, to feature in the Sony PlayStation® 3 classic Gran Turismo 6(GT6), and now created as a real car, the two-seat GTI Roadster uses a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo TSI engine that produces 503 PS, and 560 Nm. With a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION four-wheel drive, it hits 62 mph from rest in just 3.6 seconds, and goes on to 190 mph. 

Visitors to the Festival of Speed will get to experience that acceleration first-hand, as Volkswagen is inviting them not just to take a ride in the GTI Roadster, but to drive it up the famous Goodwood hill climb. Of course it’s all in the virtual world of GT6, which includes a detailed recreation of the Goodwood course, thanks to three gaming pods that will be on the stand. There’s also a draw every day to win a Sony PlayStation® 3 and a copy of GT6.

Five other Volkswagens will also be on the stand. The revised Touareg luxury SUV will be making its UK debut, in stylish R-Line form, and this will also be one of the first opportunities for the UK public to see the forthcoming new Golf GTE – Volkswagen’s first performance plug-in hybrid. The GTE combines the outstanding practicality of the regular Golf hatchback, but with 204 PS combined from its turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor – and the ability to travel over 30 miles on batteries alone – it combines a zero to 62 mph time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 137 mph with a CO2 figure of 35 g/km and a combined fuel figure of 188 mpg. 

Rally fans will be delighted with the Volkswagen Polo WRC car. This four-wheel drive turbocharged machine won last year’s manufacturer’s title at the first attempt, and is competing once again in this year’s championship.

For those wanting a turbocharged four-wheel drive model that’s available to buy now, there’s the powerful Golf R. With a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 300 PS matched to 4MOTION four-wheel drive, the DSG-equipped Golf R can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Finally, the innovative, ultra-frugal XL1 will once again be both on the Volkswagen stand and making its way up the hill. The XL1 is the world’s most energy-efficient production vehicle, with a combined fuel consumption figure of 313 mpg and CO2emissions of 21 g/km. 

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

The Volkswagen up! has taken the top place in the latest What Car? / J D Power customer satisfaction survey – one of four Volkswagen models to feature in the top 10.

In second place was the Golf Plus, making it the top-ranked Small Family Car; while the Scirocco came fifth (and top of the ‘Fun Car’ class).  The Tiguan compact SUV came sixth, adding to a tally of top 10 results that put Volkswagen fifth overall in the ranking of manufacturers.  The Touran MPV came 12th, and top of the MPV class.

The What Car? / J D Power survey is rated on the detailed feedback of more than 15,000 motorists, based on their experiences with their cars.  This year’s survey took place between January and March, and is based on cars registered between January 2011 and December 2012, of which at least 4,000 were sold.  The results are based not on the vehicles alone, but on the whole ownership experience.

The up! won plaudits from its owners for its fuel economy, excellent visibility, the layout of the dashboard display and its styling, especially the exterior/interior colour co-ordination.

Commenting on the survey, Robert Hazelwood, Director of Volkswagen UK, said, “These results prove what our customers already know: Volkswagen offers practical, value for money vehicles that are as good to own as they are to drive, backed up by an efficient Retailer network that always puts the customer first.”

What Car? Consumer Editor Alex Newby added “The up! has performed brilliantly.  It has won the top award in the city car category and is also the overall winner. What Car?'s Car of the Year 2012 has proven itself to be reliable, easy to drive and fuel efficient.  These features make it a worthy victor.”

The full results of all 109 models tested in the What Car? / J D Power customer satisfaction survey can be read in the July issue of What Car? magazine, which is on sale now.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk