Volkswagen Routan

By Stephen Dobie

First official pictures

16 January 2008 16:03

Volkswagen’s push for more sales in the US will be reinforced with the new Routan minivan, due to be shown to its North American market at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2008.

The model is heavily based on the Chrysler Town and Country (the Grand Voyager to you and me) and will major on interior space. The car itself is over five metres long and accommodates seven. Expect it to feature Chrysler’s clever Swivel’n’Go seating arrangement that allows the rear passengers to all face each other.

The Routan will come off the same production line as the Town and Country at Chrysler’s Ontario factory, and inside the two will only be separable by VW’s promised ‘unique design touches’. Engines and specifications should be revealed nearer the Chicago show, though the Town and Country currently uses three V6s, in 3.3, 3,8 and 4.0-litre guises. We don't expect a diesel to be in the range, but we do expect customers to have to pay a premium over the equivalent Chrysler model.

Europe won’t be able to buy the new model, VW claiming that we are well catered for already with the Touran and Sharan people carriers, as well as the Tiguan and Touareg SUV’s.

This is probably for the best, with the whole ethos of the car aimed specifically at North America – who coincidentally named the Chrysler Town and Country as their International Car of the Year 2008. Volkswagen will hope to utilise this to help reach its overall goal of 800,000 yearly sales in the USA.

VW Passat CC at Detroit

By James Foxall

First official pictures

14 January 2008 03:26

The Volkswagen Passat CC might look like the bastard offspring of a shady encounter between a Phaeton and a CLS, but the German firm is hoping the new Passat spin-off will attract buyers after premium car style for a relatively affordable price.

When it hits UK showrooms in late summer 2008, expect the four-seat, four-door CC – it stands for Comfort Coupe – to have a sticker price starting at around £19,000. This will make it less than half the price of its most affordable rival, the Mercedes CLS.

Alert! Gratuitous motor show-off

Following a cheesy launch that included VW North America’s chief Stefan Jacoby extracting golf clubs from the boot with the help of a gratuitously pretty model, the car graced VW’s Detroit Motor Show stand in both grey and black. The shape, based on the regular Passat floorpan with which it shares its wheelbase, suits the bolder dark colour better.

Despite the high waistline and a new profile that’s 50mm lower than the regular Passat, there’s still more than enough headroom in the rear for a six-footer. And as Jacoby’s pantomime proved, the 31mm increase in length means the boot is still a decent size.

A Passat for all pockets

The Passat CC will come with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. They include a new 1.8-litre TSI developing 158bhp, a 2.0-litre TSI pumping out 197bhp and the top model, a hot four-wheel drive 3.6-litre R36 version. There will also be the pair of 2.0-litre diesel versions currently on offer in the regular Passat with 138 or 166bhp.

Designed to appeal to enthusiastic drivers, the CC comes with VW’s Dynamic Drive Control. This features three settings for comfort, normal or sport and modifies the behaviour of the dampers and the electro-mechanical steering according to the driver’s preferences.

They say: The Passat CC unifies sportscar dynamics and saloon comfort
We say: It doesn’t look that sporty but its price is certainly appealing
CAR verdict: 3/5

Volkswagen Passat CC

By Ben Pulman

First official pictures

13 January 2008 11:16

Welcome to the world’s second four-door coupe, the Passat CC. Following the lead of the Mercedes CLS, Volkswagen has redrawn the Passat to give us this swoopy mini-me Phaeton lookalike saloon. It's an attempt to stretch the Passat further upmarket - away from its humdrum fleet roots and nearer the hallowed doorway to the compact premium market.

It’s a Passat underneath, but being 31mm longer and 50mm lower makes it look very swish. All the body panels are new, the doors are frameless, there’s no more chromed grille, and the drag coefficient is a slippery 0.29 Cd. And we’ve only got to wait five months before the CC goes on sale in the UK: the USA and Japan won’t get the Passat CC until the fourth quarter of 2008.

Passat CC: tech fest

The CC is packed full of technology. ‘Mobility tyres’ have a specially flexible rubber designed to encapsulate any sharp object but still keep the tyre sealed. Lane Assist helps you stay in your lane, by nudging the wheel should you unintentionally cross the white line. There’s ACC automatic distance control, which also primes the brakes if it foresees an accident, and Park Assist already seen on the Touran. Press a button and then just accelerate and brake while the car steers for you.

Volkswagen claims the Passat CC is a sporty car, so all but the base petrol and diesel models get DDC (Dynamic Drive Control). DDC offers Normal, Comfort and Sport modes, allowing to you to tailor the car to your needs. And if you’re not feeling sporty enough then there’s always the power dome in the bonnet...

The Passat CC is a pure four-seater, but to make sure you don’t ever feel claustrophobic in the back you can have a sunfoof stetching from the A to B-pillar, while those up front get to play with Volkswagen’s new touchscren multimedia system, should they pay for it. There’s a rear parking camera, set within the VW logo, and a 535-litre boot.

Engines will range from a 138bhp diesel and 158bhp TSI, stretching up to a 296bhp 3.6-litre V6 with four-wheel drive as standard. Wheels will be 17-inch as standard, and expect a premium for the Passat CC to put it directly head-to-head with Merc, BMW and Audi on price.

They say: VW invents a new volume segment
We say: Don't fall for the spin - it's elegant, but hardly a groundbreaker
CAR verdict: 4/5

Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagon TDI

By Phil McNamara

Motor shows & events

31 October 2007 11:17

What's that: a cool and understated Golf wagon?

You'd better believe it. And it's more than a modified Golf estate, it's the spearhead for Volkswagen's renewed diesel push into North America. VW knows that young car enthusiasts see the influential SEMA (Speciality Equipment Market Association) as the barometer of what's cool and happening. So by launching its new 2.0-litre TDI in the Jetta at SEMA, VW is hoping to whip up some interest among young people who don't remember the bone-shaking oilburners that gave diesel a bad name Stateside. Vee-Dub will even launch a diesel version of its Racing Cup series in the US mid-2008, to promote the initiative.

That Jetta Sportwagon looks very European...

It sure does. All the parts that transform this plain Jane Jetta estate (or Golf wagon, as we know it in Europe) will be available in US dealers, and many of them – like the front bumper and GTI-style nose – are heavily influenced by the European range. The makeover includes Hella projector lamps, wraparound side sills, coilover springs, blue Brembo brakes and battleship grey wheels with pearl effect. Also new are the subtle TDI decals down the side and smoked rear lamps. The whole kit will set US buyers back around $5000, not to mention a likely $4000 premium for switching to VW's new high-tech diesel.

Americans won't pay $4000 more for diesel!

Yes they will, reckons Derek Jenkins, the chief designer at VW's Californian studio who dreams up the company's SEMA projects. 'People are paying a premium for hybrids in America right now, but with diesels they will get more MPG for their money and fewer complications. With people seeing the efficiency and ecology benefits, diesel could take off quickly.' The new 170hp 2.0-litre TDI will be the powerplant that kicks off VW's diesel offensive. It's fitted with urea treatment of the exhaust gas to reduce nasties like nitrogen oxides, to ensure the TDI meets strict Californian emissions targets. The engine will be available in the Jetta first, but should roll out to the Passat later. It'll be fascinating to see if diesel does take off Stateside. VW is certainly throwing everything at it, with this Jetta TDI Cup racer pitched at grass roots motorsport enthusiasts. The plan is to create an exciting diesel race series, which will create a buzz around diesel. A buzz of excitement that is, not the buzz of an unrefined, old-tech diesel...

Volkswagen Space Up unveiled

By Jonny Smith

Motor shows & events

25 October 2007 04:40

Mmm, this looks ever so slightly similar to the Up! Concept at Frankfurt...

And you wouldn't be wrong. VW chose the Tokyo show to tug the sheets off its new vehicle just six weeks after showing the world the Up! Concept– a two-door cheeky urban device – to the sweaty media at Frankfurt. When the Up! range is finally built at the end of the decade, the Space Up! could be a perfect Japanese K-car congestion buster, which would help VW remain the top imported brand in Japan.

So what's the big difference between Up! and the Space Up!?

Exactly what it says on the tin. Space. It is a four-door longer wheelbase version of the Up! - 230mm longer, 40mm higher and with a huge wheelbase of 2560mm. VW says it's 150mm shorter than its comparatively dull Fox, making it easily their most compact car.

Four doors you say?

Indeed. The rear of which open suicidally to reveal a total absence of centre roof pillars. Access to the innards is fantastic and it truly shows how roomy and clever a small car can be. At the rear is not a hatch but a pair of Mini Clubman-style van doors which are asymmetrical. Above the back bumper is all glass-house, with rear light clusters cleverly hidden.

Rear engined? Rear drive? Simple and Cheap? A revived Beetle, surely?

Well, it will be the 70th birthday of the Bug next year. The Beetle is what VW has chosen to liken the Space Up! to, although knowledgeable CAR fans out there will probably recall the VW Type 3 – a more conventional-looking car which still had the genius separate flat floorpan and rear-drive air-cooled engine. There is no doubt this is a shrunken Type 3 Variant for the new millennium.

Two boots doesn't sound bad at all

It's brilliant and this format of packaging should have never ceased in the first place. As VW cheesily displayed at Tokyo, the point of the four-seater Space Up! is to cater for men sporting tight grey V-necks with attractive wives who have daughters with a teddy collection so substantial it requires the use of both front boot and rear boot space. Bar the driver's seat, all chairs can be removed or folded, the latter of which provides a load capacity of 1005 litres. Heck, there's even a door in the passenger footwell to enable long objects to be loaded through the front boot.

Let's talk power plants

Well, a quick peek beneath the Space Up!'s rear cargo bed revealed a proper FSI four-pot engine in the Tokyo show car. Determined to keep us guessing (and its options open), VW says the Space Up! could be powered by petrol, diesel or electricity. Or a combination. Expect a three-cylinder, too. Dream on about an air-cooled boxer…

Volkswagen Space Up concept

By Ben Pulman

Motor shows & events

24 October 2007 10:30

Up, up, and away…

Yes, the Volkswagen Up is back. The Tokyo Motor Show today saw VW unveil a second iteration of their new small family car – a third model will be shown at the LA Auto Show in November 2007. Called the Space Up!, the rear-engined car is a stretched version of the three-door we saw at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier in the year. It’s still rear-engined, but now there’s even more space, and Mini Clubman-esque doors.

So what’s new?

The 2560mm wheelbase is now only 18mm shorter than the Audi A3's, thanks in part to the 18-inch wheels being pushed out to each corner. Overall the Space Up is 230mm longer, and 40mm higher than the three-door Up. But VW still reckons it’s 150mm shorter than their current smallest model, the Fox. The Space Up is all about versatility. All the seats bar the drivers can be folded or completely removed, which means up to 1005 litres of space, which is only 75 litres short of the A3. And that is before you put anything under the bonnet. There’s even a door that can be opened in the passenger footwell to allow for long loads. This is all made possible by the rear-engined layout, and the VW press release teasingly says the car could be petrol, diesel, or electric powered. Expect three-cylinder power for European models, which should start at £4000 for the three-door.

Now what about these Mini Clubman doors?

Oh, yes. The rear now has a pair of side-hinging doors, just like on a Clubman. But unlike the Clubman, whose doors open around the lights, the doors on the Space Up are translucent panels into which LED tail lights are set. And thanks to the stretched wheelbase access to the rear is better thanks to two new butterfly doors, or suicide doors, or whatever the marketing speak is these days.

What about the inside?

We’ll already mentioned the seats and the space, but the driver gets a touchscreen to control functions like the air-con and entertainment system. The screen also tells you how much CO2 you’re emitting. Volkswagen are currently developing the Up range to appear in production form before the end of the decade.

Volkswagen Touareg R50

By Ben Pulman

Motor shows & events

15 October 2007 12:42

Let me guess…some fuel-guzzling, turbocharged behemoth?

It might be a diesel, but yes, it’s still all of the above. Ths is VW’s new R50 and it’s the latest car from VW Individual, the same engineering group responsible for the Golf R32, Passat R36, and the Bluemotion range, including the Polo. The Touareg R50 has VW’s 4.9-litre V10 diesel but with power upped from 313bhp to 346bhp. Torque also climbs from 553lb ft to 627lb ft. That means the 0-62mph sprint is reduced from 7.4 to 6.7 seconds.

Bet it's not to clean though…

There's no word yet on CO2 figures. Despite being a diesel the standard car still pumps out 333g/km, so while that’s better than a Cayenne Turbo’s 358g/km, the power increase surely won’t do it any favours. The fuel economy is however exactly the same as the standard car's at 22.4mpg, which is definitely better than the Cayenne's 19mpg. Completing the package are bigger wheels and tyres, tweaked suspension and a new bodykit. It'll cost €88,260 (£61,159) in Germany when it goes on sale in November so by the time it reaches our shores in the spring of 2008 you'll be looking at nearer to £65k.

Volkswagen Up concept

By Ben Barry

Motor shows & events

11 September 2007 09:54

Volkswagen Up!: the lowdown

Volkswagen today unveiled what it hoped will be the modern-day successor to the Beetle: the Up! concept, a small city car targeted at the young, the cash-poor, and the environmentally aware. Available with either a rear-mounted two- or three-cylinder engine, a production, rear-wheel drive Up! is expected to go on sale in global markets by 2009 with a target starting price of €6000 (around £4000), substantially undercutting competitors like the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1. It will even slot below VW’s current baby, the Fox, being 50mm shorter (the Up! is 3.45 metres long and 1.63 metres wide). Insiders say it will form the basis of other small VWs too, as well as sister products for Seat and Skoda.

CAR's Georg Kacher said it'll have a two-pot. Tell me more!

No details are yet available on the two-cylinder model, but the three-cylinder will employ the Polo BlueMotion’s 1.4-cylinder engine. Yet where the Polo weighs 1170kg, the Up! is likely to fall below 1000kg – impressive considering its airbags, ABS and crash protection structure – so expect 60mph to come up in under 12sec with a top speed in excess of 110mph compared with the Polo’s 12.8sec and 109mph. Furthermore, where the BlueMotion represents what VW’s engineers can do with an existing design, the Up! is a ground-up project with an environmental focus from the off. At best fuel will be consumed at a rate of 3.0 litres per 100km (94mpg), at worst 3.5 litres per 100km, much like the European-only Lupo of some years back.

What's in the Up!?

Inside, minimalism rules as do digital displays – an 8in monitor shows the car’s vital signs and a 7in monitor provides access to navigation, telephone, stereo and more - that can be scrolled through via simple hand movements and touchscreen commands. The four seats all feature air pockets that automatically adapt to different body shapes, and three of the seats fold flat into the floor or can even be removed entirely for maximum load space. Naturally, with the rear-engined format (essential for engineering in adequate crash protection), there’s storage space in the nose, but there’s also some behind the rear seats too. The Up! should be the most recyclable Volkswagen ever built, VW recently teaming up with recyclable materials expert SiCon with the aim of making future cars 95 percent reusable. The Up! project has moved quickly under the guidance of Dr Martin Winterkorn - this being the first VW he will oversee from inception to completion - getting to its current stage in well under a year. Expect evolutions of the concept to appear at the LA and Tokyo motor shows before the production version is readied for 2009.

Volkswagen Tiguan unmasked

By Jack Carfrae

First official pictures

29 June 2007 02:47

Volkswagen Tiguan. We’ve seen this before, haven’t we?

We have indeed. The Tiguan was first shown as a concept at the Los Angeles show in November, and it’s now primed and ready for production. CAR Online first spotted VW’s baby SUV, coated in black disguise, hot weather testing back in August. Volkswagen also released ‘official’ spy pictures of the car earlier this month, in an attempt to ward off usual spy snappers. The Tiguan will be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September and will arrive in UK showrooms next February, with prices kicking off around £19,000.

What sort of market is the Tiguan aimed at?

VW will take on the burgeoning small SUV market with the Tiguan, so it will be facing up the Freelander, BMW X3 and the Honda CR-V – pretty stiff competition. The Tiguan’s selling point, Volkswagen claims, is its vast array of technology. Despite being based on the Golf, VW reckons it will be a pretty sharp off-road tool, with its familiar 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, chunkier wheels and tyres and beefed-up suspension complete with an aluminium sub-frame up front and a multi-link rear axle. And naturally, there will be plenty of driving aids such as hill-climb assist, EDS adaptation which electronically locks the diff at the sign of a slip and, for when all else fails, an compass. Power will initially be provided by either a 2.0-litre, 138bhp TDI unit, or a 1.4-litre, 148bhp TSI petrol engine. The diesel is likely to be the bigger seller, and will be joined by a more powerful 168bhp TDI engine later in the year, along with two more 2.0-litre petrol engines, developing 170bhp and 200bhp.

How much, and what else do we get for our money?

Although prices start at around £19k, expect that to rise pretty quickly with the amount of kit available on the options list that includes the usual luxuries like satnav, a top-end audio system and climate control. There’s also the option of a rear-view camera and park assist, which automatically steers the Tiguan into a space. Clever. The Tiguan will be available in the familiar S, SE and Sport trims in the UK, but Volkswagen is yet to announce specification levels. A higher-spec Tiguan arrives later in the year that will be more adept at tackling the great outdoors with a 28-degree climbing angle.

Volkswagen Tiguan

By Jack Carfrae

First official pictures

06 June 2007 11:51

Volkswagen Tiguan: the lowdown

Here’s an unusual scoop – officially sanctioned photos of VW’s Tiguan hot-weather testing in Namibia. It’s still in pre-production form, but these shots reveal the finished look aside from the fake grille to fool ‘real’ spy photographers. The Tiguan has changed little since it was unveiled in concept form at the Los Angeles show last November and save for a bit of disguise around the lights VW isn’t leaving much to the imagination.

What exactly is the Tiguan?

Based on the Golf, the Tiguan is VW’s contender in the mid-range SUV market. It will take on the likes of the Freelander, X3 and Audi’s forthcoming Cross Coupe Concept. Volkswagen is boasting a vast array of electronic gadgetry on the Tiguan, which makes it the most advanced small SUV on the market. VW claims it will arrive in showrooms later in the year.

What can we expect under the bonnet?

Volkswagen will be offering punters plenty of engines. There will be a total of five engine options: three petrol engines and two oil-burners. The entry-level TSI petrol engine will start at 148bhp, with the more powerful versions packing 168bhp and 197bhp. The two TDI engines will offer 138bhp and 168bhp. It’s still too early for fuel consumption or performance figures.

So what are all the technical bits that Volkswagen has been raving about?

VW claims that the Tiguan will be more than just a jacked up Golf with chunky tyres. The underpinnings have been heavily modified to enhance the Tiguan’s performance away from the tarmac. VW’s familiar 4MOTION 4wd system will distribute torque between all four corners of the car when it requires some extra grip. The suspension is beefed-up to cope with the bumpier bits with the addition of an aluminium sub-frame at the front and a four-link axle at the rear. Base versions of the Tiguan get 16-inch wheels with 215/65 tires, whilst the classy ‘Sport and Style’ spec models are furnished with meatier 235/55 and 17-inch alloys. Those who prefer bling to off-roading can upgrade to 18-inch alloys to impress fellow urban SUV drivers.

What about inside?

Volkswagen is offering plenty of interior luxuries. There will be no excuse for wonky parking, as the Tiguan will be the first SUV to be fitted with Park Assist, offering automatic steering into a space, and a rear-view camera making life almost perfect for the lazy parker. There's also an abundance of forward-facing driving aids, as the sat-nav system also works off-road, and when ‘Offroad mode’ is engaged the Tiguan is blessed with all number of rock-climbing abilities, such as EDS adaptation, ABS adaptation and hill-climb assist.

When are we likely to see it in the showrooms?

The finished product will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motorshow in September and the car is expected to arrive in the UK later in the year. Prices should start at around £20,000 for the entry-level models. Those after a Golf with a decent pair of wellies should keep their eyes peeled.

Volkswagen's New DSG Gearbox

By Ben Whitworth

Industry news

26 May 2007 06:27

Volkswagen has unveiled its next-generation seven-speed DSG transmission - and as you’d expect, it’s lighter, smaller and more efficient.

The new paddle-shift gearbox, codenamed DQ200, uses a pair of dry organic-bonded friction linings that don't require cooling in preference to the six-speed version’s twin wet clutches. The system also requires less power for the gear selection and clutch servo system, boosting fuel efficiency and powertrain performance. Mounted transversely for superior packaging, the gearbox measures just 369mm long and including its dual-mass flywheel weighs in at 79kg – 7kg less than the six-speed transmission.

Having a seventh cog has allowed VW’s engineers to shorten the first three gears for snappier acceleration from standstill, while a longer top gear boosts motorway refinement and economy. The DQ200, which can take outputs up to 170bhp and 184lb ft of torque will be used throughout the VW model line-up, from Polo to Passat. The first recipient will be the 1.4-litre TSI twincharge and 1.9 TDI Golf GTs, and it’s not expected to cost more than the current £1330 VW charges for its six-speed DSG transmission.

Volkswagen Golf GTI W12

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

17 May 2007 04:44

VW Golf GTI W12: the lowdown

We loved the Clio V6, despite its dynamic shortcomings, and some CAR staffers still go weak at the knees at the mention of a Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 rally car. But now Volkswagen is muscling in on the mad-hatch genre by showing this one-off Golf GTI W12. You read that right. Wolfsburg's crazier engineers have built a unique hot hatch powered by the Phaeton's 6.0-litre W12. It's twin-turbocharged. And mounted amidships...

That sounds like one very crazy - demented even - Golf indeed!

Yes, this is the maddest Golf you'll ever see. That W12 has a punchy 641bhp and 553lb ft of twist, driving the rear wheels. You read that right - like other wild hatches of the past few decades, this uber Golf is mid-engined, built around a bespoke aluminium platform. It's enough for a 3.7sec dash to 62mph and a top speed of 184mph if you keep those 19-inch wheels spinning long enough. Don't go expecting any Golf W12 on sale, though. This was strictly a one-off for the renowned Wörthersee Tour, an Austrian celebration of hot-hatch madness. The VW Group has clearly taken this event seriously this year, as Audi unveiled its TT speedster there yesterday.

VW Golf build passes 25 million

By Gareth Kent

Industry news

30 March 2007 10:07

Thirty-three years after the first Golf, Volkswagen has just passed the 25 million milestone.

As one of the pioneers of the modern hatchback genre, the Golf was a hit right from launch in 1974, and sold one million cars within three years. The 25 millionth Golf to leave the Wolfsburg gates was a Tornado Red 1.4 TSI. Although Golfs have been manufactured in various sites around the world, more than 15 million of them were built at the German HQ. Wolfsburg is the world's largest car factory under one roof, covering 6sq km - making it bigger than Monaco. Meanwhile, another modern icon is about to set its own, rather lower, record; the new BMW-built Mini is about to celebrate its one millionth model. And production at the Oxford plant in England is gearing up for the arrival of the new Clubman estate due at the end of this year.

Volkswagen Golf Estate

By Tim Pollard

First official pictures

27 February 2007 11:32

Yawn... it's just a slightly bigger Golf, isn't it?

Yes it is, but VW reckons the Golf wagon is a strategically important car in its range; it's flogged 1.2 million of them since the first estate was launched back in 1993. The Golf isn't exactly short on practicality, but VW has stretched the boot of its new Estate to make it the biggest yet. It's also got a subtly different front end look, fronted by a chrome grille and tweaked spoiler. Roof rails and an aerodynamic spoiler built into the rear window complete the transformation from hatch to estate.

So it's pretty practical then?

Sounds like it. Whisk the rear seats down and the boot expands to a massive 1550 litres. You'll get all the usual estate touches: lashing load points, a 12v socket and heated side windows. Even with the rear seats up - the configuration most drivers will use most of the time - there's a handy 505 litres, 155 more than in the regular hatchback.

When can I buy the Golf Estate?

UK sales start in summer 2007 and VW will sell two petrol models (a 138bhp 1.4 TSI and a 101bhp 1.6 FSI) and a pair of diesels (the 104bhp 1.9 TDI and 138bhp 2.0 TDI). Prices will be announced nearer the time, but expect a climb of £700 over the hatch and the sort of equipment that's par for the course: six airbags, air-con, alloys and the like. Also on the VW stand at Geneva are the Passat BlueMotion cleaner diesel and an updated Phaeton.

VW boss Bernhard quits

By Tim Pollard

Industry news

12 January 2007 09:57

Volkswagen boss Wolfgang Bernhard has quit the company as part of a shake-up at Europe's biggest car maker. The news comes as little surprise after months of uncertainty and change at the top of VW.

Bernhard built a reputation as an abrasive operator in his short stint as CEO of the Wolfsburg company and had numerous confrontations with unions as he pushed through more modern working practices. But he was widely expected to quit after the man who hired him, Bernd Pischetsrieder, was replaced by Bernhard's opposite number at Audi, Martin Winterkorn. Dr Bernhard will leave on 31 January - exactly two years after joining the management board.

He is hotly tipped to return to his former employer, DaimlerChrysler in the US, where he built a reputation as a ruthless executive with an eye for cost-cutting. His VW contract is understood to include a two-year ban on working for a rival car maker, but Bernhard is likely to negotiate this as part of his exit package.

Volkswagen Tiguan

By Ben Whitworth

Motor shows & events

29 November 2006 09:42

Volkswagen Tiguan: the lowdown

Volkswagen is going Freelander hunting with its new Golf-based Tiguan off-roader. Unveiled at the Los Angeles Motorshow this morning, Concept Tiguan gives a nine-tenths preview of what the production-ready Tiguan will look like when it arrives here in January 2008. It will initially arrive with a choice of front or all-wheel-drive, four engines – two petrol and two advanced ‘Clean TDI’ diesel units – and six-speed manual or DSG transmission. Expect prices to range from £20-29,000.

It’s the real thing

It’s billed as a concept, but it’s the real thing. At 4400mm long, 1850mm wide and 1690 high, the Tiguan’s footprint is almost exactly the same as the Freelander’s (4500mm x 1910mm x 1740mm) and its square-jawed bluff styling borrows much from the Concept A showcar launched earlier this year. And if the shape of those headlamps looks familiar, they’re similar to those on the Eos, Polo and Iroc. According to Tiguan designer Klaus Bischoff, the car’s looks are all about power. “It was very important to us to have the car appear powerful and muscular. For us that had a higher priority than anything else”, he said at its unveiling. The show car’s contrasting anthracite grille frame and vast sunroof – it’s 134omm long and 850mm wide – will make it through to production as will the huge five-poke 19inch alloys. The two-tone orange and black Continental tyres will not. Thank goodness.

Cabin class

Again, what you see here is pretty much what you’ll get, bar the orange detailing, stitching and weird ‘distressed’ leather, in the production car. That means a roomy, functional and well-specified cabin, complete with sliding rear bench that folds flat to swallow items up to 2500mm long. There’s no other packaging trickery or cleverness on offer. Oh, and in case you were wondering the Tiguan name is a cross between tiger and iguana, and was the winning answer in a VW-sponsored name-our-car competition held in Germany. Other shortlisted names included Namib, Samun, Rockton and… errr…. Nanu. Which sounds like Mork from Ork was on the naming panel. Did someone say Shuzzbutt?

The hardware

Tiguan drivers will have the choice of four engines and two drivetrains. The petrol line-up consists of two versions of VW’s acclaimed 1.4-litre TSI super- and turbo- charged engine in 140bhp and 170bhp trim. The Tiguan will also preview VW’s family of new 2.0-litre ‘Clean TDI’ diesel engines, also with outputs of 140bhp and 170bhp. The common-rail turbo diesel units feature nitrogen oxide-reducing Bluetech technology, jointly developed by Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, as well as a NOX storage catalytic converter used to reduce nitrogen oxides by up to 90% compared to VW’s current TDI engines. The powerplants will be hooked up to VW’s familiar 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive system. Only the entry-level model, powered by the 140bhp 1.4-litre TSI Twincharge engine will be offered with front-wheel drive. All engines will be Euro V compliant and will come with six gear manual or DSG double-clutch transmissions.

Form a well-heeled queue

Volkswagen is expected to follow in the Freelander’s tyre tracks and pitch the Tiguan up onto a higher rung on the price ladder to see off its European rivals, rather than face cheaper Japanese competitors like the Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail. So expect the range-starter front drive petrol model to wear a £20,000 price tag and the top-dog 170bhp TDI with DSG to weigh in around £29,000. The Tiguan will be snapping at the heels of BMW’s X3 as well as the Mercedes proposed X-class and the still-to-be-confirmed Audi Q3. Which means 12 months from now, the premium small SUV market is going to be distinctly crowded…

What VW should do next

By Georg Kacher

Industry news

23 November 2006 09:59

A new boss takes the reins of VW in January, and Martin Winterkorn has some big decisions to make about VW's plans.

VW's future model policy lacks variety. But it's been like that for years, with the people's car maker slow to pick up on booming niches like mid-size MPVs and SUVs, or folding tin-top cabrios. Sports cars have fallen by the wayside, and exciting concepts like the Microbus or GX3 racer overlooked for production. At long last, there are some notable cars in the pipeline, though. Its Freelander rival, the Tiguan, will be unveiled next week. And a successor to the Scirocco coupe arrives in 2008.

But that's where the excitement ends – and it doesn't have to. We would like to see a VW version of the upcoming Skoda Yeti, an affordable roadster and a new retro model like a buggy, a kuebel, a compact microbus or a true new Beetle. Even such logical and easy-to-do proposals like a CrossPassat 4Motion or a CrossTouran 4Motion – pumped up, four-wheel drive versions of existing cars – get stuck in the decision-making maze. On another note, does Volkswagen really need all these van-like products - forthcoming Polo MPV, Caddy, Golf Plus, Touran, new Sharan, T5 and the Sportvan, a Ford S-Max rival?

Winterkorn also has some big product decisions on his hands. What happens to the unsuccessful bookends for the VW range: the Fox at the bottom and the Phaeton at the top? There are other issues, too. VW must adhere to its long-time ambition to be the premium brand in the volume market - premium in terms of design, quality, engineering and aftersales. This premium perception is a must to consolidate VW's image, which in turn is an indispensable lever to implement slightly higher prices. It's these prices which in turn allow the brand to offer more cars and better content. At the moment, however, VW is taking the wrong turns. Volkswagen is being forced increasingly into the incentives game, and the warning sign of softening residuals is flashing. And decontenting is the name of the game. For example, engineers are charged with making the next Golf less complex and cheaper to build. But will quality take a dive?

New boss plans VW revolution

By Georg Kacher

Industry news

22 November 2006 10:00

The Volkswagen Group is set for a huge shake-up, following the resignation of chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder.

Product plans across all seven marques, the group brand strategy, platform sharing and costs will all be reviewed by incoming boss Martin Winterkorn, who clinched the role following Audi's stellar performance under his leadership. CAR Online can reveal that Winterkorn is likely to rip up Pischetsrieder's brand group structure, to improve communication and efficiencies.

Under Pischetsrieder, who resigned on 7 November, the two brand groups were: Volkswagen, Skoda, Bentley and Bugatti, run by Wolfgang Bernhard Seat, Audi and Lamborghini, managed by Winterkorn Sources claim that Winterkorn will introduce a more logical structure, bundling the premium marques - Audi, Bentley, Lambo and Bugatti - together, and grouping the volume brands. But because Audi and VW's product plans are so closely interwoven, I'm not convinced that this is the best option. The Audi A3 and Golf have always been blood brothers, but a heap of new metal cements those ties: Audi's forthcoming baby A1 hatch is twinned with the next Polo; VW's Phaeton limo replacement should be spun off Audi's new big car platform (codenamed MLB), which underpins cars like the new A5; and VW's 2009 Sportvan will be based on the current A6 Avant.

Instead of splitting the brands, Winterkorn should consider installing three powerful top managers: a group engineering director; a group sales and marketing specialist; and a group production guy. These overseers would ensure a far more co-ordinated car portfolio, produced with maximum efficiency. To boost profitability and stop VW losing millions in North America, the group must exploit its huge scale. It has three major platforms: Polo-sized (PQ24/25) worth 1m units per year; Golf-sized (PQ34/35) covering 2m; and Audi's forthcoming MLB chassis, which will account for 1m units from the A4/A5/A6/A8/Q5. VW needs to ensure it gets a better payback from these competitive component sets, thanks to streamlined structures and more efficient processes, the total integration of purchasing and engineering, new cost- and quality-driven technologies and a much better cross-adaptivity of core modules from electronic platforms to drivetrains. The modular approach allows R&D to dial content in or out according to individual market requirements and specific investment targets, so the controversial world car approach does make sense again as long as one of its prime principles is maximum content and cost differentiation.

But the changes don't have to end there. Winterkorn could even rationalise facilities. Why does every brand have an own independent R&D centre? Why is procurement within the group so poorly coordinated? And why is there an occasionally dramatic imbalance between undercapacity and overcapacity? Excessive proliferation ruins profitability. Just look at the huge variety of engine variations, even in the same displacement and output bracket, and the multitude of transmissions. Conversely - and despite seven brands - the group still has yawning gaps in the product portfolio. The empire currently lacks: a small sports car; a compact crossover/SUV, although the Tiguan is on the way; a modern rear-wheel drive matrix; a production-ready hybrid (or alternative propulsion) model; a truly global entry-level vehicle.

To get the house in order, the new leaders will have to reconsider and regroup their offerings; sharpen and sometimes redefine individual brand values; reduce cannibalisation through better forward planning; and spread unique pace-setting technologies across the board.

Volkswagen Neeza concept

By Phil McNamara/Georg Kacher

First official pictures

20 November 2006 09:00

VW Neeza concept: the lowdown

Volkswagen is developing a Ford S-Max rival – and this Neeza concept gives a clue to its thinking. Designed in China and unveiled at the Beijing motor show, the Neeza is a five-seat crossover MPV. And that's the exact concept that's under development by Volkswagen's R&D team, with a launch target of 2009. CAR Online has all the details of the production car, dubbed 'Sportvan' by insiders. The 4.85m-long space cruiser will land in the range between the Sharan II and the Phaeton saloon. It shares key components with today’s Audi A6 Avant, runs four- and six-cylinder engines and has two rows of seats. Expect the base car to cost a few quid less than £20,000. VW isn't the only company working on a crossover MPV. BMW also has a 5-series based people carrier in the pipeline. For more details and pictures of the Neeza concept, which is named after a hero from Chinese mythology, click next.

VW Neeza: how it looks

Let's be frank – the Neeza is a total Merc R-class knock-off. The overall concept, glasshouse and pumped up wheelarches echo the Merc's, as do the unusually small VW grille, headlamps and wraparound rear lamps. Volkswagen describes the Neeza as a cross between sports coupe and an estate with an off-road appearance – which is pretty much how Merc pitches the R-class. Surely VW's production car will look a lot sexier, though, especially considering the 'slow start' Benz sources admit the ugly R-class has made. That's certainly the view of VW's designers, who are buzzing about the Sportvan (codenamed VW518). One source described it as dynamic and elegant – ‘an R-class that really works’. Visually, Wolfsburg’s new niche model is less slab-sided than the Touran but nowhere near as ornamental as Merc’s R-class. As for its size, the Sportvan is pretty close to the six-seater Merc.

Under the skin

The Neeza's long nose hints that the production Sportvan will have longitudinally mounted engines. That's because VW will use Audi hardware, in an unusual step. The Passat platform wasn’t big enough for the Sportvan, so the R&D team had to look elsewhere within the group. They found the answer in Ingolstadt, where the current A6 will be phased out in 2010. Instead of scrapping the tools, VW decided to adopt and transfer them for the SportVan. This approach saves time and money, and it proves that even in the highly competitive intra-corporate environment synergies do exist. Thanks to the Audi connection, four-wheel drive and MMI will be readily available, adding more powerful engines is the easiest trick in the book, and interesting high-tech options like height-adjustable air suspension could be offered at relatively short notice. Power will be transmitted via a six-speed manual, stepless multitronic auto (front-wheel drive) or a seven-speed DSG ‘box on four-wheel drive models.

The engine room

Petrol	Diesel
177bhp 2.0-litre turbo four	140bhp 2.0-litre four
200bhp 2.0-litre turbo four	190bhp 2.7-litre V6
265bhp 3.2-litre V	235bhp 3.0-litre V6

VW Neeza: the inside story

The Neeza previews some of the Sportvan's functionality – and the fact it will only have two rows of seats. The Neeza's perches swivel so that front and rear passengers can face each other when parked, a feature the production car will also offer. Don't expect those suicide rear doors on the Sportvan, though: the 2009 car is likely to stick with a conventional approach.

Volkswagen Passat R36

By Phil McNamara

First official pictures

17 November 2006 10:13

VW Passat R36: the lowdown

Volkswagen has pulled the wraps off its 'R' flagship Passat – and the five-door is the fastest estate VW has ever made. Scooped by CAR Online a few weeks back, the R36 puts out 296bhp, which launches the estate fromk standstill to 62 in 5.8sec. Available as a saloon, too, the R cars go on sale in early 2007, with prices starting at an estimated £28,000. Sounds steep? It'll be a great second hand buy, though... For more details, click 'next'.

The engine room

As the badge suggests, the R36 runs a new 3.6-litre V6 engine, with FSI direct injection. Peak power is 300PS, or 296bhp, which is sent to all four wheels. Transmission is via the six-speed DSG gearbox, which has twin clutches to pre-engage the next gear for ultra-rapid shifts. There won't be a manual 'box. Naturally, the saloon is faster than the bluff estate, despatching 0-62mph in 5.6sec. Top speed is restricted to 155mph. Other tweaks include stiffer spring and damper settings, and uprated brake discs to take the aaarrrgggghhh out of the R.

Blinged up bodykit

The R36 is no stealth bomber, with that multi-vent front air dam underscoring the massive chrome grille. The uber-Passat rolls on 18inch alloys, while twin chrome tailpipes and glitzy new rear lamps embellish the rear. The estate also wears a lip spoiler.

The inside story

Those alumnium pedals, splattered with the R logo, leave you in no doubt which Passat you're driving. Other upgrades include sports seats, aluminium flourishes on the dash and a sports steering wheel. Dual-zone climate control, heated seats and six airbags are among the standard features.

Volkswagen goes mad in Las Vegas

By Alex Fuller

First official pictures

02 November 2006 03:33

R GTi: the lowdown

VW has cooked up two hotter Golf GTis for the SEMA tuning show: the 225hp Thunder Bunny and 375hp R GTi. This mean hatch is the R GTi, which gets a big helping of carbonfibre to shave off weight and a huge power upgrade. The 197bhp 2.0-litre’s stock turbo makes way for a bigger blower, yielding 375hp. The Garrett turbo has twice the normal flow capacity and delivers 21 pounds per square inch of boost. Other upgrades include a new clutch to handle the extra torque and a Quaife limited slip diff to put the power down. The R GTi rides on red-rimmed 19 inch lightweight aluminium wheels.

R GTi: the makeover

The R GTi is the work of VW’s Santa Monica design studio in California. Multiple body parts have been switched for carbonfibre, from the wings and bonnet to the spoilers and mirror housings. The interior is swathed in black leather, with red R GTi logos adorning the mats, door panels and even steering wheel to tie in with the red-rimmed wheels.

VW Thunder Bunny: the lowdown

This more restrained, candy white hatch is the Thunder Bunny, which is a play on the Golf’s name Stateside, where it’s called the Rabbit. The fivepot hot hatch harks back to 1981, when Californian-based Automotive Performance Systems imported an original white Golf GTi, modded it and the original Thunder Bunny was born. Mods on the 25th anniversary car include a beefy body kit, larger central grille and a more muscular back framing the twin exhaust. Like the original hatch, the 2006 update sits on 19inch gold wheels with Brembo brakes hauling the hatch to a halt.

VW Thunder Bunny: the makeover

The Thunder Bunny runs the 2.5-litre inline five, offered in North American Jettas and Rabbits. A turbocharger boosts power from 148bhp to 225 horses, while a Qauife differential is added to manage power delivery to the front wheels. New seat upholstery, an alcantara wheel, a spherical aluminium gear knob and white carbon fibre interior trim lift the interior.

Volkswagen Golf GTi Edition 30

By Jason Golembo

First official pictures

27 October 2006 08:43

VW Golf GTi Edition 30: the lowdown

Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Golf GTi's UK launch, and to celebrate, Volkswagen will release 1500 of this GTi Edition 30. Complete with uprated 230PS (or 227bhp) engine, deeper bodykit and an interior makeover, the special edition is the fastest version of the hot hatch to date. The engineers have tweaked the 2.0-litre turbo's engine management, to extract the additional 30bhp. The extra poke cuts the regular Golf GTi's dash to 62mph from 7.2sec to 6.8, and top speed climbs from 146mph to 150. Power is sent to the front wheels by a six-speed manual box, or by Volkswagen's DSG twin-clutch auto that adds £1330 to the price but cuts the 0-62mph dash to 6.6sec. The Edition 30 gets a subtle makeover in the form of new-bodied coloured side skirts, a new chin spoiler for the front bumper and a body coloured rear bumper. Tinted rear lamps and 18 inch wheels complete the look.

The inside story

Inside, the GTi Edition 30 gets unique sports seats with side bolsters, and to pay tribute to the original GTi, the distinctive golf ball gear knob makes a comeback. There are also silver sill plates distinguished by an 'Edition 30' logo, as well as a sculpted leather GTI steering wheel complete with red stitching. ABS, ESP, six airbags, radio/CD player and dueal-zone climate control and twin exhaust tailpipes are standard fare. Prices will start at £22,000 for the Golf GTi Edition 30, but you'll have to be quick as only 1500 will be available when it goes on sale in January.

What a difference 30 years makes...

Golf GTi Mk 1	Golf GTi Edition 30
UK launch: 1977	UK launch: 2007
Price: £5217	Price: £22,000
Engine: 1.6-litre four	Engine: 2.0-litre four
Peak power: 112bhp	Peak power: 227bhp
Weight: 810kg	Weight: 1330kg (est)
0-62mph: 9.0sec	0-62mph: 6.8sec
Top speed: 113mph	Top speed: 150mph

Volkswagen Touran

By Dimitri Pesin

First official pictures

13 September 2006 00:01

The lowdown

Volkswagen has given its Touran MPV a welcome facelift, and a sprinkling of new features. The headline news is the introduction of Twincharge engines which employ both a turbo and a supercharger, as well as a park assist function that enables the seven-seater to slip itself into a space within 15 seconds. The revised model hits UK showrooms in early 2007.

VW has taken the plastic surgeon's scalpel to the Touran. The chrome grille and eye-shaped headlamps are lifted wholesale from the Eos coupe/convertible. At the back, the changes are harder to spot. Tweaked lamp graphics and a curvier rear bumper are the key differences. New 'Magny Cours' 16-inch alloy wheels are an optional extra. Overall, the look is less bland, but the van-like silhouette continues to cast a very unsexy shadow.

A car that parks itself

The Touran is taking a leaf out of the Toyota Prius' book, with 'Park Assist' now on the options list. The system uses sensors to measure if a space is big enough, and then manoeuvres the Touran into the gap by itself. All the driver has to do is accelerate and brake. VW claims the manoeuvre can be done in less than 15secs. No word yet if it can avoid trundling over sandcastles.

The engine room

Six engines will be available at launch: two petrols – a 100bhp 1.6-litre and 138bhp 1.4-litre TSI – and four diesels. The oilburners comprise: 88bhp or 104bhp 1.9-litre turbo and 140 or 170bhp 2.0-litre TDI. Sadly, the UK isn't taking the flagship new petrol engine, the 170bhp 1.4-litre TSI (as used in the Golf GT). Like its lower output sibling, it uses a supercharger to maximise low-end grunt, before a turbocharger kicks in at higher engine speeds. This boosts torque across the rev range, while saving fuel. The 1.4 TSI engine can be mated to VW's quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox.

The inside story

Evolution is the buzzword for the cabin, with new fabrics and a sprinkling of stainless steel trim. The stereo is now MP3 player compatible, too. Passenger seats can be arranged in various ways, including offset diagonally, folded down or removed. Maximum boot space is 1989 litres, if the five rear seats are folded flat.

Volkswagen Iroc

By Phil McNamara

First official pictures

24 August 2006 08:01

The lowdown

This is the Iroc, a sexy successor to the Scirocco coupe that Volkswagen will launch in 2008. Officially, the Iroc is a concept car, but make no mistake, this dynamic three-door is heading for production. The design doesn't share many obvious styling cues with the 1974 original. But the show car's name comes straight from the heart of the word Scirocco, and the production car will be charged with casting a halo over the meat of the VW range – just like the original did. Expect Scirocco prices from £22,000, and power from high-revving TSI fourpot and V6 engines.

Shooting brake or coupe?

The Iroc is conceptually just like the original Scirocco, the work of legendary car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. It has three doors, a transverse engine in the nose, 2+2-seating and a decent-sized boot. The show car is even painted in viper green metallic, lifted from the 1976 colour palette. But unlike the Scirocco, the Iroc is no classic coupe. It's more of a shooting brake, reminiscent of last year's Audi TT Mk2 concept. Missed opportunity? The stance might be butch, and the long-roofed proportions dynamic, but in these pictures it just looks like a glorified Golf GTi. CAR Online believes Volkswagen has erred by not offering more of an alternative bodystyle to the brilliant GTi. That said, it stands no higher than Mercedes' Sportcoupe.

Design: VW gets aggressive

The Iroc is the most aggressive Volkswagen in years. With its gaping mouth, piercing eye-headlamps and twin airdams feeding the turbocharger's intercooler, it has far more presence than anything in the current range. This is the second VW concept to experiment with a gaping, Audi-style grille packed with honeycomb mesh. With the Ecoracer and Iroc testing the water, VW is clearly thinking seriously about introducing this feature. The exterior design is very close to the production car's. While some of the fancy details may be toned down, the general theme is surely etched in stone. Don't believe us? It even has a rear wiper, a rarity on a flight of fancy concept. That's the biggest reality cheque VW could sign, aside from slapping on decals saying 'Yup, this is the new Scirocco'.

Under the skin

The Iroc is based on a bespoke platform with a long, 2680mm wheelbase, but the production car's components will be closely paired with the Golf's. That means front- and four-wheel drive, and a very similar overall length. The Iroc runs one of Volkswagen's new Twincharge engines, coupled with both a supercharger and a turbo. Already available in the Golf GT with 170bhp, here the 1.4-litre has been boosted to kick out 210bhp. The supercharger boosts power at low revs without any lag, before the turbo kicks in. The result is more power and improved fuel economy. The engine is biased towards outright power rather than than torque, which means high revs - similar to a Honda's VTEC engines - and lots of gearchanges to exploit it. Luckily the gearboxes are more than up to the job. The Iroc gets a twin-clutch DSG gearbox which allows lightning-fast changes, although a six-speed manual will also be offered on the production car. Other likely engines include the 1.7- and 2.0-litre TSIs that are in the pipeline. A 170bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a flagship V6 are also on the cards.

The inside story

Looks familiar? That's because the dashboard architecture is nigh on identical to the new Audi TT's, with the odd outbreak of Lamborghini Gallardo switchgear. Expect many of the design themes to survive – the milled from steel-look to the door trims, and the centre console and the circular dials – perhaps slightly toned down. The steering wheel incorporates the gearshift selector for the DSG, and there's a tiny turbo boost gauge, too. The Iroc has an adequate boot, with up to 300 litres of capacity behind the rear seats. These also fold flat to create more space.

The original

The Scirocco was launched in 1974, with 50-110bhp four-cylinder engines turning the front wheels. It was a huge success with over 500,000 cars produced, before the second-generation car replaced it in 1981. The last Mk2 Scirocco was sold in the UK in 1993; overall, 77,000 found homes here. The Scirocco name then went into the deep freeze, with its successor being called Corrado, but it's certain to make a comeback in 2008…

What's next?

After its Paris motor show debut in September, VW's engineers will have 18 months to make the Iroc a production reality. Cold weather testing in Scandinavia, extreme heat testing in Arizona and probably Nurburgring handling tests lie in wait. Then sales of the Scirocco Mk3 begin in spring 2008. Expect prices not far off the Audi TT's, that's a couple of grand beyond the £20k Golf GTi.