World premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport S at Lake Wörthersee: most powerful GTI ever smashes the Nürburgring lap record

The Golf GTI Clubsport S breaks the lap record for front-wheel-drive cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 07:49:21

This exclusive GTI is a two-seater with a 310 PS engine and newly configured chassis

Ten key facts – the Golf GTI Clubsport S in keywords

1.     The most powerful Golf GTI ever breaks the lap record for front-wheel-drive production cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 07:49:21.

2.     Only 400 of the limited edition Golf GTI Clubsport S, which delivers 228 kW/310 PS and can go from 0-100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, will be made.

3.     Uniquely, the Golf GTI Clubsport S has a Nürburgring setting, which can be accessed using the driving profile selector.

4.     The Nürburgring setting finetunes the adaptive chassis control DCC, engine, steering and sound to suit the Nordschleife.

5.     The chassis of the Golf GTI Clubsport S was fine-tuned in extensive racetrack tests and completely reconfigured.

6.     With the EU unladen weight reduced to 1,285 kg, the 310 PS results in a sports car power-to-weight ratio of 4.15 kg/PS. (EU unladen weight incl. driver and luggage: 1,360 kg).

7.     New exhaust system sees tail pipes with an enlarged cross-section produce strong backfire when braking.

8.     The Golf GTI Clubsport S is a two-door, two-seat car, with the rear seats removed to save weight.

9.     The Golf GTI Clubsport S comes with 19-inch alloy wheels (“Pretoria”) and semi-slicks.

10. The production number 001/400 to 400/400 in the interior reveals that the car is an exclusive special edition. 

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen pushes forward the development of fully or partially electrically powered vehicles. Volkswagen plans to launch seven new electric and plug-in hybrid models on the Chinese market in the next three to four years. Each of these vehicles will also be made in China. In addition to this, a new design and development centre in China is also planned. The new models presented in Beijing demonstrate the assertiveness with which Volkswagen is reinventing mobility. The highlight is the debut, a true world premiere, of the T-Prime Concept GTE – the concept of a cutting-edge premium class SUV. This plug-in hybrid all-rounder gives a first glimpse of Volkswagen’s future flagship. The all-new Magotan was already presented as a world premiere at the Volkswagen Group Night on the eve of the show, accompanied by Volkswagen’s new PHIDEON luxury saloon and the zero-emission MPV BUDD-e, which made their Asian debut at the event.

Volkswagen star in Beijing – the T-Prime Concept GTE

The T-Prime Concept GTE concept car is a premium class sport utility vehicle. With plug-in hybrid and all-wheel drive as well as zero emissions on any terrain, the concept car makes an automotive statement of a new era. The display and control concept are completely digital, the conventional switches in the interior have been done away with and replaced by gesture and voice control, touchscreens and touch-sensitive surfaces. The T-Prime is the world’s first car to feature a Curved Interaction Area – a curved infotainment display that blends in with the remaining displays and controls in the futuristic cockpit. The concept car’s eight-speed automatic transmission is controlled intuitively “by wire” using a glass scroll wheel.

The T-Prime Concept GTE is ideal as a versatile alternative to conventional vehicle concepts, as the four-seat SUV concept car combines the best of various different automotive worlds: comfortable like a saloon; spacious like an estate; offering traction that is superior to all other types of car; based on state-of-the-art chassis technology; agile like a sportscar and – thanks to innovative drive technologies – efficient like a compact car. One of the many fitting innovations is the plug-in hybrid drive that is practically silent in its electric E-Mode, which makes the T-Prime Concept GTE a zero-emission SUV with a range of up to 50 kilometres. In GTE mode the 280 kW/381 PS concept car demonstrates pure dynamism. Visually, the innovative technical layout is reflected in a charismatic and sporty design.

The T-Prime Concept GTE is part of an SUV product offensive that was launched this spring with the European debut of the new Tiguan. In future this successful model will, for the first time, also be available with an extended wheelbase. In the classes above it, this will be followed by a new mid-size SUV for China and the USA as well as the successful Touareg or a vehicle based on the T-Prime Concept GTE. Beneath the Tiguan, two new SUV model series will also make their debut: in the Golf class there will be an SUV based on the T-ROC concept car. The T-Cross Breeze presented in Geneva in March, on the other hand, gives a glimpse of a future SUV in the Polo class.

Next generation Magotan

The completely newly-developed Magotan will be launched in July. This saloon car is the first vehicle to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). Thanks to the MQB, the designers and engineers were able to achieve a rear passenger compartment with an unrivalled amount of space as well as ideal body proportions. Alongside this, the Magotan also features a plethora of new driver assistance and convenience and infotainment systems. And the Magotan features a high-tech drive train, too: three TSI engines ranging from 110 kW/150 PS to 162 kW/220 PS offer the highest possible degree of efficiency and dynamism.

The new PHIDEON

The PHIDEO Nisa new premium class saloon. This Volkswagen, which is around five metres long, will be launched in China in the third quarter of 2016. The PHIDEON was derived, with only minor changes, almost directly from the breath-taking C Coupé GTE concept car (which made its world premiere at Auto Shanghai in 2015). The all-wheel drive PHIDEON 3.0 TSI 4MOTION is available with a V6 TSI that delivers 220 kW/300 PS. The new saloon will also be available as a 2.0 TSI (four-cylinder and front-wheel drive). A model with a plug-in hybrid drive is also planned for the future.

The BUDD-e concept

The BUDD-e is based on a new technology matrix for electric vehicles, the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). Range: up to 533 km (NEDC).The battery can be 80% recharged within 30 minutes. The completely new method of operation and information processing is intriguing. Touch and gesture control merge seamlessly; switches and buttons are a thing of the past; individual displays blend into large infotainment panels and analogue mirrors are replaced by digital screens. You can already experience the future today on board the BUDD-e.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen is rolling out a refreshing new attitude to the routine job of car servicing, maintenance and repair with the launch of its ground-breaking Aftersales Digital Reception (ADR) initiative.

Coming to Volkswagen Retailers across the UK throughout 2016, the ADR scheme introduces a welcoming new approach which keeps service customers informed every step of the way.  Using redesigned service reception areas, the very latest hand-held tablet technology and online ‘explainer’ videos, it gives drivers a more relaxed, enlightened and straightforward experience.

The ADR process has been created to give routine service customers a much clearer picture of what is happening to their car: from booking to job completion.  Beginning with the ‘check-in’ process it sees an expert Service Advisor greet the Volkswagen driver with an electronic tablet-based arrivals form and inspect their car – taking photographs of its condition if required – and talk them through the selected service/maintenance process.

Customers join their advisor in the new, informal, service reception and consultation area which, thanks in part to the hand-held tablet technology employed, does away with formal desks and the physical barrier of old-tech desktop computers.  The outline of work is discussed and the customer either opts to wait for it to be carried out, or takes advantage of a pre-booked lift, or courtesy car* to get on with their day.

As the car undergoes its 34-point visual check, carried out by a trained Volkswagen Service Technician, a video is created showing what work has been identified.  In the brief film the technician points out risks such as worn brake pads or tyres, and allows the customer to see for themselves any maintenance work required.  The video can then be sent straight to the customer’s computer, or smartphone, for them to view and make a decision on before any work begins.

Other routine maintenance tasks, such as cambelt changes, can be discussed with the Service Advisor too and, if required, explained via a library of simple online animations created by Vehicle Visuals to help demystify modern servicing tasks.  These short ‘explainer’ videos work alongside a detailed website which includes all manner of maintenance information and explanations, such as a handy guide to the various warning lights and notifications which can appear in the instrument binnacle of a modern Volkswagen: http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/warning-lights

The thinking behind the new ADR process is to keep customers better informed about, and more involved in, their car’s servicing work at Volkswagen Retailers.  The initiative is rolling out across the brand’s 227-strong Retailer network throughout the year, with 800-plus Service Advisors in the network undergoing detailed training online and at the Volkswagen National Learning Centre in Milton Keynes.

Kevin Rendell, Volkswagen UK’s Head of Service and Parts Operations, said: “The Aftersales Digital Reception initiative has been many months in the making and is, we believe, a revolutionary approach to Volkswagen servicing and aftersales customer care.

“Advisors consulting with customers, technicians demonstrating what work needs to be done via video and simple online explanations showing why work has to be carried out all combine to make the service process much less intimidating.

“The ADR initiative brings a revolutionary 21st Century retailing approach into what has, hitherto, sometimes felt like a process that has changed only slowly for decades.  We are now keen to hear how our owners feel about this new-style aftersales service and very much welcome feedback.”

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen kicked off its Rally Argentina (21-24 April) with a spectacular event in Buenos Aires at the weekend, prior to the official start. Volkswagen drivers Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders Jæger (N/N) took the Polo R WRC for a spin in front of thousands of spectators in Tigre on Saturday. They completed a thrilling street circuit, during which they put their smoking tyres through their paces with a number of donuts. The Red Bull X Fighters also put on a stunning show, with breath-taking stunts in their freestyle motocross display. The event was broadcast live on Argentinean television – including by FOX TV, a partner station of the Rally Argentina. Beforehand, the team from Wolfsburg had been welcomed by Volkswagen Argentina CEO Pablo Di Si and the mayor of Tigre, Julio Zamora. “It is a fantastic event,” said Di Si. “We are proud and happy that the team was able to stop by, and we have our fingers crossed for them for the rally.”

Di Si was given a taste of how it feels to travel flat-out in a World Rally Car, as Sébastien Ogier’s co-driver. Away from the action on the specially-erected circuit, Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito, Volkswagen Brand Ambassador Luis Moya (E), and the driver/co-driver pairings were on hand to answer questions from almost 100 invited journalists in the media tent. Ogier and Mikkelsen were back at the wheel of the Polo R WRC on Sunday. The two stars of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) had been invited by partner Castrol to take a city tour through the trendy Argentinean neighbourhood of Palermo.

TCR Germany
First race, first podium: Second place for Leuchter in the Golf GTI

Volkswagen driver Benjamin Leuchter (D) claimed a podium finish at the inaugural TCR Germany race in Oschersleben. The first race of the ADAC’s new touring car series saw Leuchter finish runner-up in the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR for the Racing One team. The German actually led for a long time at the circuit in the Magdeburger Börder region of Germany. However, with just nine minutes of the race remaining, Leuchter was passed by eventual winner Josh Files (Seat) after a thrilling duel. British driver Files also won the second race on Sunday, with Leuchter missing out on the podium by half a second. He crossed the finish line fourth behind Jürgen Schmarl (A, Seat) and Harald Proczyk (A). The next races in the TCR Germany will take place at the Sachsenring from 29 April to 01 May.

FIA World Rallycross Championship
No luck in the final: Sixth place for Kristoffersson in Portugal

Johan Kristoffersson (S) of the Volkswagen RX Sweden team finished sixth at the opening round of the World Rallycross Championship.The Swede progressed to the final in Montalegre, Portugal, with his Volkswagen RX Supercar. However, Kristoffersson’s hopes of repeating last year’s victory were dashed by a collision with an opponent. Kristoffersson had previously won the semi-final and set fastest times in the heats to demonstrate the huge potential of the 600-hp Volkswagen RX Supercar and the new Volkswagen RX Sweden team, which was formed by merging Marklund Motorsport and Volkswagen Team Sweden.

Kristoffersson’s team-mate Anton Marklund (S) made it to the semi-final, but failed to qualify for the final. The next round will be held in Hockenheim (D) from 6 to 8 May – on the same bill as the season-opener in the German Touring Car Masters (DTM).

Engen Volkswagen Cup South Africa
La Reservee and Bland – two winners on second race weekend in Cape Town

Shaun La Reservee (ZA) and Trevor Bland (ZA) were the winners on the second race weekend of the Engen Volkswagen Cup South Africa. The opening ten-lap race at the Killarney Motor Racing Circuit saw La Reservee triumph ahead of Keagan Masters (ZA) and Chris Shorter (ZA) who finished second and third. In race two at the 3.267-kilometre race track near Cape Town, Bland crossed the finish line first in his Polo, ahead of Shorter and Masters. This was Bland’s second win of the season, having previously won race two on the opening race weekend in Zwartkops. The next races in the popular South African series will be held at the Aldo Scribante Circuit near Port Elizabeth on 14 May.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk