Volkswagen has Two World Debuts in Geneva: Volkswagen Presents New Golf Cabriolet and New Tiguan. Volkswagen follows a great 2010 with new models.
After a spectacular 2010, in which the Volkswagen brand surpassed two new milestones – 4.5 million passenger cars delivered worldwide and 14 newly introduced production models – the German carmaker has resumed its growth and product offensive in 2011. It began in January with the debut of the US version of the Passat in Detroit (USA) and the 1-litre car, the XL1, in Doha (Qatar). The next two world debuts now follow in Europe: at the Geneva International Motor Show (March 3 -13), Volkswagen is presenting the new Golf Cabriolet and the technically and visually perfected Tiguan. Both models are launching with sustainable drive technologies, and both have the potential to continue the success story of their predecessors. The third new production model Volkswagen is presenting – in a motor show debut – is the new Passat BlueMotion, whose TDI attains the incredibly low fuel consumption value of 4.2 litres diesel per 100 km.
Golf Cabriolet: Volkswagen is presenting one of the first signs of summer at the Geneva Motor Show: the new Golf Cabriolet. The four-seater has a stylish soft top roof and its electro-hydraulic drive mechanism is a standard feature. The Golf’s soft top opens in just 9.5 seconds; it may even be opened while driving at speeds of up to km/h. When it is closed, this Volkswagen is one of the quietest convertibles – even when compared to steel folding roof models. As can be expected in any Golf, the new convertible also embodies the highest levels of quality and maximum safety. An automatically deploying roll-over bar, front airbags and side curtain head/thorax airbags, a knee airbag on the driver’s side and ESP are standard on all models. In addition, the Golf Cabriolet provides ample interior space due to its soft top as well as a fully utilisable bootspace (250 litres) even with the top stowed.
Ideal for cruising in a convertible are the six direct-injection turbo charged engines with a power range from 77 kW to155 kW. Also funs to drive are the fast and efficient high tech dual-clutch gearboxes (DSG), which are available for four of the engines. There will be three petrol engines (TSI) and a diesel (TDI) with the energy-saving BlueMotion Technology modifications (battery regeneration and Stop/Startsystem). Just how efficiently the new Volkswagen handles its fuel is illustrated by the Golf Cabriolet 1.6TDI and BlueMotion Technologies; its combined fuel consumption is just 4.4l/100km (equivalent to117g/km CO). To date, over 684,000 convertibles have been sold under the Golf label – this number should quickly become history with the new model.
Tiguan: From a standstill, this vehicle quickly took over the pole position on the German SUV sales chart – a position that remains unchallenged today. Worldwide, more than 572,000 drivers around the globe chose this SUV over a period of just three and a half years. Now, the Tiguan comes with new assistance systems and engines that consume up to 0.7 litres less fuel. And it also benefits from revised styling that visually follows the Tiguan‘s larger brother, the Touareg. The front end design was completely reinterpreted. The Tiguan is still the only SUV in its class that can be ordered in two different versions: one for on-road use and one specially tuned for off-road driving. Like the on-road version, the off-road model is now also available in a top equipment line. In this case, the off-road specialist is known as the Track & Style (on-road: “Sport & Style”). Across the board, all equipment levels were upgraded. New assistance systems such as fatigue detection which was introduced for the first time in the new European Passat, the camera-based main beam control systems Light Assist (H7 lights) and Dynamic Light Assist (bi-xenon headlights) as well as the lane-keeping system Lane Assist will now enrich the range of available features. Also new in the Tiguan: the XDS electronic differential lock.
The car’s drive technologies are even more efficient. Three of the seven engines offered in Europe – all of them charged four- cylinder direct injection engines – are new to the Tiguan. The four petrol engines (TSI) output between 90 kW and 155kW. The three diesel engines (TDI) span a power range from 81 kW to 125 kW. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG) is also available as an option on the new Tiguan – it is one of the most efficient and sporty automatic gearboxes in the world. All Tiguans with BlueMotion Technology also have a Stop/Start system and a batter regeneration mode. This significantly reduces the new SUV’s fuel consumption. This Volkswagen – offered with front-wheel and of course all-wheel drive (4MOTION – is certainly one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the world.
Passat BlueMotion: The new Passat BlueMotion is powered by a1.6-litre turbodiesel (TDI) with 77kW that is as quiet as it is clean. Thanks to the efficiency of this engine, standard technologies such as a Stop/Start system and battery regeneration as well as low rolling resistance tyres and improved aerodynamics of its body design, this Passat (Sedan)now only consumes 4.2l/100 km; that is equivalent to a CO value of 109 g/km (Wagon 4.4 l/100km and 114g/km). The top speed of the Passat 1.6TDI BlueMotion is 195km/h and the car accelerates to 100 km/h in 12.2 seconds. Values for the Passat Wagon: 193km/and 12.5 seconds. The PassatBlueMotion has a 6-speed transmission.