Search the Community

There are changes afoot in the Volkswagen Golf family. We'll begin with the bad news, the two-door Golf GTI will be no more in the U.S. Car and Driver was able to confirm this news with Volkswagen. Why? “The trend is clearly shifting toward four-door models,” said Volkswagen of America’s marketing chief, Hendrik Muth. Originally, Volkswagen was planning to offer the two-door GTI for 2017, but only in the base S trim. Now for the possible good news, Volkswagen is considering adding all-wheel drive to the standard Golf. During the press launch of the Golf Alltrack, Volkswagen's vice president of product marketing and strategy Dr. Hendrik Muth explained that adding 4Motion to the Puebla, Mexico factory has brought forth new possibilities. The Truth About Cars asked if one of the possibilities was adding all-wheel drive to the standard Golf and Muth answered "Yes". Volkswagen wants to give Subaru a real challenge in the compact class. The Japanese automaker is the only one that offers all-wheel drive on their standard compact models - Impreza and XV Crosstrek. Source: Car and Driver, The Truth About Cars Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears View full article

All of the hot hatches and sport compact cars owe their existence to one car - the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The engineers who worked on the first model during the mid-seventies didn’t know their little project would make massive waves in the industry. For six-generations, the GTI was the benchmark that many competitors were measured against. But with fresh blood arriving in the form of the Ford Focus ST and Subaru WRX, Volkswagen knew it was time to ready a new GTI. Thus last year, the seventh-generation Golf GTI was introduced to the market. Has the father of hot hatch lost its way or can it still show newcomers a few tricks? I spent a week in a GTI SE 2-Door to find out. The Golf GTI has never used any design gimmicks to stand out from a standard Golf, only minor trim changes. The seventh-generation model continues this tradition. Starting with a standard Golf with smooth body panels and large window space, Volkswagen added small touches such as a mesh grille in the front, 18-inch wheels and little GTI emblems on the side; and rear diffuser with dual exhaust ports. It may not be the flashiest hot hatch, but the understated look fits the vehicle. The interior sticks with a simple design and materials. Soft-touch materials, carbon fiber around the center stack, and faux aluminum trim line the interior and gives the feeling of quality. SE models get leather seats with red stitching and piping. The seats I found to provide both excellent comfort and support when cruising or tackling the twisties. A set of manual adjustments help dial in the right seat placement I wished the leather was an option on the SE, so you could get the iconic tartan cloth as standard. But alas, I am nitpicking here. The back seat in the two-door is quite easy to get into thanks to the front seats sliding forward. Headroom is quite good, while legroom is almost non-existent for taller passengers. Each Golf GTI comes equipped with a 5.8-inch touchscreen boasting Volkswagen’s new infotainment system. Compared to the system used in the rest of Volkswagen’s lineup, this new system is a breath of fresh air. The graphics look very modern and is easy to read at a glance. Also, the touchpoints are much larger which means the system is easier to use than before. Aside from the screen itself, you have buttons on either side to take you to various parts of the system such as the radio, USB and Bluetooth, trip Computer, and settings. If I do have a complaint with the GTI’s infotainment system, its that you can’t get navigation as an option on the SE. If you want navigation, you’re going to have to make the leap to the Autobahn trim where it comes standard. Thoughts on the Powertrain and Ride are on the next page Power for the Golf GTI is provided by Volkswagen’s turbocharged 2.0L with 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Those who want a little bit more power should look at the performance pack which increases horsepower to 220 and adds such goodies as limited-slip differential and larger brakes. A six-speed manual comes standard, while my tester had the optional DSG dual-clutch gearbox. While the numbers put the GTI in the mid-pack of sport compacts, it quickly becomes an afterthought when you step on the accelerator. The turbo 2.0L spools up quickly and gets you moving at a rapid pace. Making a pass or merging onto freeway reveals that wherever you are on the rev range, the engine has power ready to go. The six-speed DSG is lightning fast when it comes to upshifts, but is clumsy when it comes to downshifts. A few times, I found the DSG took a few seconds to realize that it would a be a good idea to downshift since my foot is a little bit further down trying to pass a truck. After this, I began to downshift manually by pulling the paddle behind the steering wheel. I like the DSG, but it still needs a bit work. Fuel economy is rated by the EPA at 25 City/33 Highway/28 Combined for the DSG. For the week, I averaged around 29 MPG. Where the GTI truly shines is in the ride and handling department. Lets start out on a stretch of a curvy road. The GTI is very much at home where it playfully bounds from corner to corner with excellent stability and no sign of body roll. Steering is quick and provides a decent amount of weight and feel, inspiring confidence to the driver. Take it off the curvy road and put it into a commuting setting and GTI is excellent. The suspension provides enough damping on some of the worst roads Michigan had to offer. Wind and road noise were kept to decent levels, making this a fine companion for a long trip. The seventh-generation Golf GTI shows that it hasn’t lost anything when compared to other models in the segment. Volkswagen has polished and improved many items to make the new GTI a worthy successor to the previous-generation. But the best part about the Golf GTI is how it can balance being a sporty hatch and daily driver with no sweat. That’s an achievement no other car in the class can match. There’s a reason the Golf GTI is considered the godfather of hot hatch, and the new model shows that it plans on keeping that title. Disclaimer: Volkswagen Provided the GTI, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Volkswagen Model: GTI Trim: SE Engine: 2.0L 16-Valve TSI Turbocharged Inline-Four Driveline: Six-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 210 @ 4500 Torque @ RPM: 258 @ 1500 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 25/33/28 Curb Weight: 3,027 lbs Location of Manufacture: Puebla, Mexico Base Price: $28,885 As Tested Price: $31,395 (Includes $820.00 Destination Charge) Options: Lighting Package - $995.00 Driver Assistance Package - $695.00 View full article

Volkswagen is bringing two high-performance concepts with a combined 897 horsepower to the Los Angeles Auto Show. First up, the Volkswagen GTI Roadster Concept which packs 503 horsepower and 413 lb-ft under the hood. The transversely mounted 3.0 liter, twin-turbo V6 is capable of launching the 3,133 pound car to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Power is fed through a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and out to all 4 wheels via Volkswagen's 4Motion system. Top speed is estimated at 192 mph. The GTI Roadster was originally shown in Austria last May and was designed as a 15-year anniversary car for the Sony Playstation game Vision Gran Turismo. A bit closer to reality, the Golf R 400 Concept take the high performance sport hatch concept to the next level. Producing 394 horsepower (400PS, hence the name) from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, the Golf R 400's engine produces over 100 horsepower more than the production Golf R. Power is distributed via the 4Motion all-wheel drive system which also features Haldex coupling as a center differential. Top speed is electronically limited to 172mph and 0 - 62 takes just 3.9 seconds. What this means to you: If you are a Gran Turismo 6 player, you can download the GTI Roadster, which is the closest you will ever get to owning the car. We see no reason the Golf R 400 couldn't be put into production, but such limited selling model would be priced accordingly if Volkswagen decided to build it. GTI Roadster Press Release on Page 2 Golf R 400 Press Release on Page 3 Related Stories: Volkswagen Golf R Revealed Before Frankfurt 2015 Volkswagen GTI Arrives In June With A $25,215 Price Tag 2015 Golf & GTI Album Source: Volkswagen VOLKSWAGEN GTI ROADSTER MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT THE LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW Nov 14, 2014 Spectacular concept car blurs the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds Herndon/Los Angeles — Volkswagen will show the spectacular GTI Roadster concept car in North America for the first time at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. First seen at the Wörthersee enthusiast festival in Austria in May, this car erases the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds and further demonstrates the bandwidth of the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture that underpins the new Golf, Golf GTI, e-Golf, and Golf R models. The GTI Roadster is a Golf GTI show car that was originally created as a purely electronic CGI entity for the Sony PlayStation®3 classic "Gran Turismo 6" ("GT6"). The two-seat convertible is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbocharged TSI® engine that produces 503 horsepower and a mighty 413 pound-feet of torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm; from just 2,000 revs, 369 lb-ft of that torque is available. The power of the TSI engine is transferred to the 20-inch wheel-and-tire combination via a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive system. The lightweight, 3,133- pound sports car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 3.5 seconds and goes onto a top track speed of 192 mph. Volkswagen and Sony. The GTI Roadster is the result of cooperation between Volkswagen and Sony Computer Entertainment. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design at Volkswagen remarks: "When Sony asked us if we would develop a Vision GTI vehicle exclusively for the game to mark the 15th anniversary of Gran Turismo we didn't hesitate for a moment." An in-house competition was immediately launched and young Volkswagen designers submitted their designs. The submissions were judged by Bischoff and none other than Kazunori Yamauchi, Director of Polyphony Digital and Vice-President of Sony Computer Entertainment—and the inventor of the "Gran Turismo series". Yamauchi is a GTI fan. The Japanese executive has his own stable of sports cars that includes a Golf GTI, the iconic sporty compact. Bischoff and Yamauchi finally chose two designs, which were then developed further. Designers Malte Hammerbeck and Domen Rucigaj were in charge of developing the exterior, whilst Guillermo Mignot was responsible for the interior. The entire development process was realized on the computer and even the 3D model of the vehicle was virtual. Together, the three colleagues formed a sort of "Vision GTI -GT6 task force", working with other designers. Just a few weeks later, their GTI Roadster was ready. Sony and Volkswagen unveiled the version for the virtual world of PlayStation®3 on 26 May and three days later, Volkswagen unveiled the real GTI Roadster at the GTI festival in Reifnitz, Austria as a tribute to fans of the Golf GTI and of "GT6". From mid-June, "GT6" players were able to download the GTI Roadster, Vision Gran Turismo for PS3. Most spectacular GTI ever. Since Volkswagen designers gave their imagination free rein in designing the "GTI Roadster" for the "GT6" game—and were able to overlook production constraints like price and production feasibility—the resulting car is certainly the most spectacular Golf GTI ever. Klaus Bischoff: "The Vision GT project offered a wonderful opportunity to sketch out extreme ideas and design elements of the GTI that are portrayed as vibrantly, dynamically and emotionally as possible. Further development of an unmistakable design and a love for detail reflect the high standards shared by the Volkswagen GTI and the 'Gran Turismo' by Sony PlayStation® product brands.” In designing the GTI Roadster, Volkswagen revolutionized the visual concept of the Design Vision GTI concept car that was presented at Wörthersee and the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2013. It was further developed, reinvented and sent into the future as a roadster, although there is still a link to the earlier car since Volkswagen used the Design Vision GTI to show how a race version of the Golf GTI might look. Like the Design Vision GTI, the Roadster keeps the principles of Volkswagen’s Design DNA and also incorporates the wild C-posts and side skirts, but expressed to a whole new level. Both concept cars show the potential of Volkswagen’s Design DNA, and that the GTI will be around for a long time to come. The goal of the GTI Roadster was to push the Design Vision GTI concept to even greater extremes. The 98.2-inch wheelbase of the Roadster is significantly shorter than that of the production GTI and the "Design Vision GTI". With its minimal overhangs, low, 42.9-inch height, and 74.6-inch width, the 163.7-inch-long Roadster has jaw-dropping proportions. Exterior design The design of the GTI Roadster launches the GTI far into the future. The visual image of the visionary two-seater already promises a direct, visceral driving experience. The driver sits in the monocoque and races around the tracks of the GT6 world from the height and perspective of a formula race car. The roadster body was aerodynamically optimized, with the most prominent visual feature being the large rear wing. This creates plenty of downforce that aids traction, along with the all-wheel-drive system. Ahead of the wing, the C-pillars—which are a defining design element of the Design Vision GTI, extending into the roof—form a roll-over bar. The rear spoiler gives the appearance of a wing hovering behind the roadster. The GTI Roadster sports a radiant, intensive red metallic color, a new interpretation of the classic Golf GTI "Tornado Red". Designers gave the name "Gran Turismo Red" to the new color. Malte Hammerbeck says: "We were looking for a very provocative and aggressive red. The car should look fast, even when it is standing still, and the paint should emphasize its surface contours." All bolt-on parts are designed in matte carbon as an accent that complements the high-gloss red of the body. Only the radiator grille and the screen over the engine compartment vent are finished in high-gloss black. The doors swivel up and forward, visually splitting a prominent character line into an upper and lower half. The contours of the doors are also very distinctive, because they are framed by the side skirts (trimmed with the "Gran Turismo" badge at the rear), the C-pillar and the heavily flared wheelarches. A small but exclusive detail on the sides is the illuminated GTI badge that is integrated in the "tornado" line. On the upper door section, the side window forms a line that rises forward with the low-profile windscreen, like a speedboat’s. The 20-inch Golf GTI centerlock aluminum-alloy wheels have body-color elements and are 8.5J wide at the front and 9.5J at the back, with 235/35 ZR20 front and 275/30 ZR20 tires. The brakes are suitably large to cope with the car’s performance: 15.0 inches in diameter at the front and 14.0 inches at the rear. Front end design: Viewed directly from the front, the roadster looks like a Golf GTI—except, one from the future. The GTI front end has a three-dimensional design with bumper elements that appear to hover and a splitter that is designed to increase downforce at the front end. Classic Golf GTI design elements such as the prominent VW badge, the red radiator cross strip, and GTI logo are offset by dual LED headlights and LED daytime running lights that have an unmistakable light signature. On the race courses of the GT6 world, this unmistakable and charismatic front-end will cause some uneasiness when competitors see it approaching in their digital rear-view mirrors. The closer the GTI approaches, the more noticeable is its wedge-shaped air scoop on the hood. Sculpted rear section. Viewed from the rear, the carbon blades at the front continue uninterrupted across the side skirts and into the rear section as a wrap-around element. At the rear, they serve as aerodynamically optimized air ducts. The rear diffuser is highlighted by metal slats and two low-slung rear lights. The trapezoidal dual exhaust tailpipes (with GTI badging) are positioned in the middle of the car above the diffuser. Adding to the layered look at the back are the narrow three-dimensional lights and the spoiler above it. Interior design The driver and passenger sit in a carbonfiber monocoque. The two sides are partitioned by an open bar that ascends from rear to front, with a fire extinguisher beneath it. The GTI Roadster is equipped with two race-style buckets, placed low. The seats and the four-spoke grip-style steering wheel are covered with Alcantara. Another motorsport-style feature is the cockpit display mounted directly to the steering column, far ahead of the driver. The steering wheel is mounted on a very long, exposed steering column, which is typical of a race car too. Designers located the red, illuminated rotary light switch and shift paddles to the left and right of the steering wheel's central axis, so the driver never has to move his or her hand off the wheel. The interior and exterior materials and colors were intentionally differentiated: the typical GTI red is used for some interior accents, such as the five-point safety belts, contrasting stitching on the seats, the door handles and the steering-wheel controls on the steering wheel, but the rest of the color selections were trimmed to "Black" and "Anthracite". Inside the GTI Roadster, most decorative elements were omitted in favor of an uncompromising motorsport ambience so that the driver can focus exclusively on both the real and virtual race track. About Volkswagen of America, Inc. Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state -of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetl e Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 649 independent U.S. dealers. Notes: This press release and images of the GTI Roadster are available at media.vw.com. Follow us @VWNews “DSG”, “TSI”, “VW”, “Volkswagen”, “4Motion”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. “Alcantara” is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.P.A GOLF R 400 CONCEPT CAR MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT THE 2014 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW Nov 14, 2014 Ultimate concept version of the Golf R has 394-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI engine Accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, top speed of 174 mph Vehicle’s design and performance inspired by VW’s motorsport experience Power is put to the blacktop via 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system Los Angeles, CA — After making its global debut at the Beijing Auto Show earlier this year, Volkswagen of America is presenting the exciting Golf R 400 concept car for the first time in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Developed by R GmbH, the Golf R 400 concept shows just how far the Golf R can be taken using the experience gained from VW’s involvement in World Rallycross (WRC). The “400” in the name refers to the vehicle’s 400 PS (394 horsepower) 2.0-liter TSI® engine, which propels the car from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 173 mph. The Golf R 400, including its all-wheel drive system, weighs just 1,420 kilograms (3,130 pounds) thanks in part to its compact high-performance engine and lightweight dual-clutch gearbox. Its weight-to-power ratio is a stellar 7.72 pounds per horsepower (3.55 kg per PS). The 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system is one of the most fuel-efficient systems of its kind and the Golf is also exceptionally aerodynamic, even in R 400 form. The car is painted in "Silver Flake" and features a glossy black roof, carbon-look front splitter, and genuine carbon mirror caps. Inside, additional carbon accents further reiterate the Golf R 400’s sporty nature. R 400 Drivetrain The Golf R 400 is powered by a 2.0 TSI four-cylinder engine with the technical genes of VW’s WRC racing engine. Compared to the 292-hp engine in the production Golf R, the Golf R 400 develops more than 100 additional horsepower—394 hp, delivered at 7,200 rpm. The specific power output of around 200 hp per liter is on the same level as a supercar’s. The engine's maximum torque was increased to 332 pound feet, up from 280 lbft, available between 2,400 and 6,000 rpm. In this car, the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. The all-wheel drive system, which features a Haldex-5 coupling, is activated even before slip occurs. Under low load conditions, or during coastdown, the front wheels handle most of the propulsive power, while the rear axle is decoupled, saving on fuel. If necessary, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second. This is done by means of the Haldex coupling that is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump. Along with the Haldex coupling—which acts as a center differential—the electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system act laterally. In addition, the Golf R 400 is equipped with the XDS+ system on both the front and rear axles, which brakes the inside wheels and optimizes steering response. The Golf R 400 also has an "ESC Sport" function like that of the production car, activated via a two-stage switch on the center console. When the driver presses the button briefly, the "ESC Sport" mode is selected. When engaged in spirited driving in this mode, the ESC does not intervene as frequently. If the ESC button is held down more than three seconds, “race mode” is engaged, designed for high-speed track driving. The production Golf R’s sport suspension, which is lowered by 0.8 inches compared with a regular Golf, did not have to be changed for the Golf R 400. In front, the two Golf Rs each have a strut-type layout with lower control arms, with a multi-link suspension at the rear. The aluminum-alloy wheels of the Golf R 400 are based on the 19-inch "Cadiz" production wheels, but they were highly modified and equipped with high-gloss black inserts which are designed as air vanes to help to cool the brake system. Like the production Golf R, the tires are sized 235/35 R19. Exterior design Volkswagen Design made wide-ranging changes to the Golf R 400. The body was widened by 0.8 inches on each side to accommodate the 19-inch wheels that are further outboard due to their larger wheel offset. In front, the designers developed an entirely new front bumper, which—harking back to the Rallye Golf G60 of 1988—is significantly flared. Similarly, the rear fenders were also flared over the wider rear wheels. In addition, the lower sides of the car are characterized by a wrap-around splitter made of carbonfiber that doubles as a motorsport-style aerodynamic element. Beneath the high-gloss black radiator grille with "Lemon Yellow" accents, there’s a slot that serves as an air intake to address the Golf R 400’s elevated cooling requirements. On the bumper, the central air inlets are surrounded by C-shaped wing-like elements with high-gloss black inserts. Nestled between these design elements is a protective screen whose honeycomb structure—like so many details of the Golf R 400—is reminiscent of motorsport vehicles. There is also a motorsport-style splitter at the front, with a cabonfiber look. At the rear, the wrap-around motorsport splitters transition into a diffuser that protrudes slightly from the body. Two exhaust tailpipes are integrated into the diffuser, recalling the Golf R32—the original R-series model that debuted in 2002. However, in the R 400, the inside of the tailpipes has a honeycomb-look that ties in to the design on the front of the car. The rear bumper has been redesigned with C-shaped carbon inlays at each end, with a reflector in the lower horizontal part of each inlay and the vertical part protruding slightly. The designers have also worked in wheelarch exhaust vents. On top, the black roof transitions into a roof spoiler with an integrated LED light bar. Interior Inside the Golf R 400, the driver and front passenger have motorsport-style bucket seats with integrated head restraints, openings for seatbelts, and “R” badges embroidered on the back. The cross-quilted middle seat panels are finished in Anthracite colored Alcantara; the seat bolsters, headrests, and lower lateral supports are covered in ex clusive "carbon leather". The divided rear seats also have carbon leather outer areas, with Alcantara seating surfaces in the center. Carbon is used as the dominant material for accents in the doors and on the passenger's side of the dashboard—in contrast to the exterior, however, it is glossy rather than matte clearcoat. The center console accents, cockpit surround and trim around the air nozzles are designed with a glossy “Piano Black” piano. Contrasting stitching in the car’s signature yellow accent color is used also throughout the interior. There is white ambience lighting around the door accents and the stainless steel door sill plates. About Volkswagen of America, Inc. Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subs idiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers , and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 649 independent U.S. dealers. Notes: This press release and images of the Golf R 400 concept car are available at media.vw.com. Follow us @VWNews “TSI”, “VW”, “Volkswagen”, “4Motion”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. ”Haldex” is a registered trademark of Haldex Traction Systems. View full article

It has been almost a year since Volkswagen introduced the U.S. to the seventh-generation GTI at last year's New York Auto Show. While we have to wait just till June for the GTI to arrive at dealers, the company has revealed the pricing for the hot hatch. The 2015 GTI will start a price of $25,515 (includes a $820 destination charge) for the S model which gets you a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed manual transmission. That will also get you a drive-mode selector, touchscreen radio, LED foglights, and heated front seats. Step to SE model which starts at $27,395 and comes equipped with a sunroof, keyless entry and start, leather, Fender audio system, and automatic headlights. The GTI Autobahn wraps up the lineup with a starting price of $30,415 and will come equipped with navigation, twelve-way power seat for the driver, and automatic air conditioning. The Autobahn will also be available in a four-door, the S and SE will be available in either two or four door. As for options, all GTIs will be available with the six-speed DSG transmission for $1,100 and the performance pack which adds such goodies as a 10 horsepower boost, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and bigger brakes for $1,495. SE and Autobahn models with the performance pack also get adaptive damping. Source: Volkswagen Press Release is on Page 2 VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES PRICING OF 2015 GOLF GTI MODELS, STARTING AT $24,395 The latest Golf GTI adds more standard equipment and exciting new optional features Seventh-generation Golf GTI is bigger, lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient Price rises just $195 over previous-generation GTI, despite more standard equipment and an increase of 10 horsepower and 51 pound-feet of torque from new EA888 TSI® engine Golf GTI Performance Package provides a great value at just $1495, includes electronically-controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping to be offered as an option for the first time in the U.S. New York – Today, Volkswagen of America, Inc., announced pricing of the 2015 Golf GTI models. The entry-level S trim starts at $24,395 (plus destination and handling) in two-door form with a six-speed manual transmission, an increase of just $195 over the base price of the previous-generation two-door GTI. Compared with the previous GTI, the all-new 2015 Golf GTI adds the following features as standard equipment: Latest EA888 turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine offering 210 horsepower (up 10 hp) and 258 pound-feet of torque (an increase of 51 lb-ft) Driving mode selection feature VW Car-Net® connected services Touchscreen radio Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel Ambient and footwell lighting with LED reading lights LED foglights The 2015 Golf GTI will be offered in two other trim levels: SE and Autobahn. The SE model starts at $27,395 for the two-door model equipped with a manual transmission. The Autobahn model is available only in four-door form, starting at $29,595 when equipped with the manual transmission. A six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic is available as an $1100 option on all Golf GTI models. Later in the year, Volkswagen will be offering the Performance Package, which includes larger brakes, a torque-sensing electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, and a 10 horsepower boost over the regular GTI, all for just $1495. The Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping system will also be available later in the 2015 model year on the SE and Autobahn models with the Performance Package. The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI manages to do the seemingly impossible. While it's bigger and more spacious than the car that it will replace, it's also lighter and more fuel- efficient. Volkswagen is predicting that the EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating will improve by three miles per gallon, to 34 mpg, for the model equipped with the manual transmission. Based on the new MQB (modular transverse matrix) architecture, the 2015 Golf GTI ends the cycle whereby new versions of a car end up heavier than the models they replace. The 2015 Golf GTI is 2.2 inches longer and 0.5 inches wider than the current car. It is also 1.1 inches lower, which benefits both aerodynamic performance and the car's proportions. The interior package has been optimized to give 0.6 inches more rear-seat legroom and 1.2 inches of additional shoulder room in the back. The trunk is approximately 10 percent larger than in the car it replaces. The seventh-generation Golf GTI will go on sale as a 2015 model in June. It will be built at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico factory. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 27, 2013 The day has come. Volkswagen has introduced the North American spec 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI today at the New York Auto Show. These will be first Volkswagen group vehicles in North America that will be based on the MQB platform. Three different Golf models will be available. The base Golf uses a new 1.8L turbo-four (goodbye 2.5L five-cylinder) making 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque - which is the same horsepower and seven pound-feet more than the outgoing 2.5L five-cylinder. This can be mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Next is the Golf TDI which uses a 2.0L turbo-four diesel engine making 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. That can be mated to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. Finally is the GTI which has a new turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder making 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Available transmissions include the the six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch. Volkswagen isn't saying when the new Golf will arrive, but we expect to be in the U.S. sometime in the first half of 2014. Source: Volkswagen William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 03.27.2013 SEVENTH-GENERATION VOLKSWAGEN GOLF MAKES ITS NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW The latest version of VW’s popular compact hatchback is bigger, more spacious, lighter, and more fuel-efficient • Sporty GTI®, thrifty TDI® Clean Diesel, and turbocharged Golf will be offered • First U.S.-market Volkswagen to use the new MQB modular architecture • All models are lighter than the cars they replace • Seventh-generation Golf A7 will go on sale in the U.S. as a 2015 Model • 2015 Golf models are currently estimated to improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15 percent over current Golf sixth-generation models Herndon, VA - The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf manages to do the seemingly impossible. While it’s bigger and more spacious than the car that it will replace, it’s also lighter and more fuel-efficient. Based on the new MQB (modular transverse matrix) architecture, the 2015 Golf ends the cycle whereby new versions of a car end up heavier than the models they replace. Thanks to the extensive use of high- and ultra-high strength steels, the new Golf bodyshell is 51 pounds lighter than the current sixth-generation Golf, and offering an enhanced crash structure. Throughout the car, incredible attention to detail has seen optimization of components—such as the seats, air conditioning unit, and even the electrical architecture—to save weight. The 2015 Golf is 2.2 inches longer and 0.5 inches wider than the current car. It is also 1.1 inches lower, which benefits both aerodynamic performance and the car’s proportions: the CdA number has been reduced by almost 10 percent compared with the Golf A6. The interior package has been optimized to give 0.6 inches more rear-seat legroom and 1.2 inches of additional shoulder room in the back. Like the current car, the 2015 Golf will come in three guises. The Golf will be powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® engine, built at a brand-new plant in Silao, Mexico, that is part of Volkswagen’s ongoing $5 billion investment in the North American market. The Golf TDI Clean Diesel model will be powered by a new 2.0-liter common-rail, turbocharged, direct-injection diesel engine. And the sporty GTI will also receive a new Silao-built EA888 engine. The seventh-generation Golf will go on sale as a 2015 model. It will be built at Volkswagen’s Puebla, Mexico factory. Design The design team, led by Walter de Silva (Group Design) and Klaus Bischoff (VW Brand Design), created a timeless and sophisticated new Golf, using the principles of Volkswagen’s Design DNA. This design language creates cars that are modern and progressive yet have a familiar feel. In the case of the new Golf, the car incorporates the classic C-pillars and other elements that hark back to previous generation Golf models, such as the side windows, the roofline, and wheel arches that are redolent of the Golf A4. According to Klaus Bischoff, the form language is: “logical, product-focused, pure and precise. The Golf’s proportions have completely changed with the seventh generation, making the car look more confident than ever.” Thanks to the MQB architecture, which dictates a fixed relationship between the front wheel centerline and the pedalbox, the car’s proportions have changed. The front wheels, for example, are now 1.7 inches further forward than on the current Golf design. This has created what Bischoff calls “a cab backward impression”. That’s what we call the proportions of premium-class vehicles, where the hood is long and the passenger compartment is a long way towards the back.” Compared with the Golf A6, the new car’s front end looks completely different, thanks to the way that the hood slopes down into the front fenders instead of the fender peaks being higher than the hood. The front end of the Golf has a very strong horizontal graphic, with a relatively narrow radiator grille. The new Golf has a strong character line that flows all the way around the car beneath the door handles, being interrupted only by the wheel arches. The line in the side of the car is picked up by the chrome bars in the radiator grille and in the white lateral bars of the taillight clusters. The line is designed to lower the car’s visual center of gravity and give it a more solid stance on the road. There’s a second line along the shoulder that runs under the mirrors from the headlamps back to the rear side window, which emphasizes the car’s premium proportions. At the back, the clean surface around the VW badge, the wide rear window, and the geometric taillights are typical Golf features, even though the lines are completely different. The tailgate, for instance, allows for a lower load height than before, at just 26.2 inches, while the overall effect emphasizes the additional width of the new car. The sporty nature of the Golf is enhanced with the GTI model. Its mission is reflected by its red-painted brake calipers, twin chrome tailpipes, and a lowered sport suspension. The exterior of the compact hatchback also scores with GTI-specific wheels and low-profile tires, special side skirts, a rear diffuser, and smoked LED taillights with LED license-plate illumination. Interior The new Golf interior package is larger, despite the car having a lower roofline. The interior is now 0.6 inches longer, which is reflected in 0.6 inches more rear-seat legroom. In the front, the shoulder- and elbow room are increased by 1.2 and 0.9 inches, with commensurate improvements in the back by 1.2 and 0.8 inches. The cargo capacity is eight percent greater, too, and the floor of the trunk area can be removed to further increase stowage space. The new interior also benefits the driver ergonomics. The seat position has been shifted back by 0.8 inches and the steering wheel adjustment range has been modified. Simple things that make a big difference have been optimized by use of the MQB architecture: the space between the brake and gas pedals has been increased by 0.6 inches and the shifter position has been raised by a similar amount, so it now rests better in the driver’s hand. Every element of the interior has been redeveloped and redesigned. The wide center console is now oriented towards the driver, a feature that’s more typical of premium vehicles rather than compacts. In the middle of the console, beneath the hazard warning light switch, is the infotainment screen. For the first time, Volkswagen is using touchscreens with a proximity sensor, allowing drivers to change functions with a swipe of the hand, just like a smartphone. Even the base radio has a 5.8-inch touchscreen. The new navigation systems are DVD-based with a 3D display. Located beneath the infotainment module are simple, well laid-out controls for the climate control system. Beneath it, the lower section of the center console has a stowage compartment that integrates the Media Device Interface/iPod® cable. The new Golf has improved stowage all around the cabin, with a sliding tray underneath the driver’s seat (manual seats only), six cupholders (counting the pair integrated into the rear armrest), and a large glovebox that houses the CD changer and SD-card slot. The whole interior is finished in high-quality materials. Soft-touch plastics abound, along with chrome, aluminum, and piano black surfaces that have a premium feel and look. The cruise control is now operated though steering wheel buttons rather than the column stalk. New white lighting for the buttons and switches underscores the interior’s upscale look and feel. The GTI, as with previous model years, has a number of interior differences to the Golf. The interior is highlighted by sport seats with distinctive GTI plaid pattern, a black headliner, and red ambient lighting. The car also offers classic GTI features such as a sport steering wheel, GTI shifter knob grip and instrument cluster, special trim inserts, and stainless-steel pedals and foot rest. Engines and Transmissions Volkswagen pioneered the use of small displacement, highly efficient turbocharged engines in the U.S., starting with the 1.8T engine in the 1998 Passat. Since then, Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder has set the benchmark for small displacement turbocharged engines. The Golf will feature a new EA888 Gen 3 turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine made in Silao, Mexico. This 1.8-liter engine will produce 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and will offer highly competitive fuel economy. The engine makes the same power as the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine used in the Golf A6, but produces an additional seven pound-feet of torque, delivered lower in the engine speed range. It will be mated to manual and automatic transmissions. The EA888 Gen 3 engine family is designed to be lighter and more fuel-efficient than the Gen 2 units, such as the 2.0-liter unit fitted in the current GTI. Engine weight has been reduced by eight pounds, to 290 pounds overall. Among the improvements on this engine are: a thinwall crankcase casting; exhaust headers that are integrated into the cylinder head; smaller diameter main bearings; roller bearings for the twin balancer shafts; and a crankshaft that has four counterweights instead of eight. The TDI Clean Diesel model will use the new EA288 turbocharged, common-rail, direct-injection four-cylinder engine that makes 150 horsepower—an increase of 10 hp over the current engine—and 236 pound-feet of torque. This powerplant shares only the bore spacing with the previous diesel engine that shared the same designation. A number of changes have been made to help reduce emissions, such as: use of a complex exhaust gas recirculation system (with a cooled low-pressure AGR); integration of the intercooler with the intake manifold, which also improves throttle response; and packaging the exhaust after-treatment components close to the engine. The engine also has a number of modifications to help minimize friction and optimize fuel economy: there are low-friction bearings for the camshaft and balancer shafts, piston rings that have less pre-tension, and the oil pump is a two-stage device with volumetric flow regulation. As with the current Golf, the new TDI model will have a standard six-speed manual transmission with the option of a DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GTI will also use an uprated version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine. Final horsepower and torque figures have yet to be released, but it is expected to make about 210 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Like the current GTI, the engine will drive the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG transmission. It is expected that the European Performance Pack will be offered during the GTI’s lifecycle. Chassis All versions of the new Golf have the XDS® electronic differential lock, a feature that was developed for the current GTI. This system electronically monitors input from various wheel sensors and, in the event of slippage, transfers extra torque to the front wheel with the most traction, thus helping to improve handling and traction. Another new feature is progressive steering, which incorporates a new steering rack and a more powerful electric motor. Where “normal” steering racks have teeth that are spaced consistently, the progressive system has a different tooth pitch in the center than it has on the outside. The lower steering ratio in the center means that the car responds more quickly when entering a turn, while the higher ratio at the ends of the rack reduces the amount of effort needed near full steering lock, such as when you’re parking. Safety and Security As well as offering no fewer than six standard airbags, the new Golf features as standard a new safety system called Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. The new system automatically brakes the vehicle when it is involved in a collision in order to help reduce residual kinetic energy. The system is triggered when the airbag sensors detect a primary collision and it is limited to a maximum retardation rate of 0.6g by the electronic stability control (ESC) unit. The driver can effectively override the system at any time; for example, it is disabled if it recognizes that the driver is accelerating. The system is also deactivated if the driver initiates braking at a higher rate than 0.6g. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 13, 2013 Volkswagen has chosen New York as the place to show the North American version of the Mark 7 Golf. Coming as 2015 model, the Mark 7 Golf will be shown in three different variations; the base 1.8L TSI engine, the TDI, and the hot GTI. Volkswagen says the new Golf arrives in North America in the first half of 2014. Source: Volkswagen William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 2015 Volkswagen Golf to Make its US Debut in New York NYIAS Press Days: March 27 & 28 Three Golf versions will debut in New York The 2015 Volkswagen Golf is bigger inside and out, lighter, more fuel efficient, and safer than the vehicle it replaces. The seventh-generation Golf is the first Volkswagen to use the new MQB components matrix and will offer new safety features-such as collision avoidance and lane departure systems-as well as new engines and infotainment options. At the New York International Auto Show, Volkswagen is debuting all three of the Golf versions that will go on sale next year: the entry-level TSI model; the thrifty TDI Clean Diesel; and the sporty GTI. The TSI and GTI use new versions of the EA888 turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, while the TDI gets the new EA288 diesel engine. The 2015 Golf will go on sale in the first half of 2014 and will be built at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, factory. View full article

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com February 26, 2013 Ahead of its offical debut at next week's Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen pulled back the curtain on the seventh-generation GTI. Based on the seventh-generation Golf, the new GTI an uprated version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder used in the sixth-generation GTI. Power figures stand at 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You can get a performance pack which bumps horsepower to 230. A six-speed manual or DSG dual-clutch will be your transmission choice. There will also be a stop-start system to save fuel and reduce emissions. Exterior design cues will include unique fascias, side skirts, rear diffuser, it includes 17-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and chrome tail lamps. Inside, the iconic 'tartan' cloth is there along with a black headliner, a sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and other special touches. The 2014 GTI goes on sale in Europe in May. As for North America, Volkswagen is keeping quiet on what our version will come with and a date till a later time. Source:Volkswagen Album: 2014 Volkswagen GTI 5 images 0 comments William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 VOLKSWAGEN DEBUTS NEW GTI AT THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW - Available with two levels of power for the first time: standard 220 horsepower or 230 hp with performance pack (European model) - Offers 18 per cent improvement in fuel economy compared to previous GTI - On sale in Europe starting in May, 2013 Wolfsburg, 27th February 2013 – Following tradition, Volkswagen will introduce the latest version of the Golf GTI at the Geneva International Motor Show. For the first time, the iconic hot hatch is available at launch with two power levels: 220 horsepower; or 230 hp with the optional performance pack. The new GTI is powered by a turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine (TSI®) that makes 220 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque in standard form. Volkswagen is offering a factory- installed performance pack for the first time, which boosts power to 230 hp. Both versions are equipped with a Stop-Start system, fulfill the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014, and attain the same excellent DIN gas mileage figure of 39.2 mpg-which equates to 139 g/km of CO2-when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. This means that the new GTI offers an 18 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous model. With the optional six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 220- and 230-hp GTIs return 36.8 and 36.2 mpg respectively (equivalent to 148 and 150 g/km CO2). The sporty nature of the Golf GTI is reflected in its red-painted brake calipers, twin chrome tailpipes, and a lowered sport suspension. The exterior of the compact hatchback also scores with 17-inch "Brooklyn" GTI wheels and 225/45 tires, special side skirts, a rear diffuser, and smoked LED taillights with LED license-plate illumination. Visually, the interior is highlighted by sport seats with the "Clark" tartan pattern, a black headliner, and red ambient lighting. The car also offers classic GTI features such as a sport steering wheel, GTI shifter knob grip and instrument cluster, special trim inserts, and stainless- steel pedals and foot support. Standard features include the progressive steering system; "Climatronic" automatic climate control; park assist; Volkswagen's latest touchscreen infotainment system; and a winter pack that includes heatable front seats. Customers can choose from three body colors: "Tornado Red", "Black" and "Pure White". In Germany, the car goes on sale in May with prices starting at 28,350 euros. Overview: Market launch in Europe: May 2013. Debut of first-generation Golf GTI: 1976. Engine: Four-cylinder TSI (turbocharged direct-injection). Layout: front, transverse. Displacement: 1984 cc. Bore and stroke: 82.5 x 92.8 mm. Compression ratio: 9.8:1. Power: 220 hp (162 kW) @ 4500 rpm; Performance pack: 230 hp (169 kW). Torque: 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) @ 2500 rpm. Transmission/drive type: Manual six-speed; DSG six-speed dual-clutch; front-wheel drive. Fuel consumption/CO2 emissions (manual): 39.2 mpg; 139 g/km CO2. Performance (manual): 0-62 mph in 6.5 sec: Max speed; 153 mph (230 hp: 6.4 sec; 155 mph). Unladen weight: 2978 lb (base version) (*preliminary data) View full article

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 25, 2012 Car & Driver reports that Volkswagen has confirmed the dates of when the Mark 7 Golf and its variants will be going on sale. The base Golf will go on sale next spring for European markets. North America has to wait until the fall to get theirs. However, North America and Europe will get their hands on next GTI at the same time when its launched next Fall. Also, Volkswagen is considering whether to send the next generation GTD over to the states. If you don't know what GTD is, take a regular GTI and drop a diesel engine into it. Source: Car & Driver William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article