May- June 2011
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2011 Day of the Volkswagen - 1st Sunday in December
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May- June 2011
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CONTACT US VOLKSWAGEN CLUB OF WA (Inc)
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YOUR COMMITTEE (cont’d) EDITOR:
0407347340
PO Box 175
Ray Willis
viawest@vwclubwa.com
Victoria Park
CONCESSION LICENCE:
(08) 9375 3082
ABN:
Western Australia 6979 31 610 140 537
John Vogiatzakis CMC LIAISON OFFICER:
(08) 9342 8703
TELEPHONE:
(08) 9342 8703
Richard Hines
E-MAIL:
info@vwclubwa.com
PROPERTY OFFICER:
WEBSITE:
www.vwclubwa.com
Richard Hines
MAIL:
PRESIDENT: Ray Willis
YOUR COMMITTEE 0407347340 executive@vwclubwa.com
(08) 9342 8703
MERCHANDISE OFFICER:
0417173886
Karen Fyfe SOCIAL SECRETARY:
0402589186
Jamie Barrett
VICE PRESIDENT:
SPORTS ORGANISER:
Jason Phillips
Vacant
Currently grouped under
SECRETARY:
(08) 9332 6919
PUBLICITY OFFICER:
Rod McSwain
administration@vwclubwa.com
Vacant
MEMBERSHIPS:
(08) 9332 6919
GENERAL COMMITTEE:
Rod McSwain
administration@vwclubwa.com
Karla Paget, Dave Moore, Patrick Spiteri
TREASURER: Vacant
“Events Coordinator” Ray Willis Colin Seth, Merrick Paget,
WEBMASTER: finance@vwclubwa.com
Tina Moore
webmaster@vwclubwa.com
2011 Day of the Volkswagen - 1st Sunday in December
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2011 Day of the Volkswagen - 1st Sunday in December
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May- June 2011
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VIAWEST MAGAZINE
VOLKSWAGEN EVENTS
Advertising: Please send your „for sale‟ or „wanted‟ adverts by mail or email to the Editor before the publication deadline.
Normally one event will be nominated as the club run each month. Some months will have more than one event. Not all events attended by the club will be club organised. Please note that non-members are welcome to come to the club organised events. If you have any friends you would like to accompany us, please bring them along. If you have any ideas or suggestions for club organised events give a Committee member a call or an e-mail and the committee so we can put it on our calendar. The VW Events Calendar is at page 6 and lists the upcoming events and club runs for some months in advance in chronological order.
Fees: Members - 1/4 page adverts are free. Non-Members - 1/4 page adverts are $5.00 Please contact the Editor to find out about commercial advertising in the magazine, inserting flyers or advertising on the website. Publication Deadline: The ViaWest magazine‟s deadline for articles for the next issue is July 15 Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Volkswagen Club of WA (Inc), its Committee or members.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at John Hughes Volkswagen in Victoria Park, starting at 6:30pm. Committee meetings are open to all members and invited guests.
Membership and Birthdays Welcome to new members
Kirsten Alpers Alan Grover David Williams
to the following members for MARCH JUNE Christine Annison Neil Annison Laurene Bailey Dianne Barr Ken Barr Sonya Bateman David Beckley Alexander Beckley Pat Bolt George Burgess Amie Churack Robert Dew Marit Dew
Happy Birthday
Gareth Thomas Paul Rossenrode Michael Levissianos Denise Arnold Bryce McPherson
Currently the club has...
144 memberships Troy Dibben Wendy Dibben Ellouise Dittrich Peter Doran Gary Dowse Mike Doyle Michelle Dufall Adam Duxbury Chris Faulkner Janice Frensham Nigel Frith Robert Gardiner Breanna Gilmore Sophie Glasfurd Adam Grinbergs Matthias Heyne Nicolas Heyne Iris Heyne John Hornby Ken Johnsen Minni Karamfiles Geoffrey King William Kuenzel Allie Lafferty Jayden Lambert Raoul Lempriere Faye Levissianos Emily Logan
Annabell Lunn Edwina Mann Chris Mannon-Savage Emma Martin-Monk Simon Martin-Monk Eric Matz William McCall Donna McCall Bryce McPherson Murray McPherson Rod McSwain Karl Menke Bevan Mills Tina Moore Pieta Muste Breanna Muste Marley Negus Aaron Palmer Kayla Palmer Alison Pash Rod Pash Tracy Patterson Helen Roberts Murray Robinson Nicole Rossenrode Rebecca Rossenrode Stephen Rossenrode Stuart Rundle
Selina Ruyg Jordan Seth Rebecca Seth Kimberly Shaw Kim Shurman Anastasia Stoney Alicia Stoney Zahra Stoney Darren Stoney
IN THIS ISSUE
page
The Club ............................. p 2 The Club (contd) ................. p 4 A word from the Editor......... p 5 VW Event Calendar ............. p 6 Club Run July ...................... p 7 CMC Quiz Nite .................... p 7 Margaret River Stomp ......... p 8 2011 Toodyay Bug-In .......... p 9 Road Test...2011 Caddy ..... p 10 Volkswagen News Bulli Concept ................. p 12 Golf Cabriolet ................ p 15 Tiguan ........................... p 15
Cathy Storrs
Passat .......................... p 16
Dirk Strehlow
Polo 6 Star NCAP ......... p 17
Martina Strehlow Ben Sturkey Melissa Taylor Iduna Taylor Romy Taylor Steve Taylor Christian Tittel
VW to enter WRC ......... p 17 EOS .............................. p 19 BlueMotion Golf ............ p 19 Amarok - Ute Award ...... p 20
John Vogiatzakis
New VW Beetle - 2011 ........ p 21
Sofia Vogiatzakis
For Sale .............................. p 26
Gary Waters Su Williams Carolynne Yates
Sorry for missing all your birthdays...hope you had a wonderful day...
FRONT COVER: A rare find indeed...It is amazing what you find on farms these days... location of this beauty revealed during the 2011 Toodyay Bug-In.
2011 Day of the Volkswagen - 1st Sunday in December
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Again I find myself apologising to you, our members for the delay
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in the ViaWest coming out.
Where preBug-In meant a lot of my and the committee time was taken up organising what we hoped would be a great national Volkswagen event our club can be proud of. Post Bug-In has meant even more time being spent in closing out the event and taking care of all the loose ends to wrap it up. I also need to apologise to our advertisers for the lack of Via West issues, your support means a lot to the club and we trust you will stay with us into 2011/12.
So we are now back in production...looking for your articles and photos [your car, you, your project etc] to make this your magazine... We are also looking for club events from August onwards. These can be just get togethers for morning tea, club runs to venues for lunch, ten pin bowling nights, restaurant evenings, car workshops, swap meets etc. You can provide the details and the committee can run it or let us know the details, we will make it a club event*, and you can manage the whole process. Having a large contingent of members on the fringe of the city and in the country there are a whole range of events that come to mind, some of them could including overnight stays and camping for those with Kombis.
You can come up with events for your club...and fellow club members... Ray Willis, Editor, President and Event Coordinator. * Club events are covered by the clubs liability insurance
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indicates a club run
VW Event
Calendar
This Month Wednesday 1st
June 2011 ALFRED’S of GUILDFORD 7pm cnr of Meadow & James St Guildford
Wednesday 8th
MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park Wednesday 22nd
2011 DAY of the VW COMMITTEE MEETING
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
6:30pm @ Wangara Volkswagen, Wangara
July 2011 Wednesday 6th
ALFRED’S of GUILDFORD 7pm cnr of Meadow & James St Guildford
Wednesday 13th
MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park Sunday 24th
GERMAN CAR DAY
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
See page 7 for details Wednesday 27th
2011 DAY of the VW COMMITTEE MEETING
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
6:30pm @ Wangara Volkswagen, Wangara Friday 29th
CMC ANNUAL QUIZ NITE
Contact: Richard Hines 9342 8703
See page 7 for details
August 2011 Wednesday 3rd
ALFRED’S of GUILDFORD 7pm cnr of Meadow & James St Guildford
Wednesday 10th
MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park Wednesday 24th
2011 DAY of the VW COMMITTEE MEETING
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
6:30pm @ Wangara Volkswagen, Wangara
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July Club Run Annual Quiz Night TIME: 7:00pm
German Car Day Mercedes-Benz Car Club of WA (Inc) welcomes all fans of German cars, of any make, at the annual German Car Day, to be held again this year at Bernard Park, by the Avon River Northam, on Sunday 24 July 2010.
VW CLUB OF WA (INC) MEMBERS While members are encouraged to join in the cavalcade organised by the MBCCWA, the VW Club looks like having a couple of options this year; We may have our own convoy leaving from a different departure point. Some members are planning a camp out in York or an overnight stay in Toodyay on the Saturday night . - keep a lookout on the Forum and the July ViaWest. Contact for the day is Ray Willis 0407347340
DATE: FRIDAY 29th JULY VENUE: CANNINGTON EXHIBITION
CENTRE $ / head -TBA No. / Tables - TBA
The VW Club of WA is organising tables. If you are interested in attending, please contact:
Richard Hines
CMC Liaison Officer
on (08) 9342 8703 or email to:
executive@vwclubwa.com
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Margaret River Vintage Stomp 2011 By Kim Muste A great day was had by all who attended the Margaret River Vintage Stomp at Voyager Estate on Sunday the 15th of May.
Thank you for your article and photos...also thanks for representing the club with Michael. We may need to get a club run down that way in the future...events we may attach to...or we could make our own. Ray Willis (Editor)
The annual event celebrates the end of the grape harvest and is themed to celebrate the year‟s International Wine Growing Region. This year the Stomp was all things German including a fantastic Grande Parade, live entertainment, an artisan and producers market, crowning of the Stomp King and Queen, barrel races, tug of war, waiters race, celebrity
Michael Carter displayed his classic restored black 1954 oval beetle that has been in the family since the early 1960‟s. As Michael‟s daughter works at Voyager Estate he was give a number of jobs to do including ushering the display cars into place. This privileged positioned enabled Michael to allow our cars to be cedes plus an impressive 16 grouped together in a prime BMW motorbikes on display. spot.
each vehicle was given a complimentary voucher for two bottles of excellent Voyager Estate wine.
As a new club member it was a great opportunity to participate in an event with a car display and I would recommend attending the Vintage Stomp as a great family day out. With a bit of luck the Stomp organisers will grape stomp, spitting comask for Volkswagens to be petition and a car display. on display again in future As expected following the I live in Margaret River so it I may be biased but I‟m sure years. Toodyay Bug-In and South was easy for me, with the our classic beetles were I would like to pass on my West Road Trip in April club assistance of my dear wife crowd favourites judged by thanks to Voyager Estates member‟s cars where thin the number admirers, photo display our two beetles Vintage Stomp Event Manon the ground. There was tos taken and questioned being an award winning ager, Sara Brown for her no need to worry as Volksasked. Photos of our cars Birch Green 1965 recently friendly and professional wagens were still reprepurchased from Sydney and even ended up on the Vinassistance to make attensented with 3 cars out of a tage Stomp Facebook page. a rather tatty unrestored dance at the event such an total of 16 that included an Pearl White 1967 decorated Anyone in the display cars enjoyable experience. eclectic mix of mid 70‟s to for a laugh with removable was given free entry and current BMW‟s and Mercow patches.
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2011 toodyay bug-in ... BUG-IN PHOTOS To those that have ordered and paid for a PHOTO CD through their Registration Form, we have had some delay in its production, but be assured that they will be posted to you as soon as we have them. Please accept our apology. There may be some spare CDs available for sale after we post the others out. We will let you know and how to order and pay for them.
ROAD TRIP 2011 For those that went on the Road Trip 2011 following the Bug-In we did not have a formal photographer, but everybody that went along were well and truly snap-happy.
TOODYAY PHOTOGRAPHY Otherwise photos will be displayed on the Toodyay Photography website and will be available for sale from Tom Carter, our Bug-In Photographer. In case anyone has forgotten the passalongside this issue of the ViaWest. word is "bugin" and when they get to the checkout the discount code (10%) This was done rather than insert a BugIn special feature so all those on the is also "bugin". east coast could get a copy as well.
2011 BUG-IN BULLETIN
Well the 2011 Toodyay Bug-In was an outstanding success with accolades coming in from attendees [interstate and WA], as well as from sponsors along with the people and businesses of Toodyay.
We will be compiling all the participants To commemorate this we have prophotos into one PHOTO CD and this will be posted out as soon as it is com- duced a Final Issue of the 2011 Bug-In Bulletin. You will find this distributed piled.
Planning is already underway for VW Club of WA members to attend the SA Bug-In to be held at Aldinga at Easter 2012 - from 6th to 9th April - book your holidays so you can come along. Keep a lookout for a possible train ride east followed by a convoy home again afterwards... In the meantime speak to those that were at this years 2011 Toodyay BugIn to find out what a great National Event it is for all.
VW Memorabilia Available
2011 Day of the Volkswagen - 1st Sunday in December
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Page 10 drivers of different sizes for the trip meant that the seats would be shifted back and forth at each change and this movement impacted on how we loaded the van‟s rear. Being a small delivery vehicle we would presume the van‟s use as a commercial courier van or similar would mean the van carried a number of small packages and items – these would just slide around in the back and impact the seat backs without this safety barrier.
By Merrick Paget
The tie down anchors were also a problem as the centre ones are actually located on the floor in the load is that in the rain one cannot have the area and once the boxes had been windows even slightly down as water placed carefully on the floor the two sheds straight into the cab from the middle anchors could not be accessed. roof as does the sliding door. The two at the front and rear had to be On loading the little van with our camp- used. Pick up was Friday and a trip to the ing gear and food etc we found access The caddy has a unique array of storsouth west of WA was arranged. to the rear cargo area was excellent age places. Above one‟s head is an especially the side sliding door as overhead console and a surprisingly First impressions were that the van most of the floor can be reached from large area under and behind the two was a neat and tidy looking van with loads of cabin space for the driver and this opening. The rear door opened up seats. We were able to store a two the whole rear end and the wheel burner gas cooker and a 2.5L gas botpassenger. The visibility forward and tle under here and sleeping bags bestraight back is very good and the rear archers have been squared off nicely to maximize the width of the van and fit hind the driver. The little box under the view mirrors are large and adjustable palletized cargo. But the raised lip on front of the driver‟s seat proved to be but the closed in sides and seating the floor across the back meant one too much of a gimmicky thing to be position made backing out onto a could not slide things straight in or out any practical storage space due to its street from a laneway hazardous as and the lift up rear door prevents load- unusual shape inside. For a commerone cannot see out at 45 degrees to ing by a towered forklift. cial van the absence of a clip board/ the sides. delivery docket holder should not have The clean lines of the van‟s sides lend After putting down cardboard sheets to been overlooked. protect the floor we proceeded to load itself to be a perfect canvas to display The vehicle handled traffic with ease the owner‟s name, logos and advertis- the van. First thing we noticed was as the little diesel gives out enough ing and the sliding door enable access there were no standard protector guard/rail for the back of the seats and power to handle any condition we eneven in the tightest situations. any object we placed in the back came countered through the city and out A down side to the van‟s smooth lines up against the seat backs. Having two (Continued on page 11)
2011 VW Caddy Van
The neat little Caddy at Nannup a WA timber town
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to suit the driver.
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onto the freeway. Surprisingly the van cruised along the highway nice and quietly. In 5th gear the RPM sat around the 2k mark for effortless driving. Instrumentation in the Caddy is good with all the necessary information at a glance and on the gear indicator the little arrow to let you know when you can safely go up a gear is also handy. The radio gave good sound and was easy to operate. The air conditioning setup in the caddy was very good with duel control of temperatures, as going south the driver was comfortable with 25c and the passenger on the sunny side had hers set at 22c. The seats of the Caddy are nicely upholstered and are very comfortable with adjustments to the seat back, lumber and the seat up and down positions meant the seat could be adjusted to suit all shapes and postures. Most importantly the access in and out of the van and the driving position and leg room for a small van is surprisingly good even when one is 1.9m + tall and is around 90kgs. The added luxury of being able to adjust the steering wheel position also gave that infinite ability to adjust the cab arrangement
Night driving with the Caddy showed excellent forward light coverage and adjustment to the headlight beam height was a nice touch especially in the country. Gearing and engine performance was tested in hilly conditions and the van performed well with the exception of first gear being a bit low and jerky in low RPM conditions. The gear change pattern is close and on a number of occasions third gear was hit instead of first – this resulted in a stall where one has to turn the ignition off clutch fully in and then restart. Not something you would want to do in the middle of an intersection if this should happen? Otherwise the close pattern gave a good smooth comfortable change. Fuel economy – We noticed we did about 200kms before the fuel gauge got off the full mark (this seems to be common on VWs as my Kombi does the same) and then started its downward fall to empty at an even pace. On the first leg of the journey we did 358kms and fuel economy was 6.28L/100kms which were for some
city driving and freeway driving at 100kmh. The second leg of the journey we covered 450kms and fuel economy was 6.29L/100kms which was for about 175kms of hilly and slow town driving and the rest freeway driving. All up not bad as the factory spec is 5.8L/100Kms and this was with a new tight engine and the air conditioning was on all the time. Once the engine has been run in and the weather cools off, I could certainly see this returning the figures given by the manufacturer. Conclusion for this little van is that it is a very neat, comfortable and easily accessed little van for city delivery work. The cabin comforts for a person to be in and out of this van all day is very good. If the oversight of a safety barrier and the location of the centre tie down rings and the raised lip across the back of the load floor were addressed then in my opinion this little van would even be more of a winner. Thank you to Volkswagen Group Australian for making the vehicle available for the Road Test Ray Willis (Editor)
Toodyay celebrates 175 years of settlement in 2011. Special events earmarked throughout August and September. Celebratory Grand Parade on 1st October. Toodyay Country Races on 8th October. Toodyay Agricultural Show on 15th October. See website events for dates and details.
Toodyay Visitors Centre Just catch up with the Toodyay Visitors Centre for information, assistance and accommodation arrangements in planning your visit to Toodyay.
Address: 7 Piesse Street, Toodyay Post: PO Box 96 Toodyay WA 6566 Telephone: +61 08 9574 2435 Fax: +61 08 95742431 Website: www.toodyay.com Opening Hours: Sun-Sat: 9am-4pm Email: visitorscentre@toodyay.wa.gov.au
2011 Day of the Volkswagen - 1st Sunday in December
May- June 2011
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Bulli was first van in the world ! Comeback of an Automotive Free Spirit: World Debut of New Bulli by Volkswagen in Geneva
forgettable concept vehicle known as the Microbus. But some visions need to mature before they yield something new. Now, the time is right for this vision. That is because the concept was sharpened, and the necessary, sustainable technologies are now at hand. More compact and affordable than the earlier concept vehicle, it is now being shown in Geneva. The new Bulli – powered by an electric motor and fitted with six seats and infotainment control via iPad.
New compact van concept has pure electric drive Original This concept has the potential to esmodel of the Volkswagen tablish a new, fifth brand of people The Volkswagen bus, like no other car, stands for the spirit of freedom. It debuted over 60 years ago in 1950 with a contagiously simple design. Its internal Volkswagen code name was T1 for Transporter 1. The Germans called it the Bulli, and to Americans it was the Microbus. It was driven on all continents. And the world‟s first van is still appreciated by a fan base which spans the globe. Now Volkswagen is reinterpreting the compact original form of this automotive legend and sending it into the future – in the form of a concept vehicle for a new generation Bulli! It is spacious like it was in 1950, it is as inspirational as ever, and it has clean styling like never before.
carrier next to the Caddy, Touran, Sharan and its large counterpart – the Caravelle. The Bulli could even become an icon like the T1 Samba that still trades at extremely high prices today – one of those few vehicles that simply do not fade with time.
Zero emissions – up to 300 km on a single battery charge . Thanks to highly advanced drive technologies, the Bulli being shown in Geneva is what is referred to as a „zero emissions vehicle‟, because the concept is electrically powered. Zero emissions at the tailpipe. The Bulli‟selectric motor outputs 85 kW of power and an impressive 270 Newtonmetres of torque. As is usual with this type of drive, its maxi mum forcesare generated from In this vehicle, Volkswagen is finishing standstill. The silent motor is supplied what it started in 2001: ten years ago, with energyfrom a lithium-ion battery the vision of a new Bulli led to an unwith a maximum storage capacity of
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40 kWh.This electrifying combination enables driving ranges of up to 300 km– a high value for an electric car. When the Bulli‟s battery is charged atan “electric refuelling station” specially designed for electric vehicles,the charging process takes less than one hour. The new Bulli accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds, and itstop speed is 140 km/h (electronically limited). Its range and drivingperformance not only make the compact vehicle ideal for shortdistances; but also ideal for most commuters and recreational activitieswith zero tailpipe emissions. Naturally, the concept can also incorporate Volkswagen‟s extremelyefficient petrol and diesel direct injection engines as alternative drives.Engines with 1.0 or 1.4 litre displacement that are fuel efficient yetstrong; this is downsizing by the book. Ideal for anyone who wants tocover maximum distances with minimal fuel consumption. Bulli – the idea goes back 64 years Without the Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, the T1 might nothave existed, and of course neither would the Bulli concept vehicleat Geneva. That is because Pon was the person who on 23 April, 1947,sketched a picture of a compact bus in his notebook. Actually, theDutchman‟s drawing was a simple side view of a radically shortenedpublic omnibus placed over the wheelbase of a Beetle with an “m” for“motor” written on it. That was it. The world‟s first van was born. Greatideas usually just take a few strokes of the pen, but then they requirea dedicated effort to implement them. Volkswagen designers took thissketch and created the bus that became an automotive icon with thecharacteristic “V” in front. The Bulli concept vehicle now follows in the footsteps of the original bus and demonstrates the concept of maximum space utilisation with the characteristic “V” with VW logo at the front end and the cleanest of proportions. In the process, the concept vehicle‟s de(Continued on page 13)
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sign follows the maxims of the new Volkswagen “design DNA.” Retro? Hardly. It is a Volkswagen! The team led by Walter de Silva, Head of Volkswagen Group Design, and Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen brand, developed the “design DNA” for the modern era based on styling principles of the bestselling Beetle, Golf I and T1. Design – visual world of a masterpiece The new edition of the Bulli is 3.99 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.70 metres tall. The T1 was somewhat longer and taller, but narrower. With a wheelbase of 2.62 metres, the Bulli utilises the overall length very well. Also striking here are the Bulli‟s relatively large track widths (1.50 m front and rear) in relation to body width.
the Bulli has an electric motor located forward of the front axle and frontwheel drive. Here it is a compact integral drive whose primary components are an E-motor, high-voltage pulse inverter and DC/DC converter for the 12-Volt electrical system. In keeping with the Volkswagen de-
sign DNA, there is a Front end: Like the Samba bus before horizontal layout of the narrow dual it, the Bulli being presented in Geneva headlights with L-shaped LED daytime also has two-tone paint – in this case running lights and turn indicators imwhite and red. The “V” on the bonnet, plemented as LEDs arranged in an is kept white. The bonnet does house inverted L shape at each outer corner. the engine: instead of rear-wheel drive Incidentally, LEDs not only exhibit trewith a boxer engine, as on the Samba, mendous luminous power and long
Page 13 life; due to their low energy con sumption they are ideal for the electrically powered Bulli of 2011. Located between the headlights in the bonnet is, as always, the VW logo. On the level beneath, one finds – once again arranged in a horizontal line – the air intakes for the passenger compartment and for battery cooling or for cooling the alternative conventional drives. Finally, the bumper that is seamlessly integrated in the front end completes the design. Laterally, it exhibits a large round fog light on each side, another air intake in the middle, and a front spoiler in black below. This line matches the lines of the side sills. Side profile: The Bulli‟s two-tone paint also distinguishes the sides. Treated in white is the entire area above what is known as the character line. Originating in the wings is a white stripe that runs to the distinctive D-pillars; above them, the entire roof section is painted in this colour. The continuous line of windows creates an especially
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Interior space – melding of car and iPad . Like the (Continued from page 13) body design, the striking contrast between the white interior is also sections. Here the visually slender marked by a level black pillars executed in the style of of clarity whose the 2001 Microbus concept are visually consistent applicastriking. Painted in red are the door tion can only be mirror housings protruding from the found at Volksline of windows. wagen. The passenger compartBeneath the character line is the red ment – immersed body area. Design elements such as in light during the the distinctive wheel housings, the adday thanks to its ditional shape modulation in the door panoramic sunroof surfaces above the side sills and the – also harbours headlights that wrap around to the some surprises. sides with minimal seams are details that would not have been possible to A practical highmanufacture in this form and precision light: like the T1 in on a T1. Concealed in the sandwiched times past, thanks floor behind the sills is the 1,450 kg to its level floor the Bulli‟s lithium-ion battery. The white new Bulli is also door handles are practical, opening in equipped with a the direction of pull. The 18-inch alloy single bench seat wheels are especially attractive. At in front. The van their centres are stylised chrome hub- offers space for caps – another tribute to the bus of three in the rear as years past. Shorter than ever are the well. overhangs at the front and rear. An infotainment highlight: a removable Rear section: The Volkswagen design iPad in the centre console serves as a DNA with its horizontal lines also domi- multifunctional touchscreen. Along with nates the rear of the new Bulli. Viewed Internet-based iPad applications and from the bottom upwards, above the the media centre, it also handles conbody-coloured bumper (including trol of such functions as Bluetooth black, stylised diffuser) there is the hands-free telephone and a navigation tailgate that extends across the entire system. Integrated right on the iPad width of the vehicle. In the tailgate, the mount are controls for the climate connarrow LED rear lights continue a trol system and the centrally located theme from the Microbus concept of hazard warning switch. 2001. At the centre, but smaller than at Typical Volkswagen: all cockpit details the front end: the VW symbol. When are clearly organised and designed to all six seating locations are fully occube intuitive. Running laterally across pied, there is a 370 litre bootspace the entire width is a line with air vents. behind the tailgate. In front of the driver, there is a speed-
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ometer in the shape of a semicircle. A colour multifunction display, also semicircular in shape, can be used to view and control (via multifunctional keys in the steering wheel and on it) the navigation system, telephone, trip computer and media centre – the entire unit of speedometer and multifunction display also communicates with the iPad. The key word here is sound: a system produced by legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer Fender (USA) ensures that the music sounds as though it were being performed live. At Woodstock in 1969, Jimi Hendrix played “The Star-Spangled Banner” – the American national anthem – on a Fender Stratocaster guitar. What is not found in the Bulli is a tachometer (unnecessary with an electric motor) or a conventional gear shift or gear selection lever (also unnecessary with an electric motor). The latter is replaced by a rotary switch to the right of the driver, which is used to activate forward and reverse gears. A pushbutton in the same switch is used to start and stop the motor. Another rotary switch to the left of the driver is used to control the lighting functions. Seats become reclining surface in an instant The outer and middle seat positions of the front bench seat can be folded (Continued on page 15)
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down (2/3 split); the rear beach seat, meanwhile, can be completely stowed. When the rear bench seat is stowed, cargo capacity increases to 1,600 litres. In addition – and here the new Bulli is reminiscent of its legendary ancestor – the seat system can be transformed into a large reclining surface with just a few manual movements. This turns the compact MPV into a compact camper – the ultimate companion for a weekend trip. At least as important for many users, however, is that the seating system should not only be versatile but also offer maximum comfort. The seat position is comfortably high and is equally relaxing. As an added benefit, it offers an optimised view forward as well. And that is how it was in the T1 too. Contributing to peace of mind aboard today‟s vehicle is the fact that the new era Bulli is equipped with all conceivable safety features. And that is the crucial difference: the car has essentially been reinvented since the days of the first T1 aka the Bulli aka the Microbus.
World Debuts in Geneva: New Golf Cabriolet & New Tiguan
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 Golf Cabriolet: series production mechanism is a standard feature. The automatic soft top opens in 9.5 Golf‟s soft top opens in just 9.5 secseconds onds; it may even be opened while driving at speeds of up to 30km/h. Tiguan: new front and rear styl- When it is closed, this Volkswagen is ing; engines up to 0.7 litres one of the quietest convertibles – even when compared to steel folding roof more fuel efficient models. As can be expected in any Passat BlueMotion: motor show Golf, the new convertible also emboddebut of the most fuel-efficient ies the highest levels of quality and maximum safety. An automatically Passat ever deploying roll-over bar, front airbags After a spectacular 2010, in which the and side curtain head/thorax airbags, Volkswagen brand surpassed two new a knee airbag on the driver‟s side and milestones – 4.5 million passenger ESP are standard on all models. In cars delivered worldwide and 14 newly addition, the Golf Cabriolet provides introduced production models – the ample interior space due to its soft top German carmaker has resumed its as well as a fully utilisable bootspace growth and product offensive in 2011. (250 litres) even with the top stowed. It began in January with the debut of
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 dualclutch 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.
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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 offroad 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 camerabased 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 7speed 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.
New Passat – 15 Million Bestseller Is More Impressive, Safe And Fuel Efficient
The styling of the bestseller was completely re-interpreted, and its front is more impressive than ever. Furthermore, the Passat has always mirrored the course of technological progress. And this applies unreservedly to the seventh Passat, which will launch simultaneously as a sedan and wagon. The overall range of technological innovations now implemented in the Passat 118TSI and Passat Highline variants has reached a scale previously found only in luxury class cars. More innovation An innovative feature in this class is the fatigue detection system that is offered on the Passat. The system is a standard feature across the range. The Passat also has an optional City Emergency Braking function (City EB). The assistance system is part of the further refined optional ACC adaptive cruise control plus Front Assist. The City EB function, active below a speed of 30 km/h, also reacts to stationary vehicles; if necessary, it automatically initiates a braking manoeuvre, thereby contributing to avoidance of an impending front end collision or at least minimising the resulting damage.
More comfort First Volkswagen with fatigue detection and City Emergency Braking func- The Passat “sees” parking spaces tion. parallel and perpendicular to the road, and upon request it can automatically At 5.7 l/100 km combined fuel consumption, the most fuel-efficient Pas- steer the car into the space with centimetre precision (Park Assist 2). sat ever. More quality With over 15 million cars sold, the Passat by Volkswagen is one of the The technologies and the further immost successful automobiles in the proved workmanship and material world. Now there is a new Passat. It is (Continued on page 17) the seventh generation since 1973.
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new head restraints for driver and front passenger reduce the risk of whiplash injury in a traffic accident.
km/h with 40% overlap and a side impact at 55 km/h with a trolley weighing 950 kg. The Polo dominated in the (Continued from page 16) overall classification with top grades in More sustainable quality is differentiating the Passat all categories of occupant safety for from its competitors more than ever. Last but not least, the new Passat sets driver and front passenger. Lower This quality is perceptible in the inteloads at the head, neck, chest, upper standards when it comes to sustainrior with its high-end materials, new ability. All three engines are more fuel legs and lower legs validated the exseats and door trims and ambience cellent safety of the Polo and brought efficient - by up to 12 percent! Techlighting. An especially elegant effect is nologies such as the Start/Stop sysit an additional Plus in the evaluation. produced by the modified centre con- tem also ensure the best fuel econAlthough it did not factor into computasole and redesigned accents in the omy for the TDI diesel engine. It is tions for the six star rating, the Polo instruments that are visually appealing worth noting that each model is a safe, also had good test results for occuand pleasing to the touch. comfortable and powerful touring vehipant safety for rear-seat passengers. cle. Only, they are also very low emitMore quiet The Polo landed a top result, attaining ting, fuel efficient and blessed with level 4 out of a maximum 5. The new Passat is extremely quiet. extremely long driving ranges. The reason: Insulating materials speThe Polo was impressive in the brakcifically integrated in the dashboard ing test as well; on both dry and wet area and doors filter out exterior and pavement it excelled with the shortest engine noises. In addition, a new braking distances. From a speed of acoustic film is embedded in the front 100 km/h, the Polo came to a stop windscreen; this film blocks out addiafter just 39.5 and 40.8 metres. Additional noise. tional tests were conducted on pedestrian safety and on the usability of More safety seatbelts, and a whiplash test was performed. Progress has been made in the area of safety as well. The previous model Shortly after its market launch, the already attained 5 stars in ANCAP Polo also attained top grades with five crash testing. Further advances instars in EuroNCAP for occupant, child clude features such as seatbelt fasten- NCAP organisation awards its and pedestrian safety. ing detection for the rear seats and best possible six stars head restraints that now also adjust The current Polo has been selling on plus rating horizontally on the front seats. The the world market since the end of June 2009 and very successfully. In Japanese NCAP testing, the Polo has been awarded the top rating of six Globally, over 728,000 units of the compact car have been sold. stars plus for occupant safety. The Volkswagen performed impressively in a total of three different crash tests, and it was rated the best import vehicle on the Japanese market.
Polo Gets Top Rating In Japanese NCAP Crash Testing
Driver and front passenger safety were tested in a frontal impact at a 55 km/h, an offset frontal impact at 64
VW To Start Contesting The WRC With The Polo R WRC In 2013
“We have invited you to join us here in Olbia to announce Volkswagen‟s entry in the World Rally Championship starting in 2013.” – These were the words used by Volkswagen Management Board Member Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg as he declared Volkswagen‟s entry into the most versatile of the four automobile world championships (World Rally Championship, WRC). In front of 200 journalists he unveiled the concept of the Polo R WRC, the car with which Volkswagen will compete from 2013 onwards, together with Luca de (Continued on page 18)
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Meo, Head of Marketing of Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. Luca de Meo: “Almost exactly two years ago, in May 2009, the most recent model of the Polo was presented here in Sardinia. Today we are proud to show you the hottest Polo of all time – the Polo R WRC.” For Kris Nissen and his team the World Rally Championship entry marks a new commitment. “We look forward to this new challenge and are working on this project with the same passion with which we won the Dakar Rally in the past three years,” said Kris Nissen. After three consecutive victories at the Dakar Rally, Volkswagen has set itself new aims in top-calibre sport. With three car corporations currently involved in the championship and global media coverage, the WRC offers an attractive, highly competitive environment for Volkswagen. By 2013 the Wolfsburg-based brand will develop a near-300-hp rally vehicle with a 1.6litre TSI engine and four-wheel drive
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Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board of the Volkswagen Brand, Universal technological challenge, Development Division. “Downsizing, new rules high efficiency and reliability are top The World Rally Championship offers priorities for our customers. The timing of the WRC debut is optimal for Volksthe most diverse technological chalwagen. The big task of engineering a lenge in worldwide car racing to the manufacturers involved. Various types vehicle that is competitive and capable of ground have to be considered dur- of winning at a large number of chaling the concept design of a WRC vehi- lenges holds great appeal for us.” cle such as all manner of gravel, Proven squad, new aims: Volkswagen scree, tarmac, ice, snow and mud. Motorsport‟s factory commitment The calendar this season features 13 WRC rounds on four different contiVolkswagen will prepare and enter the nents. Hence a world rally car has to Polo R WRC as a factory commitment. function in extremely different climatic In doing so, the Wolfsburg-based conditions, from the blazing heat of squad can build on structures which South America to the icy ride in Scan- have been established over the past dinavia. few years. The World Rally Championship is a new ambitious aim for the In addition, new technical rules have team that has won the “Dakar” in the come into effect in the WRC this year. past three years. “We can draw on an For the first time, engines with a maxiexperienced and proven squad which mum displacement of 1,600 cc, direct has done an outstanding job in topinjection and turbochargers are precalibre sport in the past few years,” scribed. says Volkswagen Motorsport Director “The new Technical Regulations of the Kris Nissen. “Even though the WRC is new territory for us and involves learnWorld Rally Championship are an ing in many areas the team already ideal fit for Volkswagen‟s philosophy meets some important prerequisites with respect to the development of (Continued on page 19) production vehicles,” says Dr Ulrich
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convertible with a tilt and slide sunroof tance sensors. fitted as standard. This extensive standard equipment list (Continued from page 18) The folding hard-top is made up of five leaves a very concise option range parts, enabling the roof to fold neatly which includes the significantly ennow as it brings an unwavering profesinto the boot, occupying minimal hanced Park Assist 2 new for the Eos, sional attitude and resolve to deliver space. With the roof closed, boot casatellite navigation system (RNS510), absolute perfection to this commitpacity is 380 litres; with the roof „off‟, Bi-Xenon headlights with LED driving ment.” luggage space is 205 litres. The roof lights and a Sports Package which Volkswagen in the WRC: a success function is neat and efficient: opening combines a stunning new 18” alloy story or closing takes just 25 seconds. wheel, dark tinted LED tail lights and adaptive chassis control. Volkswagen looks back on a small yet Clearly structured and horizontally impressive rally tradition. Production- contoured, the appearance of based vehicles from Wolfsburg celethe new Eos follows the brated rally racing successes in the code of the Volksmiddle end of the 1980s. The most wagen design important one: In 1986 the Swede DNA. ExKenneth Eriksson and his German co- tending driver Peter Diekmann in the Volksnow wagen Golf GTI 16V claimed the world champion‟s title in the newly incepted Group A. In addition, Volkswagen vigorously promoted young rally talent through the Golf Rally Cup. The fielding of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC The from 2013 onwards closes the loop: impresToday‟s WRC vehicles are still based sive peron the philosophy of the Group A informance and troduced back then, which enables efficiency of the Eos rally sport to be conducted with vehibeengine range only recently cles based on production models. tween the revised will continue – both the 2.0 new headlights is a radiator litre 103kW common rail TDI diesel grille consisting of three shiny black engine and the 2.0 litre 155kW turbostruts. From behind the Eos stands charged TSI petrol engine are now out through its reworked, two-part LED mated exclusively to the DSG transrear lights and redesigned rear mission. New Golf bumper with diffuser.
New Eos – Extensively Enhanced
Sharper Eos launches with new design The new Volkswagen Eos has finally arrived on Australian shores. The internationally successful cabriolet coupé has been technically perfected, visually updated front and rear and refined with numerous new features.
Park Assist 2 is available for the first time on the Eos, the increasingly popular system which aids both parallel and perpendicular parking manoeuvres.
The new Eos is now also even more comprehensively equipped with convenience, luxury and technology. New standard items such as the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), Bluetooth connectivity, alarm system and Media Device The popularity of the Eos from the mo- Interface (MDI) have been added to ment it launched was unquestionable. an already impressive list which includes leather upholstery, alloy The Eos combines the benefits of a full convertible and – for when the sun wheels, RCD510 audio, dual zone doesn‟t shine – a hard-top coupé. Yet climate control air conditioning, rain it is unique in its class, being the only sensing wipers and rear parking dis-
BlueMotion – The Most Fuel Efficient Golf Of All Time
Golf BlueMotion – Combining amazing fuel economy, affordability, comfort, safety and practicality for the everyday driver First showcased at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last year, Volkswagen‟s new, superefficient model – Golf BlueMotion – is finally ready to prove that amazing fuel -efficiency can still be obtained in an everyday car. The Golf BlueMotion combines efficiency with comfort and equipment to create a vehicle that delivers greater economy and fewer emissions, yet performs and appears like any other Volkswagen product. (Continued on page 20)
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The name BlueMotion not only refers to the model, its fuel economy and emissions, but comprehensively to the whole brand: Blue is the corporate colour of Volkswagen and stands for the elements to be protected such as water and air; Motion embodies the aspect of forward, future-directed mobility with the goal to protect the earth‟s resources for future generations. The Golf BlueMotion brings an exclusive package of visual and technical measures to achieve astonishing fuel economy of just 3.8L/100km and significantly reducing CO2 emissions to only 99g/ km whilst offering the everyday comfort, safety and practicality of a well-equipped five-door hatch. The Golf BlueMotion is equipped with an exceedingly innovative high-tech package yet is affordable for all drivers. This package includes an efficient common rail TDI engine developing 77kW of power and features several systems and modifications to optimise efficiency. These include a Start / Stop system, and a multifunction computer providing visual gear change recom-
mendation for optimum fuel consumption. Low rolling resistance tyres are also fitted to reduce the drag of the vehicle. The result is a competitively-priced vehicle that will match or beat hybrids currently available in the market while being conventional to drive, service and repair. Delivering on its promise to produce class-leading vehicles which are efficient, sustainable, practical, comfortable and competitively priced, the Golf BlueMotion boasts a surplus of prestigious awards to its list of accolades including being recently awarded the overall “Green Car of the Year” by What Car? Green Awards 2010, beating eight other category winners. The Golf BlueMotion was also named best “Green Small Family Car”.
Volkswagen Amarok Is Crowned ‘Ute Of The Year’ The Volkswagen Amarok has been awarded the trophy as „Ute of the Year‟ in the 2011 Delivery Magazine Awards. Since its launch in February this year, the Amarok has set a new benchmark in the ute segment. “The Amarok has revolutionised the ute segment thanks to its class leading fuel economy, safety and design”, said Mr Phil Clark, Director of Volkswagen Commercial. The Amarok is available in four equipment lines and is powered by a highlyefficient TDI engine with 120 kW of power and a maximum torque of 400 Newton-metres at a low 1,500 rpm. The remarkably low combined fuel consumption from just 7.7 litres diesel per 100 kilometres is unmatched by any other ute. The Volkswagen Amarok is also the first ute in its class to be awarded a 5 Star rating by ANCAP (The Australasian New Car Assessment Program), making it the safest dual-cab ute in Australia. With standard driver and front passenger airbags, front head/ thorax side airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Brake Assist as well as Off Road ABS/ASR and EDL, the Amarok is a leader amongst its competitors.
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World debut of the Beetle for a new era.
cars. And now? A look forward. The future of the most famous car in the world begins now. In a completely new generation. It‟s The Beetle! And because Volkswagen and the Beetle call the globe their home, the new car is celebrating a transcontinental world debut – simultaneously in Shanghai, Berlin and New York
Volkswagen presents new generation Beetle on three Technological goal: high-tech in continents simultaneously harmony with the environment
A look back to the start: at the beginning Volkswagen built one of the most successful cars of all time and did not even give it a name. Why should it? After all, it was the Volkswagen! People loved it, and on all of the world‟s continents the small car was nicknamed according to precisely what it looked like: Beetle, Käfer, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or 甲壳虫! It embodied the automotive concept itself and symbolised the democratisation of mobility. 21.5 million cars were sold. Then the New Beetle arrived in 1998. It introduced a new automotive feeling to the world and brought with it Beetle Mania. In 2010, the Final Edition completed the New Beetle series that had sold more than one million
Beetle is an icon. This car tells a story. Only someone who knows its history could make a new generation of this Volkswagen a reality. The task ahead for the engineers was very clear. They had to develop a high-tech car that was still affordable, did not leave any stone unturned, integrated the communication technologies of our times and of course achieved the lowest environmental impact. It also had to be a car that places driving fun at the forefront. The new generation Beetle would have to be a very agile, dynamic performer, and the people who developed the Golf GTI would also be able to achieve this.
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No previous Beetle was this fuel efficient. High performance no longer suffices by itself: At 4.3* l/100 km (European 1.6 TDI) and 33* mpg (American 2.0 TDI), the new Beetle is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever. Design target: "Design a new original!" The most recognisable automotive design in the world. Coke bottle, iPhone, Ray Ban Aviator, Beetle – how
does one reinvent a design that is so recognisable and independent? There is a clear answer to this: It is necessary to understand the product and the brand; then it works! Volkswagen Design Chief Walter de Silva (Group) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Brand) "understand" both and therefore they set this as the objective for the Beetle: "Design a new original!" Challenge as a thrill. The team began its task under Bischoff‟s guidance. The challenge of designing a new Beetle was inspiring. The designers knew that they wanted to develop the original Beetle profile more than on the 1998 New Beetle.
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steeper incline. All of this creates a new dynamism," explains Klaus Bischoff. While the New Beetle was defined by three semi-circles (front wing, rear wing, domed roof above it), the new model has broken free of this geometry. The roof profile actually runs distinctly lower and can be considered a continuation of the Ragster concept car shown in Detroit in 2005 – a type of hot rod based on the New Beetle. The new Beetle is bolder, more dynamic, more masculine.
They also made very dynamic proportions a high priority. An interesting aspect was that more than a few team members actually own their own aircooled Beetles. It has also become a cult car among younger designers at Volkswagen. And that is how the final design of the 2011 Beetle came to be in Wolfsburg – a car of today as well as a design tribute to the automotive seed of an entire corporate group. And unmistakable indeed: If one were to take the first Beetle and the new Beetle and place them in a room together – shining light just over the roofs and viewing them from the side – one would see that the lines of the rear
The figures confirm this: The new car is 1,808 mm wide (84 mm wider), 1,486 mm tall (12 mm lower) and 4,278 mm long (152 mm longer). This has resulted in entirely new propor-
tions. The gain in length meant that the roof could be extended further, the No standing still: "We remade every front windscreen could be shifted back, and the rear section could follow the part." contour of the original Beetle. The new Bolder, more dynamic, more mascufocal point is the C-pillar. In parallel, line. A comparison to the 1998 New the development team increased the Beetle shows this: nothing remained car‟s track widths and wheelbase. All as it was on the old car: "The Beetle is of this gives the Beetle a powerful apnow characterised by a clean, selfpearance with muscular tension. confident and dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it Typical Volkswagen, typical Beetle: is also substantially wider, the front a new DNA bonnet is longer, the front windscreen 2011 styling. Despite all of its individuis shifted further back and has a much sections are nearly identical.
Page 22 ality, the styling follows the Volkswagen design DNA created by Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff. It clearly expresses itself in the horizontal image of the front bumper, front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges, the precisely drawn line between the Apillar and C-pillar and the styling of the rear lights. Beetle, Microbus, original Golf. And yet it was possible to preserve all of the Beetle‟s typical styling characteristics. This should come as no surprise; after all, it was vehicles like the Beetle, Microbus and original Golf that had a decisive influence on Volkswagen‟s "design DNA." Of course, some of the Beetle‟s longstanding characteristics
remain: these include its round headlights (optional bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are available for the first time in this model series), the flared wings, the shapes of the bonnets, sides and door sills and – more than ever – the large wheels (up to 19 inch) that can be integrated. A new feature is the rear spoiler that is homogeneously integrated in the design (standard for TSI engines with 118 kW / 160 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS); it aggressively maintains contact
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shape and use of colour in the painted or carbon-look front facia panel of the dashboard hark back to the design of the first Beetle, yet the new car does not have a retro look. In Europe, for example, this facia is styled in "Schwarz uni" (Black) on the base model ("Beetle"); in the "Design" equipment line, it is always painted in the specific exterior colour. Customers choosing the "Sport" level get the carbon look ("Carbon Fibre"). Regardless of which colours are used, Volkswagen drivers will be able to locate every interior feature with their eyes closed.
the original Beetle, the new car has an extra glovebox integrated in the front facia whose lid folds upward (the standard glovebox that is also integrated opens downward). Another classic feature: the optional auxiliary instruments above the selected audio/ navigation system: oil temperature, clock with stopwatch function and boost pressure gauge. Also new: the steering wheels specially designed for the Beetle with optional painted accents in the spokes depending on the equipment line. Details like these clearly indicate that the occupants are in a Beetle – there‟s no mistaking it.
And yet everything has been redesigned. Three round instruments ar-
Air-cooled Beetle. New Beetle. The Beetle. A distinguishing feature of The
ranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) provide all key information; integrated in the speedometer (middle position) is a multifunction display. From the "Design" equipment level, the adjustable air vents and the instruments have chrome bezels. This also applies to the audio/navigation systems optimally located in the driver‟s visual field on the dashboard, framed by two air vents. This also includes the controls for the climate control system. Everything is within grasp and sight.
Beetle – the third generation if you will – is that its interior ergonomics and packaging are based on completely new parameters. While drivers in the air-cooled Beetle travelled in a very low-slung seat, and drivers of the New Beetle felt as if they were chauffeured because the bonnet was so far forward, the latest Beetle now offers an agile, driver-oriented coupé experience. Every feature is within easy reach. In addition, Volkswagen has once again succeeded in implementing a quality of materials that goes
with the road on this Volkswagen, which has a top speed of up to 225* km/h, depending on the engine, and is available in the three equipment lines "Beetle", "Design" and "Sport". Incidentally, the top surface of the rear spoiler is always black, while its underside is painted in body colour. These colours – 12 different hues – will make everyday car driving more vibrant with names such as "Saturnyellow" and "Denim Blue". An original interior like no other The cockpit makes a visual impression. Is it possible for a cockpit to make an impression? Are you kid-
ding? By its very nature! Car drivers sit in the cockpit. Sometimes for hours at a time. And yet, there are cars whose cockpits do not leave any lasting impression. They have a "look alike" appearance, as the marketing people say – one easily mistaken for another, lacking charisma. The Beetle‟s cockpit, on the other hand, is unique, unmistakable, cool, classic and designed with a passion for detail. This cockpit is perceived as something special. Everything within reach and sight. The
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Comeback of the glovebox. Similar to
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kets themselves will emphasise certain aspects. Volkswagen will announce individual parameters of these customisation levels at an international driving presentation for journalists. In addition to the three equipment The New Beetle was a cathedral inlines, the Beetle can be customised side. In front, the Beetle is now somewith a wide choice of optional feawhat lower in profile, since the domed tures. An overview of certain key fearoof of its predecessor has been elimitures: nated. It now offers 1,044 mm interior height instead of the previous 1,082 Bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime mm. However, the 38 mm will hardly running lights. Volkswagen is offering be missed, even by very tall drivers, the Beetle with bi-xenon headlights for since the New Beetle‟s interior was a the first time. 15 LEDs frame the xe"cathedral" among compact cars. non module on the outer perimeters of Meanwhile, in the rear seating area, the headlights; they implement the the longer roof section results in a dis- daytime running lights and parking (Continued from page 23)
beyond all class limits. The car‟s styling, ergonomics, operability and quality interact to create a new, friendly car with a highly individual nature.
tinctly larger feeling of space. The bootspace is significantly larger; it now holds 310 instead of 209 litres. As usual, the car has a split, folding rear seatback, and a wide opening bootlid making it is easy to load and unload.
lights. Panoramic roof. It is transparent, and it can be tilted or opened. Therefore, the exact name is: panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof. Much more important: It is 80 percent larger (glass surface area) than on the previous model. Incidentally, the insulating glass blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 92 percent of heat energy.
Page 24 gation systems were offered. Now, Volkswagen is taking a completely different approach and is offering all of the systems available in other model series such as the Golf, Jetta or Passat on new Beetle as well. Standard in the Beetle is the RCD 310 with 8 loudspeakers, which is a very good audio system (includes dual tuner). The top audio system is the RCD 510 with integrated CD changer, interface for SD cards and touchscreen. An attractively priced entry-level radio-navigation system is the RNS 315 with 5-inch touchscreen (400 x 240 pixel), CD player, SD card slot and dual tuner. The top radio-navigation system model is the RNS 510. It offers refinements such
as a 6.5-inch touchscreen, DVD player, voice control, SD card slot and 30 Gigabyte hard drive.
Premium sound system by Fender. Anyone knowledgeable about the world of rock music is familiar with such greats as Jimi Hendrix and Eric More optional features: individualClapton. The first played Fender guiising the Beetle tars, while the latter still does. Now, the legendary producer of US musical "Beetle", "Design" and "Sport". The instruments and amplifiers – in a joint new Volkswagen will be available venture with Panasonic – is excluworldwide in the three equipment lines Radio-CD and radio-navigation sys"Beetle", "Design" and "Sport". Each tems. The New Beetle was exclusively sively sharing its know-how with the of these versions has a very unique available with radio-CD systems spe- Volkswagen brand. The result is an character. In addition, individual mar- cially designed for this model. No navi-
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optional Fender sound system that is being offered in the Beetle with an additional woofer and 400 Watts of output power. Those choosing this sound system also get adjustable interior ambiance lighting. Besides providing indirect illumination, it also includes two light rings around the loudspeaker boxes in the doors. In Europe, the Beetle is the first car to offer a Fender sound system. Keyless Access. The Keyless Access locking and engine starting system is appearing for the first time in the Beetle; it operates without a door or ignition key. When one of the front door handles is touched, the system detects access authorisation from a transmitter carried in the person‟s jacket, trousers or hand bag; it then unlocks the Beetle and enables an engine start via the engine start button. Locking of the Volkswagen is from the outside, also activated by touching one of the two door handles; in this case, however, a specially marked surface is used. All round safety. Let‟s get to the point. In The Beetle, Volkswagen is building an automobile that is one of the safest in terms of both active and passive safety. Naturally, the ESP electronic stabilisation programme is standard, as is an effective network of six airbags that protects in the passenger compartment. Naturally, the car body – much of it laser-welded and galvanised – exhibits one of the best torsional rigidity values in the segment at 26,000 Nm/º. Naturally, because safety is a fundamental quality in a Volkswagen. Engines: top fuel economy of 40* mpg and 4.3* l/100km US diesel with 140 PS. When it comes to engines, all signs point toward sustainability. In the USA, the Beetle will be offered as a turbodiesel for the first time. The Beetle 2.0 TDI (103 kW / 140 PS) meets all USA emission limits and attains 40* mpg fuel economy in the Highway cycle, 29* mpg in City driving, and 33* mpg combined. As a result, the Beetle is a good choice as one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class. Incidentally, the Volkswagen not only has excellent fuel economy values in the version with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but also – and this is
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a technical debut in the Beetle as well are not offered in China). All five en– with the optional 6-speed dual clutch gines may be combined with a dual transmission. clutch transmission as an option. US petrol engines with 170 PS and 200 PS. Fuel economy values were also improved in the 2.5-litre five cylinder petrol engine, which was already a success in the previous model. The manually shifted Beetle attains 22* mpg (City), 31* mpg (Highway) and 25* mpg (combined). Its counterpart with a 6-speed automatic comes in at 22* mpg (City), 29* mpg (Highway) and 25* mpg (combined) – this represents an increase of up to 10* percent in fuel economy. Pioneering: even the Beetle 2.0 TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS of power attains a combined fuel economy of 25* mpg.
Engines with 160 PS and 200 PS in detail. Even the fast moving 225* km/h Beetle 2.0 TSI with 200 PS of power consumes just 7.4* l/100 km (equivalent to 173* g/km CO2) with a manual transmission. Also extremely economical is the 1.4 TSI with 160 PS shifted by a 7-speed DSG; in the Beetle it consumes just 5.9* l/100 km (139* g/km CO2). Fuel economy data like this makes the Beetle 1.4 TSI DSG (top speed: 207* km/h) a pleasant surprise in the engine programme. By comparison, the previous model with 110 kW / 150 PS attained a value of 8.9 l/100 km in the automatic version. Despite 10 PS more power, fuel consumption was reduced by 3.0* l/100 km or 34* percent.
Differential lock for top petrol engine. To ensure that the power of the two strongest Beetle versions is applied properly to the road in quickly approached curves as well, the models with 160 PS (European version) and 200 PS (worldwide) come with a factory-installed XDS electronic differential lock. This system extends the familiar EDS functionality. XDS improves handling in fast curve driving and calibrates the car toward more "neutral" steering; it does this by using active brake intervention to prevent wheelspin of the unloaded wheel on the inside of the curve, and this The large TSI is also available with an improves traction. optional 6-speed DSG. Engines with 105 PS and 140 PS in detail. The most fuel-efficient petrol World engines with 105 PS, 140 PS, 160 PS and 200 PS. In markets such engined model is the Beetle 1.2 TSI with BlueMotion Technology (including as Asia, Australia, Europe and New Stop/Start system and battery regenZealand, the new Beetle will be oferation) and 105 PS with a top speed fered exclusively with charged engines. All engine versions – all of them of 180* km/h. It has a combined fuel consumption of 5.5* l/100 km (129* g/ with four cylinders – are being used km CO2). The comparable previous for the first time in this model series. The car exhibits significantly reduced model (75 kW / 102 PS) consumed fuel consumption and emission values 7.5 l/100 km. Savings: 2.0* l/100 km or 27* percent. An extremely sustainable compared to the previous model performer is the Beetle 1.6 TDI with thanks to the switch to turbo-petrol (TSI) and common rail turbodiesel di- 105 PS. At 4.3* l/100 km (equivalent rect injection engines (TDI). The three to 112* g/km CO2), this diesel version is the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever charged petrol engines of the Beetle output 77 kW / 105 PS, 118 kW / 160 built with BlueMotion Technology. Its fuel consumption is 20* percent lower PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. The two than even the existing TDI engines diesel engines develop 77 kW / 105 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS (TDI engines (Continued on page 26)
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which have always been very fuel efficient. Incidentally, on the Autobahn, the new Beetle 1.6 TDI with BlueMotion Technology can reach a top speed of 180 km/h – in this case, fuel economy is not gained at the cost of performance. This is especially true of the even higher performance TDI with 2.0 litre displacement and 103 kW / 140 PS. This torque-strong turbodiesel (320 Nm from 1,750 rpm) takes the Beetle to a top speed of 198* km/h and combined fuel consumption of just 4.9 l/100 km (equivalent to 129* g/km CO2). This means that the Beetle for a new era will once again show how it can "go, and go and go ..." Key facts summary Name: The Beetle Market launch; North America Sept - October 2011; Europe October November 2011; Asia Feb-
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ruary 2012; South America late 2012 - early 2013. Models: "Beetle", "Design", "Sport" Engine power range: 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS Lowest fuel consumption (combined), Europe: 4.3* l/100 km (1.6 TDI) Debut of original Beetle 1938, debut of New Beetle 1998 Total units built to date: > 22.5 million Exterior dimensions: 4,278 mm length, 1,808 mm, width, 1,486 mm height, 2,537 mm wheelbase Cargo capacity: 310 litres * = All fuel consumption and driving performance data is preliminary data (forecast values as of March 2011). Notes: TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries. Features and technical data apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries.
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