September October November 2012
Via West
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September October November 2012
Via West
CONTACT US VOLKSWAGEN CLUB OF WA (Inc)
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YOUR COMMITTEE (cont’d) EDITOR:
0407 347 340
PO Box 175
Ray Willis
viawest@vwclubwa.com
Victoria Park
CONCESSION LICENCE:
(08) 9332 6919
ABN:
Western Australia 6979 31 610 140 537
Rod McSwain 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:
MERCHANDISE OFFICER: YOUR COMMITTEE
(08) 9342 8703 (08) 9332 6919
Rod McSwain
PRESIDENT:
0408 183 396
SOCIAL SECRETARY:
Jamie Barrett
executive@vwclubwa.com
Jamie Barrett
VICE PRESIDENT:
0415 165 175
SPORTS ORGANISER:
Graham Tibbs
As above
0408 183 396 Currently grouped under “Events Coordinator”
SECRETARY:
0407 347 340
PUBLICITY OFFICER:
Ray Willis
administration@vwclubwa.com
As above
MEMBERSHIPS:
0407 347 340
GENERAL COMMITTEE:
Ray Willis
administration@vwclubwa.com
Kim Muste (country liaison South West)
TREASURER:
0438 819 443
WEBMASTER:
Justin Bayley
finance@vwclubwa.com
Tina Moore
Patrick Spiteri, Dave Moore,
webmaster@vwclubwa.com
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September October November 2012
Via West
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Your stories and photos can also be in the magazine...just email them to... viawest@vwclubwa.com.au
September October November 2012
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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.
Please contact the Editor to find out about commercial advertising in the magazine, inserting flyers or advertising on the website.
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 lists the upcoming events and club runs for some months in advance in chronological order.
Publication Deadline: The ViaWest magazine’s deadline for articles for the next issue is . December 16
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Fees: Members - 1/4 page adverts are free. Non-Members - 1/4 page adverts are $5.00
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Volkswagen Club of WA (Inc), its Committee or members.
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 new members to the club... Trevor Hows & Family Gary Bull Murray Cameron & Family Paul Hunt Brett Payne-Rhodes
Bernie Brix Justin Bayley Rachel Howells Alicia Johnstone and Family Peter Barber and Family David Watkins Murray Allum Simon Thompson
IN THIS ISSUE
page
The Club.............................. p 2 The Club (contd).................. p 4 President’s Spot .................. p 5 VW Club Plates .................. p 6 Club Event Calendar .......... p 7 NSW 2013 Bug-In ............... p 9 VW Club Quiz Nite ............. p 9 2012 Day of the VW ............ p 10 Vee Dubs @ Busselton ....... p 14 VW Hilton Kimberley Trip .... p 19
Currently 149 memberships
Volkswagen News VW Wheels Award ........ p 22
Apologies to our club membership… You will have noticed that we have not had a magazine since August. This issue now becomes a combined September October - November 2012 issue. This is the first time that this has occurred since I have become Editor (about 10 years), and although there a number of factors contributing to it… I must apologise on behalf of myself and the club! I trust you will enjoy this issue and the many more to come...back to the regular monthly basis. The Editor...Ray Willis
Touareg Record Drive ... p 22 Amarok Award .............. p 23 New Golf VII .................. p 23 VW uP!.......................... P 24 VW Beetle ..................... p 26 Last Brazil Kombi .......... p 28 World’s fastest hybrid .... p 28 Underwater Beetle ........ p 29 Spare Parts ......................... p 30 European Vacation .............. p 31 FRONT COVER: The new Volkswagen uP!
NB: for this issue, our members birthdays are on page 5...
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September October November 2012
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Happy Birthday to our members... SEPTEMBER Elise Marshall Francis McKinnell David Williams Peter Summerfield Dipaunka Macrides Ken Storrs James Dickenson Graham Duxbury Denise Mason Richard Baxter Trevor Hows Lynette Dickenson David Glasfurd Murray Cameron John Terpu Cathrine Seth David Lambert Wayne Evans Emma Wheatley Shane Williams David Moore Graham Tibbs Monica Shepherd Melanie Verbunt Kate Waters Kimberley Sinclair Hannah Reilly Carly Annison Erin Annison Matt Tregear
OCTOBER Fran Heldt David Mitchell Glenys Grover David Lampard Ann Lampard Ross Martinson John Allen Denise Maslin Patrick Spiteri Shirley Reilly Jean Spiteri Debra Rogers Kim Dibben Mario Van Corler Chris Hill Jason Phillips Howells Rachel Nicole Jones Braden Collins Jaime Barrett Belinda Rowlands Denise Arnold Dale Annison Emma Hows Marianne Spiteri Brodie Annison Liana Annison Ryan Thomas Ed Taylor Lorraine Cameron Levi Lawson
NOVEMBER Lenard Dibben Richard Davies Louise Beckley Donald Yates Gareth Thomas Lance Fitzgerald Benjamin Phillips Bernie Brix Monique Tippett Michael Davers Tim Summerfield Tegan Waters Amelia Seth Katie Hows Chelsea Reilly Aidan Feddersen Bryley McPherson Zachary Karamfiles Griffin Warburton
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September October November 2012
The end of VW Club Plates is coming... About 10 years ago the club came up with the concept of having its own identifying club plates. Since then the club has sold a number of plates to members and they are proudly displayed on their cars.
Via West
sons for falling sales is the continual price hikes by the department. Last year they were priced at $315 per set of plates...now they are $327 per set. Last year the club gained an extension of time to be able to give you, our club members at least one more chance to buy our club plates...the deadline was December 2011. Now‌.
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discretion of the Department of Transport, primarily if enough plates are sold. However, the VW Club committee has decided that when the Department of Transport retire our plates, that will be end of the series. It could be as early as January 2013. Once more, in an effort to make it easier for the club members to afford our club plates, the club has decided to
The VW Club committee has now keep the discount price of $300 been able to negotiate, what appears to be a FINAL EXTENSION, until 2nd per set‌yes now you save $27 Last year we received a letter from the January 2013. per set. Department of Transport (Government of WA) that they intended to retire our Extension past this date is solely at the If you are interested, you can contact the club at any time for an application club plates because of falling form and information sheet or sales. just to discuss your ideas. DPI has introduced a miniYou can purchase these and mum sales requirement of ten put them into storage if you do (10) sets of plates per annum. not have a vehicle for them yet. Unfortunately one of the rea-
Here are some sample plates already on VW Club Member vehicles.
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September October November 2012
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This month...
December 2012 # indicates a club run
Sunday 2nd #
SHANNONS 2012 DAY of the VOLKSWAGEN Taylor Reserve, Victoria Park (see pages xxx)
Contact: Jamie Barrett 0408 183 396
Wednesday 5th
ALFRED’S of GUILDFORD 7pm cnr of Meadow & James St Guildford
Sunday 9th
SOUTH WEST MONTHLY GATHERING BUSSELTON
Contact: Kim 0408 914 400 Contact: Mark 0449 947 782
Wednesday 12th
MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING 6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
Tuesday 25th
MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Committee of the VOLKSWAGEN CLUB OF WA
January 2013 Wednesday 2nd
ALFRED’S of GUILDFORD 7pm cnr of Meadow & James St Guildford
Wednesday 9th
MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING 6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
Sunday 13th
SOUTH WEST MONTHLY GATHERING BUSSELTON
Contact: Kim 0408 914 400 Contact: Mark 0449 947 782
CLUB RUN TBA
Contact:
EVENTS COORDINATION MEETING 6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
Wednesday 23rd
February 2013 Wednesday 6th
ALFRED’S of GUILDFORD 7pm cnr of Meadow & James St Guildford
Sunday 10th
SOUTH WEST MONTHLY GATHERING BUSSELTON Also refer to the Forum on the club website
Contact: Kim 0408 914 400 Contact: Mark 0449 947 782
Wednesday 13th
MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETING 6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
CLUB RUN TBA
Contact:
EVENTS COORDINATION MEETING 6:30pm @ John Hughes Volkswagen, Victoria Park
Contact: Ray Willis 0407 347 340
Wednesday 27th
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September October November 2012
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Member Story of the Month wins a 50 fuel voucher . The VW Club Committee is pleased to announce the competition for the “Member Story of the Month” IS BACK! Members will need to send in ‘their’ stories with photos to the editor at viawest@vwclubwa.com (or by post). All stories received & published will be in a monthly draw, the f irst drawn winning a 50 fuel voucher. The adjudged (committee) best story received and published in a f inancial year will earn the member a free membership. The Editor and Committee always have the discretion not to publish stories deemed unsuitable. Starts from 1 July 2012 until further notice.
Only open to current financial memberships. Stories or articles from another source are
not eligible (although welcome in the magazine) nor are stories or articles submitted by the VW Club Committee. A ‘multiple part’ story is only counted as one story in the first month it is published. There is a limit of 1 fuel voucher per membership per financial year.
GET YOUR STORY IN NOW....
V-neck Polo - design for the ladies & girls 30.00 each A name can be added for another $5.00
Polo Shirt - for the men and boys 30.00 each A pocket is an extra $5.00 A name can be added for another $5.00
T-shirt - unique design with the club 3D logo on front and back 25.00 each Stand out in the crowd.
VW Club stickers 2.00 each Official club logo 3D club logo “I’M A VW CLUB MEMBER”
VW Club Cloth badge 5.00 each
Day of the Volkswagen collectors cloth badge and annual stickers (limited numbers) 2.00 each VW Club Peak Cap with the traditional club logo - adjustable velcro band at the rear 15.00 each 2011 Toodyay Bug-In - 42nd National Bug-In Metal car badge (limited number) 25.00 each
If you have any ideas for merchandise, please let the club know.
Merchandise Officer: Rod McSwain Phone: (08) 9332 6919 Email: info@vwclubwa.com Purchases can be made by cash, cheque or credit card (Visa or MasterCard) - postage charges may be extra.
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September October November 2012
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New South Wales Bug-In 2013
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The “OLD Buggers “ of NSW have pleasure in announcing & inviting you to what may be the last ever Bug In in NSW, in the Beautiful Blue Mountains, just outside Sydney from 29th March to 1st April 2013. Accommodation is available from “Blackheath Caravan Park” Prince Edward St, Blackheath NSW Telephone: 0247 878101
Website: www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au
They are currently installing 8 brand new cabins, prices & reservations are not available for a few weeks. But you should make an inquiry. Mention the Bug In but unfortunately it will not get you a discount. 4 nights are required @ Easter. Next door is Lakeview Holiday Park who also have cabins Telephone: 0247 878534 for prices & availability. Please Note: Easter is a busy time so you should not delay in booking accommodation. Alternative accommodation try Googling caravan parks Katoomba Blue Mountains or if you want to go a little upmarket try Blue Mountains accommodation for Hotels, Motels, Cottages, B&B’s etc. etc. DON’T WAIT, BOOK NOW. Bug In Events Friday Night will be held @ Blackheath Caravan Park Saturday we will hold a Car Display on the shore of Wentworth Falls lake with visits to tourist attractions in the area afterwards. Saturday Night will be left open but we will have a suggestion for a get together probably in the main street of Katoomba where a multitude of restaurants are available. Sunday we will be holding a Driver Education Day @ Hampton, about 45 mins run away. This will give you the opportunity of practicing your car handling & obstacle avoidance skills. There may also be the opportunity to do some driving on dirt roads. All participants will be required to sign an indemnity against all damage & accident. NO responsibility will be held by the ground owners or organizers. Those not wishing to do the driver education can do a tour in Jenolan Caves. Sunday Night venue has not been finalized as yet, nor has Monday. Monday. We should have a Bug In shirt, cap & other souvenirs available but will be limited to prepaid orders only! Regards Christopher Harper
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September October November 2012
Via West
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Your stories and photos can also be in the magazine...just email them to... viawest@vwclubwa.com.au
September October November 2012
Via West
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Your stories and photos can also be in the magazine...just email them to... viawest@vwclubwa.com.au
September October November 2012
Via West
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2012 Shannons Day of the Volkswagen SUNDAY 2nd DECEMBER Each state holds it's own Day of the Volkswagen (DofVW) regularly across Australia. The Shannons Day of the Volkswagen is the biggest show of the year in the WA Volkswagen Calendar. Each year it is held on the first Sunday in December - for 2012 that is the 2nd December. We thank Shannons Insurance for their continued support and sponsorship of this event for over 10 years now.
100 cars through the gate.
This year we will have a NEW lane The Shannons Day of the Volkswagen system in place. After entering and is open to both members and the pub- paying the fees etc; lic, to show their VW's or to come  Cars to be judged will be directed to along and have a look. It is not restricta Judging Tent and scored before ed to VW branded vehicles, as all vehithey are parked up (people will cles belonging to the VW family have an area and time to prepare (Karmann Ghia, Audi, and Skoda to their car). name a few) are welcome!  Cars just for show will be directed Location to the marshals so they can be parked up immediately. The Shannons Day of the Volkswagen is now located at Taylor Reserve Rocker Cover Racing (adjacent to McCallum Park). We are running the "Rocker Cover Times racing" event (with prizes). Rocker cover racing in a gravity powered track A shorter show will see gates open from 9:30am to 11:00am for entry with approx. 20cm wide and about 4metres the show running from 11:00am to ap- long. If you choose to compete you will need a VW Rocker cover....and 4 prox. 3.00pm on the day. Trophy wheels and decorate it for fun! presentations commence 2:00pm, at the conclusion of which gates will reopen for exiting. Gates are locked from 11:00am to 3:00pm or the safety of all patrons at the show. Entry Vehicle entry is $10, while the public can come have a look for free. This year we are going to be charging a gold coin donation for cars to be judged in the show n shine. All funds raised will go to Telethon. There will be a Show and Shine, a swap meet and a show bag for the first
Entertainment The usual will be there for the kids; bouncy castle, icecream van, face painting and the colouring competition plus the UK Lolly Shop to give them loads of energy! The day has traditionally been a deadline for projects and a date to aim for completing that ride! I am sure that ther will be more debuts and good numbers there again!!!! We plan to make it bigger and better every year with your help. Whether you just come along to look around or you bring along your own V-Dub to show it off, it is such an enjoyable day. So come help make the WA DofVW the best in the country!
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September October November 2012
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Your stories and photos can also be in the magazine...just email them to... viawest@vwclubwa.com.au
September October November 2012
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Vee Dubs @ Busselton Drive-In 3rd and 4th November By Kim Muste and Mark Spriggs
It all started with a phone call between two mates thinking of ideas for a simple South West Volkswagen event. It didn’t take long to hit upon a weekend camping event centred around Vee Dubs @ the Busselton DriveIn. Straight away the drive-in was contacted, providing its full support. After floating the idea the event quickly evolved to cover the whole first weekend in November including a cruise and show ‘n’ shine. To outline how the drive-in event came about it is worth going back around 8 months. In April a few South West locals got together and organised the first South West Vee Dub gathering at the Busselton beachfront. With the support of the Volkswagen Club of WA (Club) and rallying the locals, this first gathering achieved a turnout of 21 local vee dubs from Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River. This one off gathering
turned into a regular informal meet on the second Sunday of every month that now also attracts people down from around Perth and should provide a catalyst for more South West Vee Dub events. Back to the main story….with the backing of the Club and the support of the NoH2O Collective interest in the drive-in event weekend was positive. On the Friday before the weekend many chose to drive down in small groups to camp at reserved sites at Amblin Caravan Park. It was great to see so many different Kombis camped under the trees and to meet some true Volkswagen characters. An enjoyable late night under the stars was had by all. Saturday morning saw a largely blue sky with many driving into town to have a look around. A patch of rain luckily cleared just before the 1pm cruise was about to start from oppo(Continued on page 15)
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September October November 2012
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(Continued from page 14)
site the caravan park. With the weather being unpredictable it was a great surprise to see over 30 Vee Dubs parked and ready to go. The cruise took everyone past beautiful Meelup Beach and along scenic Caves Road to the stunning coastal rocky outcrop of Canal Rocks. It was an amazing sight to see so many colourful VW’s parked up against the blue ocean and amazing scenery. Nearly everyone was seen climbing tall rocks overlooking the car park to get a bird’s eye view of all the cars. After many photos and the cruise took everyone back to the drive-in via scenic Wildwood Road. The drive-in was opened early, exclusively for Vee Dub entry so we could park together and relax before the gates opened to the public. A few later arrivals saw numbers at the drive-in grow to about 40 Vee Dubs and 80 people. Upon entry each car was given a free sticker designed especially for the event and a ticket to win a gate prize of a 1950’s drive-in speaker mounted on an early Volkswagen rocker cover. Two movies, with one probably best forgotten, plenty of burgers and chips along with the speaker raffle rounded out a great day. With more people having driven
down on the Saturday, the crowd of cars and people camping that night was even bigger than the previous night. Sunday morning saw a very dark sky that didn’t disappoint with a massive early down pour from a thunderstorm. Once again the sky cleared at just the right time for the Show ‘n’ Shine held at the Busselton beachfront. Around 30 Vee Dubs ended up on display under a largely blue sky. Just after midday many took the opportunity to leave for the trip home, including a large group that drove back to Perth in convoy for some more Vee Dub fun. Apart from one flat battery in a kombi, where the fridge had been left on, and a tyre blow out on a 1955 oval beetle on the way home, the event went off without a hitch. During and following the weekend, feedback was fantastic and there are plans to run a similar
(Continued on page 16)
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September October November 2012
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(Continued from page 15)
event again next year. For many, the cruise was the biggest they had ever been participated in and for some it was also their first time at a drive-in.
A big thank you to all who attended the event and made it a great success, these things only get off the ground with the support and help of enthusiasts. See you next year !!!! Kim and Mark
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September October November 2012
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Your stories and photos can also be in the magazine...just email them to... viawest@vwclubwa.com.au
September October November 2012
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Your stories and photos can also be in the magazine...just email them to... viawest@vwclubwa.com.au
September October November 2012
VW Hilton’s “Kimberley Trip 2012” (part 1) by Dave Beckley
Via West
Page 19 and restaurants to be accessed on foot. There is a riverside pub that does good food but the service can be a bit slow. Our next stop was at Coral Bay where we jagged the best site in the Peoples Park Caravan Village. The site was in the corner of the park opposite the beach, it was located on unused green lawn with a clear area of lawn between our van and the road. We were so taken with this site that we
Louise and I have been planning a trip to the Kimberley region for many years but for one reason or another we never seemed to make it; but this year we finally succeeded. After the VW Hilton, our 1990 T3 Syncro Campervan had had a service and general check by our Swiss VW mechanic Patrick Hugi; we set off on 28th April on a fantastic four month 12,000 km journey to the top of WA. This travelogue covers the first part of our trip from Perth to Broome with the Kimberley bit to follow later. Between Perth and Broome we travelled Black footed rock wallabies at Cape Range National Park over 4000 km almost double the direct route. We were not in a stayed for four nights. We caught hurry and spent more than four It has clean Loos and rooms that up with some friends from Perth weeks getting to Broome one can shower in using your own who go there every year to get We left home under grey skies portable shower. This pleasant away from Perth’s winter weathand light rain and headed north Shire run camping ground is very er. While in Coral Bay the weathseeking refuge from the rain at close to a lovely beach and while er was excellent and so we did the small Western Flora caravan staying there the rain went away the normal tourist things such as park near Eneabba. This is an and we did not see another drop the glass bottom boat tour and interesting caravan park as the of rain until we returned to Perth snorkelling on the reef. owner is a botanist who runs free at the end of August! From Coral Bay we travelled to guided tours of the bush that surOn May 1st we drove up to CarExmouth and the Cape Range Narounds the caravan park. In the narvon and stayed at the Coral tional Park where we had pre morning the rain abated long Coast Tourist Park, which is close booked with DEC to stay for a enough for us to pack up and get to the town centre allowing shops week at the Kurrajong Camp, underway. After a coffee stop at which is a small camp that is Greenough Village we refuelled in ‘generator free’. Kurrajong is loBeer drinking crab at Cape Geraldton and bought a few last cated a short walk over the dunes Range National Park minute supplies before heading to a lovely beach where fishing is for Coronation Beach where we permitted. The Camp Hosts, Ken stayed for three nights. We used and Ann organised BYO drinks on this time to find a place for everythe beach every evening giving thing and putting everything in its an opportunity to mix with the place. This philosophy is essenother campers and to enjoy the tial for ones sanity in the confines sunset. There is lots of wildlife, of a VW Camper! Coronation both on land and in the water, at Beach is a favourite stop of ours when travelling up the highway. (Continued on page 20)
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September October November 2012
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(Continued from page 19)
CRNP plus some interesting places to walk and lots of photo opportunities. One day we reduced the tyre pressure and took the VW across the soft sand at Yardi Creek and explored the area to the south of CRNP. A group of 4WD enthusiasts watched with great interest expecting the VW to get bogged but it sailed across without any problems. By now we were experiencing 35째 temperatures. After re-stocking the pantry and doing our washing in Exmouth we continued on our way stopping at the Kaillis fresh fish store to buy some local prawns for our evening meal. That night we stayed at Giralia Station, which is now owned by DEC. The camping facilities are fairly basic and we were the only people staying there that night. Next day we detoured off the main road to Onslow and then to a free camp site east of Three Mile Pool near Old Onslow where we stayed for three nights. Apparently there was a bad cyclone many years ago that destroyed the original town after which the town was moved to its current location. The local pastoralist used the stone building blocks from the old houses to build a dam across the river mouth forming a large fresh water pool that attracts lots of
The track to our unofficial camp site in Millstream NP birds and that also provides good fresh water fishing. There is not much left of Old Onslow apart from the solidly constructed police station. There are no facilities at this free camping area so you need to be self sufficient.
pretty result, we thought it would do until we could get a replacement windscreen. Little did we know that we would not be able to get a new windscreen in the NW without staying at one place long enough for one to be delivered from the Eastern States. The road between Onslow and the Mind you we ended up driving highway and had recently been more than 10,000 km over some upgraded and resealed and it was very rough roads and the crack along this section of road that a had not changed when we got truck threw up a sizable piece of home! blue metal that put a serious star crack in our windscreen. FortuAfter reaching the highway once nately I had a roadside windmore we decided to detour to screen repair kit and although the Millstream National Park. We had size of the star was beyond what a look at the old Millstream the directions said could be reHomestead etc and then drove to paired, I set about doing the best Crossing Pool camp site, which is I could and although not a very right by the water, but it was fully occupied and so we backtracked Sunset at 3 Mile pool at Old Onslow and stayed for one night at the Stargazers camp site, which we had to our selves. The next day we had a longer walk around the homestead and the oasis created by the freshwater springs before heading to Python Pool and the nearby Snake Creek camp site that was shown on the DEC leaflet for MSNP area. We could not find the camp site and have since been told that DEC had closed this site Arrgh! We had to find a spot to spend the night so followed a track into the bush where we met a couple in a big 4WD going in the opposite direction. (Continued on page 21)
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September October November 2012 (Continued from page 20)
They told us that 11 km further on there was a good spot to camp. We thought 11 km was ok but it took us nearly an hour to get there due to the condition of the track, which gave the 4WD Syncro a chance to prove its value. It was however worth the slow drive to get there as the camp site was on a billabong with massive cliffs that turned red in the evening sunlight. Once again we were on our own. Many people ask if we worry about being in these remote spots alone; the answer is no, we both really enjoy the solitude of the bush and have a Sat phone for emergency contact if required.
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water birds including a flock of 50 or more pelicans.
From Dollena Pool we went in to the town of Marble Bar, which has some lovely old stone buildings and we also went to the actual ‘marble bar’ across the river. We bought some fuel Inland Pilbara Millstream NP in Marble Bar that turned out to be either very old or ered section but had to contend from dirty tanks, as the VW did with caravaners that have to run not run smoothly again until we their generators, which they tend refuelled on the highway. From to locate as far away from their Marble Bar we took a van as possible with scant regard short cut to the highfor others. Barn Hill has some way along a dirt road beautiful beaches that stretch that went past the way into the distance. The campghost iron ore town er’s facilities are basic but adeof Goldsworthy. quate, provided you have a showWe spent the next er before the solar heated water couple of nights at disappears! Cape Kerandren with After three nights at Barn hill we is beautiful beach drove the last 150 km to Broome and camped by the where we stayed at the Tarangan tidal creek, which is Caravan Park, which is located filled with really aqua reasonably close to Cable Beach. blue/green coloured We stayed in Broom for three Doollena Pool near Marble Bar water. From Cape nights, restocking and doing miKerandren we had a 350 km jourThe next day we retraced our nor repairs before heading up to ney to Barn Hill Station that some steps to the main dirt road and Cape Leveque, which I will friends had told us was worth a went on to Dampier, a town that write about next month…. visit. We found a nice site overis of special significance to Louise looking the ocean in the unpowand I as this is where we first met when we were both working on a major construction project way back in 1970; this was therefore a real trip down memory lane. We also went to Cossack with its beautifully restored buildings, and Point Samson where we stayed for a night. Our travels then took us to Port Hedland, for a quick drive through the town with its massive iron ore operations and then off the main road again heading to another free camping spot at Doolena Pool near Marble Bar. Doolena Pool is a billabong with an attractive gorge but there are no facilities so it was out with the spade again! The pool is quite large and attracts lots of The north beach at Barn Hill Station
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September October November 2012
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also ranked among the top three in their respective categories. On the whole, this has been another fantastic achievement for the brand.”
Volkswagen Victorious in Wheels Magazine
Wheels Gold Star Value awards compared vehicles in 16 different categories ranging from light vehicles under $20K to performance cars valued up to $150K across a range of criteria including warranty, fuel economy, purchase price, depreciation, insurance costs, and service schedules and prices.
Golf BlueMotion named best value small car under $35K for second year Passat V6 Highline leads the pack in Premium Medium car category
Volkswagen Touareg Sets New World Record
Volkswagen Golf and Passat take pole position in the 2012 Wheels magazines Gold Star Value awards. Adding to its growing list of accolades, the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion has been recognised as the best value small car under $35K for the second year in a row. Of the Golf BlueMotion, the Wheels judges commented “(The Golf) wins hands down in terms of fuel economy. As for the drive, its 2009 Car of the Year trophy still shines.” Equally enthused by the Passat V6 Highline, the panel awarded Wheels’ Gold Star for value to the Volkswagen in the premium medium $45-65K segment declaring it the best investment among its rivals. “The Volkswagen is quick, classy, and holds its value…” the magazine states.
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Anke Koeckler, Managing Director, Volkswagen Group Australia, said of the wins; “The Golf BlueMotion continues to exceed all in its class, again proving Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technology is not only good for the environment, but the hip pocket too.”
Adventurer takes just 17 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes to make his way from Melbourne, Australia to St. Petersburg, Russia.
"Exhausted, but over the moon!“ That’s how Rainer Zietlow and the Chal“What’s more, the Passat V6 achieved lenge4 team feel after their record a class leading 67 percent with regards breaking trip from Melbourne to St. to retained value. It’s a feature packed Petersburg. The long-distance adventurer reached his destination on 13 vehicle, for a competitive price. August, 2012 at 11pm local time after “Not to be overlooked, the Golf 77TSI, spending 17 days, 18 hours and 49 Jetta 118TSI, Golf GTI and Eos were minutes non-stop on the road in his Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI. The offroad enthusiast and his team departed Melbourne in late July to personally deliver a message from the mayor of Melbourne to the mayor of its twin city, St. Petersburg. Zietlow and his teammates, Marius Biela and Vladimir Gagarin, travelled over 23,000 kilometres through nine countries: Australia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, China, Kazakhstan and finally Russia. Limited extra equipment, such as an enlarged fuel tank, assisted the Touareg to perform extremely well under challenging conditions. “The Touareg delivered peak performance (Continued on page 23)
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despite the poor quality of diesel in the Asian countries“, explained excited Zietlow after the trip. The unpredictable road and weather conditions in Indonesia initially added one and a half days to the planned duration of the journey, yet the adventurers managed to set a new country record for crossing the island state in just over five days. Efficiency also played a major role in this extraordinary tour: The fuelefficient 3.0l V6 TDI engine placed Rainer Zietlow’s team in an excellent positon. The off-road Volkswagen consumed 30 percent less fuel and emitcoveted tile 4x4 Australia Magazine’s ted about 25 percent less CO2 than “2011 4x4 Ute of the Year” award. comparable petrol vehicles in its class. Behind the success of the Amarok is “What an incredible achievement.“ deits benchmark off-road ability and onclared Volkswagen Group Australia’s road refinement which help to set it Managing Director, Anke Koeckler. apart from the other utes in the class. “On behalf of all of us at Volkswagen, I 4x4 Australia’s Road-Test Editor, Frawould like to congratulate the Chalser Stronach, sums up the Amarok lenge4 team on completing such an strengths in his review; “On the road arduous journey in a record time. The the Amarok rides and handles far betTouareg was well and truly put through ter than any ute should and it also ofits pace.“ fers a near passenger-car-like level of refinement and noise suppression.” The entire trip was offset by Volkswagen Group Australia via the “Engines in other new utes on the not-for-profit offset provider, Carbon marker may look better on paper but, Neutral. Additionally, Challenge4 will on the road, the Amarok gives little or providea donation of 10 Euro Cents for nothing away in terms of performance each kilometre driven from Melbourne and wins on refinement and economy. to St. Petersburg to Plan International. “It’s a cut, if not several cuts, above the Further information as well as fascinatclass average.” ing images and video footage taken during the trip can be found at “Topping off the Amarok is a big and www.touareg-russtralia.com. comfortable cabin and the best tray in the business,” wrote Mr Stronach.
Volkswagen Amarok is 4x4 Australia Magazine’s ‘Best in Class’
4x4 Australia Magazine has judged 4x4’s highest achievers and the Volkswagen Amarok was the clear leader in the ute segment. The Amarok has proved a huge success since arriving in Australia and its list of achievements also include the
New Golf Premiere at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris Additional world premieres for near final prototypes of the new Golf BlueMotion and Golf GTI At the Mondial de l’Automobile starting yesterday in Paris everything at the Volkswagen show area revolves around the new Golf. In showing prototypes of the exceptionally fuel-efficient Golf BlueMotion and especially sporty Golf GTI, both almost ready to go into full production, Volkswagen is also providing a first look at some models of the future.
The Amarok uses Volkswagen’s latest 2.0-litre common rail diesel engine to bring new levels of refinement and efficiency to the pick-up market, yet is just as powerful and more efficient than rivals that still use larger capacity units.
Available across Europe from the autumn, the Golf is being presented to a broad audience for the first time in Paris. With its larger interior (extra legroom in the back and 30 litres more luggage space), new pioneering safety systems such as multi-collision braking Phil Clark, Volkswagen’s Director of fitted as standard and a proactive pasCommercial Vehicles was pleased to senger protection system (PreCrash), hear of the Amarok’s latest success. plus completely redesigned information “‘These accolades are a great testaand entertainment systems, ment to the success of the Amarok and Volkswagen is aiming to continue the with the recent release of our 8-Speed bestseller’s success story. New, fuelAutomatic and Single Cab Amarok efficient engines like the 140 PS petrol variants we are happy to be able to motor with cylinder deactivation and give the industry a new benchmark to consumption of 4.8 litres per 100 kilowork towards.” metres (121 g CO2/km) use up to 23 (Continued on page 24)
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per cent less fuel than their predecessors. Optimisation at this level on the new Golf is, however, not the exception, but the rule: the base models consume as petrol versions (TSI) 4.9 l/100 km (equating to 115 g CO2/km) and as diesels (TDI) just 3.8 l/100 km (99 g CO2 /km). By showing the near-production concept of the next Golf BlueMotion, Volkswagen is also giving visitors an insight into some sophisticated and yet affordable fuel-saving technologies. The future Golf BlueMotion excels with impressive average fuel consumption of just 3.2 l/100 km, equating to a CO2 value of 85 g/km. It launches as a full production model in the summer of 2013. Proof that even sporty vehicles can be fuel-efficient is provided by the new Golf GTI concept car. At just 6.0 l/100 km the seventh generation of the sporty classic again sets a new record. The average fuel consumption of the 162 kW Golf GTI has been reduced in comparison to its predecessor by 1.3 litres or 18 per cent.
Volkswagen up! Australia's Most Affordable Five-Star Rated New Car
Already awarded Europe’s NCAP Advanced Award for its innovative City Emergency Braking function, ANCAP Chairman, Mr Lachlan McIntosh said, “ANCAP is pleased to see that the Up! Volkswagen’s revolutionary city car, the up!, has scored the maximum five- provides advanced safety features as star safety rating from ANCAP, making standard and offers other occupant it the most affordable new five-star car comforts such as Bluetooth as optional extras," said ANCAP Chairman, Mr on the road. Lauchlan McIntosh. From just $13,990, the up! brings unprecedented levels of safety to the sub "It is hard to fathom why features that light category, offering innovative tech- protect vehicle occupants are sold as optional extras by most manufacturnology more commonly found in cars ers, yet alloy wheels and leather double the up!’s price. seats, for instance, come as standard. Featuring driver and front passenger The move by Volkswagen to include airbags, plus front side/ head airbags, autonomous emergency braking ABS with brake assist, ESP and the (AEB) in the up! as standard across all up!’s much-lauded City Emergency variants is a welcome change." Braking system, the up! is designed "The standard fitment of safety feawith the upmost safety for both passenger and other traffic participants in tures and safety technologies is something ANCAP has been advocating for mind. Life-saving laser-guided City Emergency Braking system a first for cars under $30,000, let alone $14,000
some time and all manufacturers should follow Volkswagen's lead," he added. Volkswagen Group Australia Managing Director, Ms Anke Koeckler, said, “The up! represents a new benchmark in affordable safety, and makes the latest in Volkswagen’s life-saving technology available to the growing sub light segment. The up! truly is The People’s Car.” The new up! is the first car in its class in the world to have a City Emergency Braking function, which at speeds of between 5km/h to 30km/h detects the risk of an impending collision and can reduce accident severity by initiating automatic brake interventions that can even avoid a crash. So far, the up! is the only vehicle in the segment to be offered with this function. (Continued on page 26)
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The VW Beetle - An icon debuts at 2012 Australian International Motor Show 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 or Maggiolino! 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 last production of the New Beetle series ended, it had sold more than one million cars. And now? The future of the most famous car in the world begins again. It’s The Beetle!
develop a high-tech car that was still affordable, yet integrated with 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. Design target: "Design a new original!"
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. 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 sections are nearly identical.
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 Technological goal: high-tech in harbrand. Volkswagen Design Chief Walmony with the environment ter de Silva (Group) and Klaus Bischoff Beetle is an icon. This car tells a story. (Volkswagen Brand) "understand" both and therefore they set this as the obOnly someone who knows its history jective for the Beetle: "Design a new could make a new generation of this Volkswagen a reality. The task for the original!" engineers was very clear. They had to Bolder, more dynamic, more masculine. A comparison to the 1998 New Beetle shows this: nothing remained as it was on the old car: The Beetle is now characterised by a clean, selfconfident and dominant sportiness. The car not only has a lower profile; it is also substantially wider, the front bonnet is longer, the front windscreen is shifted further back and has a much steeper incline. The new Beetle is bolder, more dynamic, more masculine. The new focal point is the C-pillar. In parallel, the development team increased the car’s track widths and wheelbase. All of this gives the Beetle a powerful appearance with muscular tension.
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Typical Volkswagen, typical Beetle: a new DNA New styling. Despite all of its individuality, 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 A-pillar and C-pillar and the styling of the rear lights. Beetle, Kombi, 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, Kombi 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 shape of the bonnet, sides and door sills and – more than ever – the large wheels that can be integrated. An original interior like no other The cockpit makes a visual impression. 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. The Beetle’s cockpit is unique, unmistakable, cool, classic and designed with a passion for detail. This cockpit is perceived as something special. Everything within reach and sight. Three round instruments arranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge) provide all key information; integrated in the speedometer (middle position) is a multifunction display. The shape and use of colour in the 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. The audio/navigation systems are optimally located in the driver’s visual field on the dashboard and framed by two air vents. This also
includes the controls for the climate control system. Everything is within grasp and sight. Comeback of the glovebox. Similar to 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 painted accents in the spokes. Details like these clearly indicate that the occupants are in a Beetle – there’s no mistaking it. Air-cooled Beetle. New Beetle. The Beetle. A distinguishing feature of The 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 lowslung 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 beyond its class. The car’s styling, ergonomics, operability and quality interact to create a new, friendly car with a highly individual nature. The Beetle will be released at launch in early 2013.
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FAREWELL TO VW BRAZIL KOMBI Volkswagen has finally ended production of the Kombi van in Brazil after 63 years...by TIM NICHOLSON THE end of an era is about to come for the iconic Volkswagen Kombi, with news that the German car-maker will finally cease production of the muchsions, with the Microbus concept from loved people-mover by the end of next the 2001 Detroit auto show previewing year. a possible successor that never made Car and Driver magazine has reported it to production. that the final examples of the Kombi will be built at Volkswagen of Brazil’s Sao Bernardo del Campo factory at the end of 2013.
More recently was the Bulli concept that appeared at the 2011 Geneva motor show.
Car and Driver reported that the head of Volkswagen Brazil, Thomas Schmall, said the Bulli was more of a design exercise and is no longer a priority for Volkswagen, but the company is still keen to fill the gap in that segVolkswagen has sold the Kombi in Brazil since 1957 and the current itera- ment to cater to “cost-conscious business owners.” tion is based on phase 2 of the T2 model that was built in Germany be© Car and Driver tween 1967 and 1979. The demise of the Kombi marks a 63year lifespan for the vehicle, having commenced production in Germany in 1950.
The end of Kombi production comes after stricter safety standards were introduced in Brazil requiring any new vehicles sold after 1 January 2014 to be fitted with dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes.
And the world's fastest hybrid is...the 2013 VW Jetta
The current Brazilian-spec Kombi features a very prominent grille after VW switched from the traditional air-cooled rear engine to a water-cooled 1.4-litre Article provided by Don Yates... engine a few years ago. Volkswagen has announced that its 2013 Jetta Hybrid became the fastest Volkswagen’s product development manager for Brazil, Egon Feichter, told hybrid production-based car in the world during Southern California TimAutocar in the UK that the Kombi ing Association’s (SCTA) annual would have to become “a new car” to Speed Week. comply with the new laws. Motor Trend Associate Road Test EdiThe Kombi is not the only old Volkswagen model to be continually sold since its introduction, with the first generation Golf only ceasing production in South Africa in 2009. An older version of the Passat that still sells in China is about to be replaced shortly.
tor Carlos Lago was in the driver's seat of the specially-modified compact sedan when it set the new hybrid speed record of 185.394 mph (298.363 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats, near Wendover, Nevada. In order to comply with SCTA rules, VW says that the record-breaking Jetta's powertrain was altered by the company's R&D team in Wolfsburg, Germany, to ramp up the available horsepower. Engineers from Volkswagen Test Center California took care of drivetrain implementation and final calibration, and further mods were undertaken by California's A-Salt Racing and Advanced Product Engineering to make sure the car could run safely on the famous Salt Flats. "It was a real challenge to integrate the complex hybrid elements and generate the power needed to run at these speeds," said VW's Marc Trahan. "The Jetta Hybrid Land Speed Record project shows both the sporty nature of our Hybrid offering and the technical excellence of our engineers in Wolfsburg and in the Test Center California." The 2013 Jetta Hybrid was announced in January 2012 and is scheduled for release in the U.S. toward the end of this year. VW expects the vehicle to achieve a combined fuel economy of 45 mpg (19.1 km/l), using about 20 percent less fuel than a similarlypowered sedan with a conventional drivetrain. It features a 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI gasoline powerplant that weighs just 216 pounds (98 kg) and develops (Continued on page 29)
Volkswagen has flirted with a Kombi replacement on a number of occa-
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150 horsepower. It can get to 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 9 seconds and is also claimed to be the first hybrid car to use a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. An additional 27 hp is provided by a 20 kW electric motor that's powered by a compact 220-volt, 1.1 kWh Li-ion battery pack of 60 individual cells integrated behind the rear bench seat. The Jetta Hybrid can be driven in pure electric mode at speeds up to 44 mph (70 km/h), although only for a distance of 1.2 miles (1.9 km). The vehicle also makes use of regenerative braking to feed kinetic energy back to the Li-ion battery but is claimed to do so more efficiently than other systems.
The Jetta Hybrid is reported to be the quietest car that VW has ever produced in the compact sedan class, weighs less than 3310 pounds (1501 kg) and includes Bluetooth technology, LED taillights and a SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. Safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, and anti-lock brakes.
When Jetta's driver releases the gas pedal to apply the brake, the car's decoupling clutch disengages the ICE engine so that all the retardation is done by the brakes rather than a com© http://www.gizmag.com/volkswagen bination of brakes, drivetrain drag and -jetta-hybrid-takes-speed-record/23835 engine torque. VW says that this releases more energy back to the battery.
VW Engineers Underwater Car for Shark Week
Provided there's enough charge for the electric motor to operate, the Jetta Hybrid’s gasoline engine is stopped when the car comes to a halt in city driving or stop/go traffic situations. When the driver kicks down, or the lever is in the S position or in the manual shift gate, the drive system combines the power of the electric motor and gas engine to By Sylvie Barak, West Coast Online Reporter, EETimes. provide a peak output of 170 hp.
Volkswagen sunk to new advertising depths for Shark Week, a beloved Discovery Channel yearly institution, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. Volkswagen’s Great White advertising hope took the shape of an underwater drive-able VW Beetle, which revs around the ocean floor, chasing sharks, and getting some incredible footage in the process. Open Waters meets open-topped classic, if you will. The Beetle is something of a cross between a shark cage (albeit not a particularly safe-looking one) and James Bond’s dream, made from tubular aluminum, with alloy wheels, propellers, and an inbuilt air system that allows the driver (diver?) to plug into before taking it for a spin, under the surf. Engineered from the ground up, using blueprints for the actual VW Beetle, the Volkswagen team and marine biologist Luke Tipple said the car took approximately three weeks to build and is only about an inch off the above-water version. The car was featured in a three-part short-form series aired during Shark Week, where viewers got a chance to check out the design process, the construction, and eventual submersion of the Beetle. Something to sink your teeth into, isn’t it?
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SPARE PARTS Article provided by Jerry Heldt What to do when you don’t want to throw away those little parts in the garage...and more!
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PART ONE
Playing a Round of Golf VI 2011 Golf 77TDI "Team" Driven 2011-04-28 to 2011-06-26 by Bernd Felsche Bernd Felsche reports, somewhat belatedly, on his road trip with a Golf VI 77TDI in Europe on a quasi-holiday. This is not just a drive report. It's something like, but not entirely, a travel diary. There's a glimmer of hope that this article will be found both interesting and at least a little entertaining. The author invites you to grab a cuppa, put your feet up and enjoy the road trip of over 6500 kilometres in 60 days. Murphy's Law. Arrival The jet touched down near Frankfurt/Main, the anticipation rose. Not only had I managed to finally have a holiday, I'd also tacked on some training at the beginning which I was hoping would be useful for my business' future. And I'd have 60 days to give a SEAT Leon a fair shake. I had a lot of time to mull over those things as baggage repeated got jammed in the carousel's conveyor. Finally, the large grey Samsonite loomed on top of the carousel and some pushing and prodding of the jammed luggage by half a dozen pasengers who'd all grown tired of waiting more than 30 minutes to collect their bags, the Samsonite case with the mint green trim, which I've taken back and forth for a decade, was in my sweaty hand.
landed around lunchtime so there was daylight coming in through the windows and glazed doors. Made it a bit easier to gather my wits and to look for signs. Overhead were signs pointing to Rental Car counters. But from the corner of my eye, I spotted a kiosk of the rental company of my choice in different direction. OK. Time to get a grip on reality, recognize that it's a construction site and that the signs are either wishful thinking or ghosts of times past! (Or signs of a conspiracy by psychiatrists to drum up business.) Introduction
Australia; which had been sufficient 4 years earlier. One of the things that amazes me about too many people at service counters like that is that they make you do all the problem solving. They don't run through a set of options or solutions that have worked for some of their other customers in similar situations. None of that experience is available to the customer; who may have been in transit for 24 hours or more and are quite unlikely to be as resourceful, cognitive and inventive at devising a solution.
With suitcase in tow, I went to the counter to take care of the formalities to collect the car. This was going to be great. My first proper drive of a new SEAT Leon! To feel how the Spaniards interpret Volkswagen.
I'd already done my homework and planned to get a local SIM for my mobile phone the next day, but the rental company needed a number immediately, before they'd let me take the car. Technology is a marvellous thing and once you recognize that the staff are As soon as I identified myself at the only there to keep the computers haprental desk, the young lady gave me py, everything runs soothly. That took the good news: They'd upgraded me me longer than usual; but I eventually I'd also been at Frankfurt airport many to a Golf TDI at no extra charge. And a offered them the phone number of times, but each time it's been different. very economical one at that; they friends with whom I'd be staying the claimed. So after passing through the friendly first few nights; out of 60. passport control, I was in a large hall I was more disoriented than disapThe computer was then sufficiently which was quite unlike the floorplan pointed. satisfied to make the car available. I that I'd downloaded from the airport's got the docket to collect the car and The second shock came when they website and studied a week earlier. I was pointed in the direction of the car asked for my phone number. In Gerlove surprises like that. They get the park. many. It wasn't sufficient for them to juices flowing. be able to call the mobile number of (Continued on page 32) My flight from Perth via Dubai had the phone that I was carrying from
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Car Rental Fees Those of you reading what is on the docket may note the 20% surcharge for picking up the car from a "priority" station. There is quite a thick soup of options available when renting a car and one needs to balance what is on offer with how one expects to use the car in order to get the best deal. Under other circumstances, I'd have caught a train to a non-priority station, saved 20%, but then been liable to a surcharge for kilometres travelled above a "limit". It's a problem solved by simple algebra. My expectation was that I'd be driving further than that limit and that the difference would be more likely to be in my favour if I picked up the car from the airport with unlimited km. Not completely routed. Rental cars are parked deep within the bowels of the airport. There were a few rental station staff on hand to point me at the correct car. I hoiked my suitcase into the boot and unpacked the various travelling paraphenalia like the GPS navigation equipment. One of the "traps" of car rental is to drive off with a car without first checking it for obvious damage. That can be costly as rental companies don't care how much it costs you to fix the damage. So I always take a few minutes to walk around the outside, take a look from various angles and caress the corners, feeling for bumps. Nothing showed up. Looking around inside, I note that the bottle opener is missing. Replacement costs about $30 so I had to make sure that they knew that is was missing before I drove away. One of the staff begin by trying to note the missing opener on the card (blue scribble) but his pen fails. He then walks over to what looks like his private vehicle (not a VW), open the boot and takes out a "spare" opener that fits the Golf. hmmmm All set, I reprogramme my right arm to operate the gear shift. Engine starts fine with a slight diesel rattle. I make final adjustments to the mirrors, switch on the lights, carefully reverse out of the parking bay and head for the escape tunnel. And then there was daylight. I knew the general direction and road to take, so I didn't have to wait for the GPS receiver to figure out that it'd been moved to the other side of the world
while it was asleep. During my "day job", I usually drive a Golf V TDI 2.0 with an engine that delivers almost double the power of the 77TDI. And it's got 6 forward gears compared to the 77TDI's 5. Which I find to be initially annoying because I can't engage 6th gear on the Autobahn.
ment levels. Trim feels was almost imperceptably "harder", especially in the plastics of the dash, console and door trim. The information in the instrument panel is more comprehensive; but while one is driving, there are better places to focus one's attention.
Ride is a bit smoother than the Golf V's; more settled. Road noise, that from the tyres is most noticeably reI stick to the right lane while I get used duced. In handling; the 2.0TDI is a to driving on the "wrong" side of the more substantial engine than the 1.6 road and use the ripples on the border litre TDI of the 77TDI so the front of stripe to feel the width of the car, sitthe newer car is understandably more ting on the left of the car. Still pre-rush responsive to directional changes. hour, traffic is fairly light and I pull into Steering feel is about the same as on a rest area to programme my navigathe Golf V; AWOL. No feedback from tion system for my destination and a the nature of the surface. No early way point. The weather is pleasant warning of loss of traction. That makes enough; not bright sunshine as such. It traction and stability control almost gives me the first change to see the indispensable. car in daylight. The still-new engine ran out of grunt My planned stop is the small town of on the long, fast climbs. The fuel conLinden near Giessen, just off the Autosumption indicator didn't show any bahn to the Ruhr region of Germany. remarkable fuel savings. Consumption The plan is to take on some drinks and was about what I'd get in the 2.0TDI. munchies for the next 2 hours of drivBut the 77TDI has a particulate filter ing. Bottled water appears to be alwhich has a tendency to consume fuel most free; with the deposit on the botto disintegrate collected particulates. tles representing about 70% of the Consider that extra fuel an offering to purchase price. Bananas are cheaper irrational fears. than in Australia and Haribo Gold Bears will at least stop me from talking The car seems happy to cruise at beto myself while I drive. tween 130 and 150, though some of the climbs knock the speed back to The clock was ticking and rush hour about 120; as I don't like to see the approached. Cloud cover is now thick fuel consumption continuously above 7 and the air is heavy. I make a quick l/100km and, as I've mentioned before; phone call to my friends telling them to the car is still new with fewer than expect me a little later, given the likeli2500 km on the odometer and I have hood of there being a major traffic just a little respect for running in masnarl. Before I set off, I turned on the chinery even if it belongs to somebody radio and listened to the traffic reports else. as I sipped on some apple juice and unhanded a second banana. I find that I don't make much use of the cruise control with the undulating terWhistle wetted and stomach occupied rain and changing traffic conditions. with fruitful digestion, it was back to Besides, with no speed limit for much the Autobahn for the long haul. Settling of the Autobahn, a reasonable speed into the cruise, I began to appreciate isn't a fixed one. One simply drives to some of the Golf V vs Golf VI differ(Continued on page 33) ences; apart from simply the equip-
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so I had to buy some notebooks, a few blank CD's etc for the training in which the changing conditions. I was taking part over the coming fortThe mod-con that I miss the most from night. 2.0TDI Comfortline are the sound sysI'd be staying in a hotel room for two tem controls on the steering wheel and weeks and the weekend in-between so the automatic wipers and lights. Getthere were other provisions to make as ting the correct wiping interval to well; including toiletries and plastic match precipitation is impossible in the bags for my laundry and collection of 77TDI. There are a few choices of inplastic bottles on which I could collect tervals, but the rain doesn't match any a deposit at some point. I also had a of them, most of the time. hankering for some comfortable driving shoes as shoes for walking about in an I get into the rush hour traffic but it's nowhere near as bad as around Perth. office aren't nearly ideal for driving. Proper footwear makes a big differMajor differences seem to be that alence to driving comfort and in being most everybody is paying attention able to drive without getting snagged and that they don't dawdle; their actions are decisive and predictable. And behind pedals, etc. so it is that I am welcomed by my My homework on the SIM told me that friends in the city of Herne at a reasona department store selling the right able hour on a Thursday. one was within easy driving distance. So I tickled the diesel into life, did a uOnce I've settled in an freshened up, there are stories to tell, food to eat and turn at the end of the cul-de-sac and headed in approximately the right dia variety of beverages in which to inrection, paying little heed to my navidulge. Before I go to sleep, I look out of the window and press the lock but- gation system because I had plenty of time to "get lost" and to re-aquaint myton on the remote control for the car locks; making sure that the car is safe self with the town, driving on local roads in Germany and, not least, to and secure for the night. The Golf winks back in acknowledgement. The practice those tricky "city" driving procedures in the Golf. Cobbled roads are Golf. Paused interesting when wet. First Dawn It was drizzly. I chose a wipe interval Just like regular folk, it's a working day that seemed to be least-offensive and of sorts for me on the Friday. Top of drove around town for about half an the to-do list after breakfast is to go hour, poking the Golf's nose where it into town and to buy a SIM to plug into had no need to be, before deciding my mobile phone so that I can make that I should do some actual shopping. affordable phone calls in Germany and Guided by "Kevin's" instructions issued from Belgium; and get some basic In- via the TomTom Navigator, I found the ternet access on the move in DeutschREWE department store with plenty of land. Paper, etc. is heavy stuff to be parking available. In post-industrial carrying to the other side of the world (Continued from page 32)
Page 33 Germany, many industrial areas and disused railyards have been adapted to ordindary commercial activity; shops. Those areas are usually on the fringes of what used to be the old town. Department store shock is inevitable, even if an Aussie has been shopping in Germany on previous visits. The variety is what stuns more than the prices. In Australia, you might see 1 to 3 brands of one product per metre of shelves. In Germany, it's about 10 brands; all trying to compete for customers. And that includes libations. Booze. In the same store. In several aisles. At prices that would make a Temperance League member melt into the shiny floor. Cheap booze doesn't make for a nation of alcoholics. After spending altogether too much time gawking at the shelves and perhaps making the store staff suspicious, I begin actual shopping and grab some of the things I want. Amongst them, some disposable lens wipes for my spec's. Name-brand costs about â‚Ź3 for a pack of 50 and the store brand half of that. I buy one of each, considering the potential benefit of a product trial. Then there's a roll of 50 plastic "garbage" bags with pull-tape; ferpect for my laundry and other needs, for less than â‚Ź2. Then it's a matter of finding the SIM "Starter Pack", and some stationery. I was already prepared for the dissonance at the checkout: They wanted 20 Euro cents for a plastic carrier bag. Although I was tempted to simply peel a 4-cent garbage bag off the roll I'd just bought and use that, I (Continued on page 34)
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settings mode and alter something used the linen carrier bag from my beyond their expectations. Proper jacket pocket. Yes, a moment of weak- geeks appreciate such details (and ness. much, much more) on e.g. a USB thumb drive to plug into their laptop or It was time to get back to digs; to regfondle-slab. Don't they? ister the SIM over the Internet; to send a dozen SMS messages and make as What I discovered in the manual was many phone calls to let people know that the Golf was equipped with all the the number at which I could be consensors to park itself. I read further tacted in Europe. That included the car and realized what'd previously made rental company. By the time I was fin- me rather queasy, was another feature ished, the Starter Pack's initial credit of the car. Namely the dipping of the had almost been used up completely. side-mirrors when reversing so that it's No prize for guessing what was on easier to see the kerb. A good idea in Saturday's shopping list. theory; but with non-planar mirrors and the dipping process taking well over 3 With the critical tasks completed, I seconds, anybody concentrating on pulle the owner's manual from the the image in the mirror will believe that Golf. Although owner's manuals have the car is drifing sideways, even when long threatened to make helpful sales its wheels aren't turning. That has and service staff obsolete, I think made manual parking more difficult. Volkswagen deserves a gong for seHad I owned the car, I'd have exorcuring those jobs and the jobs of the cised that demon from the people who write the seldom-molested "convenience" settings. owner's manuals. Latterly, VW's manuals have been supplied in a ring binder But they won't be held responsible for with relevant section in separate book- any damage if you use the automatic lets included, depending on the model parking feature. One useful convenand options chosen. ience diversion was the multi-media interface option on the Radio-CD. It After browsing through the contents of was installed and just need to be the aforementioned binder, I halfplugged in; with my music on my expected to find a card inside the covthumb drive arranged in a suitable er saying YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED way. I then had the choice of listening TO READ THIS. While it's nice to have to radio, CD or my own music colleca separable section for the radio, etc., tion through the car's sound system. somebody, somewhere, may to actualThe benefit of that was that traffic anly think that they have to read all of it nouncement would still be heard, even to make full use of the car and to be when listening to my favourite tunes. prepared for unusual circumstances. The Golf VI platform hasn't made Traffic information Regional traffic things easy, either for writers of owninformation is available in voice/ er's manuals or those who wish to audible form over all of Germany and read the manuals. All the gadgetry is by most radio stations as a service piggy-backed onto their normal signal. much more confrontational than with the Golf V; the earlier model not offer- If traffic information is enabled on the ing nearly so many options. As an ex- radio (as it is by default on a car radio), ample, the trip computer section of the then important traffic announcements Golf VI's manual covers over 30 pagwill be heard over other content being es. And if you're not (computer) techni- transmitted, by anybody in the region listening to their car audio system. Urcally minded, most of it is gibberish and wholly confuddling. It takes a while gent announcements can come to recognize that the trip computer is through at any time. General traffic also a way of adjusting lots of the condition reporting occurs every half "comfort features" of the car like auto- hour or so. Such services give drivers matic locking of doors when the car the information to perhaps change their routes; or to take a longer break exceeds a preset speed. Of course, there are only 6 buttons available to at a rest stop. adjust a hundred settings. People don't even need an electronic Most people never want to know this navigation system to make use of the except when it stops working. They information. Knowledge of the area may indeed believe the vehicle to have and/or a map is enough. It seems to become possessed by demons should keep a lid on driver frustration if they they inadvertantly enter the feature still get caught in a jam; and they're (Continued from page 33)
Page 34 not totally in the dark about the situation. But you need to understand the lingo. Saturday I was still thinking of my footwear options and, as it was not quite raining, I headed for the centre of town on foot. A brisk 10 minute walk that wasn't too much of a shock to the system. The centre of town was quite depressing. There were too many closed shops to be cheerful. Prices were low for most things; especially compared to Australia, taking into account currency conversion. The only thing that stood out as being hugely expensive was a special edition of Monopoly, featuring the town. They were flinging them out the door at about ₏45 a pop. I didn't bother to check which street they had to compare to Mayfair. It would have been too heavy to carry back to Australia as a memento. Discount 2-Euro stores weren't doing huge trade either. Customers seemed to be very careful in their spending. Including me. I visited every shoe shop in the middle of town but found nothing to suit me at a price that I was willing to pay. Perhaps a sigh escaped, as I resolved to go back to the department store on the fringe later in the day and have a closer look at what they were offering. On the trek back to digs, I dropped into the local railway station's newsagent and purchased a "recharge" coupon for my new mobile phone SIM. That'd have to last for 2 weeks while I was out of the country. I drove the car back to the department store and found some suitable shoes at a fair price. A few other bits and bobs filled my shopping bag. I was provisionally ready for a fortnight in Belgium. Which was appropriate because I'd be departing before noon the next day. And there was still plenty of juice in the car, so no need to refuel until well into the first week in Belgium, where fuel seemed a bit cheaper anyway. Which left me some more time to spend with my friends between packing what I was taking with me to Belgium and packing other things to leave in the care of my friends. Copyright Š 2012 Bernd Felsche, Perth, Western Australia PART TWO TO FOLLOW...
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Page 36
If you would like to advertise your business on this back page or anywhere in the Via West please contact the‌ The Editor Volkswagen Club of Western Australia (Inc) PO Box 175 Victoria Park Western Australia 6979 Phone: 0407347340 Email: viawest@vwclubwa.com
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