USA - Volkswagen debuts the 2017 Golf Alltrack to the American market.

• Adds 4MOTION® all-wheel drive to Golf SportWagen’s on-road acumen
• Body cladding and additional ground clearance give Alltrack a rugged off-road look
• “Off-Road Mode” adds hill descent control and optimizes traction control
• Golf Alltrack offers cargo volume on par with compact SUVs for size and versatility
• Available driver assistance features include: Adaptive Cruise Control, and Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist).

Volkswagen of America, Inc., debuted today the U.S. production version of the all-wheel-drive Golf Alltrack, which goes on sale in the Fall as a 2017 model. The Golf Alltrack is based on the successful Golf SportWagen—Volkswagen SportWagen models have long been a top choice for customers who want a versatile and dependable vehicle that provides a sportier driving experience than compact SUVs.

“We heard from dealers and customers that they wanted to see a Golf SportWagen with the all-terrain capability that comes from an all-wheel drive system,” said Joerg Sommer, Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy of Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We are excited to introduce the Golf Alltrack to meet the active lifestyle needs of our customers."

The Golf Alltrack shares its underpinnings with its Golf family siblings, from its MQB architecture to the turbocharged and direct-injection powertrain. The fun-to-drive EA888 1.8-liter, four-cylinder TSI® gasoline unit puts out 170 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. At launch it will be mated to a six-speed dual-clutch DSG® automatic transmission: a six-speed manual transmission will be available at a later date.

While it boasts the on-road manners and fuel economy of a compact wagon, the Alltrack’s defining characteristic is its 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive system. The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system uses the latest generation Haldex-5 coupling, activated via an electro-hydraulic oil pump. 

In normal driving, the Alltrack acts like a front-wheel-drive car for better fuel economy, but as soon as the system detects wheel slip, up to 50 percent of the drive torque can be shipped to the rear wheels. In addition to the Haldex coupling that acts longitudinally, electronic differential locks (EDL) at the front and rear axles act laterally in concert with the electronic stability control system. 

The system briefly brakes a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side. The Golf Alltrack also features nearly an inch higher ground clearance over the SportWagen.

From the outside, the Golf Alltrack’s rugged appearance is easy to differentiate from the SportWagen. Cladding for key body pieces, including the unique bumpers, wheel wells and side sills, gives off-road protection and the front fascia incorporates foglights and a unique honeycomb grille. The S and SE trimlines have 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, while the topline SEL trim has 18-inch wheels. Silver detailing, including roof rails, matte mirror caps and diffusor, adds a premium touch.

Inside, Alltrack mimics SportWagen in layout, but gets a more upscale feel. Leatherette seating surfaces are standard and Alltrack receives a unique brown leatherette option in addition to aluminum pedal covers, door sills with Alltrack branding and ambient lighting. Standard infotainment features include: a 6.5-inch capacitive color touchscreen with proximity sensor, rearview camera, and VW Car-Net® App-Connect connectivity.

A Drive Mode selector includes “Off-Road Mode,” which adds hill descent control and optimizes traction control for off-road terrain. The Off-Road HMI displays compass, steering angle, and altitude when driving off-road. The Alltrack has a spacious trunk that’s in line with those of compact SUVs. With the rear seats up, it boasts 30.4 cu ft of space: when the 60:40 split rear seat is fully folded, that figure rises to 66.5 cu ft of storage. The split folding rear seats are accessed by release levers in the cargo area, maximizing convenience.

Like the rest of the Golf line, the Alltrack provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It has been engineered to meet or exceed all current crash regulations and features no fewer than six airbags as standard along with a number of electronic safety systems. Alltrack models are equipped with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and an Intelligent Crash Response System. Available driver assistance systems include: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), Lane Assist, and front and rear Park Distance Control with Park Assist.

FRANKFURT - Volkswagen débuts the CrossCaddy replacement, the Caddy Alltrack, not for the UK though.

• World premiere of CrossCaddy successor at IAA 2015
• Fourth generation of Volkswagen’s compact van now available in off-road style
• Passenger car and panel van Alltrack variants optionally available with 4MOTION

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be showcasing the latest off-road style version of its best-selling Caddy at the IAA (International Automobile Show) in Frankfurt from 15 to 27 September. 

The successor to the Cross Caddy is called the Caddy Alltrack and like its predecessor, it is available both in passenger car and panel van formats. The latest version of the urban delivery van and family MPV is clearly distinct from the other Caddy models with its exclusive 17-inch ‘Quito’ alloy wheels, Mojave Beige metallic paintwork and optional 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology.

The custom exterior features or the matt silver sill tread plates with the Alltrack logo signify the rugged version of latest fourth generation Caddy. Black trim panels on the wheel arches, black side sills and the lower edges of the bumpers give it a robust appearance. 

They form a contrast to the parts painted in the body colour, such as the bumpers, protective side strips and door handles, and emphasise the off-road look of the new Alltrack. The black designer underbody protection is set off by additional silver accents.

Other visual highlights of the Caddy's off-road brothers include some typical Alltrack features like the three chrome fins in a painted radiator grille, the silver exterior mirror housings from the passenger car version, H7 twin halogen front lights, fog lights, smoked tail light clusters, Alltrack logos on the front grille and at the rear, and silver roof rails.

Inside the passenger car version, the Alltrack has its own special 7Summits seat covers plus folding tables on the front seatbacks. The seat covers in the panel van are made of tough Pillion fabric. Both vehicle variants feature a leather package (steering wheel, handbrake lever, gear lever boot) with Muscat-colour stitching. 

The passenger car has a variety of other attractive features, including adjustable centre armrest and a chrome package (rotary light switch, mirror adjustment / power window switches, and handbrake lever button), aluminium-look pedals, Alltrack floor mats with Muscat-colour stitching and Carbon Square Dark cockpit decor.

The Caddy Alltrack also has plenty to offer beneath the surface. Based on the latest generation Caddy, it comes with many features and a number of different engine and gearbox combinations. The new Caddy Alltrack is also optionally available with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Although the Caddy Alltrack is on sale now in Germany, there are no current plans to offer this model in the UK market. The Caddy panel van and other passenger carrying versions are, however, now on sale in Volkswagen’s UK network of 71 dedicated Van Centres.

With the third quarter of car sales commencing, the offers just keep rolling in, the VW Amarok is no different.

• Volkswagen Amarok available from £239 a month on Finance Lease or Contract Hire
• Private buyers can opt for personal contract purchase plans from £219 per month
• Offers available on orders received before 30 September 2015

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering a number of competitive finance deals on its Amarok models, meaning there’s rarely been a better time to purchase one of the brand’s pick-ups.

Whether you’re a fleet looking to acquire your vehicles on contract hire or finance lease, or a private buyer purchasing on a Solutions personal contract plan, the latest finance offers which are available on all Amaroks registered before 30 September provide an affordable choice.

Business owners who are interested in Finance Lease* or Contract Hire^^ can purchase an Amarok Trendline 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS from £239 per month, while the same model is available on a Solutions personal contract plan from £219 per month (4.9% representative APR**).

The Amarok went on sale in the UK in 2011 and has proved a popular addition to the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range, thanks in large part to its quality, comfort and car-like driveability in combination with robust off-road capability. It is available with a choice of two 2.0-litre engines with 140 PS or a Bi-Turbo version with 180 PS. All models have 4MOTION four-wheel drive. Three standard specification levels are offered – Startline, Trendline and Highline – as well as special editions such as the striking Ultimate model.

TOW CAR AWARDS - Volkswagen Passat Estate takes three titles including overall TowCar Of The Year.

Volkswagen has become the first manufacturer to claim three overall Tow Car Award titles, with the new Passat Estate winning two categories as well as the top title, and proving once more that it’s a true family estate with real pulling power.

The Tow Car Awards are a joint venture between Practical Caravan, What Car? and The Camping and Caravanning Club. The awards were judged by a team including staff from Practical Caravan magazine,What Car? and the technical department at The Camping and Caravanning Club.

Each car goes through a series of towing tests at the MIRA proving ground, including 30-60 mph acceleration, 30-0 mph braking, a hill start and an emergency lane-change test.  Cars aren’t rated solely for their towing ability; What Car?’s expert road test team scores each car for regular driving, safety, running costs and value for money.  

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s technical team check practical details such as boot space, how easily extension mirrors can be fitted, and whether the spare wheel provision is suitable for towing.  The aim is to find cars which are great to tow with, but which are also good value and easy to live with in everyday driving. 

Winning the 1,700-1,899 kg weight category was the new range-topping Passat Estate 2.0-litre BiTDI with standard 4MOTION four-wheel drive and DSG gearbox.  Commenting on the win David Motton, Tow Car Editor of Practical Caravan, said: ‘The four-wheel-drive version of the Volkswagen Passat Estate makes towing seem easy. 

Whether your priority is pace, stability or practicality, the Passat has the lot.  The BiTDI engine delivers the punch of a heavyweight boxer, but it's the Passat's stability which really matters.’

The winner of the 1,400-1,549 kg weight category and overall title was the 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS Passat Estate in SE Business guise with DSG gearbox.  According to Motton and the team of judges: ‘The latest Volkswagen Passat may have a lower kerbweight than its predecessor, but it punches above its weight with a caravan in tow.

Stability is the quality we look for above all others in a tow car, and the Passat delivers. At a steady 60mph it's rock solid.’  Volkswagen is the only manufacturer to have won these awards three times, with the Passat Estate also claiming top titles in 2007 and 2011.  It has also won category titles in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Motton added: ‘When deciding on our overall winner we don't just look at a car’s towing credentials.  Since the Tow Car Awards started in 2007 we've prided ourselves in choosing cars which are just as good in everyday driving as they are when towing, and the Passat Estate fits that bill.  It's comfortable, refined, spacious and economical.  In fact, the Volkswagen does just about everything well.’

The new Passat and Passat Estate went on sale in the UK in January and have since won a string of awards, including Europe’s Car of the Year trophy.  Key accolades which contribute to the car’s towing credentials include a range of four torque-strong and economical EU6 diesel engines, advanced safety, comfort and convenience features, and options such as Trailer Assist which makes light work of manoeuvring a trailer to help even the most experienced tow car driver.  

USA - New Volkswagen Golf R ready to pre order NOW.

Eagerly anticipated all-wheel-drive Golf R, Volkswagen’s highest performance model, will be available for pre-order on January 8, 2015

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the opportunity for customers to pre-order one of the first 500 available 2015 Golf R models, the most powerful production Golf ever offered in the U.S. The pre-order will go live on VW.com/GolfR on January 8^th and customers can secure their place in line by paying a $500 reservation fee.

The first 500 Golf R models will be identical: the topline Golf R with DCC® & Nav and the six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission. All the cars will be painted in Lapiz Blue Metallic and feature the 292 horsepower 2.0-liter TSI® engine; 19-inch “Cadiz” aluminum-alloy wheels and summer performance tires; 4Motion® all-wheel drive; Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights; DCC® adaptive damping system; Park Distance Control; a navigation system; and the Fender® Premium Audio System. The Golf R with DCC & Nav has a starting MSRP of $39,090, plus $820 destination and delivery charge.

These first 500 owners will receive an exclusive, numbered Volkswagen Driver Gear R accessory kit, which consists of:

• An exclusive, serialized Volkswagen R watch
• A serialized carbon fiber and stainless steel keychain
• A serialized and VIN-specific certificate

There will only be 500 of these Volkswagen R accessory kits ever made available to customers, and these will be serialized to match the VINs of the Golf R pre-Order vehicles.

Through the 2015 Golf R pre-order program, customers pay a $500 reservation fee that goes towards the final purchase of their 2015 Golf R model. 

The simple program involves the following steps: customers access the pre-order site at VW.com/GolfR, enter their contact information (including zip code) and review key program terms; select a dealer for retail delivery; enter and confirm billing information through the Amazon Payments® platform; and finally, receive the R accessories kit once the vehicle is reported sold by the dealer. The $500 reservation fee is fully refundable.

Once all 500 vehicles have been claimed through the pre-Order process, customers will have the option to get on a wait-list through VW.com/GolfR, should any existing consumers cancel their reservation.

With 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 TSI® engine, the new Golf R has 36 hp and 37 lb-ft more than the previous version. Despite the additional power and torque, the new R model is considerably more fuel-efficient than its predecessor with an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 30 mpg with the six-speed DSG® transmission, up from 27 mpg for the previous, manual-transmission model. 

Like all previous Golf R models, the new model transfers its power to the road via a permanent all-wheel-drive system; in this case, the latest version of the 4Motion® system with a fifth-generation Haldex® coupling. To help ensure great chassis dynamics, there’s a new sport suspension, the progressive variable-ratio steering system, and the ESC Sport stability control system, which can now be deactivated for track driving. Other highlights include the DCC adaptive damping system that is standard on the Golf R with DCC & Nav.

The six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission offers a launch control feature, enabling the car to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds. The top track speed is 155 mph.