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.

USA - Volkswagens 7th Generation Golf GTI wins Autoweeks Best of the Best/Car award.

The seventh-generation “hot-hatch” is recognized for its perfect combination of performance, economy, fit and finish, design and value

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is proud to announce today that the 2015 Golf GTI has wonAutoweek’s annual “Best of the Best”/Car award. The all-new Golf GTI was evaluated against every new or significantly updated model throughout the year, prior to competing against three other finalists for the overall honor. In winning, judges praised the “hot-hatch” for its thoughtful design, superb handling, quality and value.

“Featuring Volkswagen’s improved 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and a choice of two great gearboxes, the Golf GTI is an approachable, practical performance car,” said Dutch Mandel, Publisher, Autoweek. “The car satisfies on every level and the new chassis makes it a blast to drive on the track or the street. It's a car any driver can have fun with."

“Our team is very excited to be named the Autoweek “Best of the Best”/Car for 2015,” said Michael Horn, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “It’s an honor to receive this award from a publication whose readership has the same kind of passion about driving and performance as we have at Volkswagen.”

Autoweek selects its annual “Best of the Best” based on performance, economy, fit and finish, design, value, and personal taste as well as statistical data and consumer conversation. Alongside the Golf GTI, finalists for the 2015 Car award included the Alfa Romeo 4C, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Ford Mustang.

Equipped with a sophisticated EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, the 2015 Golf GTI delivers 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque—an increase of 10 hp and 51 lb-ft from the previous generation. The optional Performance Package ups the ante with 220 horsepower, a torque-sensing electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and larger brakes.

Despite increased horsepower and torque, the new Golf GTI is also more fuel efficient than its predecessor. When equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, the Golf GTI records an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway—a 4 mpg city and 3 mpg highway improvement from the previous-generation GTI.

Thanks to Volkswagen’s versatile modular transverse matrix (MQB) vehicle platform, the 2015 Golf GTI retains the classic design cues of the Mk1 and Mk4 models, while gaining a more upscale appearance and added utility, including increased cabin and trunk space. Pricing for the all-new Golf GTI starts at $24,395 for the entry-level S trim in two-door form with the six-speed manual transmission.

Yahoo Auto's names Volkswagen's Golf as Car of the Year.

After a week of testing by the experts at Yahoo Autos, the Golf GTI beat out a field of 16 other cars

Today, the 2015 Golf GTI was named the “Yahoo Autos Car of the Year.” The seventh-generation GTI beat 16 other contenders, from economy hatchbacks to luxury sedans to track-ready sports cars in five categories—performance, value, efficiency, design and engineering.

“Earning Yahoo Autos Car of the Year is further testament that the 2015 GTI is a highly competitive offering—within its segment and beyond,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. 

“We are honored that the experts at Yahoo Autos have recognized the GTI as a no-compromise, quality vehicle that remains true to its enthusiast roots.”

Editors at Yahoo Autos scrutinized dozens of new 2015 model year vehicles for the third annual Yahoo Autos Car of Year award, eventually narrowing down to 17 contenders. Judges selected the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI after a week-long test by eight experts that included hundreds of miles in driving loops through cities and mountain routes, along with a thorough autocross day.

The 2015 Golf GTI is bigger, lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation. 

It redefines the hatchback category with enough space for five adults and more trunk space than any mid-size sedan. It also features Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine, providing 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is 10 hp and 51 lb-ft higher than in the previous generation. 

The optional Performance Package, available later in the model year, adds another 10 hp for a total of 220 hp, larger brakes, and an electronically-controlled torque-sensing limited-slip differential.

The Golf GTI provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems, and has been engineered to meet or exceed all current crash regulations. All Golf GTI models are available with the Driver Assistance Package, which adds a Forward Collision Warning system and front and rear Park Distance Control systems. When equipped with the package, the 2015 Golf GTI 4-door is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+.

Standard equipment of the all-new GTI also includes a new Driving Mode Selection feature, VW Car-Net® connected services, a touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, ambient and footwell lighting with LED reading lights, and LED foglights. Pricing for the all-new Golf GTI starts car starts at $24,395.