Volkswagen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014

Volkswagen is gearing up to join thousands of automotive fans at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed on 26-29 June. The Festival, dubbed the ‘largest motoring garden party in the world’ is a unique weekend that brings together cars, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’ to create a celebration of all things automotive. It is held in the grounds of Goodwood House, Sussex, and includes a famous hillclimb event up the drive of the house.

This year, Volkswagen UK’s stand will provide a great opportunity for fans to engage with the brand, from the latest innovations to some exciting performance models, as well as some fantastic merchandise. 

One of the biggest attractions on the stand in expected to be the radical GTI Roadster concept, which is making its UK debut, fresh from its appearance at the annual gathering of GTI fans on the shores of Woerthersee in Austria last month. Originally created as a virtual car, to feature in the Sony PlayStation^® 3 classic Gran Turismo 6 (GT6), and now created as a real car, the two-seat GTI Roadster uses a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo TSI engine that produces 503 PS, and 560 Nm. With a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION four-wheel drive, it hits 62 mph from rest in just 3.6 seconds, and goes on to 190 mph. 

Visitors to the Festival of Speed will get to experience that acceleration first-hand, as Volkswagen is inviting them not just to take a ride in the GTI Roadster, but to drive it up the famous Goodwood hill climb. Of course it’s all in the virtual world of GT6, which includes a detailed recreation of the Goodwood course, thanks to three gaming pods that will be on the stand. There’s also a draw every day to win a Sony PlayStation^® 3 and a copy of GT6.

Five other Volkswagens will also be on the stand. The revised Touareg luxury SUV will be making its UK debut, in stylish R-Line form, and this will also be one of the first opportunities for the UK public to see the forthcoming new Golf GTE – Volkswagen’s first performance plug-in hybrid. The GTE combines the outstanding practicality of the regular Golf hatchback, but with 204 PS combined from its turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor – and the ability to travel over 30 miles on batteries alone – it combines a zero to 62 mph time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 137 mph with a CO₂ figure of 35 g/km and a combined fuel figure of 188 mpg. 

Rally fans will be delighted with the Volkswagen Polo WRC car. This four-wheel drive turbocharged machine won last year’s manufacturer’s title at the first attempt, and is competing once again in this year’s championship.

For those wanting a turbocharged four-wheel drive model that’s available to buy now, there’s the powerful Golf R. With a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 300 PS matched to 4MOTION four-wheel drive, the DSG-equipped Golf R can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Finally, the innovative, ultra-frugal XL1 will once again be both on the Volkswagen stand and making its way up the hill. The XL1 is the world’s most energy-efficient production vehicle, with a combined fuel consumption figure of 313 mpg and CO₂ emissions of 21 g/km. 

Volkswagen to début the new GOLF GTE plug in hybrid at Geneva

Volkswagen has unveiled the first pictures of the Golf GTE – a new plug-in hybrid version of the multi-award-winning Golf hatchback that combines the benefits of electric mobility with the dynamics of a Golf GTI.

The Golf GTE is due to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.  It provides the fifth variety of drive type for the Golf, which is now available with petrol, diesel, natural gas (not in the UK), electric and hybrid power.  The name of the Golf GTE reflects its position in the line-up alongside the iconic petrol-powered GTI and the diesel GTD.  Where ‘GT’ stands for ‘Gran Tourismo’, ‘I’ stands for ‘Injection’, ‘D’ for Diesel and ‘E’ for Electricity.

The Golf GTE is driven by two engines: a 1.4-litre 150 PS TSI direct-injection petrol engine and a 102 PS electric motor.  Together, they combine to produce power of 204 PS and a theoretical range of around 580 miles.  Using the electric motor alone, the GTE is capable of speeds of 81 mph.  With the TSI engine as well, the Golf GTE can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds and on to 135 mph.  Torque is a remarkable 350 Nm (258 lbs ft).  Alongside this impressive performance, the Golf GTE offers impressive fuel efficiency, with a combined cycle figure of 188 mpg* and CO2 emissions of 35 g/km* (*provisional data).
In pure electric mode (activated at the press of a button), the Golf GTE can travel up to 31 miles, depending on conditions, and the electric power can also be saved – for example when driving to a zero-emissions zone.  The 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged in around three and a half hours from a domestic mains outlet, or two and a half hours from a domestic wallbox.  The battery weighs 120 kg, giving the GTE a total kerbweight of 1,520 kg.

The Golf GTE uses a six-speed DSG gearbox with a triple-clutch system specially developed for hybrid vehicles.  The electric motor is integrated into the gearbox housing, while further hybrid components include power electronics and a charger.  An electro-mechanical brake servo and an electric air conditioning compressor make for energy-efficient braking and air conditioning.

Visually, the Golf GTE combines elements of the look of the e-Golf and the GTI.  The front bumper features C-shaped LED daytime running lights, like those on the e-Golf, as well as aerodynamic horizontal ‘fins’, like those on the GTI.  Where the GTI features red, the GTE has blue accents, including across the radiator grille and into the headlights.  The headlights, along with all lights on the GTE, are LED.  In the UK, 18-inch ‘Serron’ alloy wheels will be standard.  The Golf GTE is available in five-door bodystyle only.

Inside as on the outside, the Golf GTE features blue highlights where the GTI has red.  This includes stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter and seats, and a blue stripe in the tartan pattern on the sports seats.  The 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation system with DAB radio and Bluetooth is standard, and includes bespoke functions for electric vehicles, including the ability to identify potential destinations on electric range, and electric charging points.

The GTE will also feature an e-manager which allows the driver to preset vehicle charging, as well as interior cooling or heating.  These functions can also be operated remotely using the Volkswagen Car-Net app on a smartphone: a three-year subscription will be included in the UK.

The vehicle speedometer and tachometer are familiar, and the latter is supplemented by a power meter in the central display, which shows the status of the battery, whether or not power is being used and the intensity of any regeneration.

Full details including pricing will be available when the new Golf GTE opens for ordering in the UK in late August.  First deliveries are expected before the end of the year.