Volkswagen USA is bringing the MOMO Edition Jetta GLI to this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

• The GTI’s sedan counterpart showcases a custom makeover, courtesy of the Italian aftermarket and motorsport tuner

Volkswagen of America is bringing the MOMO Edition Jetta GLI that debuted at the 2015 SEMA Show to this year’s Chicago Auto Show. 

Built on the newly redesigned 2016 Jetta GLI, the MOMO edition show car focuses on the sports-oriented driver through OEM-plus tuning with a dash of Italian flair. Riding on 19-inch MOMO aluminum-alloy wheels, with the Volkswagen 210-horsepower, 2.0-literTSI® turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 four-cylinder engine under the hood, this special GLI offers a compelling blend of performance, practicality and style.

The GLI 19 x 8.5-in MOMO Revenge wheels represent the first “mesh” wheel design from the Italian brand in almost 30 years and fill the GLI fenders perfectly. 

The split-10 spoke wheels feature concave centers and raised caps and are fitted with 235/35 ZR19 Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires. The low-profile tire sidewalls allow precise cornering turn-in and enable experienced drivers to enjoy enhanced handling, delivered through H&R suspension components. 

These include H&R Street Performance coilovers at each corner, as well as front and rear sway bars. The coilovers also allow the ride height to be tuned, giving the GLI the option of a more aggressive stance or something more akin to the stock look.

The powerful 210-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder Volkswagen engine has been mated to a stainless steel cat-back exhaust from Milltek Sport, delivering increased breathability and a distinguished, sporty sound. 

To bring the vehicle to a halt even more quickly, Brembo provided the 14.4-in diameter cross-drilled, two-piece front rotors and monobloc four-piston calipers. Using larger 12.2-in rear rotors and calipers from the Golf R, the comprehensive braking upgrade is finished with striking yellow accents to all four calipers.

Inside, 2016 GLI models benefit from the MIB 2 infotainment system that incorporates the full suite of USB and VW Car-Net® App-Connect connectivity. 

This special show edition also includes styling cues to create an even stronger driver connection. The yellow color scheme is continued in the cabin via a trim strip that flows around the Jetta door panels and dashboard, as well as yellow stitching on the seating surfaces and shift and e-brake boots. 

This matches the trim detail of the limited-edition MOMO GT50 Anniversario steering wheel. Introduced to celebrate the brand’s recent anniversary, this stylish steering wheel is perfectly suited and matched to the VW interior.

Additional driver connection comes by way of a vehicle information display in the driver’s side air vent. Produced by P3 Cars, the display is practically invisible when the ignition is off. While running, this seamlessly integrated unit shows everything from turbo boost and exhaust gas temperature to a timer, coolant temperature, throttle position, outside temperature, speed and more.

The MOMO Edition GLI’s styling and functionality are furthered through a number of official items from the Volkswagen Accessories collection. These include the roof rack, first aid kit, trunk liner, personalized floor mats, doorsill protectors, a cargo net, and cargo grips.

USA - Drawing inspiration from history, the VW Dune Beetle offers striking new design features & premium content

Drawing inspiration from classic Baja Bugs, the Dune offers striking new design features plus premium content

• Offered as both a coupe and a convertible
• More aggressive exterior styling features new bumpers, side moldings, wheel design, and raised ground clearance
• New technology for Beetle lineup includes LED taillights and Park Distance Control
• Standard equipment for Beetle Dune Coupe includes VW Car-Net® App-Connect technology, USB connectivity, and rearview camera
• New available Lighting and Technology Packages

Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the production version of the 2016 Beetle Dune, which will go on sale early next year.  Inspired by classic Baja Bugs, the vehicle will enter the Beetle family as a new trim, offering a rugged addition to the rest of the model lineup.

“The new Dune successfully captures the iconic spirit of Baja Beetles, with a more rugged feel and amenities never before offered on the third-generation Beetle,” said Joerg Sommer, Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. 

“With its sporty and aggressive design and a number of the new technology features, we are confident that the new Dune will appeal to both new and returning Beetle customers.”

Overall, the Beetle Dune has a more aggressive appearance than the rest of the Beetle range, thanks to the fitment of new front and rear fascias and pronounced black wheelarch extensions that flow into the bumpers. Additionally, the Dune’s raised ride height of 0.4 inches and track that is 0.6 inches wider give it a more rugged stance.

Highlighting the front end’s sporty look, the new front bumper features a large central air intake that widens towards its bottom edge, and a black honeycomb screen has an aluminum-look surround that morphs into the front skid plate. 

On either side of the intake, two black honeycomb vents contain the foglights. A Lighting Package will be available, which will add Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and LED license plate lighting.

The side of the vehicle is characterized by the contrast between the polished aluminum sills and the black trim strips that are reminiscent of the original Beetle running boards. Distinctive 18-inch Canyon aluminum-alloy wheels are fitted with 235/45 all-season tires. 

The side mirrors have contrasting black lower portions and Reflex Silver uppers, and “Dune” graphics are displayed on both doors. 

At the back, the Dune features a large rear spoiler, standard LED taillights, and a new bumper design that integrates matte black and aluminum elements, as at the front of the car. The rear diffuser also acts as a skid plate.

Inside, the 2016 Beetle Dune features sport seats with contrasting orange stitching and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel. 

Standard equipment includes the latest generation MIB II infotainment system, which serves as the foundation for Volkswagen’s available Car-Net® suite of features. VW Car-Net connectivity includes App-Connect technology which allows integration with the three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®—allowing seamless integration for compatible smartphones.

The Dune is fitted with the Composition Color infotainment system that has a 6.3-inch screen with a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) that enables gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming. 

MIB II also features a proximity sensor, which detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features. USB and Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible devices are standard, along with a rearview camera and the Park Distance Control system. 

A Technology Package will also be available, which adds Climatronic® dual-zone automatic climate control, the award-winning Fender® Premium Audio System, KESSY® keyless access with push-button start, and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.

The 2016 Beetle Dune will be available in three exterior colors: Sandstorm Yellow, Pure White, or Deep Black Pearl. Sandstorm Yellow cars have an interior that features body color upper door trims and dashpads, whereas the Pure White and Deep Black Pearl vehicles have black door and dashpad trim.

At launch, the Beetle Dune will be equipped with a 1.8-liter direct-injection and turbocharged TSI® four-cylinder engine, offering 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Dune coupe will go on sale in the first quarter of 2016, while the Dune Convertible will arrive in showrooms in the third quarter of the year.

USA - Volkswagen announces pricing and available kit on the re-freshed Passat Sedan (No Diesel though)

The Chattanooga-built Passat raises the bar in the midsize segment, offering new styling inside and out as well as a host of available new connectivity and driver assistance features 

• Striking new front and rear design
• New interior with updated instrument panel and center stack for a more premium feel
• Standard MIB II infotainment system includes USB connectivity
• Available VW Car-Net® App-Connect offers compatible smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®
• Energy-efficient LED headlights available for the first time on a VW sedan
• New driver assistance systems are standard features on select trim levels
• First-ever R-Line® trim on a Passat offers sportier styling
• Pricing starts at $22,440 for the 1.8T S model with automatic transmission
• Two engine options at launch: 1.8 TSI® gasoline and powerful VR6®
• Revised trim lineup provides enhanced value throughout the Passat range
• Built in America, at the world’s only LEED Platinum-certified manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Volkswagen of America, Inc, today announced pricing of the new 2016 Volkswagen Passat, a midsize sedan that is designed for the American lifestyle and built at Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

For 2016, the Passat combines striking new interior and exterior design elements with a greater variety of available driver assistance, connectivity, and convenience features than ever before. 

Pricing for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat starts at $22,440—the same as the outgoing base model when equipped with an automatic transmission. When new content is factored in, this represents a $1,315 value enhancement over the base 2015 Passat.

“The 2016 Passat builds upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor and offers more aggressive styling, a more premium interior, and a host of newly available driver assistance, connectivity, and convenience features,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “We are pleased to announce that our customers will get all these new features and standard equipment for the same price level as the previous model."

At launch, the 2016 Passat lineup features two engine options: the 1.8-liter TSI® turbocharged and direct-injection four cylinder or a powerful 3.6-liter VR6®. The 1.8-liter engine offers 170 horsepower and a stout 184 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimated highway fuel economy is 38 mpg, an improvement of 2 mpg over the 2015 model.

The 2016 Passat features Volkswagen’s second-generation “modular infotainment platform”, also known as MIB II. The system features touchscreens as standard equipment on all models. On most models, the display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) enabling gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming rather than the resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times.  Most MIB II units also feature a proximity sensor, which detects when a hand is nearby and automatically switches its display to allow easier selection of specific features. USB and Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible devices are standard on all 2016 Passat models.

The MIB II system also serves as the foundation for the available Volkswagen Car-Net® system, one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry today. VW Car-Net App-Connect technology allows integration with three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®. This allows seamless integration for compatible smartphones.

Volkswagen also offers new safety features in the 2016 Passat. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—which can cause additional collisions. The system helps address this by applying the brakes after a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping to reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, reduce the chance of additional damage.

Depending on trim level, Passat models come equipped with the following advanced driver assistance systems: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; Active Blind Spot Monitor with corrective steering; Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which actively steers the car back into its lane; and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). All 2016 Passat models have a rearview camera as standard equipment.

The 1.8T S model with a six-speed automatic transmission has a starting MSRP of $22,440 and has a high level of standard equipment, including 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; Climatronic® dual-zone climate control; MIB II Composition Color touchscreen infotainment system with 5-inch color display, CD player, aux-in, and Bluetooth® and USB connectivity; a rearview camera; and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. A Lighting Package, which includes LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED taillights, and front foglights is available for $1,245.

For the first time, Volkswagen is offering an R-Line version of the Passat for the U.S. market. This sporty model features unique rocker panels, a stylized front bumper with contrasting black accents, a modified rear diffuser, and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 235/40  all-season tires. Pricing starts at $23,975. The R-Line Comfort Package, which adds V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, power driver seat, heatable front seats with seat-back map pockets, heatable exterior mirrors, and heated washer nozzles, is available for $775. The R-Line Lighting Package, which includes LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and LED taillights is available for $1,095.

Starting at $26,280—the same price as the 2015 model—the SE adds the following desirable standard features to the 1.8T S: 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels; tilt-and-slide power sunroof; SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 3-month trial period; second USB port in the rear of the center console; MIB II Composition Media with 6.3-inch color display, voice control, and VW Car-Net App-Connect and Security & Service features; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces; power driver seat; and heatable front seats. The Lighting Package, which includes LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED taillights, and front foglights is available for $1,245.

The SE w/Technology, starting at $28,410, includes the 1.8T SE features, plus: Blind Spot Monitor; Rear Traffic Alert with braking; KESSY® keyless entry with push-button start; Easy Open hands-free trunk; MIB II Discover Media navigation system; frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror; rain-sensing wipers; stainless steel door sills; and heatable rear seats. The Lighting Package, which includes LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and LED taillights is available for $1,095.

The 1.8T SEL is even more luxurious and adds 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the Fender® Premium Audio system, stainless steel pedal caps, Vienna leather seating surfaces, rear-seat pass-through, and power front seats with power lumbar and memory settings for driver’s side. This trimline starts at $30,495. The Lighting Package, which includes LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and LED taillights is available for $1,095.

At the top of the 1.8T range, the SEL Premium starts at $34,270. This trim level has standard LED headlights with LED DRLs and LED taillights, remote start, and even more driver assistance features. These include Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist) with active steering; Active Blind Spot Monitor; front and rear Park Distance Control (Park Pilot); and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). 


The flagship model in the 2016 Passat lineup is the V6 SEL Premium, which features the 3.6-liter VR6 engine that makes 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque (achieved with premium fuel); new for 2016, regular gasoline is recommended for the VR6. This model has a starting MSRP of $36,835 and adds the VR6 engine with six-speed DSG® automatic transmission and paddle shifters, dual trapezoidal chrome exhaust tips, and Hill Hold Control to the 1.8T SEL Premium’s long list of standard equipment.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf SportWagen, Golf R, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers.

Notes:

This press release and images of the 2016 Passat are available at media.vw.com. Follow us @VWNews.

 “Climatronic”, “DSG”, “KESSY”, “R-Line”, “TSI”, “VR6”, “VW”, “Volkswagen”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. “Car-Net” is a registered trademark of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “CarPlay” is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. “Bluetooth” is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. “MirrorLink” is a registered trademark of the Car Connectivity Consortium LLC. “Fender” is a registered trademark of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. “Android Auto” is a trademark of Google Inc. “SiriusXM” and “SiriusXM Satellite Radio” are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.

All prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and exclude transportation, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges.

Where stated, fuel economy values (mpg) are EPA estimates.  See www.fueleconomy.gov for details. Actual mileage will vary and depends on several factors including driving habits and vehicle condition.

Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted.