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Bologna Motor Show 2008
Volkswagen at the Bologna Motorshow 2008
Volkswagen is presenting a range of new models at the Bologna Motor Show including the world premieres of the second-generation Golf Plus, the race derived Scirocco Studie R concept and the LPG-powered Golf BiFuel.
Golf Plus
The second-generation Golf Plus makes its world debut in Bologna, with styling revisions forging a link to the design of the new, sixth generation Golf hatchback. Equipped with a range of highly-efficient petrol and common rail diesel engines with improved levels of fuel economy and reduced emissions, the new Golf Plus reaches new levels of quality and refinement while continuing to be one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class.
VW Scirocco Studie R
Scirocco Studie R
Volkswagen’s latest design study, the Scirocco Studie R, premieres at Bologna and is inspired by the Scirocco GT24 which raced to success in its class at the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race earlier this year. Finished in white, the Studie R has contrasting high-gloss black detailing and styling accents in red and green to the wing mirrors and on the ‘Bologna ‘08’ badging, paying homage to the Show’s host nation.
Three large air intakes at the front aid cooling to the uprated 2.0-litre 270 PS engine, while a front splitter is designed to minimise lift. The rear is dominated by a large rear wing and a distinctive revised rear bumper which incorporates a diffuser and twin oval exhausts. The Studie R is fitted with racing-derived sports suspension and four-piston brake callipers sit behind specially developed bespoke polished five arm, triple spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, the Scirocco Studie R is upholstered with black and white nappa leather and complemented with low- and high-gloss carbonfibre trim. The Italian-inspired red and green design accents continue on the seams of the Recaro seats, steering wheel, armrest, gearknob and floor mats.
Golf BiFuel
The third Volkswagen making its debut in Bologna is the Golf BiFuel which has been specifically developed to run on both LPG and conventional petrol. The factory-built hatchback is fitted with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder 98 PS engine which, in conventional petrol mode, returns 39.8 mpg and emits 149 g/km of carbon dioxide. When run on LPG, the Golf BiFuel has a theoretical range of more than 260 miles, and this emissions figure is reduced by ten per cent.
The engine fitted to the Golf BiFuel has been specifically configured and tested for LPG operation making it more durable than modified petrol engines. The vehicle, with both petrol and LPG fuel tanks, has also undergone extensive crash-testing making it safer than aftermarket alternatives.
Passat CC Individual
Volkswagen is also showcasing the Passat CC Individual which features a number of bespoke styling upgrades. The four-door coupé is presented in pearl effect ‘Moonlight Blue’, with newly designed 18-inch ‘Chicago Black’ alloy wheels and ‘Individual’ badging.
The interior of the Passat CC Individual is fitted with six-way power comfort seats upholstered with two-tone soft and nappa leather, complemented by piano black trim and an extended chrome package which includes chrome bezels on the door handles and switches for the electric windows and mirrors. Subtle ‘Individual’ badging continues with illuminated tread plates in the front and rear doors.
The Passat CC is the fourth ‘Individual’ model shown by Volkswagen, following the Eos, Passat and Touareg.
Passat TSI EcoFuel – Italian premiere
Making its Italian debut, the Passat TSI Ecofuel is fitted with the world’s first turbo direct-injection engine developed and configured to operate with natural gas. These developments enable the Passat TSI EcoFuel to run efficiently on both natural gas and petrol and to offer economy and low emissions with no detrimental effect on performance.
Accelerating from a standstill to 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and with a maximum speed of 130 mph the 1.4-litre 150 PS engine, coupled with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG gearbox, emits just 119 g/km of CO2 while developing 220 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm. A theoretical range of more than 300 miles using only natural gas is supplemented by a 31-litre reserve tank for conventional petrol which offers an additional 260 miles.
Volkswagen Golf Plus
VW Golf Plus
New Golf Plus Premieres at the Bologna Motorshow
Volkswagen has today unveiled the second generation Golf Plus at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy.
The updated design of the new Golf Plus forges a link to the bodystyle of the sixth generation Golf hatchback and gives a distinctive and dynamic appearance. The front is dominated by the horizontally aligned band of the radiator grille with two high-gloss black cross-bars and an integrated Volkswagen roundel, between revised headlights.
Exterior styling revisions continue with a slightly lower profile than the previous generation and with newly designed integrated roof rails. At the rear, the new Golf Plus has a fully colour-coded redesigned bumper and revised ‘cherry red’ rear lights incorporating LED technology. The exterior styling modifications are complemented by a range of new wheel and tyre options, including 18-inch ‘Bilbao’ alloy wheels from Volkswagen Individual.
Inside the cabin, further improvements have been made and the new Golf Plus reaches a new level of quality while continuing to be one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class. New upholstery materials and details are carried over from the new Golf, while clearly defined white backlit instruments, with brushed chrome surrounds, steering wheel options and air conditioning systems are similar to those in the new Golf and Passat CC.
Engines are still to be confirmed but a range of advanced petrol and diesels add further refinement to the revised model, with improved levels of fuel economy and reduced emissions. Both petrol and diesel models are linked to either a five- or six-speed manual or a six- or seven-speed DSG gearbox.
One petrol option will be a 1.4-litre 122 PS TSI engine which is forecast to return 44.8 mpg with carbon dioxide emissions of 146 g/km and a top speed of 124 mph. Common rail TDI engines, all fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will be available with outputs between 90 PS and 140 PS. The 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS has a top speed of 127 mph, and is expected to emit just 135 g/km while returning 55.4 mpg.
For the first time on the Golf Plus, Volkswagen’s ParkAssist will be offered. This system has the ability to operate the steering automatically during reverse parallel parking manoeuvres. A rear-view camera, mounted behind the Volkswagen roundel on the bootlid, is also available as an option. The system, currently available on the new Golf, Tiguan and Passat CC, transmits an image and graphic guidelines to the dash-mounted radio or navigation screen to assist with parking.
Prices, engines and specifications for the new Golf Plus will be announced closer to the vehicle’s UK launch in Spring 2009.
VW Jetta
2009 Green Car of the Year
JETTA TDI CLEAN DIESEL NAMED 2009 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel has been honoured at the Los Angeles Motor Show by the Green Car Journal, being crowned ‘2009 Green Car of the Year’.
The Jetta, which takes centre stage at the Los Angeles Show this month, is the first diesel vehicle to receive the prestigious award.
A jury of nine environmental and automotive experts from North America commended the Jetta TDI for its strong performance, fuel economy and low emissions.
Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal commented: ‘Hybrids have dominated the discussion of environmentally positive vehicles in recent years. The highly fuel efficient, 50 state emissions certified Jetta TDI shows that advanced clean diesel has arrived and is poised to change this dynamic. With its affordable price point, refined ride and handling, and high fuel economy, the Jetta TDI shows that hybrids now have a strong competitor in the marketplace.’
The Jetta uses a 2.0-litre four cylinder common rail TDI engine producing 140 PS and 320 Nm (236 lbs ft) of torque at 1,750 rpm. Two key modifications have been made to the ‘Clean Diesel’ engine to substantially reduce the Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.
The common rail engine in the Jetta TDI clean diesel adopts optimised combustion chamber geometries and precise injection processes at extremely high pressures reduce the production of NOx. An exhaust gas recirculation process in the combustion chamber then reduces the concentration of oxygen with which the nitrogen can react and controls the combustion temperatures. This process can reduce temperature-dependent NOx emissions by up to 60 percent.
As a further measure to reduce emissions, a highly-efficient NOx storage catalytic converter soaks up any nitrogen oxides which remain. This filter is cleaned regularly, and without the driver knowing, through an automated engine management mode.
These modifications make the Jetta TDI one of the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicles on sale in North America. It meets the strictest emissions regulations in the world including BIN5 standard, which is equivalent to the Euro 6 standard which becomes law in 2014.
The Jetta continues to enjoy sustained popularity in the North American market, enjoying popularity primarily with younger buyers. It is the best-selling European vehicle in the US, accounting for 40 per cent of Volkswagen’s US sales. The Jetta TDI with Clean Diesel has been available across North America since August 2008.
‘It is a tremendous honour to have our Jetta TDI awarded Green Car of the Year,’ said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. ‘We believe the Jetta TDI provides our customers with the best of both worlds – excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience.’