The compact Volkswagen saloon won its category, and was judged the overall winner of
The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2013 by a panel of 10 judges who applauded ‘its suave design, its practicality as a caravanning family car and its great performance when towing in a variety of situations’.  The Jetta Sport 2.0-litre TDI DSG has a 140 PS common rail diesel engine, a six-speed DSG gearbox, and produces impressive amounts of torque – 320 Nm from just 1,750 rpm.  Despite its compact dimensions, it can manage a generous noseweight of 75 kg. 

Another Volkswagen saloon – the stylish CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS BlueMotion Technology – also won its category. 

For the first time in the competition’s history, the categorisation of entrants was decided by Vehicle Excise Duty tax bands, rather than by price, ensuring the Caravan Club provides relevant information for its one million members and recognises environmental motoring issues.  In times when many are feeling the effects of the economic climate, vehicle running costs, of which road tax can form a significant part, loom ever more prominently in motorists’ budgets.  Lower exhaust emissions, on which the tax bands are decided, also usually equate to reduced fuel consumption.

Twenty-three cars were put through their paces by the judges at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, to establish their towing credentials as well as their ‘caravanability’ or practicality for towing holidays as well as everyday use.

The results of the competition were announced last week at a ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club in London, and all the winners will be on display to the public at the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC from 16-21 October.  For more details, please visit www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk.

Commenting on the awards, Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman said: ‘The Club extends its congratulations to all the winners in this Competition.  Special plaudits go to the terrific Volkswagen Jetta, it really is a great vehicle and it proved itself time and time again with the judges during testing.’

To find out more about Volkswagen’s multi award-winning range of vehicles, including the record-breaking Jetta, please visit your nearest Volkswagen Retailer or www.volkswagen.co.uk.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen’s all-new Golf is making its motor show debut this week in Paris, with the seventh-generation of the evergreen model displaying a new look plus new technology, engines, safety and infotainment features. But no Golf line-up would be complete without the iconic GTI.  That’s why Volkswagen has also revealed a concept of the GTI Golf on the stand alongside the standard hatchback.

The new Golf GTI, which is set to go on sale in mainland Europe in early 2013 and the UK in summer 2013, is powered by an advanced engine from the existing EA888 series: a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine with 220 PS (10 PS more than the current Golf GTI).  For the first time in the car’s history, the GTI will also be available, direct from the factory, with a ‘performance pack’ which will boost the car’s maximum power to 230 PS.  

In the entry-level car with 220 PS, maximum torque has been increased by 70 Nm to 350 Nm – the same as the previous Golf R – which gives impressive flexibility and in-gear acceleration.  The new Golf GTI concept with 220 PS has a zero to 62 mph time of 6.6* seconds and a top speed of 153 mph; add the performance pack and maximum power rises to 230 PS, top speed to 155 mph, and the sprint time falls to 6.5 seconds.

Adding the 10 PS pack not only enhances performance but also handling, with front brake disc diameters increased, plus a front axle differential lock which reduces power-related understeer.

But the GTI’s power does not come at the cost of fuel economy or emissions.  Both GTI versions will be equipped with a standard Stop/Start system, and fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014. With a six-speed manual gearbox, the GTI is set to return 47.1* mpg (an 18 per cent improvement over the Mk VI), with carbon dioxide emissions of 140 g/km.  A six-speed DSG gearbox is available as an option for both power levels.

Both GTI models also benefit as standard from a variable ratio steering system which, in essence, allows the driver toturn the car through a desired radius with smaller movements of the steering wheel.  While conventional steering systems work with a fixed ratio, the new Golf GTI operates with a variable steering ratio which reduces steering input perceptibly when manoeuvring and parking. On twisting country roads, the driver experiences a benefit in dynamics due to the more direct layout.

Naturally, the new Golf GTI also benefits from all the technological advances of the standard seventh-generation Golf, such as reduced weight, new safety systems including multi-collision brake and innovative infotainment systems. 

The new Golf GTI concept is distinguished by numerous external and internal styling features, including red brake callipers, honeycomb grille with double red stripe detail, smoked LED rear lights and LED licence plate illumination and chrome 80 mm diameter tailpipes.  Inside, tartan sports seats, a flat bottomed steering wheel, GTI golf ball gear knob and GTI-specific red ambience lighting hark back to cars of previous generations while remaining completely up to date and refreshed for the new generation.

* All figures are provisional and will be homologated for UK specification closer to launch.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Since it was added to the range, the Tiguan compact SUV has been a popular choice, with customers purchasing it in large numbers to make it the fourth best-selling Volkswagen after the Golf, Polo and Passat.  In the first generation, the R-Line was one of the most popular Tiguan models, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of the total sales.  Renewed for the latest model, the R-Line is now expected to be the choice of a quarter of Tiguan customers. 

The new Tiguan R-Line is based on the already generous SE trim level, and adds bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels, painted in Sterling Silver with black wheelarch extensions, body-coloured unique front and rear ‘R’ design bumpers and rear spoiler, an
R-Line logo on the front grille and aluminium front door sills with R-Line logo.  Inside, the theme continues with front sport seats and two-tone upholstery, R-Line logo on the front head restraints, leather multifunction steering wheel with aluminium inlay and R-Line logo and stainless steel pedals.

As befits its sporty styling and position in the range, the R-Line is available with the Tiguan’s three most powerful engines.  These are the 2.0-litre TSI with 210 PS and 4MOTION four-wheel drive, plus Volkswagen’s popular 2.0-litre common rail TDI engine with either 140 or 170 PS and 4MOTION.  All R-Line models come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox.  Carbon dioxide emissions for all models are under 200 g/km: the petrol model emits 199 g/km, while the diesels are at 150 and 158 g/km for the 140 and 170 PS respectively.

On the road prices start at £28,020 for the R-Line 140 PS.  There is a £680 premium for the 170 PS diesel, with the petrol model costing £28,435.

The Tiguan R-Line is available to order now through Volkswagen Retailers, with the first cars arriving in January 2013.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk