• New Touareg R-Line Plus packs extra equipment and tops the range
• R-Line Plus is expected to make up around half of Touareg sales
• New trim level is available now, starting at £48,095 OTR RRP

The latest Volkswagen Touareg is a perennially popular luxury SUV that is now gaining that bit more luxury with the arrival of the new range-topping trim level: R-Line Plus.

Volkswagen is now offering the Touareg in its highest specification yet, as the new R-Line Plus trim sits at the pinnacle of the capacious and capable 4x4’s line-up.

The Touareg R-Line Plus naturally uses the well-equipped R-Line as a starting point, and builds in valuable and stylish additions inside and out.

Externally, the five-seat SUV’s alloy wheels are upgraded from 20 inches to the striking 21-inch ‘Mallory’ design.  Meanwhile, the R-Line Plus comes equipped with Volkswagen’s impressive Area View technology as standard.  This utilises front, rear and side wide-angle cameras (mounted within the door mirrors) to provide a 360-degree bird’s-eye exterior view of the SUV that is displayed on the Touareg’s infotainment display screen.

Area View allows the driver to see the immediate surroundings of the car from a new perspective, and the technology enhances the safety of occupants and those outside the vehicle.  For example, Area View allows the driver to ‘see around corners’.  When driving forwards from a parking space the Touareg driver can, via the system, see pedestrians and cyclists approaching from the side.  

Inside, the new Touareg features a generous roster of standard equipment.  The centre console, dash and air vent surrounds are finished in stylish ‘Piano Black’, and the cabin features luxurious ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery.  The front comfort seats are 14-way electronically adjustable, and the front head restraints include four-way adjustment.

The extra equipment has a value of £3,255 if specified separately, but the premium over the Touareg R-Line is a mere £1,160, underlining the car’s great value.  That figure applies whether the customer chooses the 204 PS 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine or the 262 PS 3.0-litre V6 TDI.

Fuel economy is similar whether the 204 PS or the 262 PS engine is selected.  Both offer a combined figure of 42.8 mpg, while CO2emissions for the 204 PS engine are 173 g/km or 174 g/km for the 262 PS engine.

All of that, of course, is applied on top of a colossal amount of standard equipment on the Volkswagen Touareg R-Line.  This includes lowered sports suspension, R-Line body styling, a panoramic sunroof, Bi-xenon headlights, black roof-lining, a heated steering wheel, electric tailgate, and keyless entry.

The Volkswagen Touareg is now available in four trim levels: SE; Escape; R-Line; and R-Line Plus.  All feature Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, which distributes engine power, as required, to all four wheels helping to ensure optimum traction and propulsion. 

The new R-Line Plus trim level is expected to account for around half of Touareg sales, and is available to order through the Volkswagen UK Retailer network now.

For more details, and to use Volkswagen’s online configurator for the new Touareg R-Line Plus, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

World premiere of the new Golf GTI Clubsport S at Lake Wörthersee: most powerful GTI ever smashes the Nürburgring lap record

The Golf GTI Clubsport S breaks the lap record for front-wheel-drive cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 07:49:21

This exclusive GTI is a two-seater with a 310 PS engine and newly configured chassis

Ten key facts – the Golf GTI Clubsport S in keywords

1.     The most powerful Golf GTI ever breaks the lap record for front-wheel-drive production cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 07:49:21.

2.     Only 400 of the limited edition Golf GTI Clubsport S, which delivers 228 kW/310 PS and can go from 0-100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, will be made.

3.     Uniquely, the Golf GTI Clubsport S has a Nürburgring setting, which can be accessed using the driving profile selector.

4.     The Nürburgring setting finetunes the adaptive chassis control DCC, engine, steering and sound to suit the Nordschleife.

5.     The chassis of the Golf GTI Clubsport S was fine-tuned in extensive racetrack tests and completely reconfigured.

6.     With the EU unladen weight reduced to 1,285 kg, the 310 PS results in a sports car power-to-weight ratio of 4.15 kg/PS. (EU unladen weight incl. driver and luggage: 1,360 kg).

7.     New exhaust system sees tail pipes with an enlarged cross-section produce strong backfire when braking.

8.     The Golf GTI Clubsport S is a two-door, two-seat car, with the rear seats removed to save weight.

9.     The Golf GTI Clubsport S comes with 19-inch alloy wheels (“Pretoria”) and semi-slicks.

10. The production number 001/400 to 400/400 in the interior reveals that the car is an exclusive special edition. 

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

• The Volkswagen Polo Beats special edition is on sale now
• Enhanced styling combines with a powerful 300-watt sound system
• Prices start from £13,910 (RRP OTR), with petrol and diesel engines available

The Volkswagen Polo is one of the enduring mainstays of the German brand in the UK.  Now Volkswagen is joining forces with world-renowned audio specialist Beats Electronics to launch a range of Polo special editions that feature a stunning sound system wrapped in fresh styling cues.

The Volkswagen Polo Beats is available to order at Volkswagen Retailers now starting at £13,910 OTR RRP. The Polo Beats brings new vigour to the small car segment and blends the technology of two class leaders: German car manufacturer Volkswagen and Californian audio experts Beats Electronics.

The Polo Beats features a state-of-the-art sound system comprising a 300-watt, eight-channel amplifier that is fitted with a digital signal processor (DSP).  By comparison, in Match trim the Polo comes with an 80-watt system.  The DSP in the Polo Beats delivers high-performance audio processing that gives clarity and definition to each of the seven high-end loudspeakers.

The speaker set-up comprises two tweeters located in the A-pillars, two woofers in the front doors, two broadband speakers located in the back with a subwoofer integrated into the spare wheel well to deliver powerful and punching bass tones.

The sharp looks of the Polo Beats back up its class-leading sound system, with standard equipment including 16-inch ‘Knight’ alloy wheels.  In addition, the Polo Beats features darkened rear light clusters and 65 % tinted rear windows.  The radiator grille is finished in ‘High Gloss Black’ and the car is enhanced with ‘Flash Red’, ‘Pure White’ or ‘Black’ door mirrors with integrated indicators.  A unique ‘Beats’ badge on the B-pillar combines with ‘Beats’ decals on the side skirts to complete the exterior styling additions.

As well as additional speakers, the interior of the Polo Beats boasts ‘Cortina Silver’ trim on the centre console and air vent surrounds along with leatherette door panels and chrome trim.  The front and rear carpet mats have stylish red stitching, while the doors have unique ‘Beats’ sill protectors.

The sporty seats have Alcantara side bolsters and a special ‘Beats’ cloth centre section, and there’s a streak of character through the seatbelts thanks to the addition of thin vertical red stripes.  LED foot well lighting rounds off a cabin that benefits from the style and audio of Beats plus the technology and functionality synonymous with Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen Polo Beats is available in three- or five-door configuration and offers a choice of four engines: three petrol units and one diesel.  All benefit from Volkswagen’s efficiency-boosting BlueMotion Technology and the 1.4-litre TDI diesel, which is available with a five-speed manual gearbox, has CO2 emissions* of just 93 g/km and a fuel economy* rating on the combined cycle of 83.1 mpg.

The 1.0-litre petrol engine is available as a 60 PS or a 75 PS unit.  Both come with a five-speed manual gearbox and have CO₂ ratings of 106 g/km for the 60 PS unit and 108 g/km for the 75 PS option.  Fuel economy (combined) is 60.1 mpg for the 60 PS engine and 58.9 mpg for the 75 PS.

The extensive engine line-up is completed by a 1.2-litre TSI engine that produces 90 PS and is available with a five-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed auto DSG ‘box.  It has a CO₂ figure of 107 g/km (109 g/km for the DSG) and both have a fuel economy figure of 60.1 mpg (combined).

The Polo Beats special edition slots into the Volkswagen Polo range above the Match trim.  Like the Match, standard-fit technology in the Polo Beats includes the Composition Media system which boasts a 6.5-inch colour display.  This includes a car information display, CD player, simultaneous pairing of two compatible mobile phones, SMS functionality for reading and composing text messages and music title and cover art display.

The Polo Beats also adds Volkswagen’s Car-Net ‘App-Connect’, which combines the functionality of Apple ‘CarPlay’, Google ‘Android Auto’ and ‘MirrorLink’™ and allows the ‘mirroring’ of the smartphone display on the infotainment touchscreen via USB.

Additional tech includes manual air conditioning and cruise control, while manoeuvring becomes even easier with the standard-fit front and rear ultrasonic parking sensors.

The latest member of the Polo family features a variety of safety equipment as standard, including ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and Automatic Post-Collision Braking.  The cars are also equipped with driver’s and front passenger’s airbags, and a side head airbag system.

Deliveries of the Volkswagen Polo Beats, which is open to order now, are expected to start this month.  For more details, and to use Volkswagen’s online configurator for the new car, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen is rolling out a refreshing new attitude to the routine job of car servicing, maintenance and repair with the launch of its ground-breaking Aftersales Digital Reception (ADR) initiative.

Coming to Volkswagen Retailers across the UK throughout 2016, the ADR scheme introduces a welcoming new approach which keeps service customers informed every step of the way.  Using redesigned service reception areas, the very latest hand-held tablet technology and online ‘explainer’ videos, it gives drivers a more relaxed, enlightened and straightforward experience.

The ADR process has been created to give routine service customers a much clearer picture of what is happening to their car: from booking to job completion.  Beginning with the ‘check-in’ process it sees an expert Service Advisor greet the Volkswagen driver with an electronic tablet-based arrivals form and inspect their car – taking photographs of its condition if required – and talk them through the selected service/maintenance process.

Customers join their advisor in the new, informal, service reception and consultation area which, thanks in part to the hand-held tablet technology employed, does away with formal desks and the physical barrier of old-tech desktop computers.  The outline of work is discussed and the customer either opts to wait for it to be carried out, or takes advantage of a pre-booked lift, or courtesy car* to get on with their day.

As the car undergoes its 34-point visual check, carried out by a trained Volkswagen Service Technician, a video is created showing what work has been identified.  In the brief film the technician points out risks such as worn brake pads or tyres, and allows the customer to see for themselves any maintenance work required.  The video can then be sent straight to the customer’s computer, or smartphone, for them to view and make a decision on before any work begins.

Other routine maintenance tasks, such as cambelt changes, can be discussed with the Service Advisor too and, if required, explained via a library of simple online animations created by Vehicle Visuals to help demystify modern servicing tasks.  These short ‘explainer’ videos work alongside a detailed website which includes all manner of maintenance information and explanations, such as a handy guide to the various warning lights and notifications which can appear in the instrument binnacle of a modern Volkswagen: http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/warning-lights

The thinking behind the new ADR process is to keep customers better informed about, and more involved in, their car’s servicing work at Volkswagen Retailers.  The initiative is rolling out across the brand’s 227-strong Retailer network throughout the year, with 800-plus Service Advisors in the network undergoing detailed training online and at the Volkswagen National Learning Centre in Milton Keynes.

Kevin Rendell, Volkswagen UK’s Head of Service and Parts Operations, said: “The Aftersales Digital Reception initiative has been many months in the making and is, we believe, a revolutionary approach to Volkswagen servicing and aftersales customer care.

“Advisors consulting with customers, technicians demonstrating what work needs to be done via video and simple online explanations showing why work has to be carried out all combine to make the service process much less intimidating.

“The ADR initiative brings a revolutionary 21st Century retailing approach into what has, hitherto, sometimes felt like a process that has changed only slowly for decades.  We are now keen to hear how our owners feel about this new-style aftersales service and very much welcome feedback.”

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk