VW Golf Plug-In Hybrid to Become Sporty GTE Model

If you thought the choice between the three hot VW Golfs currently on offer was decent (GTI,GTD and R) then we need to tell you that there may be a fourth one added to the list, and it promises to be even greener than the diesel…

Believed to gain the GTE designation, it will share its powertrain with the Audi A3 e-tron, which marries a 148 hp turbo petrol engine with a 107 hp electric motor – when working in tandem, they make a maximum output of 201hp.

What remains unclear is when it will be built and for which markets it will be addressed. The plug-in A3 is coming to market later this year, so according to Car&Driver and Autocar, it would be fair to assume that its launch could happen one year later.

However, despite the US’ affinity with all things hybrid and especially plug-ins, plus the positive reviews of the Jetta Hybrid that’s already on sale, it’s not seen as a sure thing for the GTE to make it into Stateside showrooms when it does get launched.

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Believe it or Not, This is the 2014 VW Polo Facelift

This spring, VW will launch the facelifted Polo supermini, which gets new technologies and engines, as well as a light makeover inside and out. I know, it’s hard to spot the changes just by looking at the photos, so I’ll give you a hand.

Exterior updates include redesigned bumpers that feature a chrome line separating the fog lights at the front and a wider space for the license plate at the rear. The facelifted VW Polo will also feature optional LED headlights with a distinctive light signature, while the taillights retain their shape but feature a different interior design. Finally, five new alloy wheel designs complete the exterior makeover.

On the inside, the updated Polo features redesigned instruments and a new steering wheel, as well as a refreshed center console with new heating and ventilation controls.

VW says the most important changes are in terms of technology, with the facelifted Polo borrowing some from the VW Golf including the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, offered as standard. Options include a Driver Alert System and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Automatic Cruise Control.

The Polo will be available with a Sport Select suspension that uses electronically controlled dampers to switch between two suspension settings, as well as a new electro-mechanical steering system that promises to improve efficiency and offers more precise control. Another feature sourced from the Golf is the modular infotainment system

There are big changes under the hood as well, with the Polo featuring EU6-compliant engines that are up to 21 percent more economical. VW will introduce two new 3-cylinder 1.4-liter diesel engines with 74hp (75PS) and 89hp (90PS) that will replace the corresponding 1.2-liter and 1.6-liter TDI units from the current model.

Gasoline units include two new 1.0-liter MPI engines with 59hp (60PS) and 74hp (75PS) replacing the current model’s 1.2-liter MPI units. The two 1.2-liter TSI engines with 89hp (90PS) and 104hp (105PS) will be retained, as will the 1.4-liter TSI unit with cylinder deactivations (ACT). The latter will feature a power increase of 10PS to 150PS (148hp). VW says the Polo GTI hot-hatch arriving next year will also feature a power increase.

In addition, in the UK, the diesel-powered Polo BlueMotion is replaced by the new petrol-powered Polo BlueMotion TSI, which returns 68.9 mpg UK on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 94 g/km. It makes use of a new 89hp (90PS) 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

The facelifted Polo will first launch in Germany this spring, with other European countries to follow.

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VW Reshuffles UK's 2014 Passat Lineup, Deletes Sport and R-Line Trims

Beginning from Thursday, January 2, the VW Passat's Highline, Sport and R-Line trim lines for the saloon and Estate models in the UK marketcease to exist, as the German automaker is replacing them with the new Executive and Executive Style grades that can be had with all available powerplants.

Sitting on top of the entry level S and BlueMotion models in the Passat range, the new Executive grade adds new 17-inch ‘Michigan’ alloy wheels with a full size spare, complemented by exterior chrome trim, and matt black roof rails on the Estate.

Inside, standard features include Vienna leather upholstery with heated front seats, and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, VW's RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system, 2Zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, cruise control, plus front and rear parking sensors.

VW states that the Executive comes with more than £1,700-worth of equipment over the Highline model it replaces for a premium of £200, with on the road prices starting from £20,235.

The second new trim level, the Executive Style, affords a more distinct look to the Passat along with added features, such as 15 mm lower sports suspension 18-inch ‘Kansas’ alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, front fog lights, and tinted rear glass, together worth more than £2,000 for £995 over the Executive.

Full UK pricing follows below.

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All-New VW Golf R Mk7 Officially Revealed, Comes with 296HP and AWD

Following yesterday’s teaser photo, Volkswagen has revealed the new Golf R in all its conservative glory. For those who have already seen the R-Line packages for the Golf Mk7, the looks of the new Golf R won’t be a surprise at all.

The all-wheel-drive flagship Golf model sports a more aggressive body kit consisting of redesigned bumpers, new side sills, new 18- and 19-inch “Cadiz” alloy wheels and an air diffuser that integrates chrome dual tailpipes on each side.

Other new details found on the hot hatch include the darkened LED taillights and headlights, with the latter also featuring a new layout and lighting design (they also incorporate the DRLs). The matt chrome door mirror caps and black brake calipers round out the exterior changes.

Although VW hasn’t yet released photos of the interior yet, the company says the Golf R features an extensively customized and upgraded cabin, including front sport seats, optional Nappa-carbon leather package, R design instruments, redesigned radio and navigation systems and Car-Net – a series of new mobile online services.

Moving on to what’s most important about the Golf R, under the bonnet there’s the same engine from the Audi S3: a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine developing 300PS (296hp) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, available from 1,800 to 5,500 rpm.

Power is sent to all four wheels via a fifth-generation Haldex coupling with the 4Motion system paired to a manual six-speed transmission as standard (a 6-speed DSG will be optionally available). The Golf R also has four electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the ESC that act as transverse locks, while XDS+ electronic differentials are fitted to the front and rear axles.

A sport suspension setup reduces ground clearance by 20mm (0.78in) compared to the standard Golf and 5mm (0.2in) over the Golf GTI. VW said the 2.0-liter engine offers an average fuel economy of 6.9 l/100 km (34 US mpg) when mated to the DSG gearbox – that’s 18 percentbetter than its predecessor. With the manual gearbox, the new Golf R reaches 100km/h (62 mph) from rest in 5.3 seconds, an improvement of 0.4 sec over the previous Golf R, and with the DSG, in 4.9 seconds. The Golf R’s top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250km/h).

The Golf R will premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will arrive in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year. Prices in Germany start from €38,325 ($51,325). U.S. sales should start within the next year or so.

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VW Prices Limited Edition Beetle GSR from $29,995 in the U.S.

Volkswagen's US division announced that the2014 Beetle GSR starts from $29,995 (€22,910) for the base model equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and $31,095 (€23,750 with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.

Only 3,500 of the GSR (Gelb Schwarzer Renner, German for “Yellow/Black Racer”) models will be sold worldwide. Just like the GSR of the 1970s, the new car also sports a yellow-and-black color scheme. The body and R-Line bumpers are finished predominantly in yellow, while the hood is mainly black, as well as the trunklid, roof and exterior mirror caps.

The Beetle GSR has yellow/black stripes with “GSR” lettering above the side skirts and a large rear spoiler. The limited edition Beetle rides on 19-inch “Tornado” aluminum-alloy wheels and features black-painted brake calipers.

The yellow/black theme continues on the inside, with the car also featuring sport seats and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. The leather on the seats and steering wheel has contrasting yellow stitching. Other interior additions include an R-Line dash pad, a GSR shift lever, leather-wrapped handbrake lever and black floormats with contrasting embroidery. Each car comes with a badge on the steering wheel showing the special-edition number (0001 through 3500).

Under the hood, the VW Beetle GSR has the turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine delivering 210 horsepower and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm) of torque. The unit allows the Beetle GSR to sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h).

Standard equipment includes a Fender Premium Audio System, panoramic sunroof, RNS 315 navigation system, bi-xenon headlights with LED DRLs, LED license-plate lighting, heated front seats, keyless access with push-button start and others.

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