Volkswagen of South Africa leads tough passenger car market in 2009

“Volkswagen of South Africa lead the passenger market in 2009 with total sales of 49 902 units, thereby securing 19.3% of the total passenger market,” said Mike Glendinning, VW of SA Director of Sales and Marketing.

“Volkswagen of South Africa lead the passenger market in 2009 with total sales of 49 902 units, thereby securing 19.3% of the total passenger market,” said Mike Glendinning, VW of SA Director of Sales and Marketing.

“The Polo range proved to be South Africa’s favourite passenger Brand with sales of 18 288 units in 2009”.

“The Audi Brand recorded sales of 9 234 units in the premium segment, securing a very satisfactory 3.6% share of the total 2009 passenger market. Audi sales in December exceeded 1 000 units for the first time in 2009 which was a very positive end to 2009 for the Brand”.

During December 2009 a total of 19 161 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa.

Total new passenger car sales in December, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, decreased by -16.4 percent when compared to November 2009, and by -8.8 percent when compared to December 2008.

The full year 2009 new passenger car market recorded sales of -21.6 percent below the market achieved in 2008.

Source: Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passat CC R-Line

Volkswagen has published photos of so-called "charged" version of model Passat CC. Why "so-called"? Yes all is very simple – from technical point of view Passat CC R-Line differs nothing from usual cars.

However, experts in marketing Volkswagen say that in this case from model which has proud prefix R-Line, and it was not required establishments of records of speed. Such car have created only for beauty. And looks Passat CC R-Line really better, than usual Passat CC.

«R Line» has received a new front bumper, lateral mouldings, blacked-out headlights. Besides, Passat CC R-Line has stylish 17-inch wheel disks (at desire it is possible to put and 18-inch). And in interior there were the aluminium mouldings, a new steering wheel. In general, quite good factory tuning. Which, besides, costs not too expensively – 2200 euros for the complete set.

Restyling Volkswagen Tiguan. First Photo

In internet appears first photo of a front part restyling Volkswagen Tiguan which will appear on sale in the beginning of next year. Alas, quality of this picture leaves much to be desired, however, and on it is possible to understand, how will look updated Tiguan (in a photo above new Tiguan, and below nowadays exhausted).

Predictably, the car will receive "muzzle" in new corporate style Volkswagen (the same design of a front part already have Golf, Polo and Transporter). What changes will occur in technical part Tiguan, yet is not informed. Most likely, the car will keep a present ruler of engines though, some motors and can receive minor alterations.

Volkswagen has established a world record!

Volkswagen has established a new world record, having got to the Guinness Book of Records. Car Caddy Maxi 4MOTION has managed to pass from Silent to Atlantic ocean all for 8 days of 13 hours and 30 minutes. And, drivers during travel at all did not do any stops (refuellings are not considered) and alternately slept directly in the car.

Crew Volkswagen included drivers Matthias Gottenauer and Andreas Renz. They have begun the travel to midday on the West European time on October, 2nd, 2009 in Portugal. Within first two days the command has passed through Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. On October, 4th Caddy Maxi 4MOTION has begun the way on territory of Russia. In the morning on October, 11th, 2009 at 01:30 on the West European time (13:30 local time) Gottenauer and Renz have arrived to an appointment terminal point – the city of Magadan.



The Transeuroasian way is the longest route passing on territory of one continent: its extent makes 15 408 kilometres from Kabo yes Fate (Portugal) at Atlantic ocean to the Pacific port Magadan which are a terminal point of the Russian network of highways.

The first piece of way Caddy Maxi 4MOTION has passed on highways and highway that has provided fast and comfortable movement. In process of advancement on the east the surface of roads became more and more bumpy, and the last of 5 000 kilometres were special test both for the car, and for drivers. The broken roads with deep ruts, difficult gravel sites, water a track with scars from wheels of auto trucks...

Two travellers establish a similar record not for the first time. Ten years ago they have made the longest travel across the North America, having passed line PanAmericana on car Volkswagen T4 Multivan Syncro. Travel which 15 days and 14 hours lasted, has been skidded in the Guinness Book of Records and has brought glory T4 and to its drivers. This record while and has not been beaten.

New Volkswagen Golf VII. The first images!

New generation Volkswagen Golf of the sixth generation has been shown more recently. However all perfectly understand that life Golf VI will be short – by and large, Germans have made this model as "transitive" from Golf V to absolutely new to "seventh" Golf. And here already now in a press the first computer drawings Golf VII have started to appear. Besides, some editions assure that Volkswagen has begun road tests of new model.



The batch production new Golf should begin in 2012. That is the present car will hold on the conveyor no more than 5 years (prime minister Golf VI, we will remind, has passed only last year). Information on technical features Golf VII yet too much. It is known only that the new model hardly will be larger old, but the increase in sizes will appear insignificant – about 50-60 mm. Also it is clear that in a car basis absolutely new platform will lay down.

Besides, it is necessary to notice that Volkswagen prepares to begin release on the basis of Golf VII another model, it is a question of a compact 4-door coupe (representatives Volkswagen will demand to name new model so). Most likely, this car will receive name Golf CC.

Frankfurt Motor Show 2009: Volkswagen L1

Volkswagen has presented supereconomic double prototype L1 with a diesel engine-hybrid power-plant. A car body including the power structure, is executed from carbon fiber. L1 weighs only 380 kgs, 160 km/h accelerate momentum and on the average spends for hundred kilometres of a diesel fuel of 1,49 litres. Carbonic gas on way kilometre conceptual L1 throws out only 39 grammes. Thus the machine possesses quite good dynamic characteristics – hundred kilometres per hour L1 reaches for 14,3 seconds. Onboard the fuel stock in 10 litres allows to overcome 670 kilometres.



To achieve such indicators, Volkswagen have thoroughly worked. Thanks to that passengers have arranged one after another, developers the lateral section area managed to be made absolutely small, the factor of aerodynamic resistance L1 – makes 0,195. A turbodiesel, the electric motor, and seven-step gear box DSG designers have united clutches in one unit and have established in a body rear. At dispersals and in settled modes L1 is set in motion from two-cylinder 0,8-litre turbodiesel TDI. Work the motor can in two modes: in standard – «ECO» "cursor" develops capacity in 27 h.p. (20 kw) (at 4000 rpm), in a mode "SPORTS" which is activated at intensive speedups, capacity can quickly increase to 39 h.p. (29 kw) (at a similar rotary speed of a bent shaft). The maximum twisting moment of the engine makes 100 Nm (at 1900 rpm).



The 14-strong motor-generator of alternate current in a traction mode can work as together with the diesel motor (for example, at intensive dispersal), and irrespective of it (at movement on low speeds in plugs or in residential zones). In the latter case, L1 as the electromobile, moves exclusively for the electropull-rod account, DVC from transmission is disconnected by one of clutches. The Motor-generator works together with the lithium-ionic accumulator battery located in a front part of a body. By the way, there there was a place for a 50-litre luggage compartment. Developers say that the car is already almost ready to a batch production, the truth, concrete terms yet do not name.

New accessories Volkswagen for Tiguan

Concern Volkswagen suggests the clients a new mode to make the off-road car most sold in the European market more unique, exhausting for it a collection of accessories. Structure Volkswagen Accessories included decorative protection of a crankcase and thresholds with steps.

All offered accessories are accessible both in furnish under polish aluminium, and in matte-silvery colouring, they are perfectly combined with the new aerodynamic complete set consisting of a front bumper, a rear bumper with the choke tube, a spoiler on a roof, the expanded side panels and 19-inch wheels.

Joyster! National hatchback!

Shortly Volkswagen will begin release of new inexpensive compact model at once under several brands.

After a debut hatchback Up!, the autoconcern plans to present in the European market at once some its versions. So in 2010 on sale there should be one of them — new compact model Skoda in cost 5 000 euros. According to the sources close to VW, this hatchback will be called Joyster, as the concept car with the same name shown by Czechs some time ago. One more version compact Up! Spanish "daughter" VW — company SEAT will probably exhaust. In modelling to a number of this mark the novelty will replace hatchback SEAT Arosa.

Volkswagen and Porsche become an Integrated Automotive Group

VW announced today that Volkswagen and Porsche will become an Integrated Automotive Group as the Supervisory Board approved a comprehensive agreement. The agreement says that both the solid financial base of Volkswagen and Porsche's independence will be preserved. both companies hope this agreement will result in high growth, earnings and synergy potential accompanied by job security.



Volkswagen and Porsche will total sales of 6.4 million vehicles and more than 400,000 employees.Under this agreement, Volkswagen will take a 42.0 percent stake in Porsche AG by the end of 2009. this process will end with the complete merger of Porsche SE with Volkswagen.

Volkswagen («Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL)»)

According to research «Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL)», spent by institute J.   D. Power and Associates, the mark has received the greatest number of positive responses from clients in 2009. At once four models — Golf GTI, Tiguan, Passat and Passat CC — became winners in the classes. Jetta and Routan (is on sale only in the USA), the taken second places, supplement the list of successful models Volkswagen. Moreover, any of other motor-car manufacturers has not received more than positive estimations according to probe «APEAL».

Over 80 000 new clients and leasing receivers from the North America have taken part in spent by institute J.   D. Power interrogation about their satisfaction new cars. During probe cars were estimated on more than 80 parametres in areas of recycling, a complete set and dynamics of movement. Following the results of interrogation six models Volkswagen have received positive responses of buyers. Models Golf GTI and Passat have confirmed results of previous years.

J.   D. Power and Associates is leading research institute in the world. J.   D. Power regularly conducts probes and is engaged in the analysis of satisfaction of clients cars in the key automobile markets. Results of last probes «APEAL» in the North America are based on the interrogation of buyers spent on the average after three-monthly operation of cars.

Engineers of company ABT have finished Volkswagen Golf GTI VI

Engineers of German tuning studio ABT Sportline at last that undertook the sixth generation of hatchback Volkswagen Golf GTI. Experts at first undertook standard 2,0 l a four-cylinder turbo engine capacity of 210 h.p. In ABT have developed two variants of tuning for new GTI – in the first improvements have concerned an electronic control package with the engine and final system that has increased an engine power to 260 h.p.

The second variant provides installation of the new turbine providing total capacity in 300 h.p. that allows the car to accelerate momentum from 0 to 100 km/hour less than for 6,0 seconds. For comparison, the acceleration time of usual version Volkswagen Golf GTI VI from 0 to 100 km/hour makes 7,2 seconds.

Volkswagen prepares Golf CC

According to German edition AutoBild, company Volkswagen prepares the next two years to exhaust new model which will receive name Golf CC. Yes-yes, it not seemed to you. Golf CC – this model will stand on a step below the big 4-door coupe Passat CC.

AutoBild even has published the first drawing of new model which gives the chance to understand that Golf CC it will be made approximately in the same style, as Passat СС. Besides a new body, Golf CC will receive also more a rigid suspension, and also the strengthened brakes. Well and engines will be standard from hatchback Golf.

Volkswagen have presented in China almost new local Passat Lingyu

Passat Lingyu has not something common with a present Passat: it is model of the fifth generation throughly altered outwardly which specially for the Chinese market was extended with Germans.



Certainly, Skoda laterals are recognised, but the redock with new cut headlights, a bumper and wide chromeplated radiator lattice the solidity reminds Phaeton. Thanks to the integrated flashlights looks the forage more impressive also.



Also appears modification in motor. For example, deserved inflate motor 1.8Т from 150 forces has got a rise in 13 "horses", and fuel consumption has fallen to 10 % — to 6,5 l on one hundred in the commixed cycle. And here "four" 2.0 (115 forces) and "six" 2.8 (193) remained without changes.



The checked up design, not definitively out-of-date power units, impressive (2803 mm) as love in China, a wheelbase, prestigious enough mark — Passat Lingyu is one of the most sold models of German concern in the Chinese market. And it despite the fact that what "German" in Heavenly Empire costs a minimum of $26 thousand, and Toyota Camry 2.4 — about $24 thousand.