Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Cut Model at KLIMS2013 - A Demonstration of German Engineering

Volkswagen took a prime floor space at KLIMS 2013, a vast portion of the hall previously occupied by Proton in the KLIMS 2010. It brings the whole lot of its car together with the yet-to-be launched CKD Volkswagen Polo hatchback. However, the item that really catch my eyes is the cut model of the Volkswagen Golf, a car that won accolades of awards, triple award I would say; European Car of The Year, World Car of The Year and Car of The Year Japan. Award does not fall from the sky, so this car ought to be quite something.

The cut model of Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is very fascinating to look at. It is the free demonstration of Volkswagen engineering design which is very useful to be benchmarked. After all, Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is significantly 100kg lighter than the model it replaced. The savings are achieved via 3.0kg lighter electrical system, 12.0kg of car's equipment, 22.0kg from engine, 26.0kg from the drivetrain and a whopping 37.0kg from the body structure. The culmination of the savings is the result of finite element analysis which optimize the load path and reduce the redundant structure. The main structure is a hybrid of high strength steel with hot formed steel among other conventional materials.

Lets start with the front. While I don't bring the gauge to check the thickness, I am pretty sure it is quite a standard thickness as far as the hood inner and outer panel is concern. However what can be seen is the hood inner panel is quite mainstream in the design and generously structured near the cowl section. In addition to the hood inner beaded section close by, the hood outer is further augmented by stiffener, so even the rearward right section alone is supported by 3 reinforcements.

The section below shows the front bumper assembly consists of bumper fascia, bumper beam and its foam insert as well as the lower radiator grille louvre design. Also consistent with the current trend, the bumper itself is very thin, around 2mm and usually can't support its own weight is disassembled. Bulk of the loading is taken by the beam, while the yield can be support by the fascia, the springback is aided by the foam.

Moving further downward, one can clearly see the floor is fully covered to aid aerodynamics. The fairing covers even the lowest point of the car which is the oil sump, which seems to be insulated this this example. The next photo shows the main body structure of Volkswagen Golf Mk7, which is the side structure, a structure that envelope the occupants inside the car. The A, B and C pillar are exposed here, although only the critical section of B-pillar is cut out for us to see. 

Closer inspection through the web reveals the B-pillar inner panel is off the TWB type, i.e Tailor Weld Blank which means the panel comes as multi thickness along the length. This is particularly useful in saving weight as it isolates the need for an additional reinforcement of metal sheet to add strength, which also requires spot weld. For TWB, the sheet is rolled in the desired thickness at desired location, the concept which is as per illustrated. This technology is nothing new, as our local grown Proton Saga BLM employs the same technology in its door panel. More details after the jump.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Revealed

Volkswagen has revealed the Golf Sportsvan Concept, the successor to the Golf Plus, which will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) on Tuesday. Despite the concept moniker, expect a very minimal change, if at all, when the new car debuted in the European market soon. There's also rumors that it will not be called Golf Plus anymore in certain market, hence a Sportsvan name is a probability.

Like the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, Golf Sportsvan is based on the MQB platform, and incorporates all the advanced technology of that car, but in a larger, even more practical body style.  Its exterior design clearly follows the look of both the Golf, and Volkswagen’s more generic ‘DNA’.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan is 4,338mm long, 1,870m wide and 1,578mm tall. The wheelbase is 2,685mm. Compared to the 7th generation Volkswagen Golf, Golf Sportsvan is 83mm longer, 80mm wider and 126mm higher as well as rides on 48mm longer wheelbase. Compared to Volkswagen's old Golf Plus, it is  134mm longer but it is 224 mm shorter than the Golf Estate.

With the increased in dimension, Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan offers 498L of boot space(Golf is 380 litres), with the back seats at their rear-most position.  Moving the rear seats forwards increases the luggage capacity to 585L, while folding the rear seats liberates up to 1,512L. The front passenger seat can optionally fold fully forward, creating a load space which is up to 2,484mm long. Hence, practicality is its big forte.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan will be powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines mirroring those on the hatchback version, all of which conform to Euro 6 emissions standards and incorporate Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems.  There are four turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engines with 85, 110, 125 and 150PS and three turbodiesels: a 2.0-litre 150PS, a 1.6-litre 90PS and a 1.6-litre 110PS for the Sportsvan BlueMotion.  This is expected to return fuel economy of 32.4km/L and emit 95 g/km of CO₂.  All engines (but the 85 PS) can be ordered with a DSG gearbox.

Like the Golf hatchback, the Sportsvan comes not only with a stronger, safer body structure but also a raft of standard and optional passive and active safety systems.  These include an automatic post-collision braking system which automatically brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy significantly and thus minimise the chance of a second impact, and a PreCrash system which, on detecting the possibility of an accident, pre-tensions seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof, leaving just a small gap, to ensure the best possible protection from the airbags.

Other electronic aids include Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, all of which can reduce or eliminate the chance of accidents occurring.  Also available are a Driver Alert System, a camera-operated Lane Assist system and a Dynamic Light Assist system.

A first for the Golf Sportsvan is a Blind Spot Monitor, with an assistant for exiting parking spaces.  This monitors the area behind and to the sides of the vehicle, ensuring easier and safer egress when reversing from a parking bay.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan will be officially revealed in Frankfurt International Motorshow on Tuesday. More photos can be found after the jump.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Landed In Malaysia

Volkswagen Malaysia has launched the 7th generation of Volkswagen Golf GTI last week, and this time around both the 3 door and 5 door versions are made available. The car is the continuation of the legendary hot hatchback which sets the benchmark on how the hot hatchback should performed. The new GTI is priced from RM211,060 for the 3 door while the 5 door is priced at RM219,060. Both are OTR without insurance, and in case of the 5 door version you can opt for 19' Santiago wheels upgrade for RM3,000 and Tech-Pack (Adaptive Chassis Control, Electric Driver Seat (!) & Vienna leather seats) for RM10,000.

As per MMN earlier coverage (read HERE), the exterior of the Mk7 Golf GTI is subtly different from the cooking TSI version, although it does give a visual tension of dynamism despite the subdued exterior makeover. The front of the car gains the customary red insert inside the upper grille, which extends into the headlamp internal. The front bumper air intake has been enlarged, and flanks by the straked fog lamp housing.  Side profile is garnished by the fender motif which enhanced the aggressiveness together with 18' Austin alloy wheel (3 door make do with 17' item, although both are wrapped by 225-mm tyre section). Rear changes are limited to spoiler and double exhaust outlet.

The interior is where the action will be. The sense of occasion is heightened by dark trim, accented by Tartan seat upholstery, leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching while similar treatment can be found on the gear knob too. The dashboard and the door trim (surprise, surprise which is not unlike Proton Preve/Suprima S, only the front door trim upper section is soft padded while the rear door is moulded of hard plastic) are adorns with the textured black deco. Driving position is occasion-like, likewise the relative positioning of the control item and dashboard ergonomics are all showing the depth of experience of the company designing it.

Underneath the hood lies the 220PS 2.0L mill packing the BlueMotion technology including the direct injection system and the turbocharger. The headline power figure is reached from 4,500rpm and sustained until 6,200rpm, whereas the fat torque curve spread from 1,500-4,400rpm where all 350Nm of it is available continuously. Drive is channelled via 6 speed DSG transmission. Performance is scorching, with 6.5s century sprint and 244 km/h of top speed.

The comprehensive equipment level however is not mirror by the 3 door version which unfortunately lose the Bi-Xenon headlight (get halogen instead and no LED fog lamp), only 17' Brooklyn alloy wheel, elimination of auto wiper, auto dimming, electric foldable mirror, USB and Bluetooh player while the aircond unit is of  manual type, smaller 5' infotainment system (down from 5.8') and there's no cruise control either. So there's quite a big chunk of equipment lost for the RM8,000 you save. The choice is yours. The gallery of the interior of the Volkswagen Golf GTI can be found after the jump to whip up your wet dream.

Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid now in Malaysia

Volkswagen Malaysia has introduced the Hybrid version of its SUV Touareg to our market. Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid is powered any a petrol engine displacing 3.0L supplemented by a supercharger producing 328hp@5,500-6,500rpm of power and 440Nm of torque from as lowly 3,000rpm. The gasoline lump is augmented by the electric motor kicking some 45hp. Total power and torque output is 375hp and 580Nm, sufficient to propel the 2.3 tonnes SUV to 100km/h in 6.5s and giving it 240 km/h of top speed. Drive is channelled via 8 speed automatic gearbox.

Malaysian-bound car features Vienna leather upholstery, 19 inch Salamanca alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, audio system with 60GB harddisk and 10 speaker setup. The  price set for this model is RM616,888.

2013 Volkswagen GTI unveiled in Paris

Sombreness is the new aggressiveness. You may shout as loud as you will, but do it with with your lip shut. This is MMN analogy to describe the new appearance of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Clothed in a very, very restrained styling projection, which best describe as if the body flexing muscle is conceal by the tight-flat-wrapped clothing, hiding the athleticism from the being visible. The "mature" face hides a screaming 217bhp and 350Nm of power and torque produced by the new turbocharged, direct injected 2.0L lump employing the Start/Stop to boost fuel economy to the tune of 6.0L/100km.

Compared to the cooking Mk7, the GTI Design Study (yeah right) gets a different front fascia design, employing the legendary red stripes that run along the upper grille, and new for Mk7, into the headlights too. The bumper, while retaining similar outline, is actually more bulging and protruding outward, with prominent meshing grille pattern. The strakes adorns the fog lamp housing. The rear end meanwhile gets a smoked rear lights and 80mm diameter exhaust outlet poking on each side of the rear bumper valence. The car sits on the Brooklyn 17" alloys, with 18 inchers available as an option. The former is wrapped in 225/45 tyres. Other than that, the Golf GTI is pure Mk7 Golf, meaning that it is a clean-looking C Segment hatchback with stunning stressed-metal-sheet look customary to VAG family and littered with lots of tiny design detailing that counts beyond their sums.

Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by the aforementioned 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, assisted by the modern direct injection system and boosted by a turbocharger. Transmission option is either 6MT or 6 speed DSG. There are two states of tune available. The standard tune offers 217PS and 350Nm of power and torque combo, while the Performance Pack liberates another 10PS. In the "lower-power guise", the new GTI sprints to 100km/h in 6.6s, on the way to 246km/h top speed. Opting for the Performance Pack cuts the century sprint time by 0.1s and rounded up the top speed to 250km/h. Going for the power pack not only liberates more power, but the handling is further enhanced by larger front disc brakes measuring 17-inch in diameter (with GTI  embossed on the caliper) and front axle differential lock.

The interior of the VW Golf GTI is garnished in the best of GTI tradition, meaning that the "tartan" upholstery pattern and the golf-ball shaped gear knob. Since the last generations too the flat-bottomed steering has been featured and carried into the Mk7 GTI with 3 metal spokes and high-gloss black trim. The dashboard is trimmed in similar high-gloss black too. The leather parts are red stitched, lending further ambiance of sportiness. Also making a strong statement is the GTI instrument cluster with a colour display and independent graphics of its instruments. It is no coincidence that it resembles high-end chronographs. The GTI-specific look of the interior is completed by red ambience lighting, special trim strips and panels (trim strips in the front doors with ambience lighting), brushed stainless steel pedals and foot rest (on left), door sill entry plates in front with a stainless steel application and ambience lighting that is also integrated here.

The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI will be on sale in Europe in early 2013 in both 3 and 5 door body styles. UK will get the car in their summer. One more photo after the jump.

Iconic VW Beetle enters Malaysia

The new Volkswagen Beetle has made an inroad to the Malaysian market last week during its introduction at VW Das Auto Show 2012 at the KL Convention Centre. The car, simply called "The Beetle" succeed the "New Beetle" which was introduced to the world market way back in 1997.

For Malaysian market, the Beetle is initially offered in 1.2TSI version ,whereas the higher-powered 2.0 TSI will be available at a later stage. The 1.2L version is powered by the fame direct-injection force fed induction unit producing a competitive 105bhp@5,000rpm and a strong 175Nm of torque flat from 1,550-4,100rpm. Drive is fed via 7 speed DSG, sufficient to propel the car to the century sprint in 10.9s on the way to 180km/h of top speed. The car is suspended by McPhersons strut in front and torsion beam at the back. In this trim, the car rides on 215/60 R16 tyre and rim combo.

Compared to the New Beetle, The Beetle measures 1,808 mm wide, 1,486 mm tall  and 4,278 mm long, which is 84mm wider, 12mm lower and 152 mm longer. This has resulted in entirely new proportions. The gain in length meant that the roof could be extended further, the front windscreen could be shifted back, and the rear section could follow the contour of the original Beetle. All of this gives the VW Beetle a powerful appearance with muscular tension, while retaining the legendary bug faced comprises of cheeky rounded headlamp and friendly looking air intake. But it is also bolder, more dynamic, more masculine. The Beetle is now characterised by a clean, self-confident and dominant sportiness. 

There is a touch of retro in the interior design, in the way that the body-color coordinated panel insert at the dashboard and the frame-less door trim. While its forebear interior trimmings is really metal, The Beetle is actually a modern plastic item, moulded and painted to look just like the metal. The interior plastic is heavily textured from top to bottom in typical Volkswagen fashion, although none of them is actually really soft touch item.Equipment list is lengthy. It includes Viena leather upholstery, touch screen audio system with 6 CD changer, 8 speakers setup and cruise control.  Rear accommodation is quite OK but of course it will never be spacious. Boot volume is quoted as 310L.

The 1.2L TSI version is priced at RM139,888 and comes with 5 year warranty inclusive of 2 years of extended warranty. More photos of Volkswagen Beetle can be found after the jump.

Seventh Generation Volkswagen Golf revealed

After numerous fake "first photo" made their way into internet, the real deal finally has been unravelled. Volkswagen has lifted the lid of the new Volkswagen Golf in Berlin yesterday. The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf aimed to bring in the new level of comfort, practicality, safety and efficiency to its class. In the span of 36 years in which over 29 million unit has been sold, Volkswagen Golf continues to be the benchmark of the class, where every C Segment hatchback in the world is judged against.

In the span of 36 years also, Volkswagen Golf has grown tremendously in size. The seventh generation measures 4,255mm long, 1,799mm wide and 1,452mm tall. It is 56mm longer, 13mm wider and 28mm lower than the sixth generation. The wheebase has grown 59mm to 2,637mm. Better shaping of external bodies has resulted in 10% improvement in drag coefficient, which now stands at 0.27.

The styling of the new Golf is best described as evolutionary. It incorporates the latest Volkswagen design language, consisting of similar silhouette interpretation of headlight, grille and bumper geometry similar to any new Volkswagen on the market today. You can say it is derived from the Passat, Jetta or Polo, and you are definitely not wrong.

What stays true to authentic Golf is the side profile where the rich cabin length is ended by thick upright C-pillar which has been like that for generations. The rear end also adopt the sharper approach like the front, with slimmer rear light that is perfectly and completely flush with the body. It can be said that, like the rest of new Volkswagen, the seventh Golf is an epitome of clean body surfacing, with enough surface curvature and crisp radiusing to impart a highly stretched-look. The integration of the exterior body panel has an exemplary panel fit, a perfect shut line that has grown to be almost daily ritual of VAG family member.

The new seventh generation Volkswagen Golf utilised the MQB modular platfrom, which is destinated to underpinned everything from supermini to the large sedan. Despite the growing dimension, the new Golf is lighter than the car it replaced, up to 100kg depending on variant. With Volkswagen ability to optimize the body structure (no less thanks to the advancement in computer simulation) which combats the increase in mass usually associated with the enlarged structure, the new Golf is roomier than ever. 

Rear legroom is 15mm longer, despite the 20mm rearward shift in front seat placement. Shoulder and elbow room has been increased up to 30mm thanks to the wider cabin. Up to 2,412mm of length can be accommodated in the cabin if the front passenger seat is folded. Boot volume is 380L, some 30L more than before.

Another dramatic departure is the interior design. While the interior of Volkswagen Golf is typically sombre place to be, it is the astonishing fitting and material quality that stunned the buyer. The new Golf should be more or less similar, despite the apparent arising material cost. The interior theme is in tandem with the latest of Volkswagen offering such as the Volkswagen UP, with the coloured insert within the console and the dash. In Golf however, it is piano black. High gloss. Or there is also a silver insert. Your pick. In any case, it is said the material reeks premium in its touch. Soft padded, metallic accent finely lining the gear console and buttons are all the luxury trappings that will uplift the ambiance even in the base model.

Engine choice are aplenty, like the current Golf. Among the engines are 1.2L TSI (84hp and 4.9L/100km), 1.4L TSI (138hp and 4.8L/100km) which can deactivate two cylinders. The diesel variety starts with 1.6L (104hp and 3.8L/100km) and 2.0L (148hp and 4.1L/100km). All engines comes start/stop technology and brake energy recuperation. Transmission option covers 6 speed manual and 6 and 7 speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

In an effort to combat the rising cost, Volkswagen has elected to equip the cheapest model with the torsion beam suspension in companion with McPhersons strut at the front. Higher-priced model however gets the multi-link rear suspension.

At launch, only the 5 door hatchback is available. Later in the life cycle, the typical body styles will be offered such as 3 door hatchback, Golf Plus sub-MPV as well as the convertible. Some more photos can be found after the jump. 

VW Polo sedan launched in Malaysia - sub RM100k B-Segment

Volkswagen Malaysia has introduced the booted version of its Volkswagen Polo hatchback. Contrary to the CKD expectation, the Polo sedan actually is assembled in India. Maybe VW Malaysia is adopting a similar approach to VW Passat, where the CKD version follows the CBU version when the firm believe there is a sufficient demand for the product.

In terms of dimension, the sedan-ized version of the Polo is 414mm longer that the 5 door hatchback version at 4,384mm, essentially very similar to Honda City and Toyota Vios in length. Width and height are 1,699mm and  1,466mm, slightly wider and taller than the 5 door stablemate. Following the footstep of VW Jetta evolution from VW Golf, the job is not merely booting-up the hatchback, as the wheelbase has been lengthened too at 2,552mm compared to 2,470mm of the 5 door hatchback. This churns out more rear accommodation and boot space of spacious 454L compared to 280L of the hatchback. More details after the jump.

Volkswagen Sharan MPV now available in Malaysia

If you think you haven't heard about VW Sharan for long time, it is indeed a long time because the model was last launched in 1995. Sharan was launched at that time as a time twin-model to the Ford Galaxy and a host of other VW group badge-engineering model such as Seat Alhambra. Now VW Malaysia has brought in the second generation model which was launched as a 2011 model in other market a short while back.

For Malaysian market, VW has brought in the 200PS TSI model which packs a powerplant of 2.0L Direct-Injection turbocharged engine kicking out 200PS@5100rpm and a rich 280Nm of torque within a fat rpm range of between 1800-5000rpm. Drive is channelled to the front wheel via 6 speed DSG transmission.

While VW Sharan does not look huge in its first impression, it actually is a (much) bigger than the Touran sub MPV. The dimensions measure 4,854mm in length, 1,904mm in width and 1,720mm in height. Within the lengthy 2,919mm wheelbase, 7 occupants and their luggage can be fitted in comfortably. Typical to VW design standard, the exterior surfacing of Sharan is filled with crisp character-line and a festive of LED lighting. This is the forte of the VW Group in its ability to impart solid appearance of its car with crisply sharp body creases and clean uncluttered body graphic such as bumper fascia design and their customary LED arrangement where other makers settle for straight line LED arrangement. These give it a handsome appearance with can be misinterpreted as sombre by some, but lasting by some others. More information and photo after the jump.

Volkwagen MQB platform - from Polo to Passat in one sweep

Volkswagen has released the detail of its new permutation of MQB vehicle platfrom, which is said to offer extreme flexibility in stretching the underpinning from the Polo supermini to the Passat mid-range saloon. MQB or Modularer Querbaukasten to name it in full, is sets to underpin a host of new model for the next generation of Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen itself.

As depicted above, MQB platform will be able to accomodate various range of wheelbase, as well as the easier part such as the extension of rear floor and front beam. The only fixed constraint is the distance between the front axle centre line and the firewall, which is for MQB, is further 40mm further than the current distance for Golf platform.

MQB platform has been design-protect for various engine installation. Common mounting points has been established for a series of petrol and diesel engine which should simplify the production process and hence saves some assembly cost. While the firewall location is fixed, the structure that connect upwards to the A-pillar and support the Instrument Panel can be interchanged to accommodate various model height. The illustration below showcased various installation of dash panel for a variety of model covering Tiguan, Passat, Octavia, Polo, Fabia and all the Golf's siblings.

The MQB platform also will utilize state-of-the-art weight reduction technology, such as the use of ultra high strength steel, more aluminium content as well as a patented technology to weld the two afore-mentioned material together. Volkswagen said the 2013 Mk7 Golf will weighs the same as the Mk4 from the 90's. More after the jump.

VW Up! now in 5-door bodystyle

Volkswagen has released the information about the 5 door version of the Up! hatchback, formerly launched as a 3 door variant in August last year. The 5 door Up! retained the 3 door 2,420m wheelbase and 251L of boot space, so the addition of the door are the results of the floor panel re-packaging rather then a simple extension to the floor itself.

Rear passengers in the five-door up! benefit from exactly the same space as those in the three-door model, with 947 mm of headroom (versus 993 mm in the front) and 789 mm of legroom.  The rear seat base is set slightly higher than that in the front, at 378 mm (versus 306 mm) giving passengers a clearer view of the road ahead.

As well as front and side airbags, ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist, Isofix child seat preparation in the rear and standard ESP (on all but the entry level Take up! model), the up! can be ordered with an optional City Emergency Braking system.  This uses sensors to scan the space ahead of the vehicle, applying the brakes automatically if it detects that the car is about to hit an object in front. The Maps & More infotainment system is a mobile Personal Infotainment Device that was developed to organise navigation, telephone, information and entertainment.  It is removable, but unlike many other similar systems of this type, it melds with the car’s network of systems and can be used to view vehicle information, such as the display of the parking sensors (where fitted).  The system is standard on the High up! model and above, and optional on the rest of the range. More after the jump.

Volkswagen Passat CC facelift - revealed ahead of LA premier

The svelte looking VW Passat CC has received its mid-life update after being four years in the market. The pseudo-coupe gets a host of exterior and interior update to bring it in-line with more recent VW offering's design language. The front end has lost the V-shaped middle section and teardrop headlight and in comes the more formal headlamp with LED, and more elegant looking front bumper that is flatter. The elegant touch continues with the slice of chrome around the fog lamp. Hood has been flattened as it losses the central character spine. 

At the back, the rear light loses the teardrop shape like the front unit, where the base of outer section is now flat bottom, giving an impression of the car appear wider. This is further accentuates by the horizontal graphic inside the taillamp housing. The rear bumper has been redesigned too.

For the interior, the facelifted Passat CC gets a refreshed aircon panel design and a selection of new trimmings. Aircon vent now also  has chrome lining. VW has also added fatigue detection system and active head restraint for additional safety.

Trio of Volkswagen cars now in Malaysia - Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran

Volkswagen Malaysia has launched a trio of CBU cars namely Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran to our market. All three are CBU, apparently not the CKD cars we expected to come out from the Pekan plant under the DRB project announced sometimes back However, VW has confirmed that the Jetta and Passat will soon come under CKD form . For now, the Passat and Cross Touran are imported from Germany while the Jetta is imported from Mexico.

Trio of new VW cars, the Jetta, Passat and Cross Touran - pic from Paultan

There are two version of VW Passat globally, what we are getting here is the European Passat instead of the American Passat. The American Passat is slightly bigger while the one we are getting is slightly shorter in length. All three cars are powered by VW TSI engine and paired with 7 speed DSG transmission. Read on for the details of each model.

Volkswagen Jetta Technical Details

Volkswagen Jetta that we are getting in our shore is the 160PS TSI version, powered by 1,390cc 4-cylinder engine with Twincharger and direct injection system. The TSI engine gave a healthy 160PS@5800 rpm and 240Nm from 1500-4500 rpm, and paired to 7 speed DSG gearbox. The combination of powerful engine and efficient gearbox enabled this car to accelerate to 100km/h in 8.3seconds and can achieve 221 km/h of top speed.  

VW Jetta is essentially a booted Golf. However, for this generation, VW has gone a greater length in differentiating the two by enlarging the notchback version by even extending the wheelbase. VW Jetta is 4,644mm long, 1,778mm wide and 1,482mm tall. It rides on 2,651mm wheelbase. There is no trace of booted sedan syndrome here as the car looks cohesively integrated even from the side profile. The Malaysian market car rides on 225/55 R16 tyres.

VW Jetta is priced at RM149,888.

More photos of VW Jetta can be found below:

Photo gallery of VW Jetta


More details and photos about VW Passat and CrossTouran after the jump.

Volkswagen UP unveiled

VW unveiled the UP model today head of Frankfurt Motorshow. The car has been long showcased as concept car for some iterations and finally the mass-production car has been unveiled. 

The car retain a lot of cues from the concept car including the two-box silhouette which maximise interior space,"floating" front bumper and flush rear light setup. While the car retains the looks (see concept below), the drivetrain could not be more different. Whereas the concept used rear mounted drivetrain, the mass produced car utilized conventional FF layout, build on MQB platfrom, which VW sets to use among all VAG family.

More details after  the jump.