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The powerhouse in the compact class: in the 1970s, the Golf GTI – now in its eighth generation in 2020 – was a cult car from the word go. We reveal what makes the punchy front of the GTI so special, and how this has developed over the past half century. Marco Pavone, Head of Exterior Design for the Volkswagen Brand, explains the generations and the latest GTI model.

The original GTI hit the scene in 1976, full of confidence, and sporting a black front grille with a red border and a lean design (still at this point). The headlights, protruding from under the bonnet of the lightweight compact car, form the external end points. The first GTI emblem is chrome and intentionally presents a stark contrast with the black Volkswagen logo. “Even with the original GTI, all the design elements already reflect a clear attitude,” says GTI designer Marco Pavone. He and his team were set the demanding challenge of designing the new GTI.

The early Golf 1 GTI can be identified by the narrow bumper. These were replaced in 1978 by broader, plastic-covered bumpers. The compact “car in a sports suit” unleashes a magical 110 PS at 6,100 rpm (and weighing just 800 kilograms).

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

The Polo did particularly well, beating others in its category to take the title of ‘Best Small Car’. This is the second year in a row that it has claimed an overall victory in this category, maintaining its position at the top of the ever-more competitive supermini segment.

The judges applauded every part of the Polo, including its comfortable interior, quiet engine, and overall value as a package. Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car?, said: “The Volkswagen Polo has an interior that's easier to get along with than other small car rivals, as well as a quieter engine. When it comes to comfort, the Polo is the small car in which you’ll feel freshest after covering lots of motorway miles... It really is the complete package.”

The newest member of the Volkswagen SUV family, the T-Roc R, has also been presented with its first award from UK media, just weeks after its arrival. The newcomer, and flagship of the T-Rocrange, collected its price point award of ‘Best Sports SUV under £40,000’ – a strong start for Volkswagen’s first compact performance SUV.

“The Volkswagen T-Roc R is more reminiscent of a hot hatch than an SUV in terms of the way it handles, despite offering the sort of elevated driving position that SUV drivers prize, and it has a corker of an engine under the bonnet. At the same time, it’s spacious enough to serve as family transport.” said What Car? Editor, Huntingford. The judges also lauded the T-Roc R’s low running costs.

The Touran, meanwhile, continued its run of success, picking up a win in its price point as ‘Best MPV £22,000 – £30,000’. The 2020 awards mark the fifth consecutive year in which the Touran has been applauded in the MPV category by the What Car? judges.

“The Touran offers a plush interior, along with an enormous boot and seven seats with plenty of flexibility. Three independently sliding and reclining chairs in the rear mean no one should have any trouble getting comfortable, and even the third row is roomy enough for adults. It's even good to drive, thanks to precise steering and tidy handling,” remarked Huntingford.

Geraldine Ingham, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: “After such a successful 2019, it’s encouraging that 2020 is continuing the same momentum with this fantastic award for our top-selling Polo.

“This is the year of the Golf 8, the enhanced up!, e-up! and up! GTI, the T-Roc Cabriolet, and many more, and we’re confident that our cars will continue to deliver the same quality and all-round package that the public, What Car?, and other publications appreciate. This year also sees the debut of the ID.3, which represents Volkswagen’s electric future coming to fruition, introducing the world to an MEB-underpinned family of ID. badged game-changers. They will be the electric ‘People’s Cars’ through and through.”

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Agile drive, the running gear of dreams, unmistakeable design, perfect ergonomics, unadulterated driving pleasure – that’s the DNA of a true sports car. At Volkswagen, this is represented by three letters: GTI. The eighth generation of the sporty Golf derivate is now on the way. The new Golf GTI is more digital, networked, more sharply designed and more active in motion than ever before. Its turbocharged engine generates 180 kW (245 PS). The new Vehicle Dynamics Manager intelligently manages the electromechanical running gear systems. Maximum dynamism, maximum comfort – Golf GTI combines both.

Perfect front-wheel drive

The eighth Golf GTI generation reflects front-wheel drive’s new status quo. The new Vehicle Dynamics Manager plays a decisive part here. “This higher-level control system centrally coordinates all electromechanical running gear functions,” explains Karsten Schebsdat, Head of Driving Dynamics, Steering and Control Systems. “Thanks to the combination of new running gear setup plus front-axle locking differential and Vehicle Dynamics Manager we were able to elevate the Golf GTI’s outstanding overall performance to an even higher level. This applies all the more if the DCC running gear featuring a new software application and adjustable dampers is also on board.”

GTI drivers can select their very own setup using the standard driving profile selection feature and the optional adaptive DCC running gear. The sharper driving dynamics properties guarantee an even more accurate driving experience: understeer, a typical characteristic of front-wheel drive vehicles whereby the vehicle’s front wheels tend to lose grip through quick corners, has in effect been eliminated.

Design combines superior, sporty character and functionality

The new design lives up to the tangibly enhanced dynamism. Klaus Bischoff, Head of the Volkswagen Group Design department: “The new Golf GTI boasts a very low, visual centre of gravity which we achieved through the wide air intakes at the front and the striking shoulder line. This superior, sporty character gives aesthetic expression to the vehicle’s potential.”

Standard LED headlights have been arranged low down. These are optionally available as IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights. They form a striking crossbar in conjunction with the radiator grille. The signature, red GTI line towards the top of the bonnet stretches across the front section. For the very first time, the radiator grille can be illuminated by a slim LED strip that extends into the headlight modules’ LED daytime running lights on the left and right – an unmistakable light signature. From the side, standard Richmond 17-inch alloy wheels perfectly match the vehicle’s image. At the rear, a GTI roof spoiler that extends significantly towards the rear boosts the downforce at the rear axle. Down below, the sporty diffuser distinguishes the new edition of this icon from the other versions of the product line with smaller engines. In keeping with the GTI tradition, the new model’s exhaust system has one round tailpipe each on the left and the right.

Digital interior systems meet classic GTI tartan

Back in 1976 Volkswagen already created an unmistakeable interior style in the first ever Golf GTI: this flair has been retained in the new version, with its enhanced digital capabilities and typical GTI details. The Golf GTI no longer features an ignition lock, having been replaced by an Engine Start/Stop button as standard. As a completely new feature, once the doors have been opened, the button pulses red until the GTI engine is started. The three-spoke sports steering wheel of yesteryear has been transformed into a new multifunction leather sports steering wheel with touch controls and an optional Travel Assist button to help the Golf GTI reach a top speed of 210 km/h while Travel Assist is engaged. The three silver spokes have been retained – in the GTI the centre spoke has been upgraded with a red interior. GTI insignia also include the new interpretation of the tartan pattern (Scalepaper) on the sports seats, which are also a new development.

The digital displays start up as soon as the doors are opened. It’s a fusion of the standard Digital Cockpit (new: individually enabled GTI design with rev counter in the centre) and the Infotainment system. Composition, featuring an 8.25-inch screen, is installed in this vehicle as standard while the 10-inch Discover Pro system is available as an optional extra for the most advanced expansion package. Regardless of which Infotainment system is on board the Golf GTI, the visual and functional fusion of systems creates a new and consistent digital architecture. The background lighting, which comes as standard, bathes the displays and many other illuminated interior areas in a spectrum of 30 configurable colours.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The new T-Roc Cabriolet is on its way to dealerships just in time for spring. Volkswagen’s first convertible crossover links the best of both the convertible and the SUV world by combining driving pleasure with usefulness and striking design. Elements including the rollover protection system and a reinforced windscreen frame are designed to ensure maximum safety. The new convertible is now available at Volkswagen dealerships, in Germany the model will be available from a basic price of €27,495.

The first convertible crossover (CUV) by Volkswagen is a comfortable means of transport for any trip, be it for joyrides, in inner-city traffic or on long journeys, in sunny spring weather or torrential rain. The fully automatic, electrohydraulic soft top forms the central element of the T-Roc Cabriolet. It opens within nine seconds, even up to speeds of 30 kilometres per hour, and should there be any rain clouds on the horizon the cutting-edge soft top takes eleven seconds to quickly close. The electromechanical lock system secures it in place. Downpours are thus reliably kept out and water can drain via the longitudinal seams of the side panels as an additional water channel.

Comprehensive safety features for driving with the top down

Volkswagen is not compromising safety in the T-Roc Cabriolet. The rollover protection system is located behind the rear seat head restraints. It extends within a fraction of a second in the event that defined lateral acceleration or lateral inclination values are exceeded. Occupants in the front benefit from a reinforced windscreen frame. The body’s torsional rigidity is additionally guaranteed by rear struts between the B-pillar on the left and right and the rear wheel housing as well as a double rear floor panel and lateral floor rails. The use of high-strength and ultra-high-strength as well as hot-shaped steel also boosts safety levels. A host of We Connect functions, such as the Emergency Call Service, breakdown call and online anti-theft alarm system come in handy in extreme situations.

Companion with style, ideal network integration and everyday suitability

The convertible measures 4,268 mm in length and 1,811 mm in width. Consequently, the vehicle is 34 mm longer than the T-Roc with a standard body. As a result, the available boot capacity with the soft top down still amounts to 284 litres, making the CUV a perfect companion every day 365 days a year. This is additionally underlined by the rear seat bench, which, thanks to its load-through function, also makes it possible to transport long items in the vehicle. The optional towing bracket that can be conveniently installed and removed again after use represents a practical solution for many everyday situations.

Two efficient petrol engines are available for the new Volkswagen convertible: the entry-level 1.0 TSI OPF engine generating 85 kW/115 PS02 and the sportier 1.5 TSI ACT OPF with an output of 115 kW/150 PS0304. Both power units are perfect for relaxed cruising. On the move, various latest-generation Infotainment systems make sure everyone is in good spirits, come rain or shine. An eSIM has been integrated to guarantee good connectivity, with the result that the vehicle is always online and WE CONNECT enables the use of a Wi-Fi hotspot, media streaming and Internet Radio.

T-Roc Cabriolet on display at Volkswagen dealerships now

A number of Volkswagen showrooms reopened last week, showcasing vehicles including the T-Roc Cabriolet for visitors to discover and experience first-hand. Volkswagen had been preparing the vehicle trading relaunch in the run-up. Dealerships had been prepared for the implementation of new hygiene measures for employees and customers as well as current service offers in online training sessions as part of the JumpStart programme. There will be virtual vehicle presentations and a contactless drop-off and pick-up service for vehicles in addition to appealing leasing and financing offers.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com