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24th
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At the recent 2014 edition of Auto China, Volkswagen stepped up to the plate and put forward a very good foot. Given the importance and sheer scale of the 2014 Beijing Auto Show, it made every ounce of good sense for the German giant to show off a little bit of everything.
Every one of the VAG's brands had something on display from Bentley's Mulsanne Hybrid concept to Seat's big-selling Octavia. Porsche displayed spicy versions of their Cayman and Boxster known as the GTS. Reviews on these two hot little numbers will come in the future. We promise.
Volkswagen's New Midsize Coupe
As for the actual Volkswagen brand, they started the show with the introduction of the NMC or New Midsize Coupe. Although (at first) not slated for North America, it would seem that it will be built in Puebla, Mexico, and in China for both our and the Chinese markets.
The NMC is based on VW's modular and highly used MQB platform and is expected to slot itself below the CC as a competitor of sorts to the Mercedes CLA-Class.
Physically, the NMC is the prettiest of the compact/midsize 4-door coupes that I've seen. The 20” wheels and colour combo accents the car's superb lines, and I suspect the car will be a hit (albeit a low volume one) when it arrives as a 2016 vehicle. I'd go so far as to suggest to VW to cancel the CC in Canada and concentrate on the NMC.
The next versions of the Volkswagen Touareg and Jetta
Both of these important players on our market receive mild facelifts for the 2015 model year. Nothing more than a refresher, both now have revised head and taillights as well as some new interior and exterior colours.
The Touareg TDI also now features a coasting function. The TDI motor decouples from the 8-speed autobox to reduce engine braking thus enabling true coasting while using as little fuel as possible.
The Volkswagen Golf R400
This is newsworthy. This is a car. This is wow. This is me wanting it.
As if the fabulous Golf R weren't enough, Volkswagen teased VW performance car fans the world over with their stunning R400.
This super-duper Golf utilizes the Polo WRC's 2.0 TSI engine, which in this instance develops 400 PS or 395 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. All of this mojo is sent to all four wheels via VW's superb 6-speed automated manual DSG gearbox.
This power is sufficient to catapult the R400 to 100 km/hr in as little as 3.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 278 km/hr.
At the time of unveiling, the R400 was not supposed to be built; however, that has changed in a few short days. The R400 will likely turn into the expected Golf R EVO expected to make an appearance at the upcoming Wörthersee show in Austria at the end of May.
I can't wait to report on that.
Stay tuned for much more from Volkswagen!
Every one of the VAG's brands had something on display from Bentley's Mulsanne Hybrid concept to Seat's big-selling Octavia. Porsche displayed spicy versions of their Cayman and Boxster known as the GTS. Reviews on these two hot little numbers will come in the future. We promise.
Volkswagen's New Midsize Coupe
As for the actual Volkswagen brand, they started the show with the introduction of the NMC or New Midsize Coupe. Although (at first) not slated for North America, it would seem that it will be built in Puebla, Mexico, and in China for both our and the Chinese markets.
 |
| Photo: Volkswagen |
The NMC is based on VW's modular and highly used MQB platform and is expected to slot itself below the CC as a competitor of sorts to the Mercedes CLA-Class.
Physically, the NMC is the prettiest of the compact/midsize 4-door coupes that I've seen. The 20” wheels and colour combo accents the car's superb lines, and I suspect the car will be a hit (albeit a low volume one) when it arrives as a 2016 vehicle. I'd go so far as to suggest to VW to cancel the CC in Canada and concentrate on the NMC.
The next versions of the Volkswagen Touareg and Jetta
Both of these important players on our market receive mild facelifts for the 2015 model year. Nothing more than a refresher, both now have revised head and taillights as well as some new interior and exterior colours.
 |
| Photo: Volkswagen |
The Touareg TDI also now features a coasting function. The TDI motor decouples from the 8-speed autobox to reduce engine braking thus enabling true coasting while using as little fuel as possible.
The Volkswagen Golf R400
This is newsworthy. This is a car. This is wow. This is me wanting it.
As if the fabulous Golf R weren't enough, Volkswagen teased VW performance car fans the world over with their stunning R400.
 |
| Photo: Volkswagen |
This super-duper Golf utilizes the Polo WRC's 2.0 TSI engine, which in this instance develops 400 PS or 395 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. All of this mojo is sent to all four wheels via VW's superb 6-speed automated manual DSG gearbox.
This power is sufficient to catapult the R400 to 100 km/hr in as little as 3.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 278 km/hr.
At the time of unveiling, the R400 was not supposed to be built; however, that has changed in a few short days. The R400 will likely turn into the expected Golf R EVO expected to make an appearance at the upcoming Wörthersee show in Austria at the end of May.
I can't wait to report on that.
Stay tuned for much more from Volkswagen!