Volkswagen and NMMU power up for Solar Challenge

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Volkswagen Group South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) have collaborated to produce ‘Photon’, a solar powered car that will take part in the 3^rd South African Solar Challenge on 18-29 September 2012.

Unveiled at NMMU on 3 September 2012, ‘Photon’ will be competing against various international teams including Japan and the Netherlands. “Volkswagen is excited to be involved in such a unique project with the NMMU engineering students. Renewable energy will play a significant role in the future of the automotive industry and by embarking on such a project, the students will gain valuable knowledge that they can bring into the engineering field,” said Tom Du Plessis, Director for Production at VWSA.

The team has also acquired three support vehicles from VWSA in the form of a Crafter, T5 Kombi and Caddy which will be used for the duration of the two-week race that covers 5 000km.

Clive Hands, project leader of the VWSA-NMMU Solar Car team, said: “Our team consists of both local and international students from multiple faculties studying at NMMU. They have all voluntarily participated in this exciting project since its inception in May last year.”

“The solar car has been designed to be a light as possible utilising composite technology in both the monocoque and the body shell to minimise rolling resistance. The CFD techniques have enabled the design of the body shell to be aerodynamic to ensure that drag is reduced to a minimum,” added Hands.

“All sub-systems have been designed and manufactured to reduce energy consumption as much as possible. The car will travel the width and breadth of South Africa with its 6m² solar deck producing power not more than it takes to run a hair-dryer,” concluded Hands.

The team is working tirelessly to finalise testing, preparation and tweaking which will ensure that ‘Photon’ crosses the finish line without any problems.

Matthew Fish, a BTech NMMU Mechanical Engineering student said “The team has been putting in long hours so that ‘Photon’ is ready for the challenge in the next few weeks. We are confident that all of our efforts will pay off. We want to thank Volkswagen who have generously given us advice, assistance and time in this huge and unique challenge”.

For more information check out www.solarchallenge.co.za 

News Source: Volkswagen South Africa

Volkswagen Golf 7, what to expect

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Although the finer details remain under wraps for now, the new VW Golf 7 is set to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September and will be built on VW’s new MQB modular platform, which will also service 40 other small to mid-sided models across VW’s brands.

Here’s what has been revealed though. We now know that the new Golf 7 will be 110kg lighter than the outgoing model. The weight loss is attributed to the fact that stronger steel is used in the construction while cutting down on metal use. Good news on the petrol front is that the new Golf 7 will also consume up to 32% less fuel according to VW. The shared platform will also shave manufacturing time by 30% and production costs by 20% and the savings will be used to upgrade entertainment systems for the car.

The new Golf 7 will also be larger and lower than the outgoing model and will feature comprehensive safety features such as Multi collision brake, Electronic differential lock, Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency brake assist, Lane change assist, Fatigue and traffic sign detection and Overhead Parking System.

On the engine front we can expect a turbocharged 1.4-litre direct injection petrol unit putting out 103kW along with a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission. Fuel consumption for this engine is estimated at 4.0-litres/100km and will emit CO2 at a rate of 112g/km. We can also expect a turbocharged 1.6-litre common rail diesel engine that develops 78kW while sipping fuel at a rate of 4.0-litres/100km and spewing CO2 at 99g/km.

The new Golf 7 GTI will also be showing its face at the Paris Motor Show and will be driven by a 165kW 2.0-litre direct injection turbo petrol engine. The new Golf 7 is expected in South Africa in the first quarter of 2013.

We can all agree that the VW Golf has come a long way from the picture you see below, and there is a reason why the VW Golf is so loved around the world, because it’s simply a great car that keeps evolving and never gets old. That’s my opinion anyway…share your thoughts below.  

News Source: Wheels24, Carmag

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Package

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Volkswagen is now offering the R-Line package as an option for the Volkswagen Touareg to enhance and complement its sporty design. The Touareg is the first Volkswagen model to be offered with the R-Line package.

The R-Line package includes sport suspension and exclusive design features such a textured matt black diffuser, oval tailpipes set in a revised rear bumper, rood edge spoiler, side sills in body colour, chrome door strips and R-Line badges on the front wings. The front-end sports a new lip spoiler in R-Design and the R-Line Touareg rides on 20-inch Mallory alloy wheels.

The interior will get front leather sport seats, a heated leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel with gloss black inserts, stainless steel pedals and door entry sills in stainless steel. All of this can be had for an additional R35 000 for all Touareg models except the Terrain Tech.

Prices for the Volkswagen Touareg are as follows,

Touareg 3.6 FSI V6 (206kW) - R595 400

Touareg 3.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology V6 (180kW) - R661 000

Touareg 4.2 TDI V8 (250kW) - R822 300

 The Volkswagen Touareg comes standard with a 5-year/100 000km Volkswagen Automotion Plan.

News Source: Volkswagen

VW Polo Owner Drives a Million Kilometres

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Gerrie Esterhuizen (67) is the proud owner of a 2004 VW Polo and with his wife Magriet by his side, they travelled one million kilometres across South Africa while working. They clocked up the km’s from their hometown in Soutpan near Bloemfontein to the surrounding Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Lesotho.

Esterhuizen said “We travel as much as 800km a day from our home and back, often spending more than 10 hours on the road and seeing clients, mainly in small towns in our sales territory.” The couple reckons they used about 66 666 litres of fuel to reach one million kilometres with an average of 6.6-litres/100km over a period of eight years.

Volkswagen invited the couple to drive to the VW plant in Uitenhage where the car was made, where it received a new paintjob, dent removal, a brush-up package and was fitted with a new instrument cluster. It seems the VW Polo is set to go for another million kilometres.

How far have you driven in your car? 

News Source: IOL Motoring

Volkswagen Amarok gets engine facelift

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The Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab has received an engine upgrade in the form of a revised 2.0-litre biTDI engine that now delivers 132kW with 400Nm of torque, 12kW more powerful than the previous version.

The Amarok is available as either a 4X2 or 4MOTION four-wheel drive with two trim levels namely the Trendline and the Highline. The revised engine has a fuel consumption figure of 7.9-litres/100km  or 8.0-litres/100km in 4MOTION guise with a top speed in the region of 184km/h and 0-100km/h sprint time of 10.3 seconds.

The 2.0-litre TDI variant, which is known as the ‘small’ diesel, offers 90kW with a torque figure of 340Nm. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.7-litres/100km and can accelerate to 100km/h in 13.5 seconds with a top speed of roughly 163km/h. The petrol version 2.0-litre TSI engine offers 118kW with 300Nm of torque and sips petrol at a rate of 9.6 litres/100km. The top speed for this model is 180km/h with a 0-100km/h sprint time of 9.9 seconds.

Prices for the Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab are as follows:

2.0 TSI 118kW Trendline 4x2  -  R313 500
2.0 TDI 90kW Trendline 4x2  -  R341 700
2.0 TDI 90kW Trendline 4Motion  -  R391 900

2.0 BiTDI 132kW Highline 4x2  -  R375 100
2.0 BiTDI 132kW Highline 4Motion  -  R425 300

News Source: Volkswagen

The 2012 Volkswagen CC now in SA

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Volkswagen South Africa has recently launched its all-new CC four-door coupe in South Africa and will be going head-to-head with the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class, Volvo S60 and the Lexus iS250.

VW’s new flagship model is available in three variants offering two petrol option and one diesel option. For the petrol heads, the VW CC offers a 155kW 2.0 litre TSi and a 220kW 3.6 litre V6 4Motion DSG. For the diesel heads, a 125kW 2.0 litre turbocharged TDi with BlueMotion Technology and DSG is available. The VW CC exhibits a elegant exterior design that can be recognised by the chromed radiator grille with three cross fins. The VW CC also has a new front bumper fitted with bi-xenon headlights.

The DSG transmission offers seamless gear shifting while also improving economy and reducing fuel consumption. The interior is spacious and comfortable offering an excellent in-cabin driving experience. On top of that, the VW CC is also loaded with features across the range which includes fatigue detection, main beam control and park assist. Standard features include 17” alloy wheels, front sport seats, air conditioning, hill start assistance, ‘Auto-hold’ function, daytime running lights, aubo boot-lid opening, ESP electronic stabilisation program, LED rear lights, tyre pressure monitor, RCD 510 Radio/6-CD Changer with 300W ‘VW Sound’ system and six airbags.

Optional extras include:

           

• Electric panoramic sunroof
• Keyless entry with sensor controlled luggage compartment (standard on V6 FSI)
• Electric sunscreen rear window
• Towbar
• DynAudio Sound System
• Satellite Navigation System
• Mobile Device Interface Media-In with iPod/IPhone adapter cable
• Bluetooth cellphone preparation
• Bluetooth premium package including voice control, remote sim access profile
• High beam control light control
• Rear Assist Rearview camera
• Front seat with electric 12-way adjustment and lumbar support including     massage function

Prices (VAT and Emissions tax included)

2.0 TDI DSG (125kW) - R373 800

2.0 TSI DSG (155kW)  - R395 950

3.6 V6 FSI 4Motion DSG (220kW) - R469 405

The new Volkswagen CC comes standard with a 5 year/100 000km AutoMotion Maintenance Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is at 15 000km.

90kW TSI Golf and Jetta now with DSG transmission

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The 90kW 1.4 TSI versions of the Comfortline Golf and Jetta now come with the option of a 7-speed DSG transmission according to an announcement by Volkswagen South Africa.

The result is a drastic improvement of fuel consumption on both models with a saving of up to 12%. Both the Golf and Jetta Comforline models share a consumption figure of just 6.0 litres/ 100km and a CO2 figure of 138 g/km.

The Golf, with DSG, will do 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds reaching a top speed of 200km/h. The Jetta on the other hand, also with DSG, will do 0-100 km/h in 9.8 seconds with a top speed of 202 km/h.

The Golf Comfortline comes with ABS, front and side airbags for the driver and passenger, curtain airbags, cruise control, daytime running lights, three-spoke leather steering wheel, air conditioning, rain-sensing wipers, radio/CD/MP3 player, power steering, 16” alloys and on-board computer with the Jetta coming with an electronically locking differential to the mentioned items.

Both models come with a 5 year / 90 000 km service plan and 5 year / 120 000 km warranty. Prices are as follows (VAT and Tax Emissions included):

Jetta 90kW 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG – R259 000

Golf 90kW 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG – R269 000 

Volkswagen Up! for World Car of the Year

Tweet There is something about the Volkswagen Up! that appeals to me. The fact that the Up! is small, compact and fuel efficient counts for a lot making it the perfect car for city dwellers who don’t need much from a car other than driving to work and back.

The Volkswagen Up! is a direct rival to the Fiat 500 and has set the bar high in the compact city car segment. The VW Up! is more spacious than the Fiat 500 and fits four passengers with reasonable comfort. The VW Up! comes with an all new 1.0 L three cylinder engine that will take the Up! to 100 km/h in 13.2 seconds with carbon emissions well below the 100g / km mark.

Reviews indicate that the Up! drives like a dream with light, responsive steering and good suspension making it a superb car for your everyday driving needs. Unfortunately there are no current plans to introduce the VW Up! in South Africa even though it could do very well in the South African Market.

The Volkswagen Up! has also been nominated for World Car of the Year Award to be announced on April 5 at the New York International Auto Show. Volkswagen seems to have done something right.

Do you like the Volkswagen Up!?

Volkswagen Polo BlueGT, the future is here

Tweet Over the last decade, car manufacturers have been wholly obsessed on developing cars with improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions. A major challenge for car manufacturers has been to design a car with these benefits without compromising on factors such as power. Well, it seems VW has succeeded in combining these elements, coming in the form of the Volkswagen Polo BlueGT making its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

One of the major highlights of the VW Polo BlueGT is that it boasts the first ever Cylinder Deactivation System, also known as Active Cylinder Management or ACT. The Polo BlueGT comes with a 1.4 TSI turbocharged engine producing an impressive 103 kW of power for your driving pleasure.

Not only is the Polo BlueGT nifty, it’s super fuel efficient too promising fuel consumption of only 4.7 litres /100km. When considering the 7-speed gearbox this figure drops further to 4.5 litres/100km. More than this, its CO2 emission figure of 105g/km is equally impressive. The BlueGT hits a maximum speed of 210 km/h, reaching 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds, not too shabby.

On the outside, the BlueGT looks phenomenal, borrowing some features from previous models. The rear spoiler, rear bumper with diffuser, front bumper and fog lights are borrowed from the Polo GTI and the side sills and front rain channels are inspired by BlueMotion. On the inside, the BlueGT incorporates an ACT system and tyre-pressure monitor along with a leather trimmed steering wheel. Sport seats provide comfortable seating for the ride of your life.

Overall, the VW Polo BlueGT looks like a car in its own league, especially when considering its performance figures. All we can hope for now is that Volkswagen South Africa will bring this puppy to South Africa, holding thumbs. 

What do you think of the new Volkswagen Polo BlueGT?