Volkswagen debuts Golf Cabriolet and Tiguan facelift in Geneva
Volkswagen’s show in the 2011 Geneva Motor Show is marked by the global debut of two new models – the Golf Cabriolet and a facelifted version of the Tiguan. Joining them on stage are four special edition variants of the Golf R and the highly frugal Passat BlueMotion which boasts a 4.2 l/100km 1.6-litre oil burner. Also shown by VW at Geneva is the Bulli concept, a spiritual successor to the iconic Volkswagen Transporter van.
Based on the three-door Golf hatchback, the four-seater Golf Cabriolet features an electro-hydraulic soft-top that does its stuff in 9.5 seconds and works on the move at speeds up to 30kph. A range of six petrol and diesel powerplants, all featuring turbocharging and direct injection, are on offer, with outputs ranging from 103hp to 208hp. Prices in Europe start at €23,625.
Golf Cabriolet’s debut in Geneva.
After over three years in the market and some 572,000 units sold worldwide, the Volkswagen Tiguan has just received its mid-life update, which brings it, among other things, new equipment that include XDS electronic diff lock, fatigue detection, Lane Assist, Light Assist and Dynamic Light Assist. The front is noticeably revamped, and changes are more than cosmetic. In addition to grafting VW’s current corporate look onto the Tiguan’s nose, the folks at Wolfsburg also increased its approach angle from 18 degrees to a more off-road-friendly 28 degrees.
Three new engines are added to the model mix, bringing the total powerplant count to seven – all being direct injection blown four-pots with outputs ranging from 109hp to 208hp. Customers have the option of picking front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (4MOTION), and the VW Group’s 7-speed DSG is similarly available for selection. European prices start at €24,175.
Facelift of Tiguan also unveiled in Geneva.
To satisfy demands of the green (or shall we say blue?) brigade, Volkswagen has also unveiled the Passat BlueMotion, which is powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine. Aided by a Stop/Start system, battery regeneration, low rolling resistance tyres, and improved aerodynamics, the Passat BlueMotion sips only 4.2 litres of diesel every 100km. CO2 emissions are correspondingly low at 109 g/km.
Performance-wise, the Passat BlueMotion has 103hp at its disposal, good enough for a top speed of 195kph and it is able to propel the car to 100kph from rest at 12.2 seconds. An estate version of the Passat BlueMotion is also available with figures that read – 4.4 l/100km, 114 g/km, 193kph and 12.5 seconds.
Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion
For the concept car buffs, behold the Volkswagen Bulli, a concept which follows the spirit of the next most iconic Volkswagen model after the Beetle. Known internally as the T1, it was called various names – Bulli by the Germans, Microbus by the Americans, and Transporter by others.
The new Bulli concept follows up on an earlier effort by Volkswagen in 2001 with the Microbus Concept, and in VW’s words, the newer car is described as being ‘more compact and affordable than the earlier concept vehicle’ – an indication that serious production plans are in place.
The Bulli debuts in Geneva.
While internal combustion engines are likely to be in the picture if and when this thing hits production, the display car is a ‘zero emissions vehicle’ featuring all-electric drive and boasting a range of 300km per full charge, which is said to take less than an hour. A lithium-ion battery powers up a 114hp / 270Nm electric motor to propel the Bulli to 100 clicks in 11.5 seconds en route to an electronically limited 140kph top speed.
Inside, the Bulli features two benches seating three each, and the six occupants can bath themselves in sunlight if they choose to thanks to a panoramic sunroof. The dashboard features adopts a minimalist concept. There are no central LCD screens or buttons to clatter the dash. What Volkswagen did was simply put an iPad mount on the centre console, and let the iPad handle all the interfacing and leave a clean dashboard design. Brilliant. This is one feature that really must be carried forward to production.
Interior is so brilliantly simple.
From VW’s tuning arm, Volkswagen R GmbH, comes four special versions of the Golf R in exclusive exterior and interior colour combinations – Oryx White, Carbon Steel Grey, Space Grey, and Aplomb Blue.
Oryx White & Carbon Steel Grey
Space Grey & Aplomb Blue.
KON
Pictures: Official Volkswagen release
