Posts Tagged ‘VW Golf’

Successful model from Wolfsburg wins top EuroNCAP honours

Wolfsburg, 2. February 2010 – For the first time ever, the EuroNCAP Institute in Brussels compiled all of its crash test results for the year 2009 and named the safest car of the year: The Golf won out against the competition with a total of 103 points.

The Golf had already attained a five-star EuroNCAP rating in the year 2008. Initially, this testing programme − conducted since 1997 − only assessed frontal crashes, side crashes and pedestrian protection. After stricter criteria were introduced at the beginning of 2009, the Golf was re-tested, and it performed impressively in all four categories: Occupant protection of adults, protection of children, pedestrian protection and supporting safety and driver assistance systems. The bestseller from Wolfsburg once again attained the coveted five star rating with the top score of 103 points, earning it the title of “Safest Car of 2009”. In total, 33 cars were tested last year under the new, stricter and more extensive EuroNCAP crash testing procedure.

Electronic safety and assistance systems that help prevent accidents and serious injuries are now also incorporated in the rating of the new, stricter assessment method. The Golf offers maximum safety with standard safety features that include ESP with counter-steer assist, ABS with braking assistance, anti-slip regulation (ASR), electronic differential lock (EDS), engine drag torque control (MSR), trailer stabilisation, Isofix mounting brackets for two child seats on the rear bench as well as airbags for driver and front passenger with passenger-side deactivation, including knee airbag for the driver and a head airbag system for front and rear passengers with side airbags.

The Golf not only fulfils European safety standards. In 2008, the compact car earned the prestigious title of “Top Safety Pick” − awarded by the independent US safety institute “Insurance Institute for Highway Safety” (IIHS). In this evaluation, vehicles were tested in a frontal crash at 40 mph (64 km/h) and in a side crash at 31 mph (50 km/h) with a movable barrier shaped like the front end of an SUV. In addition, seat behaviour was studied in a rear-end crash.

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Posted in Diesel News, TDI Owners, VAG Topics

VOLKSWAGEN LAUNCHES THE GREENEST GOLF YET: 74.3 MPG AND 99 G/KM

greenest golf

Most fuel-efficient and least CO2-emitting production Golf launched

► Combined economy of 74.3 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 99 g/km
► Golf BlueMotion costs £17,325 RRP OTR; exempt from annual VED
► Unique styling and economy package; completes the Golf line-up

In July, Volkswagen announced a new, highly-efficient Golf model which returns 68.9 mpg on the combined cycle and emits 107 g/km of carbon dioxide. Now a new model is available to order – the most efficient production Golf ever – which achieves 74.3 mpg combined and emit a class-leading 99 g/km.

The new Golf BlueMotion uses as its basis the standard Golf’s 1.6-litre TDI common rail engine with 105 PS and maximum torque of 184 lbs ft (250 Nm) developed at 1,500 rpm. This engine endows the new model with a zero to 62 mph time of 11.3 seconds and a top speed of 118 mph.

Standard specification is based on that of the standard Golf S model, but the BlueMotion has a number of additional features which enhance economy and reduce emissions. These include a Start/Stop system, regenerative braking, hill hold, longer gear ratios, low rolling resistance tyres, a multifunction computer showing recommended gear changes for maximum economy and sports suspension.

In addition the new car is fitted with a sports styling kit to improve aerodynamics and boost efficiency as well as to distinguish this car from others in the range. This kit comprises sports bumpers, side skirts and an enlarged rear roof spoiler as well as 15-inch ‘Wellington’ alloy wheels, cherry red rear lights, chrome grille louvres and BlueMotion badges at the front and rear of the vehicle. To reduce weight further and therefore aid efficiency, the new Golf BlueMotion comes with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel. Other equipment highlights include – as on all Golfs – ABS with ESP, seven airbags, Climatic semi-automatic climate control and an RCD 210 radio / MP3 compatible CD player. The Golf BlueMotion is also, of course, conventional to drive, service, maintain and repair.

The new Golf BlueMotion costs £17,325 (RRP OTR) with a £585 premium for the five-door model. While this is £785 more than the standard S 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS Golf, Volkswagen is confident a customer will recoup this money due to the Golf BlueMotion being exempt from annual road tax and reduced fuel costs. A driver covering 10,000 miles per year will save over £120 per year in fuel savings alone.

In a break from Volkswagen’s existing naming policy of economy models, the 99 g/km Golf will be the only model in the range to be called simply Golf BlueMotion. The 107 g/km Golf models will now be denoted as BlueMotion Technology models. The Golf SE BlueMotion Technology competed just last week in the annual ALD Automotive/Total ECO 10 MPG Marathon, achieving 72.49 mpg over the 360-mile two-day course. This is five per cent above its official combined figure of 68.9 mpg.

For more details, visit your local Volkswagen Retailer or see www.volkswagen.co.uk.

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Posted in TDI Owners

VOLKSWAGEN TRIUMPHS WITH NEW GOLF

VW Golf Mk6

Volkswagen has won the top prize at The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards, with the sixth-generation Golf, which went on sale in January this year, claiming the £16,000-£20,000 price category as well as the prestigious title of Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2010.

The winning model, the Golf SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS, particularly impressed the 10 judges with strong performances when towing in a variety of situations, practicality as a caravanning family car and high quality cabin.

The 28 cars tested in this year’s competition were put through their paces at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire for their towing ability, acceleration, braking, ability to cope with demanding hill starts and an assessment of usability in terms of everyday caravanning.

Explaining the judges’ decision to award the Golf the top accolade, driving judge Barry Williams commented: ‘Absolutely faultless stability made the Golf steadfast on the test track and when the punchy engine had whisked its way to 60 mph it was still ready to accelerate, even in sixth gear. Agile handling enables the car to tackle the most demanding route. The Volkswagen Golf SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS is a truly capable towing vehicle and a worthy winner.’

Williams continued: ‘The Golf is now in its sixth generation and remains Europe’s best car. It’s not difficult to see why as soon as you sit inside. The Golf has always had a reputation for good build quality and attention to detail but, after 26 millions sales and over 34 years, the company has produced a car that is the quietest and safest yet.’

The awards were presented at a ceremony in London, and the trophy was collected by Chris Craft, Director of Volkswagen UK.

On receiving the trophy, Craft said: ‘We’re delighted to accept this award from The Caravan Club. Since launch, the Golf has received a number of accolades, but this one is particularly important. More than one million drivers in the UK use their cars for towing and the Golf is the best-selling Volkswagen here. It is therefore obvious that the Caravan Club’s expert judges have provided us with a fantastic commercial opportunity and we intend to make the most of it.’

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Posted in Diesel News, Diesel Owners Club