Volkswagen to have Complete Knock Down (CKD) units by March next year,  however it’s partner in Malaysia is not Proton. It’s DRB-HICOM. Surprise, surprise. It made me feel like the movie -  Stars Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Some of our hopes were called off since Volkswagen made an announcement 2 months back calling off talks with Proton about the possible collaboration , but a New Hope arise. It was last Friday, DRB-HICOM Berhad & Volkswagen AG signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on assembling and manufacturing Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia.

The agreement will make Volkswagen existing sales activities and becoming a more competitive automotive brand in Malaysia market. Volkswagen cars will be built in Pekan, Pahang. DRB-Hicom will also look into local automotive component manufacturing companies, this is also in line with the National Automotive Policy (NAP). We do hope with this act we can buy Volkswagen vehicles in a more affordable price.

It was also announced by our Prime Minister,Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the first batch of Malaysia built Volkswagen vehicles will be roll out by 1st quarter next year. 3  Volkswagen Models is expected to built for the 1st batch. No official announcement on which VW cars yet, but our guess would be the Volkswagen Jetta as shown above and another possibile popular model would be the VW Passat.

The possible 3rd model in could be the Volkswagen Touran which is actually already being assemble in Indonesia. The Touran is a entry level MPV from Volkswagen.

It is a truly exciting news for us, however depending on how DRB-Hicom and Volkswagen handle the situation, 1st quarter next year might seem pretty quick. There could be possibility too DRB-Hicom will do this 1st few batch of Volkswagen vehicles in  a SKD( Semi Knock Down)  which means it’s partially imported, for example it’s body works is welded before bringing it in instead of importing in pieces by pieces (the like how Naza did with the recent launched Peugeot 3008). More VW cars on the roads next year !

Previously, there is some article mentioning about the acquisition of one Italian design firm by Volkswagen. For now, the German automaker has completed the acquisition of Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. (IDG) on last Monday. Volkswagen Group now holds a 90.1 percent stake in the Italian design and engineering firm as well as the company’s brand name rights and patents. Volkswagen Group spokesman said the shareholding has been purchased by Audi’s Italian subsidiary Lamborghini with the remaining stake held by present owner family Giugiaro.

The Italian design consultancy was established in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani. This great company has created a great number of vehicles for the VW Group over the years including the Golf Mk1 and many concept models such as the first Volkswagen Passat, Scirocco and the Audi 80. Besides, Italdesign was also responsible the design of many Fiat models as well as Alfa Romeo. The Proton Emas Hybrid Concept that revealed in Geneva early this year is also design by Italdesign-Giugiaro.

The long-awaited standard model of Golf, Scirocco and Polo have just make available by Volkswagen Group Malaysia. The Golf and Scirocco are fitted with the award-winning 1.4 TSI 4-cylinder direct injection twin-charged engine, while the new Polo is fitted with the 1.2 TSI 4-cylinder direct injection turbo-charged engine.

The Golf and Scirocco 1.4 TSI…

The 1.4 TSI direct-injection twin-charger engine mated 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) are fitted to Golf and Scirocco, the engine produces with 160PS (108kW) and 240Nm of torque. The Volkswagen’s  flagship engine uses the combination of supercharger to boost the engine at low-rpm and the turbocharger works at the higher-rpm. Both cars manage to clock 8 seconds from 0-100km/h and an approximate top speed of 220km/h. Both car are fairly good performance as street cars.

Both younger siblings of the Golf GTI and Scirocco 2.0 TSI are fitted with 1-inch smaller wheels. The Golf 1.4 TSI fitted with 16-inch wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres, while the Scirocco 1.4 TSI fitted with 17-inch wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres.

Somehow, the 1.4 TSI models have slightly less feature comparing to the 2.0 TSI or the GTI models. We will cover this in coming in-depth review!

Price factors for Golf & Scirocco:-

Golf 1.4 TSI – RM 155,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia (with Light & Sound Package) ; Without Light & Sound Package at the price of RM 148,888.00*.

Scirocco 1.4 TSI – RM 188,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia

The Light & Sound Package for the Golf 1.4 TSI is basically come with Bi-xenon headlights for high and
low beam with integrated turn signal indicator that similar with the GTI, front fog light, headlight cleaning system and MEDIA-IN USB/iPod media interface.

If you love the Golf or the Scirocco appearance and you don’t fancy about the little more powerful engine. You got to trust me, the 1.4 TSI model is ideal! Both car support minimum RON 95 Unleaded Fuel. The fuel consumption for the Golf at Urban drive only 7.5 litres per 100 km^ , but the Scirocco is a little higher at 8.0 litres per 100 km^.

The Polo 1.2 TSI…

Moving over to the smaller passenger car – Polo 1.2 TSI, I think the new Polo looks much better and stunning compare to the outgoing model. The front façade shares the similar outlook like Golf, Scirocco and other VW new line-up.

This 4 door hatchback fitted with 1.2 TSI direct-injection turbo-charged engine that churn-out 105PS (77kW) and 175 Nm of torque. Besides, this car also comes with 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) too. Over on performance wise, the car clock 9.7 seconds from 0-100km/h and a top speed of 190km/h. This tiny hatch fitted with 15-inch wheels with 195/55 R15 tyres.

I would say this Polo is something sexy and zippy like the Honda Jazz. The price is reasonable par with the Honda Jazz. You can get yourself a German 4-door hatchback at only RM 108,888.00* in Peninsular Malaysia. This car is also compatible with RON95 Unleaded Fuel and the fuel consumption only 7.0 litres per 100km^ at Urban drive condition.

Anyway, stay with us and we will keep you posted with the in-depth review and photos of the 3 new Volkswagen models.

* Price excluding registration and inspection fees, road tax, number plate and insurance.
^ Average Fuel Consumption based on specification provided

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI

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Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI

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Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI

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Volkswagen Scirocco has been in the market since 2008, which just two years ago. Volkswagen AG has reached to assemble more than 100,000 units of third-generation Scirocco. The car number ‘100,000’ came off the production line at Volkswagen’s Autoeuropa plant in Portugal. The ’100,000′ is a Scirocco R 2.0 TSI, in a Rising Blue Metallic exterior finish, with a Titan Black interior.

The new Scirocco is offered with a variety of diesel and petrol engines ranging in output from 122HP (1.4 TSI) to 265HP (‘R’ 2.0 TSI). In Malaysia, Volkswagen Malaysia only offers the 2.0 TSI for now. There is rumour speculating the 1.4 TSI will be coming in Q3, 2010 together with Golf 1.4 TSI.

A production-ready 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Coupe model have been discovered last week in the US trademark office’s public database. However, Volkswagen has yet to reveal official plans for a two-door version of the new Jetta.

Therefore, the powerplants that will feature in the possible Jetta Coupe is still unclear. The concept version, revealed at Detroit in January ahead of the sedan’s unveiling, is a Hybrid that powered by Volkswagen’s 1.4 litre TSI four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a 20kW electric motor. The Hybrid powerplant produces 132kW and 240Nm of torque.

In the other hand, the new Jetta sedan will be offered with variety of engine line-up in Europe. Like the 77kW 1.2 litre TSI, 90kW 1.4 litre TSI, 120kW 1.4 litre TSI and a 150kW 2.0 litre TSI. For Diesel, it offers with 77kW 1.6 litre TDI and a 105kW 2.0 litre TDI.

Personally, I greatly speculate that the option of EA888 2.0 TSI will be included for the Coupe.

 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Coupe

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Referring to our previous posting on Volkswagen Passat 2011 Leaked Photo, we found a spy video of the redesigned 2011 VW Passat. As mentioned previously, Volkswagen Passat will make official world premiere in this year’s Paris Motor Show in October and arrive in dealerships early next year.

The 2011 Volkswagen Passat is expected having new front and rear designs that identical to their current line-up like Scirocco, Golf and the 2011 Jetta. Apart from there, the Passat’s interior will receive a new design entirely. In the video, you will notice the new steering wheel and door panel.

Moving forward to engine and transmission, I foreseeing Volkswagen will be remain using the award winning TSI engine (EA888) as well as the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) from the current model for the upcoming 2011 Passat.

Check out the spy video of the 2011 Volkswagen Passat

Over the weekend, I have attended the 2010 Hyundai Sonata (YF) Preview in Hyundai Glenmarie Elite Outlet. At the first sight, the car looks amazing and changes my perception towards Korean Cars in-terms of design, features and technology. Besides the car reminds me the Mercedes Benz CLS, I think it looks identical to Volkswagen Passat CC too. Probably, those cars design with similar shape as 4-door Coupe.

In the other article, we have covered the preview of the YF Sonata. However, I think I am more tempted to show you another beauty from Volkswagen, the Passat CC.

The Volkswagen Passat CC is a 4-door coupe that debuted back in January 2008 at North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Basically, the CC stands for Comfort Coupe and marketed as a more luxury model over the standard Passat. This car is designed based on A5 (PQ46) platform like the Passat but the CC is longer, lower, wider and of course Sportier.

Back in October 2009, Volkswagen Group Malaysia had announced the availability of the Passat CC and Scirocco to the Malaysian market. Both models are offered with EA888 2.0 R4 16v TSI/TFSI turbo-charged engine (2.0L TSI) that producing 200PS (147kW) @ 5,100-6,000rpm and 280Nm @ 1,700-5,000rpm. Don’t worry, the engine is RON 95 compatible. Initially, the Passat CC is powered by 6-speed Tiptronic Auto Transmission to front wheel. But now, you will get the 6-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) instead in the 2010 imported models. The car was initially designed with only 4 seats, but the option of 5 seats has been taken by VGM for all 2010 imported models too. Therefore, you won’t be able to find the rear center console anymore.

Click here to read more on Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0 TSI

The All-New Jetta picture is released by Volkswagen. Given as a Volkswagen Jetta for the year 2011. However unlike the previous versions of Jetta which is based on the popular Volkswagen Golf. The all-new VW Jetta 2011 is reworked from scratch, and the result is a more proportioned VW Jetta including an increase of 90mm length.

The Volkswagen Jetta front is redesigned with a bold horizontal line making it the Jetta a more mature face, it feels like VW Passat’s younger brother now. The side of the Jetta is shaped with shoulder line running from the front to back giving it a more executive look.

The rear of the Volkswagen Jetta it’s improve with new designed rear lights. At some point it reminds us of the BMW 3-series from the rear. Inside the new VW Jetta is expected to be more spacious cabin and extra legroom due to it’s longer wheelbase.The Interior is similar to the current VW Jetta as well as the Golf. We do hope for a new designed interior, but however as an European company like BMW – the interior of the VW Jetta is more or less the same panel.

There will be a new engine variant to choose from including a 104hp 1.2L Tsi Petrol, a 1.4L Tsi Petrol which produces 121hp and a top of the range 2.0- Litre 200hp TSI engine. For the Diesel variants, there will be a 104bhp 1.6 TDI and a 138bhp 2.0L TDI. All of the variant is expected to come with Volkswagen twin-clutch DSG gearbox. For further fuel effective, the BlueMotion Jetta is available too with start-stop system & brake generation. Currently in Malaysia, the Current Volkswagen Jetta 1.6L which produces 102hp

The current version of Jetta which is available in Malaysia is selling for RM165,888.00 for the 1.6L version which produces 102ps and the 2.0L FSI which produces 150ps at RM182,888.00.

All the new Golf Mk-6 is claimed to be the quietest, safest golf ever including the 1.2 TSI to the GTI. Above and beyond, Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI was honoured many awards worldwide. Awarded as the 2009 World Car of the Year in USA, 2009 Wheels magazine Car of the Year and 2009 Carguide Car of the Year in Australia.

Volkswagen uses the “TSI” brand for all its direct-injection turbocharged or twin-charged petrol engines. In addition to a turbocharger, the “Twin-charger” is fitted with a mechanical supercharger to ensure even torque generation.TSI engines are now available in a variety of size classes with power outputs ranging from 77 to 199 kW. The first TSI engine was the 1.4-litre Twin-charger, introduced in 2006. This was followed by several other models with displacements of 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The latest addition to the family is the 1.2-litre TSI with 77 kW.

In the VW Golf 1.4 TSI variants, the automaker offers 2 sub-models which are one having turbo-charged and a little more powerful twin-charged (turbo-charged and super-charged) engine. Both engines are designed with High Efficiency and Lower Emissions.  At the International Engine of the Year competition, with a jury of 65 experts worldwide, the TSI engine emerged victorious, bagging the International Engine of the Year Award 2009. Enjoy peak performance on the road with this award-winning TSI engine!

According to our source, there is good news for the Malaysian Motorists now. Volkswagen Malaysia (VGM) is working on to launch the 1.4 TSI model soon, in fact very soon!! It is targeting to be official launch somewhere on July or August 2010. However, we are unable to confirm whether VGM will be bringing the single turbo-charged or the twin-charged model of the Golf 1.4 TSI. The car is target to be priced at the mark of RM140k. Besides, the 265hp VW Golf R and VW Scirocco 1.4 TSI will be introducing at the same time. Meantime, let me introduce you the amazingly awesome Golf 1.4 TSI.

Click here to read more details on Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI, Scirocco 1.4 TSI and Golf R

The deal that many Malaysians look forward to is called off. Volkswagen and Proton’s collaboration has been called off the second since we first heard of such possibility. This is rather abit of disappointing as we would expect the the collaboration would happen, Proton will have greater technology exchange learned from Volkswagen. Thus, indirectly we would get better Protons.

According a statement by Proton, Volkswagen parties had other priorities right now and would not pursuing any possibility tie-up with Proton. However this does not mean Proton’s aim to continuously improve themselves and their cars stop here. Proton will continue it’s Asean Multi-Local OEM strategy, which includes the Proton Emas project and more new models coming up. As well as certain product collaboration with it’s old partner – Mitsubishi. Proton is also working towards expanding in China with Youngman.