FastMotoring Motor News In Speed

The new 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid recently premiered at 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

It’s the first hybrid model with a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 27hp electric motor and 7-speed DSG transmission. The new Jetta hybrid can be switched into pure electric mode at the simple push of just one button. The Jetta Hybrid produces 110kW (150hp) and 184 lb-ft (249Nm) of torque between 1400 rpm and 3500 rpm. The Jetta Hybrid will become available in North America in 2012.

According to Volkswagen, the new Jetta hybrid will be “competitively priced with other compact hybrids”. The Jetta Hybrid may be the first hybrid to use a 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission, but the way the clutch decouples the engine from the drivetrain when the car is using just the battery for power or coasting is similar to how the Porsche hybrids do it.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

The new top model in the Volkswagen Polo range is easy to recognise as a GTI at first glance – inside and outside. It openly displays the visual insignia of this unique badge. Now, the new 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI Mark V is officially launched in Malaysia.

Straight to the point, the new Polo GTI is a powerful small car with 132 kW / 180 PS / 178 hp of max output @ 6,200rpm and 250Nm of max torque @ 4,500rpm. Most importantly, it offers an exceptional fuel efficient at its class. It won’t be mistake that this GTI too lives up to its legendary name with superior handling properties combined with uncompromising engine responsiveness and a maximum of safety.

What makes this car so special? Based on track records, never before has such a powerful Polo come even close to its fuel efficiency.  The engine is downsized to a twin-charged 1.4-litre TSI engine (turbo plus supercharging) and the extremely efficient 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) as standard equipment, the development team was able to reduce combined fuel consumption to 5.9 l/100 km. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km. By comparison: Its direct predecessor in terms of power – also equipped with a 180 PS 1.8-litre turbo engine – consumed 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (equivalent to 188 g/km CO2). This means that the new car is 25% more fuel efficient.

This economy contrasts with highly dynamic driving performance: The light 1,194kg Volkswagen sports car accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 229 km/h. This car is compatible with RON95 unleaded fuel as minimum requirement but RON97 unleaded fuel is recommended.

Power is transferred to the front wheels via DSG as standard equipment. An electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces the tendency to understeer and improves handling especially in quick driving through curves. Like all versions of the model series, the Polo GTI also comes equipped with the standard ESP electronic stabilisation programme including Hill Climb Assist. In addition, the car’s extensive safety features consists of a highly effective airbag network, including combined head-thorax side airbags, belt tensioners, belt tension limiters plus belt warning, head restraints designed to avoid whiplash trauma (each in front), three rear head restraints as well as Isofix points on the rear bench seat for suitably fitted child seats.

In addition, convenience features include electro-hydraulic power steering, electric windows in front, central locking, bootspace lighting and tie-down eyes, warning buzzer for light not turned off, driver seat height adjustment, make-up mirror in the sun visors and green tinted insulated glass. The GTI will be the first Polo to be available with bi-xenon headlights with cornering lights, LED daytime running lights and corner marker lights as well as a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof. Naturally, GTI-specific features are always standard too, such as the sport seat system and 17-inch alloy wheels in “Denver” design. This car is fitted with 215/40 R17 tyres.

Based on the price list from Volkswagen Group Malaysia, the new Polo GTI is selling RM132,888 for the 3-door and RM135,888 for the 5-door excluding registration and inspection fees, road tax, number plate and insurance. The 3-door model is the signature model but I presume the 5-door will be a better selling model in Malaysia.

In conclusion, if you feel the need for speed with limited budget, this car can offer you a good run except for the size of the car which I am temporary still not able to compensate on. Anyway, you can now check out the car at your nearest Volkswagen showroom.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI

Photo Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI @ Sepang F1 Circuit

Couple of weeks ago, we found some Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI at the dealer stock yard in Kuala Lumpur.

Unofficially from Volkswagen Malaysia, the sales order on the 1.4 model is doing well. The Golf 1.4 TSI with Light & Sound Package that priced at RM155,888 is one of the hot selections. Overall, I think the statement does make sense.  

Check out the photos taken by our regular readers that submitted to us (Thanks Joe!) 

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI at Malaysia

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 fa§ade 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

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI