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Last week at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris, everything at the Volkswagen show area revolves around the new Golf. In showing prototypes of the exceptionally fuel-efficient Golf BlueMotion and especially sporty Golf GTI, both almost ready to go into full production, Volkswagen is also providing a first look at some models of the future.

Available across Europe from the autumn, the Golf is being presented to a broad audience for the first time in Paris. With its larger interior (extra legroom in the back and 30 litres more luggage space), new pioneering safety systems such as multi-collision braking fitted as standard and a proactive passenger protection system (PreCrash), plus completely redesigned information and entertainment systems, Volkswagen is aiming to continue the bestseller’s success story. New, fuel-efficient engines like the 140 PS petrol motor with cylinder deactivation and consumption of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres (121 g/km CO2) use up to 23 per cent less fuel than their predecessors. Optimisation at this level on the new Golf is, however, not the exception, but the rule: the base models consume as petrol versions (TSI) 4.9 l/100 km (equating to 115 g CO2 /km) and as diesels (TDI) just 3.8 l/100 km (99 g CO2 /km).

By showing the near-production concept of the next Golf BlueMotion, Volkswagen is also giving visitors an insight into some sophisticated and yet affordable fuel-saving technologies. The future Golf BlueMotion excels with impressive average fuel consumption of just 3.2 l/100 km, equating to a CO2 value of 85 g CO2/km. It launches as a full production model in the summer of 2013.

Proof that even sporty vehicles can be fuel-efficient is provided by the new Golf GTI concept car. At just 6.0 l/100 km the seventh generation of the sporty classic again sets a new record. The average fuel consumption of the 162 kW / 220 PS Golf GTI has been reduced in comparison to its predecessor by 1.3 litres or 18 per cent.

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Mk7 @ Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris

Two days ago, thousands of invited guests experienced the world premiere of the new Volkswagen Golf in Berlin. The new Golf Mk7 is now up to 100kg lighter and 23% more fuel efficient than the Mk6.

“Six generations of the Golf – 1974 to 2012. That represents 38 years of continuous success for the world bestseller with sales totalling 29.13 million cars. It has also made a tremendous economic impact, safeguarding jobs, and has served as an influential measure of technical progress over the epochs,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. The corporate chief continues: “We want to continue this success story in the seventh generation Golf. Although the new Golf is safer, more comfortable and spacious than the previous model, it is up to 100 kg lighter and – in the case of the new 140 PS petrol engine that features cylinder deactivation and a combined fuel consumption of just 4.8 litre per 100 km – it is up to 23 per cent more fuel efficient.”

Conceptually, the new Golf is based on the Modular Transverse Matrix. The entire car was redesigned from the body, powertrain and the interior. This includes all information and entertainment systems and its many new assistance systems.

Volkswagen developed two entirely new generations of engines for the Golf that offer a power range from 63 kW / 85 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS. All engine versions are equipped with a standard stop/start system and battery regeneration, which contribute towards improved fuel economy. The common rail engine with 77 kW / 105 PS, for example, which can hardly be made out as a diesel, only consumes 3.8 litres of fuel per 100 km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. Once again, the Golf BlueMotion sets the new benchmarks for the model series with CO2 emissions of just 85 g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 3.2 litres of diesel per 100 km.

Stay updated with us for more VW Golf Mk7 here.

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Mk7

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

Volkswagen Group reported that the automaker is clearly exceeded prior-year deliveries, selling over 8 million vehicles for the first time in 2011. Precisely, a total of 8.16 (2010: 7.14; +14.3%) million vehicles were handed over to customers.

Developments on the global passenger car market during the same period were also positive; however growth only ran at 5.1%, and Europe’s largest automaker was therefore able to expand its global market share. The Group brands also closed 2011 on a high note, delivering 650,000 (December 2010: 545,600; +19.1 percent) vehicles to customers in the month of December.

“All Group brands reported further gains under difficult conditions on volatile markets. This outstanding result is clearly a team achievement,” the Group Board Member for Sales, Christian Klingler, said. “However, a very challenging year lies ahead. The risks on European markets in particular will multiply in 2012. In spite of this, the Volkswagen Group is well placed and well prepared to master the upcoming challenges and play a leading role on world markets.”

Volkswagen announced in Wolfsburg that the automaker will start contesting the WRC with Polo R WRC starting in 2013.

We have invited you to join us here in Olbia to announce Volkswagen’s entry in the World Rally Championship starting in 2013. – These were the words used by Volkswagen Management Board Member Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg as he declared Volkswagen’s entry into the most versatile of the four automobile world championships (World Rally Championship – WRC).

In front of 200 journalists in Wolfsburg, he unveiled the concept of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC, the car with which Volkswagen will compete from 2013 onwards, together with Luca de Meo, Head of Marketing of Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. Luca de Meo: Almost exactly two years ago, in May 2009, the most recent model of the Polo was presented here in Sardinia. Today we are proud to show you the hottest Polo of all time – the Polo R WRC. For Kris Nissen and his team the World Rally Championship entry marks a new commitment. We look forward to this new challenge and are working on this project with the same passion with which we won the Dakar Rally in the past 3 years, said Kris Nissen.

After 3 consecutive victories at the Dakar Rally, Volkswagen has set itself new aims in top-calibre sport. With three car corporations currently involved in the championship and global media coverage, the WRC offers an attractive, highly competitive environment for Volkswagen. By 2013, Volkswagen will develop a near 300hp rally car with a 1.6-litre TSI engine (turbocharged) and four-wheel drive based on the Polo.

Photo Gallery: Volkswagen Polo R WRC

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