Details of the new additions to Volkswagen Australia’s showroom in 2014.
Volkswagen Golf wagon (February)
The versatile Golf wagon will be first the cab off the rank for Volkswagen in 2014, arriving almost a year after the seventh-generation hatchback on which it’s based. At 4562mm long, the wagon is 307mm longer than the hatch. Its 605L boot is 60 per cent more capacious than the regular five-door’s and 100L larger than the old Golf wagon’s. It also expands to 1620L with the 60:40 split rear seats pushed forwards (up 125L over the outgoing model). The line-up should mirror that of the hatch, with 90TSI and 103TSI petrol and 110TDI diesel variants available. Expect a $1500-$2000 premium for the larger body style, suggesting a starting price of around $23,000.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance (Q2)
Golf GTI fans after extra power, equipment and exclusivity can get behind the wheel of the Performance variant from the second quarter of 2014. At $47,990, the GTI Performance – available solely with the six-speed dual-clutch DSG auto – is $4000 more expensive than its GTI equivalent. Power rises 7kW to 169kW over the GTI, the front brakes grow to 340mm (up 28mm) and the rears to 310mm (up 10mm), and a specially tuned front differential lock is employed. Additional features over the base car include bi-xenon headlights, dark-tinted LED tail-lights, tinted glass, 19-inch alloy wheels, unique tartan upholstery and an alcantara headliner.
Volkswagen Golf R (Q2)
Volkswagen will complete the renewal of its famous hatch line-up in the second quarter of 2014 when it introduces its all-wheel-drive performance flagship, the Golf R. The new model shares its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with the Audi S3. Overseas it produces 221kW and 380Nm, though like the S3 it’s likely to be detuned to 206kW for Australia’s hot climate conditions. That still represents a gain of 18kW and 50Nm over its predecessor, however, and should be good for a 0-100km/h sprint of approximately five seconds – about 0.5sec quicker than before. Bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, tinted LED tail-lights, quad exhaust outlets and cloth/alcantara upholstery distinguish the new model. Prices are tipped to rise slightly, likely to just north of $50,000.
Volkswagen Polo facelift (second half)
Volkswagen’s class-leading city car comes in for its first update since launching internationally in 2009. Spy shots have revealed a new front bumper and intake fascia that add a sense of width to the Polo’s face. Prototypes have also been spotted with covered dashboards, suggesting Volkswagen is also tweaking the cabin. An integrated Bluetooth system should form part of an upgraded infotainment system for the Polo, which is also expect to feature a larger central screen. The Polo’s existing engine line-up is tipped to carry over into the updated range. Pricing should also be similar, currently ranging from $16,990 for the Trendline to $29,190 for the GTI.
