Skip to main content

Geneva 2015: Volkswagen Premieres Four New Vehicles in Switzerland


  • Newly conceptualised Touran, perfected Sharan and new Passat Alltrack make their debuts in Switzerland

  • Sport Coupé Concept GTE – which features an exclusive sports car design and an innovative plug-in hybrid drive – shows the way to the future




The broad and diverse line-up of the Volkswagen brand, which ranges from the family-friendly MPV to the highly passionate concept car, is the central theme of today’s press conference at the Geneva International Motor Show. Along with the newly conceptualised Touran and the updated Sharan, the Wolfsburg-based company is presenting the new Passat Alltrack. In addition, the Sport Coupé Concept GTE offers an outlook on the future progressive design language at Volkswagen.


In the new edition of the Touran – the most successful MPV with 1.9 million units sold – is getting a successor. The third generation Touran impresses with a contemporary and sporty look, yet it offers considerably more space and has a very versatile interior. A luggage compartment volume of up to 1980 litres, six new economical engine choices and a line-up of assistance systems, which are pioneering in its class, make the Touran a perfect driving companion. The infotainment area also takes a high priority. A total of five radio and radio-navigation units are available for the upgraded Touran, and it is possible to integrate smartphones via “App Connect” according to the type of mobile device.


Another vehicle that was technically updated is the large family MPV, the Sharan. Many new convenience and assistance systems, as well as a broad range of infotainment systems, position the Sharan as one of the most progressive models in its segment. Also fully upgraded are its petrol (TSI) and diesel (TDI) engines. The engines all conform to the Euro-6 emissions standard, and they are up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient.


Along with the two family MPVs, the latest generation of the Passat Alltrack* is also celebrating its debut in Geneva. Like its predecessor, the new model is based on the Passat Variant. Rugged bumpers and side sill mouldings, permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a special off-road driving programme, a modified chassis and numerous driver assistance systems all ensure that the all-round vehicle with all-wheel drive offers both excellent off-road properties and excellent cruising comfort.


Another show highlight is the Sport Coupé Concept GTE. The four-door, four-seat concept car excites with its progressive design in the style of an exclusive sports car. The elegant model has an innovative plug-in hybrid drive – which is powered by a V6 TSI engine and two electric motors. The Sport Coupé has a system power of 279 kW / 380 PS, but a low combined fuel consumption of just 2.0 litres per 100 km. The overall impression that is avant-garde is expressed in the design of the front end in particular. Here, the radiator grille, headlights and VW badge merge into a single unit. The roofline extends like a flattened curve from the A-pillar – that is set far back and results in a very long bonnet – and into the rear body. Despite these fascinating proportions, the four-door Sport Coupé offers excellent headroom at all seats, and also has a 480-litre boot. The interior sets standards as well, and it enthuses with its clean design, ergonomic perfection and interactive interfaces between human and machine.


Dr Heinz-Jakob Neußer, Member of the Board of Management for Development at Volkswagen, is certain that the Sport Coupé Concept GTE will show the way to the future: “This concept is a breathtakingly dynamic coupé, which will set standards in this class and offer a persuasive alternative to the classic saloons of the B and C segments.”




The post Geneva 2015: Volkswagen Premieres Four New Vehicles in Switzerland appeared first on VWVortex.






from VWVortex http://ift.tt/1DD3OI8

via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Watch: The Stig Drives (nearly) Seven Generations of Golf GTI

With Volkswagen announcing “major” updates to the Golf, it seems an appropriate time to look back on what we’ve had so far. And who better to guide us through the rich history of the most popular European car ever made than Ben Collins, the former Stig? Some say he’s never met a GTI he doesn’t love, and that he can’t grow any of his own facial hair. All we know is … Ben Collins is actually a pretty solid presenter. Working his way through seven generations of the GTI (skipping over the Mk6) Collins tells us a little bit about each one and matches each mark to its corresponding facial hair craze. The Mk1 GTI for instance, is light and quick, but can lose traction under hard acceleration (in heavy rain). Despite that, Collins calls the Mk1 a “pure gem.” The Mk4, meanwhile, is a powerful return to form after the perhaps too sensible Mk3. Collins ends in the only way he could, with the Mk7, which accelerates faster than a Lamborghini Countach and is all kinds of wonderful. Watch, ...

Watch: The Story of the Ads that Made VW Big in America

The ads for the original Beetle are almost as famous and well-loved as the Beetle itself. Looking back now it’s easy to forget, though, just how easily things could have wrong. A new short from Dial M Films tracks the history of those early Volkswagen ads that sold America on the people’s car. The story, of course, begins with the visionary agency that made the ads: Doyle Dane Bernach (DDB). As a popular agency for Jewish products, no agency was more aware of the implications of Volkswagen, and no one, it seems, was more skeptical of the brand than DDB. “Remember Those Great Volkswagen Ads?” from Dial M Films on Vimeo . William Bernbach, though, was adament that the firm take the client, probably as a way of attracting other lucrative automotive clients. Saddled with a client that he didn’t want, art director Helmut Krone says in the film that he originally came up with ads that were all wrong. Krone tried to do what other manufacturers did and was intent on selling the Beetle ...

Watch: The Zerouno Cruis’n USA

ItalDesign is drumming up excitement for its new supercar based around the same 5.2-liter Audi V10 that powers the R8. Naturally, it hit the road for a cruise around California last week to celebrate Monterey Car Week. There isn’t much in the way of V10 noise—which is a real shame given the sound it makes—but you do at least get a good look at the car inside and out in this video. With a body made entirely of carbon fiber and designed to be as aerodynamic and light as possible, ItalDesign figures that it will be good for a 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds. “We put it our best skills into the production of the first car,” said Massimo Bovi, head of pre-series production, when the Zerouno was first unveiled in Geneva earlier this year. “Using some of the finest productions methods and engaging our high-skilled workers.” The car features clever aero tricks gleaned from single-seat racing, like a y-duct up front to improve downforce and turn-in. Available in a number of trim levels, the...