Volkswagen Launches Passat GTE and Passat Alltrack in Germany

Two new models added to the Passat range

Volkswagen is extending its Passat range, adding the GTE and Alltrack. These models are available immediately at German Volkswagen dealers.

For a year now, the three distinctive letters GTE have stood for plug-in hybrid models from Volkswagen. Following the Golf, the second GTE standard model is now going on sale, the new Passat. The Passat GTE is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI engine delivering 115 kW / 156 PS and an electric motor producing 85 kW / 115 PS. The two are perfectly coordinated and pool their resources to generate system output of 160 kW / 219 PS. The combination of turbocharged direct-injection engine (TSI) and electric motor brings together efficiency and sustainability. The lithium-ion battery that provides the e-motor with electricity is charged as the car drives along, including via regenerative braking. The charging process can, however, also be carried out at home via a charging cable connected to a mains socket.

In all-electric mode the Passat GTE* can drive up to 50 kilometres completely emission-free. With the 50-litre tank full of fuel and the battery fully charged the range is more than 1,100 kilometres. The GTE’s main distinguishing features externally are its C-shaped LED daytime running lights and a blue bar across the radiator grille that extends into the headlights. There are special GTE features inside as well, such as an instrument cluster with power meter and an infotainment system with a menu matrix for functions and displays specific to each drive system.

Many of the Passat GTE’s functions can optionally be controlled and monitored via smart phone using the ‘Car-Net e-Remote’ app. These include charging the battery, activating the air-conditioning functions or seeing where the car was last parked. The prices for the Passat GTE start at €45,250 for the estate and €44,250 for the saloon.

The latest generation of the Passat Alltrack** is also now available from dealers. The new Passat Alltrack, which is based on the latest Passat Variant (estate version), boasts impressive features, including a robust off-road look, 4Motion four-wheel drive as standard and leading edge technologies. The Passat Alltrack has its own unique exterior design, including bumpers coordinated to the bodywork (complete with underbody protection in stainless steel look), robust wheel-arch and side-sill covers in an ‘anthracite’ finish and sill extensions. Its ground clearance has also been increased by 27.5 millimetres, making it a match for any driving situation.

At the same time, the Passat Alltrack scores with ultramodern technology: it is the perfect all-rounder for the on-road and off-road world thanks to the special off-road driving programme with correspondingly adapted assistance systems, adjusted suspension and the alliance of EDS (electronic differential lock), XDS+ and 4Motion four-wheel drive as standard. Thanks to driving profile selection and optional DCC Adaptive Chassis Control (fitted as standard on the 162 kW TSI and above), it provides an extremely comfortable ride and simultaneously masters off-road terrain. The Passat Alltrack is also an ideal towing vehicle: it can tow (braked) a load of up 2,200kg up an incline of up to twelve per cent. The versatile Passat Alltrack is available from €38,550.

The post Volkswagen Launches Passat GTE and Passat Alltrack in Germany appeared first on VWVortex.

from VWVortex http://ift.tt/1KLb200
via IFTTT

Waterfest Moves to Atco Dragway

Waterfest 24 will be held at Atco Dragway, in Atco, New Jersey. The summer event will take place at its new venue on July 21 and 22. Long held in Englishtown, New Jersey, the festival has been such a large part of the VW scene that the latest iteration of the Golf even comes with optional “Englishtown” wheels . The new venue, however, is an NHRA drag track a scant 52 miles southwest of Englishtown. The ¼ mile drag track opened in 1960, which makes it the oldest drag strip in New Jersey. The announcement came today on a social media post that announced the new location. Waterfest is North America’s largest VW/Audi show. As many 20,000 people show up for the annual show, making the second largest show in the world—with Worthersee being number one. 2018 will be Waterfest’s 24 th year in existence. The post Waterfest Moves to Atco Dragway appeared first on VWVortex . from VWVortex http://ift.tt/2GQjkuc via IFTTT

Macau Gets Messy with 16-Car Pileup

The Macau Grand Prix is always good for an accident or two or 16— you may remember Audi’s race ending crash last year —and this year’s event didn’t disappoint. It didn’t take long for things to get messy on the tight road circuit. On the opening lap of the qualifying race a 16-car pileup caused the race to be suspended. Things kicked off when Daniel Juncadella hit a wall on the exit of Police bend, one of the tightest parts of the already tight circuit. The following car of Raffaele Marciello was able to avoid the carnage, but Laurens Vanthoor, who was in the upside-down Audi that ended the race last year, could not avoid Juncadella and together they blocked up the road pretty much completely. “I couldn’t see him [Juncadella] at first. Then I saw the car standing still,” Vanthoor told Motorsport. “I tried to brake but it was just understeering and I couldn’t do anything. There’s room for one car there and you’re blind.” Fourteen more cars would eventually crash into the corner c

The First of its Kind: Integrated Engineering Releases Highly-Anticipated IE450T MK6 Golf R Turbo Kit

After two long years of development, the team at Integrated Engineering has finally announced the release of their IE450T kit for the MK6 Golf R. With their turbo kit bolted on right out of the box, the sport AWD hatch is transformed into a 450bhp monster, with hardly any noticeable increase in spool time. In fact, 435 ft-lbs of torque are achieved at all four wheels, at a mere 3300rpm! By now you are probably asking yourself how this is even possible on a 2.0L engine that made nearly half that power from the factory. By employing true twin-scroll technology into the cast turbo manifold and pairing it with a state-of-the-art BorgWarner EFR turbocharger, IE was able to keep spool time at a minimum and bring the fastest-spooling big turbo setup to the market. “We wanted to offer a kit that would dramatically increase the power output without making the car lose its amazing street-friendly drivability,” mentioned one of the IE engineers. We are told the IE450T leaves the car driving jus

Vorderman Volkswagen

Search This Blog