- Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Lifestyle
Click above for high-res gallery of the Topos Sail concept
Turns out the recreational and commercial vehicle show in Dusseldorf, Germany has attracted more concepts than the just the Fiat Portofino. Volkswagen showed up with the Caddy Topos Sail concept, another nautical-themed vehicle that brings the boat life to land locked lovers of the water. Based on the Caddy MPV, the Topos Sail concept's biggest attraction is its roof, which is covered in wood decking and surrounded on all sides by aluminum roof rails. The roof deck is designed for lounging in the sun just like on the deck of a yacht, and the panels flip up to act as back rests. The concept also features a nifty ladder built into the rear lift gate with wooden steps, as well as wood trim elsewhere on the vehicle's exterior. We're certain it doesn't float, but you could park the Topos Sail down by the docks, climb up on the roof and order a daiquiri to get the full effect.
[Source: VW]Continue reading Lounge on deck of VW Caddy Topos Sail Concept
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- Filed under: Spy Photos, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen
Not too many surprises lie under the camoflage, the next-generation GTI will be the Angry-Teut-Box version of Volkswagen's forthcoming Golf VI, which we've already seen. The overall milieu is an evolutionary step from our current fifth-generation Golf/Rabbit, though the detail changes to the GTI that KGP snagged add some sporty stylistic touches which will undoubtedly be backed up by hardware. The front end gets honeycomb grilles for every opening and eschews foglamps in favor of brake cooling, with bright red calipers now squeezing away. A dual exhaust setup might have you thinking R32 instead of GTI, but there are rumors floating around that the R32 will be kaput after the current generation. We hope that the MkVI keeps or even expands upon the current GTI's demeanor, which finally returned to some of the original hot-hatch magic after years of bloat. Rumors are that the GTI VI will show up at the Paris Motor Show as a "concept" - nudge,nudge,wink,wink.
[Source: golfmk6.com, Photo:KGP]
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- Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW CC Gold Coast
Volkswagen has used the occasion of this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance to unveil its new CC Gold Coast edition. The most obvious change that sets the CC GC apart from more plebian CCs is the tri-coat paint - DuPont's light brown 'Pepe Pepper' to be specific, which reportedly has gold, brown and silver tones all mixed in for your ocular pleasure. Of course, such a high-end exterior color must be paired with an equally special interior hue, in this case it's leather done up Starbucks-style in 'Latte Macchiatto Cornsilk' with Bronze Piping on the seats and matching accents on the dash and door trim. Also on the docket are 19-inch propeller style wheels that fill the wheel arches rather nicely. A unique ground effects package rounds out the visual mods. Underhood is the familiar 3.6-liter TFSI engine with 280 horsepower and 265 lbs.-ft of torque mated to the automaker's stellar DSG double-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission. We know the regular CC is arriving this fall with a starting price tag around $27,000, but no details on the availability or pricing of the Gold Coast edition have been released yet.
[Source: Volkswagen]Continue reading Pebble Beach 2008: VW shows off CC Gold Coast in Monterey
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- Filed under: Car Buying, China, Volkswagen
Volkswagen was one of the pioneers in infiltrating the booming Chinese market, and now the automaker's early efforts are paying off handsomely. VW is planning to sell over 1 million vehicles in the land of the Great Wall in 2008, which should mean that the automaker's China sales will surpass those in Germany for the first time ever. While that may make it sound like there's a problem with VW's Germany sales, it's more a testament to a 19% market share in a country with 1.4 billion people.
Volkswagen is also keeping the heat on the Chinese market, with 14 new vehicles scheduled for launch during the next two years. That's a substantially faster pace than the 11 products VW updated in the previous three years, and a big reason why sales will likely continue to rise. The automaker is turning a serious profit in China, and with products like the affordable and efficient up! on the horizon, Germany's volume automaker looks to be set up well in the worlds fastest-emerging market.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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- Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Green, Volkswagen
Lovers of both fuel mileage and torque can finally rest easy; Volkswagen of America is now officially selling its 50-State-approved, clean diesel engine in either the Jetta sedan for $21,990 or Jetta SportWagen wrappers for $23,590. Equipped with the six-speed DSG transmission, both Jetta gets an EPA rating of 29 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway. We expect to see better real-world numbers, though we're a bit wary of VW's advertising its alternate rating of 38/44 -- a number that is impossible to compare with anything else currently available. In any case, the $2,000 premium for the TDI engine will be lessened somewhat by the Fed's $1,300 tax credit which applies to either TDI model. Look for an early test of the oil-burner on these pages shortly.
[Source: Volkswagen]Continue reading Diesel rush begins: VW Jetta TDI now being delivered
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- Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Green, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen
We knew last month that the Jetta TDI was qualified for the tax credit. Now, word is out that all of the new-generation clean diesels for Volkswagen (TDI) and Mercedes-Benz (Bluetec) will be joining the elite handful of vehicles that qualify for a federal alternative-powertrain tax credit. Formerly reserved for just hybrid vehicles, the diesels have been designated as advanced lean-burn-technology vehicles that meet the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit standards of the IRS. The credits vary based on the vehicle. In the case of Mercedes, the ML320 qualifies for $900 while the GL320 is good for $1,800. If diesel still isn't your thing, the IRS has also qualified several Ford hybrids as eligible too. Of those, the highest credit (a sweet $3,000) goes to those consumers who take home an Escape or Mariner two-wheel drive hybrid crossover.
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
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- Filed under: Convertibles, Volkswagen
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Golf VI
With the next-generation Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit looming on the horizon, Wolfsburg is gearing up for an array of new derivatives. First came the report of the next GTI and R hot hatches and now it's confirmed that VW intends to produce a convertible variant as well.
Positioned between the New Beetle convertible and the Eos, the Golf cabrio will feature a cloth top borrowed from the Audi A3 convertible. The Edscha-supplied collapsible roof mechanism should help VW get the new cabriolet to market in a cost-effective and timely manner, and reportedly preclude the need for a roll bar. Expect to see the Golf/Rabbit convertible, which will be made exclusively at Volkswagen's plants in Wolfsburg and Mosel, popping up on the market by 2010.
[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]
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- Filed under: Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Golf VI
In what may be the least shocking news you will read today, Volkswagen will indeed be launching a revised GTI model shortly after its recently revealed sixth-generation Golf (or, Rabbit, as it's known in the U.S.) hits the market. According to Autocar, the next GTI will steer even closer to its original hot hatch mission, with VW reportedly giving the new model a "harder edge" than the current GTI. Underhood, at least in Europe, will be the same 2.0L TFSI engine that powers the base Audi A5, featuring Audi's valvelift technology that helps it offer up 208 hp at 4300 RPM and 258 lb-ft at 1500 RPM. That ought to make for a very spirited, though still relatively frugal ride.
What may be even more interesting news, though, is the replacement for the R32 model. Volkswagen won't be keeping its narrow-angle V6 underhood any longer, instead opting for a high-boost 2.0L with 265 horses and an 'R' moniker. All-wheel drive is also on the menu. Sounds like a bargain Audi TT-S to us, to which we simply say, "yes, please."
[Source: Autocar]
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- Filed under: Motorsports, Volkswagen
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Scirocco GT24
Ever since 2006, when Peugeot, Skoda and Mitsubishi pulled their factory works teams out of the World Rally Championship, the WRC has been desperate to attract another major automaker back to reinvigorate the series. Emerging reports suggest that Volkswagen has been inquiring about joining the championship after the company's motorsport chief Kris Nissen visited the Finnish rally to meet with series officials and team leaders.
Despite being one of the largest automakers in the world, the Volkswagen Group's racing division is proportionately very small. Audi's programs in Le Mans-class prototype racing and German touring cars (DTM) stand out as the biggest exceptions, while SEAT campaigns Leons in both the British and World Touring Car Championships and Skoda in the production-car-based Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Nothing in Formula One, NASCAR or the WRC. The Volkswagen division itself only dabbles in racing periodically, with the Touareg in Dakar and the Scirocco at the Nurburgring 24-hour enduro, in addition to its low-level Formula 3 program. However, the top-tier World Rally Championship would give Volkswagen a chance to claim honors against Ford, Subaru, Citroen and newcomers Suzuki, as well as the privateer teams. Fiat and Renault have also been touted as potential additions to the WRC roster. However, only time will tell which automakers will take the big step up.
[Source: Rallye-Magazin via Stage Times]
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- Filed under: Government/Legal, Porsche, Volkswagen, UAW/Unions
Porsche wants to purchase Volkswagen, this much we know. But before that happens, the huge labor union at VW needs to agree on terms with Porsche management. This, as you may imagine, is proving a bit more difficult than Porsche had hoped, prompting the automaker's senior labor leader Uwe Hueck to lash out at the heads at VW. Not surprisingly, his initial attack received a response from Bernd Osterloh, the head of VW's labor union. It seems that some major sticking points exist that the organized Volkswagen employees are not too keen on, causing them to believe that they would be relegated to second-class status. Whether or not these negotiations will keep Porsche from purchasing a controlling stake in Volkswagen seems up in the air at the moment, though we wouldn't be surprised if some sort of deal were made sooner rather than later.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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- Filed under: Economy, Euro, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Golf VI
Following the internet's unofficial, unscheduled and probably unwanted (at least by Volkswagen) reveal of the sixth-generation Golf this week, VW has thrown its cards on the table and revealed its hand. Along with high-res images, VW has revealed that the new Golf will launch this October in Europe and then find its way to markets in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. Unfortunately, the company did not specify the U.S. (could just be Canada, for instance), but we're going on VW of North America's word that it will eventually go on sale in the States. Europeans, however, get first dibs and the base price will be 16,500 Euros at launch.
The car's new design carries forward trademark Golf cues but adds a bit of crispness. VW says it's more "three-dimensional" than the current car, which is strange since they're both technically objects in space. Regardless, VW does fess up to the Scirocco's influence, particularly the broad shoulder section on which the roof sits. The interior also was inspired and borrows bits and pieces from the more expensive Passat CC.
Power for the new Golf, in Europe at least, will be provided four gas engines and two diesels. All of the gassers will be TSI, i.e. they incorporate both a supercharger and turbo. The diesels meanwhile get common rail injection across the board with two balancer shafts to quell vibrations. Finally, DSG is essentially replacing the automatic in all Golfs except base models. Either a 6- or 7-speed DSG will be used depending on which engine it's paired to. Electronic doo-dads include "automatic distance control" (ACC), "adaptive chassis control" (DCC), a "park steering assistant" and updated ESP system.
Check out VW's official press release after the jump for more details and peruse the new high-res images in the gallery below.
[Source: VW]Continue reading Officially Official: VW drops details on Golf VI
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- Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
Click above for gallery of the new VW Golf VI
Volkswagen was planning to unveil the sixth generation of its popular Golf model this week, but the internet strikes again with a preview of the new people's hatch ahead of its official reveal. Information is limited so far and comes primarily from bloggers who don't speak the Queen's English, but from what we can tell the next-generation Golf will be larger than the current model. Indeed, it does appear to be a bit wider and maybe even lower than the current model. Might we even see some hints of the Scirocco in its design, as well? Our source indicates that the range of engines available with the Golf VI will include a 1.4L TSI, 1.8L TFSI and maybe even the 2.0L TFSI, while diesels will include the company's 1.9L and 2.0L TDI motors. A manual, automatic and DSG transmission will also be on the spec sheet. Contrary to some reports, VW of America has said that the new Golf will be sold in the U.S., though not until late next year. That's all we know for now, and it's admittedly basic stuff, so stay tuned this week for the official word from Volkswagen. Until then, scope out the new Golf VI in our gallery below.
UPDATE: High-res images added to gallery.
[Source: Autoblog.nl (no relation)]
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- Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Wagons/Estates, Volkswagen
Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2009 VW SportWagen SE
A while back, my wife and I decided we would become parents. As soon as I saw the little wand TURN blue, I knew we'd need a bigger car. That was almost three years ago. We still need a bigger car. The problem with knowing a little bit about cars is the dizzying plethora of choices and the rumored promises of what's on the horizon. We didn't want the soccer-mom stigma of a minivan, or an SUV that drove like a truck and got 12 mpg. We wanted a car with room for two parents and one, possibly two, baby seats, and all the gear that comes with a growing family. I insisted the car have handling as near a sports car as possible, burn as little gas as possible and cost less than $25k. Oh, and is it too much to ask for style?
My mom said, "You want it all, don't you? Just buy something." Which, of course, only incited me to a new level of stubbornness and a vow to find the perfect car. After more than TWO years shopping, our family car Holy Grail just might be German.
All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Tutor / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Volkswagen SportWagen SE
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- Filed under: Ford, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials
Ford and Volkswagen have been traveling in different directions of late, with VW posting record earnings while Ford is losing cash by the billions. VW's momentum doesn't stop with cold, hard cash, either. The German automaker's first half year sales rose 7.2% to 3.31m, while Ford posted a free-fall of 11% to 3.09m. That gives team Fahrvergnugen a lead of 220,000 units in the first half of the year -- a very sizable margin. Part of the reason VW has been able to pass Ford is that the German automaker doesn't rely heavily on US sales, while the land of opportunity is Ford's largest market. VW also has a larger stake in the quickly expanding Chinese market, where Ford is still ramping up in the land of the Great Wall. Since the Blue Oval depends on the US for much of its sales, the second half of the year isn't looking much batter than the first half. Even with gas prices starting to retreat, analysts predict sales will continue to underwhelm for the duration of 2008.
[Source: Free Press]
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- Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Volkswagen
Click above for a high-res gallery of the ABT Passat CC
"C" is for comfort, but that's not good enough for ABT. The German tuning house has taken Volkswagen's sleek new Passat Comfort Coupe (CC) and given it a little more grunt. The 1.8-liter TSI goes up from 160hp to 200, the 2.0 TSI from 200 to 240, with the diesel versions up more conservatively from 140 to 170 and from 170 to 190. Suspension upgrades and a choice of wheels in 18-20 inches are also thrown into the mix, with a visual upgrades package to follow. Check out the trio of images in the gallery below.
[Source: ABT]
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Archive for the 'VOLKSWAGEN, VW' Category
Sunday, October 7th, 2007
Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Volkswagen
High fuel prices have started to change the way Americans look at transportation, and several automakers are rushing to market smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles onto US roads. Daimler Benz is in the final stages of launching the Smart fortwo city car here in the US, and Volkswagen is looking at entering the fray with their own mini compact, the Up!. The stylish Up! was unveiled in Frankfurt on Monday, and Adrian Hallmark, head of Volkswagen of America, has already informed Wolfsburg that the US market is interested.
It’s hard to gauge how the fortwo will do here in the States due to its freakishly small size and seating for only two, but the VW Up! concept has a rear-engine, rear drive configuration with room for four. A sedan with roughly the same amount of interior space as a previous generation Golf will likely be available for US consumers if the vehicle goes to production in the next few years. We just hope VW can achieve incredible fuel economy with the good looks of the concept, while offering the Up! at the low prices that once made the original Beetle such a smash hit.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Automotive News, VOLKSWAGEN, VW, Coupes, Economy | No Comments »
Sunday, June 10th, 2007
Leave conventions behind and let ypur passion awake - since the beginning these were the roots of the GTI idea. Until today they got more than 1.67 million drivers into their spell. Long has the Golf GTI been an icon. A mark for itself.
Since 1982 Golf GTI celebrate it annually in the Austrian Land at the Worthersee. Thousands come.Volkswagen placed a Golf before them: the Golf GTI W12-650 showcar. This sports car is a inclination before the GTI friends at the Worthersee, people for whom the GTI is a myth.
Stronger, broader, faster
A Golf was never stronger, broader or faster. It seems that the Golf GTI W12-650 comes directly from the racing course. A Golf that runs like the Pace Car of the 24 hours of Le Mans. Its name means: W12-Zylinder, 650 HP (477 KW with 6.000 rpm). A Showcar, not more, not less. Nevertheless it shows what enormous potential the Golf has to offer.
3.7 seconds, 325 km/h, 750 Newtonmeters
Its 6,0 Liter Biturbo engine is longitudinal and placed directly behind the driver and the front seat passenger. The Golf GTI W12-650 differentiate itself in this way from the classical central engine car. A 6-speed automatic transmission transfers 750 Newtonmeters (at 4.500 rpm) to the rear axle. It catapults the Golf GTI W12-650 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. With a maximum speed of 325 km/h the Golf GTI W12-650 leaves behind nearly all of the world’s supercars.
Width 1.88 m, 235er tire in front, 295er tire in the back
Automotive engineers and designers united under Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 650 its 1.88 meters (series: 1.76 meters) spread and 1.42 meters (series: 1.50 meters) flatten body. The chassis components of the Golf GTI W12-650 were adapted directly from supersports cars. The wheels are of course made from a light alloy and because of the gigantic wheel dimensions a specialy engineered tire had to be made.
70 millimeters lower, 160 millimeters broader
The goal was clearly defined - despite the partially dramatic technical changes the study should remain completely clear that this is a Golf GTI. Therefore as much parts as possible were taken from tha classical GTI like: the headlights, the doors, the front hood and the tail lamps. The axles were pushed 70 millimeters into the body.
The largest problem was to supply the 6-litre central engine with sufficient air and to produce sufficient drift at the rear axle without watering the silhouette of the Golf GTI W12-650. Therefore the C-columns were re-designed in such a way that they lead air to the engine. The rear side windows run inward, so that two channels develop between the disks and the C-columns on the left and on the right to drive air to the engine.
The Carbon fiber roof is a diffuser
Innovative building of the body also prevented that the lines of the Golf GTI W12-650 to get ruined by a putting on a roof wing. The study carries the wing inward. The roof is part of an enormous diffuser, which provides sufficient drift to the rear axle. It’s made from carbon fiber and leads air under the normal tail spoiler.
Interior with racing ambitions
The leather is Alcantara. On the middle range of the armatures are Three rows of auxiliary instruments. Transparent “Flip UP” switch guards for central functions like the disconnectible ESP look like taken derectly from the race track.
Fire extinguishers are integrated in the place of the glove compartment to also remind us of the race. Because of weight reasons “stripped” the door linings are complete; only lattices are used, which grant a complete view of the interior mechanics of the door.
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, Tuning Cars, Automotive News, VOLKSWAGEN, VW | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
Learn more. Here minute description and features
Type : sedan
Amount of the Doors : 4
The Place Seatings : 5
The Place Seatings ??
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4376 x 1735 x 1440 : Wheel base, mm : 2512
Type of the engine :
Preparation to air gas :
Design of the engine : order right
???
Amount cylinder : 4
Amount valve on cylinder : 5
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 1781
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : / 180
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 5500
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 173
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 1950
Class bad material :
Drive : front
Gearbox : mechanical
Amount of the issues : 5
Front springs : spring
Back springs : ???r>Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 195/65R15
Buses back travell about : 195/65R15
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. :
Maximum velocity, km/ch :
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 9.8
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 7.6
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km :
Volume of the tank, l. :
Type fuel :
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, VOLKSWAGEN, VW | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
Learn more. Here minute description and features
Type : coupe
Amount of the Doors : 2
The Place Seatings : 4
The Place Seatings ??
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4992 x 1725 x 1499 : Wheel base, mm : 2507
Type of the engine :
Preparation to air gas :
Design of the engine :
???
Amount cylinder :
Amount valve on cylinder :
Volume of the engine, sm3 :
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : /
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines :
Maximum turning moment, Nm :
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines :
Class bad material :
Drive :
Gearbox :
Amount of the issues :
Front springs :
Back springs :
Front brake :
Back brake :
Buses :
Buses back travell about :
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. :
Maximum velocity, km/ch :
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km :
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km :
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km :
Volume of the tank, l. :
Type fuel :
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, VOLKSWAGEN, VW | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
Learn more. Here minute description and features
Type : hachback coupe
Amount of the Doors : 3
The Place Seatings : 5
The Place Seatings ?? 5
Sizes and mass : Length x width x height, mm : 4149 x 1735 x 1439 :
Wheel base, mm : 2511 :
Mass, kgs : 1243 :
Full mass, kgs : 1760 :
Service load, kgs : 517 :
Volume of the luggage rack, l : 330 :
Volume of the luggage rack on roof, l : 1184
Type of the engine : gasoline
Preparation to air gas : forced
Design of the engine : V-???r>??? No
Amount cylinder : 5
Amount valve on cylinder : 5
Volume of the engine, sm3 : 2324
Maximum engine size, sq / ls : 110 / 150
Frequency of the rotation under maximum power about/mines : 6000
Maximum turning moment, Nm : 205
Frequency of the rotation under maximum turning moment about/mines : 3200
Class bad material : D3
Drive : front
Gearbox : manual
Amount of the issues : 5
Front springs : spring
Back springs : spring
Front brake : disc
Back brake : disc
Buses : 205/55R16W
Buses back travell about :
Runaway before 100 km/ch, sec. : 8.8
Maximum velocity, km/ch : 216
Consuption fuel in town cycle, l/100 km : 13.2
Consuption fuel in country cycle, l/100 km : 7.2
Consuption fuel average, l/100 km : 9.3
Volume of the tank, l. : 55
Type fuel : Super
Posted in World Cars, Passenger Cars, VOLKSWAGEN, VW | No Comments »
