Volkswagen continues to vigorously pursue its worldwide product offensive. Just two months after the European market launch of the new Golf, and two weeks after presentation of a completely new generation of Clean Diesels developed for the Touareg and Jetta in the USA, more new products are on display at the Bologna Motor Show. Being unveiled there are three world, one Italian and one motor show premiere:
World premieres: the new Golf Plus, the Scirocco Studie R derived from car racing and the economical and low-emissions Golf BiFuel with auto gas and petrol drive. Truly revolutionary is the technology of the Passat TSI EcoFuel being shown in an Italian premiere: never before has a natural gas car been even nearly so sporty and at the same time economical. For the first time ever at a car show, the exclusive Passat CC Individual is also being shown.

World premiere I: the new Golf Plus

The Golf with much more: Within just three and a half years, the Golf Plus has made a name for itself as an established product in Europe's Golf line-up. Its brand identity: clever like a van, compact like a Golf. This is now being followed up by a Golf Plus that has been further improved in many aspects, and in some cases with drastically improved fuel economy: the new common rail TDI engines themselves have reduced fuel consumption by up to 0.8 litres fuel per 100 kilometres, depending on the power level. A European-wide market launch will take place in March 2009.

Visually, the new “Plus” forges a link to the classic body style of the just introduced sixth Golf generation. This is especially apparent at the front end. The rear bumper and roof rails were also redesigned. New steel and alloy wheels round out the exterior package of visual modifications. Inside, the further improved Golf Plus sports details like new upholstery materials and details also implemented in the Golf such as the new generation instruments, steering wheel options and the user interface to the automatic climate control system (Climatronic).

Technically, the Golf Plus also implements details that the new Golf introduced for the first time in this Volkswagen segment. Besides the new, fuel-efficient and very quiet common rail turbo-diesel engines (66 kW/90 PS to 103 kW/140 PS), they include numerous other innovations. The conventional automatic transmission is being eliminated on the Golf Plus and is being replaced by 6-speed and 7-speed dual clutch transmissions (DSG) that are as fuel-efficient as they are agile. Other new options on the Golf Plus are “Adaptive Cruise Control” (ACC), the “Park Assist” parking assistant and a rearview camera. Last but not least, the equipment lines were also restructured (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline as top version).

World premiere II: the new Scirocco Studie R

From car racing to the street: In May 2008, two Scirocco GT24 race cars finished first and second in their class at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring track. Now Volkswagen is presenting a street version of the race car at the Bologna Motor Show: the Scirocco Studie R has a 198 kW (270 PS) engine for everyday practicality, yet it still delivers aggressive propulsive power. This power is distributed by a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. Adapted directly from car racing are the coilovers, four-piston brake calipers and a sound-optimised exhaust system.

Visually, the concept car emulates the racing version to a great extent. Homage to Italy: the tri-colors of the motor show host country are represented by green, white and red elements of both the exterior and interior.

World premiere III: the first Golf BiFuel

Clean with auto gas: Also debuting as a world premiere in Bologna is the Golf BiFuel that is factory-built for operation with auto gas. Its bivalent drive – a simple switchover and it can be powered by petrol – reduces costs and emissions. When the Golf BiFuel is powered by LPG (liquified petroleum gas), the environmental impact compared to a petrol driven car is: about 10 per cent lower CO2 emissions.

Compared to aftermarket auto gas systems, the system now being presented in the Golf BiFuel offers significant advantages. For one, the car together with its fuel tanks – and this is not true of aftermarket solutions – is crash tested as a total system; so it is very safe. Second, the engine was specifically configured for LPG operation and is therefore more durable than engines originally configured as just petrol engines. In LPG mode, the 72 kW (98 PS) strong four-cylinder of the Golf BiFuel consumes 9.2 litres of LPG per 100 kilometres on average (149 g/km CO2). The bottom line for these 100 kilometres based on average prices for LPG in Germany: just €6.38*.

Italian premiere: Passat TSI EcoFuel

Revolutionary: The Passat TSI EcoFuel signifies the beginning of a new era in natural gas driven cars. The reason: until now, the 'temperament' of cars driven by natural gas – a fuel that is as environmentally friendly as it is economical – has been restrained at best. The up to 210 km/h fast and decidedly economical Passat TSI EcoFuel finally puts an end to this thanks to its powerful 110 kW (150 PS) high-tech engine. The natural gas Passat accelerates to Passat to 100 km/h in just 9.7 seconds.

Despite its agility, the first turbo direct-injection engine designed for natural gas operation in the Passat sedan, shifted by 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG), is satisfied with just 4.38 kilogrammes (!) natural gas per 100 kilometres (bottom line: just €4.33**/100 km). At 119 g/km CO2 the Passat breaks the CO2 barrier of 120 g/km. The European market launch of the Passat and Passat Vari­ant TSI EcoFuel (with optional DSG or standard 6-speed manual transmission) will take place in early 2009.

Show premiere: the new Passat CC Individual

Individualised: The first four-door coupé from Volkswagen went into production in early 2008 as the Passat CC. In a show premiere, Volkswagen is now presenting an exclusive version of the new model series: the Passat CC Individual. After the Eos, Passat and Touareg, this is the fourth model to be marketed under the “Individual” label.

The four-door coupé leaves the factory on newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels (“Chicago black” type) as standard equipment. As an exclusive in this car class, the Passat CC Individual will be available in the pearl effect car colour “Moonlight Blue”. Inside, the Passat CC Individual features standard features such as accents in refined black piano paint and two-tone leather covers for the 6-way power comfort seats. The seat surfaces are designed in soft leather with “Nougat” colour and climate seat perforations. A visually complementary black nappa leather is used on outer seat surfaces. The door tread plates in the front and rear sport the “Volkswagen Individual” signature; the signatures in front are elegantly illuminated in white light. The Passat CC Individual can be ordered in Europe starting in early 2009 – the countdown has begun.

* = Average price of LPG in Germany on 18th November, 2008.
** = Average price of LPG in Germany on 18th November, 2008.