Passat alltrack Versatility, refinement and style concePt cars Putting

Transcription

Passat alltrack Versatility, refinement and style
concept cars Putting the future in motion
Golf R and Golf GTI Same heart, different beat
Summer 2013
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Welcome
Welcome to the Summer 2013 edition of Volkswagen Magazine.
As this magazine went to print we were preparing for the launch of one of
our most exciting and anticipated new models—a Volkswagen first in its
segment—the acclaimed Volkswagen up! This small city car with big ideas
and larger-than-life personality has already impressed the critics, winning
the 2012 World Car of the Year. It features clean, pure Volkswagen design,
maximum interior space with a minimal footprint, top quality and
a love for detail, and most importantly, affordable innovations for all.
And soon the most recognisable automotive design in the world is hitting
Australian shores. The third-generation Beetle is making its first public
appearance at the October 2012 Australian International Motor Show
taking place in Sydney.
No other car can claim such history and tradition as the Beetle and it
was indeed a great task that our Volkswagen engineers and designers
undertook to develop this latest generation of a Volkswagen icon. How
does one reinvent a design that is so recognisable and independent,
keeping the Beetle’s charm and design, yet at the same time bringing the
model into the modern era? Those who want to drive a car that shows
emotions, offers dynamic performance, and yet provides lots of space will
in the future think of the Beetle.
In other news, Volkswagen’s Polo GTI has once again claimed victory over
17 other competitors in MOTOR magazine’s annual Bang For Your Bucks
award. This means that a Volkswagen GTI model has won three years in a
row! First, Volkswagen’s Golf GTI won MOTOR magazine’s 2010 Bang For
Your Bucks award. Then, in the following year, our Polo GTI received the
same recognition. Now, in 2012, the Polo GTI has defended its title,
winning back-to-back honours as MOTOR’s best-value performance car.
Award-winning
up! arrives
in Australia
Economical driving is not hard if the results from our latest Think Blue.
Challenge are anything to go by. As part of our Think Blue. initiative and
to showcase Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technologies, we took 12 winners
from our online Think Blue. competition to drive four vehicles packed with
Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technologies on two test loops in and around
Canberra. The challenge sought to find the most economical driver, who
will go on to represent Australia at the Think Blue. 2nd World Championship
2012 in Los Angeles, USA, from 25–29 November 2012.
I hope you will enjoy reading this issue of Volkswagen Magazine and I look
forward to bringing you up to date with Volkswagen, in Australia and
around the world, again in the next edition.
Anke Koeckler
Managing Director
Summer 2013 Volkswagen Magazine 1
Contents
The new Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
Volkswagen Magazine
SUMMER 2013
Features
14
Deluxe downsizing
The Volkswagen up! isn’t just the 2012 World Car of the Year, it’s a revolution in the making
24 Twice the fun
The Golf R and Golf GTI are two sides of the same performance car coin
30 The future in motion
Volkswagen’s concept cars provide a glimpse of the technology of the future
34 Retro revolution
Appreciation for some of the finer things means looking to the past
2 Volkswagen Magazine Summer 2013
Regulars
38 New century, new Beetle
Volkswagen’s brand new Beetle is
a triumph of modern design
42 Stylish delivery
Volkswagen has released the Caddy Edition 30 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the popular delivery van
44 City, country, everywhere
Urban cruiser and all-terrain adventurer:
introducing the new Passat Alltrack
54 Tantalising Tokyo
There’s no end to the delights offered by Japan’s thrumming capital city
06News
Autostadt celebrates an amazing
milestone; Volkswagen turns heads
at AgQuip Field Days 2012; the
Junior Masters gets underway again;
Australia’s best late-night eateries
12Driven
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire
on taking the reins at one of the
AFL’s strongest clubs
60Great Australian Drives
Volkswagen’s Golf Cabrio takes on
the Great Ocean Road on a wet
and windy weekend
66Me & My Volkswagen
The Kombi that is helping to
keep Australia’s coastline clean
68Service Department
Theory and practice combine
at Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art
Technical Training Centre
70Showroom
Thinking about a new Volkswagen?
Here’s what you need to know
72 Parting Shot
Greg Mackie’s passion for Volkswagen Beetles goes back five decades
Publisher
Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd
PO Box 2316, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012
ABN 140 931 178 76
Produced for Volkswagen Group
Australia Pty Ltd by
51 Whistler Street, Manly, NSW 2095
HEAD OF EDITORIAL
Michael Butler
Production editor
Paul Rodger
SUB-Editor
John Piggott
MANAGING Art director
Karen Jacobi
HEAD OF CREATIVE
Shane O’Brien
production coordinator
Rhys Prosser
Account manager
Liz Keene
Account Director
Scott Crisp
group SALES manager
Chris Waite
(02) 8962 2602
business development
director
Fergus Stoddart
CEO
Eddie Thomas
Volkswagen editor and
Project Manager
Joseph Britt
Our privacy policy is available at
www.volkswagen.com.au
Printing
Offset Alpine Printing
The distribution records of this publication
have been submitted for independent
audit with the Circulations Audit Board.
No responsibility will be taken for the
return of unsolicited manuscripts, images
or materials. The opinions of contributing
authors do not necessarily represent
those of the publisher. Vehicles and
accessories are shown only for illustrative
purposes and may not depict Australian
specifications. Reproduction of any content
of this publication (including images and
text) for any purpose is prohibited, unless
prior written permission is obtained from the publisher. Prices,
specifications and availability of products and services were correct
at the time of printing and may change without prior notice.
All information in this magazine which relates to Volkswagen
products is correct at the time of publication, however variations
may occur from time to time and Volkswagen Group Australia Pty
Ltd, in so far as it is permitted by law to do so, shall not be liable
in any way as a result of any reliance by any person on anything
contained in this magazine. The colours of vehicles shown in this
magazine are indicative only and may vary from actual items owing
to the printing process.
In this publication, you will see advertising material submitted
by third parties. Individual advertisers are solely responsible for
the content of advertising material they submit to us, including
ensuring that it complies with all relevant laws and regulations.
Neither Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd nor its related bodies
corporate accept any responsibility whatsoever for the content
of any advertising material contained herein, including, without
limitation, any error, omission, or inaccuracy therein. Summer 2013 Volkswagen Magazine 3
+61 3 8844 3300 / WWW.RADO.COM
ENGINEERED IN STAINLESS STEEL
AND HIGH-TECH CERAMIC
News
The latest events, awards and
updates from Volkswagen Australia.
Autostadt one of Germany’s
top attractions
Volkswagen’s Autostadt in Wolfsburg, Germany,
celebrated an astonishing milestone in July when it welcomed its
125 millionth visitor, a stunning testament to the popularity of the
250,000 square metre complex devoted to all things automotive.
Opened in 2000 by the Volkswagen Group as a way to
showcase the principal automobile brands that make up the
company, the Autostadt has quickly become one of Germany’s
most popular tourist attractions. Situated next to Volkswagen’s
Wolfsburg factory and comprising a collection of stunning modern
buildings, the site offers attractions devoted to the history, design
and production of Volkswagen vehicles, as well as restaurants, a
cinema and other points of interest.
Cutting an impressive shape in the Autostadt landscape are the
glass-encased CarTowers, able to accommodate up to 800 new
cars. The cars are manufactured at the factory and transported by
lift to their parking bays at a speed of two metres a second. There
they are kept until their new owners arrive to collect them.
Two pavilions are devoted to Volkswagen, while others pay
homage to manufacturers within the Volkswagen Group. The
ZeitHaus, or museum, showcases classic models against a
backdrop of contemporary art. Driving enthusiasts can even
sample the challenges of an all-terrain track in a Touareg.
“The Autostadt captivates visitors from across Germany as well
as from neighbouring European countries and overseas,” says
Autostadt CEO Otto Ferdinand Wachs. Sixty per cent of visitors
have travelled more than 80 kilometres to visit the park, with nine
per cent from other countries. Of the two million visitors who visit
the site, about a quarter have come to collect a new vehicle.
The attraction has also a profound impact on the economy of
the region, with 62 per cent of visitors citing the Autostadt as their
most important reason for visiting Wolfsburg.
For more on the Autostadt, visit www.autostadt.de
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
News
Drive day wrap-up
THE VOLKSWAGEN DRIVING EXPERIENCE is over for
another year. Drivers from Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and
Adelaide took part in the 2012 program, with the final
course for the year held at the Phillip Island circuit, south
of Melbourne.
The Volkswagen Driving Experience takes drivers
through a series of skill-based exercises in an exciting
track environment. The program helps educate drivers
about the capabilities of Volkswagen technologies, but
a crucial element is the chance to learn some of the
fundamentals of safer driving.
The beginners course (Insights) imparts essential
skills, with two other courses (Progression and Evolution)
teaching advanced skills, including how to respond
to unexpected circumstances on the road.
For more information on the Volkswagen Driving
Experience program and to book your place in 2013,
visit www.volkswagendrivingexperience.com.au
Volkswagen turns heads
at AgQuip 2012 AgQuip Field Days, held in Gunnedah, NSW, is Australia’s largest
agricultural industry field day event. Held in August over three days,
this year’s event gave Volkswagen the chance to showcase its range
of passenger and commercial vehicles before a large audience.
More than 100,000 people passed through the gates, and
Volkswagen staff reported that about 1000 people a day stopped
to check out the Volkswagen stand. Visitors had the opportunity to
experience first-hand the capabilities of Volkswagen’s 4WD vehicles
by driving them at an off-road track set up on site—about 100 patrons
took part over the three days. A Kombi Café was also set up to offer
refreshments to passers-by.
Introducing the new
News
Volkswagen's
2012 open day
program hailed
a success
VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS
THROUGHOUT the country threw
open their doors in 2012 and
welcomed customers keen to find
out more about Volkswagen vehicles.
The Volkswagen Open Day
toured Australia from May to
October, giving thousands of
visitors the chance to test drive and
experience some of the latest in
Volkswagen technologies. There
was an added incentive for anyone
serious about purchasing a new
vehicle: an offer of $1000 off
Volkswagen Genuine Accessories
for any new vehicle bought within
two weeks of the Open Day.
For information on next year’s
Open Day program, check out the
next issue of Volkswagen Magazine.
QUICKCLEAN
™
JUICER FROM PHILIPS.
Moving up! in the world
IT’S NOT OFTEN a car comes along
and rewrites the rule book. But the
up! has done exactly that.
Volkswagen’s new sub-compact
vehicle has revolutionised what
Europeans expect of their small cars
and set a new standard for mobility in
cities everywhere.
The proof is in the acclaim. In 2011 the
up! was awarded TopGear magazine’s
Small Car of the Year. And this year it won
arguably the biggest award of them all
when it was declared the 2012 World Car
of the Year at the New York International
Motor Show.
Now that the up! has arrived on
Australian shores it’s our turn to
experience it for ourselves.
Offering big-car driving dynamics,
excellent build quality and plenty of
interior space, the designers of the
up! had practicality foremost in mind
when they conceived the car. Though
it may have small exterior proportions,
the up!’s clever use of space guarantees
plenty of room inside—for passengers
and luggage alike.
Expect to see the new up! in cities
everywhere soon.
Read all about the new up! from p14.
Make 10% more juice* and
clean up within a minute!
Budding Beckhams have chance to shine
The hunt is on to find the next under-12
boys’ club football team to represent
Australia at the 2014 Volkswagen Junior
World Masters.
Up to 20 teams were selected from
each state to compete in the 2012
Volkswagen Junior Masters Australia
Roadshow. The teams faced off in a
round-robin tournament held in June
and July, with five teams qualifying
automatically for the 2013 Volkswagen
Junior Masters Australia tournament.
These qualifiers will be joined by
15 other clubs in a tournament to
determine which one will represent
Australia in the 2014 decider. The winner
will then go on to face the best under-12
boys’ club football teams from the rest
of the world.
The club that makes it to the 2014
competition will hope to emulate
the deeds of 2012 Volkswagen World
Masters representatives ECU Joondalup
from Western Australia. This club made
an impressive journey through to the
tournament’s quarter-finals before losing
to eventual winners Germany.
First held in Germany in 1999,
the Volkswagen Junior Masters has
grown to involve about 870 teams from
22 countries. Teams chosen to play in
the event are selected not just for their
dazzling football skills but for their
sportsmanship, team spirit and
involvement in their community.
The aim of the competition is to unite
young footballers in a game played the
world over. It offers a rare opportunity for
youngsters to experience the sport on a
global scale while making friends with
players from different cultural backgrounds.
For more information, visit
www.juniormastersaustralia.com.au
Available from major electrical retailers.
www.philips.com.au/kitchen
* Compared to Philips Juicer HR1861
Dining
News
Words: paul rodger
2
1
1. The decor of The Canvas Club in Brisbane evokes a time
of Gatsbys and flappers 2. MoVida Next Door is a favourite
with Melbourne’s after-show crowd 3. The Owl House in
Sydney specialises in degustation meals and martinis
3
hole than a restaurant, but that’s not to say it
doesn’t do great food. Popular items include
cheese, charcuterie and mezze boards, all of
which complement the extensive selection
of boutique wines, craft beers and cocktails.
Morsels at midnight
City dwellers can today
choose from a variety
of late-night dining
options where once
there were few.
Can a city’s sophistication be measured
by the quality of its late-night dining
offerings? Gastronomes in Europe would
doubtless agree. Some of that continent’s
most enticing culinary destinations are those
where the night starts late and ends in
the small hours.
Although after-hours dining may not
be as engrained in Australian culture—
we have our long, sunny days to relish,
after all—it’s a mark of how far our cities
have matured that so many restaurants
are stepping up to the plate to satisfy
those after-hours yearnings.
Here are three of the best.
The Canvas Club (Brisbane)
Even the most ardent Brisbanite will
concede the city hasn’t always matched the
southern capitals for dining diversity. But
top-notch venues like The Canvas Club in
inner-city Woolloongabba are fast making
Brisbane a culinary tour de force.
The Canvas Club knows what makes a great
night out. Special events such as Valentine’s
Day and Cinqo de Mayo are celebrated with
gusto. The venue is also favoured by some
of Brisbane’s best musicians, who gather
on Sundays to play everything from jazz to
soul and funk until late. A superb flamenco
guitarist is a regular mid-week feature.
MoVida Next Door (Melbourne)
Melburnians love to graze and bar hop so it’s
no surprise Spanish restaurant MoVida Next
Door is so popular. Located on the corner
of a cobbled lane and only a stone’s throw
from Flinders Street station, it serves tapas,
raciones (plates for two) and glasses of sherry
to a largely post-show crowd.
Situated in the city’s ‘antique district’, one
of several new precincts flourishing around
central Brisbane, the Canvas Club certainly
looks the part. With rustic tables and chairs,
‘peeling-paint’ ceiling and an intimate air, it
feels like it’s come straight from the 1920s.
Compact and welcoming, it’s the perfect foil
for its grown-up brother next door, MoVida.
Whereas MoVida has been rightly lauded for
its sophisticated dining room (comedor)
fare—it's advisable to book up to two months
ahead for a Friday or Saturday night table—
MoVida Next Door is an altogether more
casual affair.
Named ‘Best New Bar’ at last year’s
Australian Bar Awards, it’s more of a drinking
The menu is also more traditionally Spanish.
Chef and owner Frank Camorra says he likes
IT’S A MARK OF HOW MUCH
OUR CITIES HAVE MATURED
THAT SO MANY restaurants
have stepped up to the
plate to satisfy THOSE
AFTER-HOURS YEARNINGS.
to serve up simple but delicious menu items
that stay true to the fresh ingredients used.
Melbourne’s nocturnal cognoscenti wouldn’t
have it any other way.
The Owl House (Sydney)
Sydney’s bar scene has been transformed
since the licensing laws were relaxed in 2008.
With new venues opening up all over town,
only the best are flourishing. The Owl House,
in inner-city Darlinghurst, is one of them.
With its exposed bricks and vintage knickknacks littered throughout, the Owl House
offers just the right mix of casual and classy.
Owner Amir Halpert has converted an old
sandwich shop/café into a NYC-style cocktail
bar and restaurant that combines good food
with a genial vibe.
Chef Roy Ner knows his stuff, too. A graduate
of cooking institute Le Cordon Bleu and with
six years under his belt as sous chef at Aria,
Ner uses only the best seasonal produce
for his menu. Degustation dinner is the
restaurant’s specialty, pairing the likes of duck
and quail terrine, and pan-fried Cone Bay
barramundi, with complementary cocktails.
The Owl House is a fantastic place to drop into
for a late-night tipple if you’ve eaten already.
Bar staff mix a mean cocktail—a martini made
with Valrhona chocolate, Grand Marnier and
Glenlivet single-malt Scotch is a customer
favourite—and the wine list is bold enough
to feature wine from unexpected places like
the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Canada.
The proof is in the acclaim: this year The Owl
House took out the SMH Good Food Guide
Award for Best Bar with Food.
Contact details
The Canvas Club
16b Logan Road, Woolloongabba,
Brisbane; 07 3891 2111;
www.canvasclub.com.au;
Tues–Sun: until midnight
MoVida Next Door
164 Flinders Street, Melbourne;
03 9663 3038; www.movida.com.au;
Tues–Thurs: ‘late’; Fri–Sat: until midnight;
Sun: until 9pm
The Owl House
97 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney;
02 9357 5060; www.theowlhouse.com.au;
Tues–Sat: until midnight
Driven
Words: PAUL RODGER Photo: PHIL CARRICK
1
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire
has taken one of the AFL’s strongest clubs
to greater heights.
2
Hamish Blair/Getty Images
Onwards & upwards
Reaching the pinnacle of sporting success is difficult
enough in any competition. Harder still is maintaining it.
The Sydney Swans make it look easy. Since 1995 the club
has enjoyed a period of sustained success that has led to them
reaching the finals of the AFL competition in all but three
seasons. The high point was the club’s stirring win against
a determined West Coast Eagles side in the 2005 grand final.
Current senior coach John Longmire was among the Swans’ 1. Longmire says his V6 turbo-diesel Volkswagen Touareg “drives like a sports
car, but has plenty of room for the family” 2. Longmire with his charges during
coaching staff that year. He joined Sydney’s coaching ranks in
the 2011 finals campaign
2002 and took over from Paul Roos as senior coach at the start
of the 2011 season as part of a seamless transition. He says his
Teamwork is also paramount, all the more so because the
predecessor can take an enormous amount of credit for the
Swans
have built their success on the back of team
Swans’ outstanding performance in 2005—and for instilling
cooperation, not the exploits of big-name players.
a winning culture in the club in general.
Now in his second year at the helm, Longmire says he was
Longmire says Volkswagen’s role as major partner to the
inspired by Roos’ coaching style: “I was able to work under Sydney Swans has been a key element in their recent run of
Roos for eight-and-a-half years and I learned an enormous success. “I think it’s fantastic that one of the biggest and most
amount from him.”
respected brands in the world is associated with the Swans,”
Longmire brings to his current role not just enormous he says. “Without them it would be impossible to be
experience in an assistant coaching capacity but as a player. competitive every year.”
He played 200 games for North Melbourne, winning the
He says the partnership is a natural fit. “We’ve got the same
Coleman Medal in 1990 for the most goals kicked in a regular ideals: being consistent and always striving to get the best out
season. His 98 goals in that season included a record-breaking of ourselves,” he says. “We aren’t ones to blow our own
haul of 14 against Melbourne.
trumpets, either—we let our product do the talking for us.”
He capped off his playing career in style, leading the club to
Longmire says the Volkswagen Fan Zone is just one example
a barnstorming grand final victory over Carlton in 1999. His of the way the organisation lends support to the club. The Fan
511 goals in the club’s colours made him North Melbourne’s Zone can be found at every Swans home game. It offers fun
second-highest goalkicker ever, and he finished as the club’s activities for fans and the chance to record a rendition of the
leading goalkicker for five seasons.
Swans club song in the back of a Volkswagen vehicle that is
Longmire has brought his winning ways to the Swans. Not then shown on the big screen at half time.
only did the Swans have one of their best seasons in recent
“Volkswagen are very good at interacting with our
memory in 2012, but the club, under Longmire, achieved what supporters, as well as with our players and staff,” he says.
even Roos couldn’t during his tenure, beating powerhouse
“There’s no doubt our partnership with them helps us be
Geelong at Skilled Stadium last year. It was the Swans’ first win the best team we can be.”
there since 1999 and the first time the Cats had
Longmire says Volkswagen’s role as
been beaten at home in four years.
major partner to the Sydney Swans
Longmire says there’s no secret to the club’s
has been a key element in their recent
year-on-year success. “It’s all about hard work,”
run of success.
he explains.
up!
Words: PAUL RODGER
downsizing
Deluxe
Compact, economical and manoeuvrable,
the Volkswagen up! is changing the way urban
dwellers interact with their surroundings.
up!
1
It’s hard to deny the attractions of urban living—for certain A classically simple instrument panel design
types of individuals, at least. The buzz generated by the mix
incorporates a large round display with
of humanity found in big cities is a powerful lure. So, too, is
two small auxiliary displays to the left
proximity to restaurants, cultural attractions, specialist shops,
and right, and is topped with a Black Pearl
workplaces, friends and family.
dashboard cover.
City living, it seems, is more popular now than it has
ever been. And its appeal shows no sign of abating. Half of
humanity lives in metropolitan areas and it is predicted the figure will rise to as much as
2
70 per cent by 2050. In the Western world, at least, couples over the age of 50 are driving the
trend. With their kids having flown the nest and their large suburban houses largely empty,
older couples are finding the variety offered by conurbations and the joie de vivre of urban
life too great to ignore.
With Australian cities becoming more and more urbanised—led, in part, by a generation
of young families opting to sacrifice a house and backyard in favour of inner-city digs—
municipalities have sought to accommodate their burgeoning populations by implementing
a range of measures aimed at improving mobility. Not only have better public transport links
been introduced, but municipalities have looked to tackle the issue of sustainable energy
consumption in the battle against climate change.
It’s into this mix that Volkswagen introduces the up!, recipient of the 2012 World Car of the
Year award. Stylish and flexible, the new sub-compact vehicle is everything a city runabout
should be. It’s also a harbinger for a new generation of vehicles Volkswagen is calling the
‘New Small Family’. Designed with the constraints of the city landscape in mind, the up! will
carry urban travellers in style, take on the narrowest of streets and fit into small parking spaces,
3
all the while offering enough space to transport bulky items. It’s
the perfect city companion at a time when one is needed most.
Good looks and economy of size aren’t the only source of the
up!’s appeal. At a time when people are divesting themselves
of burdens and reducing their lives to the essentials, the up!
promises to charm savvy urbanites concerned about their
impact on the earth and wanting to take practical steps to
reduce their environmental footprint.
For a start, the up! is extremely lightweight, thanks to its use
of modern, high-strength metals. It incorporates a new threecylinder petrol engine made almost entirely from aluminium.
The newly developed five-speed gearbox, too, is substantially lighter than gearboxes
found in other vehicles of its size. With the burden of weight removed, the up! offers
sprightly acceleration.
The task of distilling urban mobility into its purest form and giving it a contemporary
twist was one Volkswagen’s design team, led by Head of Volkswagen Group Design Walter
de’Silva, approached with gusto. The new up! is the embodiment of the team’s goal to create a
vehicle that serves not only as a practical city runabout, but one that offers sustainable and
resource-conserving mobility.
While de’Silva has designed many cars throughout his career, he says the up!, the smallest
vehicle he has worked on, challenged him like no other. “Designing a small car requires the
utmost creativity to arrive at good, simple solutions,” he says.
There’s no doubt his vision has been realised. Good, simple solutions lie at the very
heart of the new up!, which is defined above all else by its perfectly proportioned shape.
With its short front and rear overhangs and wheels in each corner, it is the epitome
of a small car. At 3.54m long, it is 430mm shorter than Volkswagen’s erstwhile smallest car,
the Polo, but with a wheelbase only 49mm less. Keeping the wheelbase as long as possible
and providing the car with maximum track and vehicle width improve its handling and
on-road stability.
The up!’s compact dimensions have done nothing to dilute Volkswagen’s famously
clean styling. And it’s particularly striking how few lines it has taken to give the up! its
unique character. Viewed from the side, the car’s clearly defined wheel housing and
understated contour edge give it an unmistakable shape. Differences in the lower window
line help distinguish the 3-door from the 5-door model: the former is characterised by
an upswept lower window line, while the latter has a straight window line contributing
to a longer look.
Volkswagen’s familiar brand ‘face’ has been maintained at the front of the
vehicle, though de’Silva admits it led to fervent discussion among members of
the design team. With its emphasis on horizontal elements and the connection
of the grille and headlight to form a band, the fascia helps to integrate the newest
and smallest Volkswagen into the manufacturer’s family of models. But with its
round reflectors and large VW logo, the vehicle gives the appearance of smiling
more than other models in the Volkswagen range. “This was intended to make it likeable at
first glance,” de’Silva says.
At the rear, the unique vertical rear tail light design integrates seamlessly with the
hatch. The outer skin of the hatch consists of a continuous glass surface that provides
the high-tech and quality look of a smartphone. Lifting the rear door reveals interior
4
1. Compact and practical, the up! is the perfect city companion
2. Front seats feature integrated head restraints 3, 4. The up!
incorporates bold, new style features while remaining
unmistakably a Volkswagen
World Car of the Year winner
At this year’s New York International Motor
Show, the Volkswagen up! was given the
greatest accolade of all, beating 33 other
finalists to be named the 2012 World Car
of the Year. It’s a clear indication the vehicle
doesn’t just make promises: it delivers
on them. Voted on by 64 international
motoring journalists drawn from 25
countries, the award recognises this year’s
most outstanding vehicle across a range of
criteria, including performance, value, safety,
environmental impact and emotional appeal.
This is the third time Volkswagen has
won the World Car of the Year award. The
Volkswagen Polo achieved the honour in
2010 and the Golf VI won the title in 2009,
making for consecutive wins.
up!
Technical Specifications
Never before has innovation looked so good.
5
The story of perfection in home entertainment has been more than just shaped by Loewe – in 1931 Loewe presented
the first electronic television to the world. The pioneering spirit which led to the invention of this revolutionary
technology is still evident in each and every Loewe home entertainment system.
Individual Slim A clever Smart TV with a hard disk that can stream
recordings to different rooms wirelessly, and with 400Hz picture
quality for stunning sharpness of movement.
Reference Stand Speaker Electrostatic speakers with
striking wafer-thin membranes that produce a
particularly lively and transparent sound.
Individual Sound Projector One single narrow housing containing
42 speakers that together create a genuine surround sound –
perfect for those who place emphasis on an ultra-minimalist
space and a sizeable boot that you would barely think is possible when the car is
viewed from the outside. The up!’s intelligent loadspace concept means it offers
more than just comfort for its passengers. Its luggage compartment volume can
be expanded from 251 to 951 litres with the rear seats folded, a value usually only
attributed to large vehicles.
The up! offers an exceptionally strong value-for-money proposition. Even so, its
interior exudes the kind of quality look and feel one would expect of Volkswagen.
Seating is for four, with the front seats featuring integrated head restraints. A classically
simple instrument panel design incorporates a large, round display with two small
auxiliary displays to the left and right, and is topped with a Black Pearl dashboard
cover. Drivers needing help to negotiate inner-city byways can opt for a navigation (and
infotainment) system called maps + more that can be fitted above the ventilation and
radio controls, and that can be removed and used as an MP3 player. Round air vents,
high-quality switchgear and an instrument pod with easy-to-use dials continue the
theme of simplicity throughout the cabin.
There’s no mistaking the appeal of the up!, not just because it can be customised or
because it is perfectly suited to the constraints of city space. The torque curve of the engine
and the good power-to-weight ratio combine to produce superior driving dynamics that
make the up! downright fun to drive. And, of course, it comes with the seal of quality that
only a Volkswagen badge can provide.
The current iteration of the up! is just the beginning, with the vehicles in
Volkswagen’s ‘New Small Family’ set to revolutionise the way we think about mobility.
De’Silva sees the vehicle setting the standard by which future urban
transporters will be judged. “We don’t want the up! to be a niche
MODEL
product,” he says. “Rather, we aim comprehensively to meet the needs
ENGINE
of those customers who want small, functional cars.”
Those needs, as urban travellers in cities everywhere can attest,
TRANSMISSION
are fast becoming urgent, and the Volkswagen up! is just the car
MAX POWER (kW)
to meet them. To learn more about this remarkable vehicle, visit
MAX TORQUE (Nm)
www.volkswagenup.com.au
environment, or where space is at a premium.
specification highlights
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Excellent power-to-weight ratio
Three- and five-door body styles
Electro-mechanical power steering
City Emergency Braking function
Daytime driving lights in headlight housing
Classically simple dashboard design
MP3-compatible CD player and six speakers
SoundVision A revolutionary system with a large
touch screen display and room filling sound thanks
to six speakers cleverly engineered into a beautiful
compact polished aluminium housing.
6
5
year
warranty
Made in
Germany
Since 1923
5. Narrow city streets are the natural habitat of Volkswagen’s
newest and smallest vehicle 6. Small on the outside, big on the
inside, the up! is deceptively utilitarian
To learn more speak to one of our specialist dealers:
1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol
5-speed manual
55
95
www.loewe.tv/au
NSW: Balmain: New Fidelity, 02 9818 2333 Bondi Junction: Ordio, 02 9369 3600 Lane Cove: Len Wallis Audio, 02 9427 6755 Newcastle: Audio Junction, 02 4962 1490 Waterloo: Pure Interiors,
02 8021 2559 Wollongong: Sturman Electronics, 02 4226 6690 QLD: Fortitude Valley: Living Sound & Vision, 07 3552 7000 Virginia: Electronic Living, 1300 764 554 SA: Kadina: Russacks,
08 8821 1433 Malvern: A2V, 08 8357 7222 TAS: Hobart: Quantum Hi-Fi, 03 6231 0088 Launceston: Classic Sounds, 03 6334 2311 VIC: Camberwell: Musical Images, 03 9882 5520, Tivoli Hi-Fi, 03 9813 3533
Carlton: Carlton Audio Visual, 03 9639 2737 Frankston: Frankston Hi-Fi, 03 9781 1111 Prahran: Just Klapp, 03 9529 5966 Richmond: Encel Stereo, 03 9425 8111 ACT: Canberra: Duratone, 02 6282 1333
up!
Words: Kay Dohnke, Bernhard Schmidt
For such a small car, the up! succeeds in accommodating
a vast array of innovations. Designed from scratch to exacting
standards and a strict time scale, the up! has not only
met expectations, it has exceeded them. What are the key
developments? Volkswagen’s design crew explain …
Compact curves
Small car
The up! incorporates
far more innovation than
its size might suggest.
ideas
You could call it squaring the circle. After all, the task that
confronted Volkswagen engineer Herbert Ruholl in autumn
2007 sounded almost insoluble: he should design a new
Volkswagen model capable of setting new standards in terms
of comfort, safety and environmental friendliness, and make it
no more than 3.5m long. What’s more, the vehicle should offer
exceptional value for money.
Now, the up! is ready. Ruholl explains: “We simply could not
go and take items from the catalogue of existing Volkswagen
components. Not only would the car have been too heavy,
many parts are simply too big and they would have blown
the budget.”
Therefore, it was necessary to start from scratch. According
to Ruholl, that offered a great advantage: the team “had to
question everything and think in new ways. In that way,
you can come up with unexpected possibilities for making
technology simpler and less expensive whilst offering the
same function.”
And for Ruholl, it started on the outside, with the car’s
overall dimensions. He wanted to provide the up! with
overhangs as short as possible—the less space taken up by the
front and rear ends, the longer the wheelbase and the more
room available for the interior. The result? “Two adults can
also travel comfortably in the rear of the up!.”
Ruholl could talk for hours about what lurks beneath
the car’s metal skin—he knows every detail, of course. The
team even built a new engine that could be installed more
compactly and manufactured less expensively than any other
in the Volkswagen range.
“The requirements in terms of safety and fuel efficiency
were particularly exacting,” Ruholl says, “and, in some cases,
we were able to kill two birds with one stone—by selecting
ultra high-strength, but more lightweight, steel components.
“It could be that we have succeeded in making a particularly
big little car with the up!.” The result—a small car with the
highest quality—justifies the immense amount of work that
Volkswagen has devoted to the project.
Little big load (space)
Gerd Ommen had a big idea for Volkswagen’s little car:
a simple and practical false floor, the link-guided loadbed.
“Mr Ommen received a patent and a bonus for his variable
loadbed,” says Kerstin Doerenbruch, the head of department
for luggage compartment and rear seat development. “The
thing is really great.”
Originally, the up! was not intended to be given a doublelevel floor, but when materials engineer Doerenbruch saw the
1
1. Combination side/head airbags come as
standard, as well as an integrated head restraint
to prevent whiplash injury
The task that confronted engineer
Herbert Ruholl sounded almost
insoluble: he should design a new
Volkswagen model capable of setting
new standards in terms of comfort,
safety and environmental friendliness,
and make it no more than 3.5m long.
The up!’s three-cylinder engine is more compact than any other in the Volkswagen range
up!
a Navigon-branded system with voice control,
Bluetooth for hands-free telephony and much
more besides.
Information is king
ThinkBlue. Trainer gathers information about the
vehicle’s driving and gives the driver smart tips
for saving fuel. “you can precisely observe the
progress you are making,” Fesefeldt EXPLAINS,
“so saving fuel can be fun!”
So far, so good—but we have long since become
used to the magic of satellite navigation.
Therefore, the ‘more’ is of greater interest, says Martin Fesefeldt,
project manager for developing the infotainment system in the up!.
“If you press the music button on the five-inch colour
touchscreen, this turns the satnav into an MP3 player with a
32GB memory on a Micro SD card which you can upload playlists
onto at home.”
The up!’s on-board computer shows the mileage driven, speeds
and temperature, which are all nicely arranged in the clock
and tripmeter graphic. “maps + more gets its data from the car’s
central control unit,” Fesefeldt says.
Other functions include:
• Image viewer: allows the screen to be used like a digital picture
frame, while the radio and navigation continue to operate
• Notebook function: works by placing a finger on the touchscreen
• ThinkBlue. Trainer: gathers information about the vehicle’s
driving and gives the driver smart tips for saving fuel. “At the
same time, you can precisely observe the progress you are
making,” Fesefeldt explains, “so saving fuel can be fun!”
Additional applications are under preparation and will
be available later for direct download from the internet.
maps+more is an optional inclusion in an up! and it offers not
only navigation but also extensive vehicle-specific functions,
a Bluetooth hands-free device and a fully featured media player.
2
City Emergency Braking*
deep rear end that could hold a lot of things in spite of its short
length, it got her thinking.
“Imagine someone wants to load something heavy into it, such
as a large pot plant. First, they will have to lift it up and then guide it
low into the luggage compartment with their back bent. The same
in reverse when unloading,” she says.
She regarded it as essential to achieve the intermediate floor by
means of a removable shelf that was effortless to handle and able
to compensate for the 23.2cm difference in height.
“A solution has got to be simple, robust and refined, and
Mr Ommen came up with just the solution required.” One further
advantage: When the loadbed is in the upper position and the seat
backrest folded forwards, the up! has a flat loadbed.
The lightweight, carpet-covered honeycomb structure can be
operated with only one hand. It is held very practically in a guide,
and you only need to move it up or down as required. Maximum
load is 100kg.
The designers paid particular attention to the seats as well,
which can often be treated as poor relations in small cars.
Tim Brückner, the engineer responsible, explains: “For the first
time, we used laser welds on the seat frame, with a high-strength,
dual-phase steel.”
This allowed up to 4kg of weight to be saved—with the same seat
strength. Also, the customer does not have to dispense with either
comfort (complete seat heating and height adjustment fittings
are available) or safety. “The up! seat has combination side/head
airbags as standard, as well as an integrated head restraint to
prevent whiplash injury,” Brückner says.
In addition to the practical equipment to make people feel
comfortable, there are still more highlights in the interior.
The dashboard of the up! is as innovative as the entire
car. The entire top part is made of a single, although relatively
complicated, piece. “That was a real challenge,” says Steffen
Zimmer, spokesman for up! dashboard development.
“Nevertheless, we did not have to make any compromises on
the design.”
An additional highlight is optional: the infotainment system
on top of the dashboard. The device is called maps + more. It’s
2. Large parts of the underbody, including the driveshaft tunnel, are made of super highstrength steel 3. maps + more is a Personal Infotainment Device combining navigation,
telephony and entertainment in one easy-to-use system
3
A key new feature of the up! is the City Emergency
Braking function. This is a laser-based emergency braking
system designed to help a driver avoid a low-speed crash
or reduce its severity.
At vehicle speeds between 5km/h and 30km/h, City
Emergency Braking monitors an area 10m ahead of the
car for vehicles that might present a threat of collision.
If a collision is likely, City Emergency Braking first precharges the brakes and makes the Brake Assist system
more sensitive: if the driver should notice the risk, the
car is ready to respond more quickly to his or her
braking action.
However, if the driver still takes no action and a
collision becomes imminent, City Emergency Braking
independently applies the brakes.
*City Emergency Braking helps the driver avoid a low-speed crash or reduce
its severity when the vehicle is travelling between 5km/h and 30km/h. It is not a
substitute for the driver’s attentiveness, responsibility or driving skills. Function
may become inactive in some driving conditions or adverse weather.
Words: SAMANTHA STEVENS Photography: CHRIS BENNY
Golf GTI and Golf R
Twice the fun
Volkswagen’s turbocharged siblings, the Golf GTI and Golf R,
may share the same DNA, but subtle differences are
revealed on a spirited drive south of Sydney.
Golf GTI and Golf R
The sign, nestled like a bright yellow beacon amid the well-watered
bush of the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, warns of twisting roads for
the next 3.5km. We’re on a stunning stretch of asphalt, so close to the city, but
a world away from the stop-start traffic that can turn even the most potent
performance machines into tame commuter cars.
More importantly, it’s the kind of road that will lend clarity to a pressing
question: will driving two very similar cars in the same conditions and on the
same surface reveal one to be better than the other?
For almost four decades, the car credited with starting the hot-hatch genre
has reigned as the benchmark vehicle, the one to beat. The Golf GTI is so darn
good, even its top-shelf Golf R sibling has adopted a similar 2.0-litre engine, as
well as its skeleton. But this has brought the Mk VI Golf GTI and Golf R models
so close together, both inside and out, that an uneducated eye may not spot
the difference until the badges come in to focus.
Of course, the R-rated Golf is faster, with more power, more grip and
subtle tweaks to hone its performance. Members of the same family, from
a distance the Golf R looks very similar to the Golf GTI, albeit with
certain styling cues that hint at the Golf R’s prodigious performance. But
hold your horsepower; get up close and differences in the two cars soon
reveal themselves.
When viewed from the side, the Golf GTI sets itself apart not only from
the Golf R but from most other vehicles on the road with its trademark
scalloped 17-inch alloys, hiding red brake calipers at both ends.
There are noticeable differences at the front of the vehicles, too. The Golf GTI
maintains the trademark red-striped grille that has adorned its face since
birth, while the Golf R’s nose is blacked out.
Golf R: Making more with less
Believe it or not, Volkswagen switched from a V6
powerplant in the Golf R to a trusty turbocharged
2.0-litre four not because of economies of scale,
but because of the economy itself.
The last few generations of R-model Golfs
earned the moniker ‘R32’ because of the 3.2-litre
V6 shoehorned into its engine bay. It was an
amazing drivetrain, but times have changed.
Turbocharging is now at the forefront of engine
technology both in power and in fuel economy,
and the Golf R’s powerplant generates 4kW more
power and 10Nm torque than the superseded six.
And, most importantly, while the Golf R’s power,
weight and all-wheel-drive layout pushes its fuel
consumption up to 8.6L/100km in DSG form—the
highest in the Golf range—it still undercuts the
magic 200 mark on emissions at 197g/km*. In
comparison, the V6 clocked 269g/km of CO2 and
drank 10.8L/100km* in manual guise. The move
to the 2.0-litre turbo was as inevitable as it has
proved desirable.
*Combined figures as per ADR 81/02.
At the rear, the Golf GTI’s dual exhaust pipes are mounted at either side,
while the Golf R’s two pipes are centre-mounted. Apart from bright blue dials
Attractive alloys
instead of red, R-branded scuff plates, and a speedo that reaches 300km/h
The Golf R’s 18-inch Talladega alloy wheels
instead of the Golf GTI’s 280km, the interior of the Golf R is nearly identical to
(upper image) set it apart from the Golf GTI
with its 17-inch Denver alloys (lower image).
the Golf GTI’s.
Both are striking enough to catch the eye but
But drive both cars back to back on that winding bit of road, and the inherent
don’t detract from the vehicles’ clean lines.
differences in their handling could not be more pronounced.
It starts with the powerplant. In the Golf GTI, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four
develops 155kW and 280Nm for on-demand grunt and an involving whoosh
and pop from the air intakes and exhaust. Or you can tootle about town and
completely forget it’s a turbo.
But trick it up with sharper tuning, induction and exhaust, and other go-fast
tweaks, and you hand the Golf R an additional 33kW of power and 50Nm of
torque. Where the Golf GTI pulls away with authority, the Golf R is more
theatrical in both sound and urgency. The roar of air through the ducting and
the engine itself is louder, and the exhaust is deliciously throaty.
Power aside, the other obvious difference between the models is in their
transmissions. While the Golf GTI has, for almost four decades, been a frontdrive car, the Golf R models have managed to wedge a rear differential under
the boot. The Golf R’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is not full-time; rather,
it varies the torque split between the front and rear wheels to provide optimum
grip for the conditions at hand.
It’s a brilliant system, and you can feel (and sometimes even hear) it working
underneath the seat. Tackling the same set of damp corners highlighted the
system’s advantages, with the Golf R inspiring just a touch more confidence
on entry, and allowing an earlier application of throttle on exit. The Golf GTI’s
front-driven wheels handled both steering and power on uphill corners with
poise and confidence, while the Golf R dug all four paws in with gusto.
If the Golf R feels a little more planted, it’s not just because of the all-wheel
drive system; weight is also a factor. The Golf R is that bit heavier, keeping it
steady on the road and allowing the driver precise control. The Golf GTI, on
the other hand, feels more forgiving, while still offering the driver confidence
through twists and turns.
But the comparison is not quite that simple; the Golf R’s trade-off between
weight and grip can be felt when the surface is less than ideal.
On patchy strips of cracked tarmac, the Golf GTI’s softer
suspension and more malleable rubber absorb much of the
harshness while still gripping the surface. The Golf R’s from a distance the Golf R looks very
reaction is more communicative but also much firmer; it’s similar to the Golf GTI, albeit with
easier to feel the road’s surface imperfections under the certain styling cues that hint at the
Golf R’s prodigious performance.
vehicle’s stiff springs and thinner tyres.
Golf GTI and Golf R Technical Specifications
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The Golf GTI allows more leeway in its The Golf R’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is not
dynamics as well as its ride. The softer tyre and full-time; rather, it varies the torque split between
suspension package offered by the Golf GTI, the front and rear wheels to provide optimum grip
along with its lighter weight, means you can brake for the conditions at hand.
hard and late into corners and still find superb
grip and punch on the way out. Take a corner in the Golf R and its stiffer
suspension asserts itself.
Both vehicles could have driven up and down that stretch of road
all day—as could their drivers—but the answer to our original question
MODEL
Golf R
was obvious.
Comparing the two cars on the same set of corners truly revealed the
ENGINE
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol
greater depth of performance offered by the Golf R. For the driving
TRANSMISSION
6 speed DSG and manual
enthusiast, the search for the extra tenth is always on. Compromises are
MAX POWER (kW)
188
shunned and the urge to find extra speed, stopping power and grip can be
great. With the upgrades already installed, the car of choice for the driver
MAX TORQUE (Nm)
330
wanting serious performance above all else is an easy one.
DRIVEN WHEELS
4MOTION all-wheel drive
And yet it is difficult to look beyond the Golf GTI for its all-round ability
and astonishing mix of raw performance and day-to-day driveability.
MODEL
Golf GTI
If the Golf R’s package is uncompromising, then the Golf GTI’s
ENGINE
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol
is comprehensive.
TRANSMISSION
6 speed DSG and manual
While drivers have to pay a premium for the extra punch offered by the
Golf R, it’s clear both vehicles offer astonishing value for money.
MAX POWER (kW)
155
Neither the versatile Golf GTI nor the potent Golf R offer anything less
MAX TORQUE (Nm)
280
than a scintillating driving experience. So the question becomes: just how
DRIVEN
WHEELS
Front-wheel drive
much performance do you want in your performance car?
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Concept Cars
Words: Andrew Kerr
1
motion
motion
motion
The future in
Volkswagen’s concept cars are not just a foretaste of production
vehicles to come, they are a showcase for innovative technology.
Time and again,
Volkswagen designers have proved themselves to be prolific
2
innovators with the vision and confidence to put the future in motion. Revisiting
Volkswagen concept cars from the past decade or so, we see design ambition
and pioneering innovation consistently combined to great effect. And because
Volkswagen’s current production models have all drawn inspiration from cars designed
in concept, there are powerful links to the present.
A good example of a Volkswagen concept car reworked for production is the Concept A
from 2006. This vision for the ideal Volkswagen was further developed to create the
popular Tiguan SUV.
The Concept A’s drivetrain featured an advanced TSI petrol engine with both a
turbocharger and supercharger. It was coupled with a six-speed DSG transmission that
drove all four wheels via Volkswagen’s 4MOTION system—just what Tiguan customers
have enjoyed ever since production began.
(Opposite) The sleek XL1 is the third iteration of a vehicle designed
The dynamic and sporting appeal of this drivetrain was matched by the Concept A’s
to showcase Volkswagen’s commitment to sustainable motoring
go-anywhere attitude. Designers combined a hatch for the rounded rear with a fold-down
1. Volkswagen’s Concept A was the forerunner of the Tiguan SUV
panel in the style of a true utility vehicle. And special underbody protection reinforced
2. The name Beetle Ragster denoted a cross between a ‘ragtop’
and a speedster
the Concept A’s derring-do. Novel structural features included opposing opening
doors on each flank and a concertina soft-top that stretched back to the rear pillars.
Of course, Volkswagen caters for carefree cruising as
well as cutting-edge performance, and several striking
convertible concepts have previewed future open-top
models. The Beetle Ragster concept was unveiled to great Because Volkswagen’s current production
acclaim at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show. Its Targa-style models have all drawn inspiration from
roof hinted at the future roof structure of the Beetle cars designed in concept, there are powerful
convertible. Looking like a cross between a traditional links to the present.
Concept Cars
3
the strong performance from a 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel balanced by the adoption
of lightweight materials and a DSG transmission for slick, efficient gearshifts. On top of
this, an eco-mode encouraged the activation of an automatic Stop/Start system and
energy regeneration under braking.
The would-be prototypes keep coming. One of them, the Cross Coupé concept,
which was unveiled by Volkswagen at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, features an ultraefficient drivetrain of the future combined with far-sighted packaging solutions in a
compact family vehicle with genuine off-road potential. The Cross Coupé’s long
wheelbase suggests great seating comfort, while its very short overhangs reinforce a
dynamic appearance and enhanced off-road ability.
But perhaps Volkswagen’s greatest expression of its commitment to sustainable
motoring is the recent XL1 concept car. Its teardrop shape and two-seater packaging
are influenced by Volkswagen’s remarkable 1-Litre vehicle (2002) and L1 concept
(2009), both built with a vision of travelling 100km on a litre of fuel.
This small coupé weighs just 795kg thanks to advanced new materials in the body
structure and a manufacturing system patented by Volkswagen. Lightweight
magnesium, ceramics and aluminium are also used extensively, and the XL1’s 0.186
drag coefficient is significantly lower than that of any existing road car. Power comes
from a mid-mounted 800cc two-cylinder diesel and an electric motor, while drive is
directed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox.
The super-efficient XL1 might not be destined for production but as with many other
ground-breaking Volkswagen concepts, its advanced technology is likely to feature in a
future generation of Volkswagen models.
5
6
5. The mid-engined Volkswagen Concept BlueSport combined
agility with frugality 6. The IROC helped inform the current-model
Scirocco R 7. The Cross Coupé, unveiled at last year’s Tokyo
Motor Show, can accommodate a variety of drivetrains
7
rag-top and a speedster, the Ragster featured shortened The super-efficient XL1 might not be destined
A-pillars and a distinctive U-shaped roof.
for production but its advanced technology
Earlier this year, Volkswagen again chose Detroit to unveil is likely to feature in a future generation of
the E-Bugster, which continues the chopped-down Volkswagen models.
windscreen look and features a simple, elegant, removable
hardtop. The fresh detailing previews that of the upcoming
convertible Beetle, while the drivetrain points to the running
gear of an all-electric Golf of the future.
But if ever a concept car demonstrated that up-to-the-minute design could fuel global
4
customer demand, it was the IROC of 2006. This muscular three-door with its aggressive,
road-hugging stance and elongated roofline promised to entertain like the best sports
coupés while offering four-seater practicality and good luggage space. The IROC was
based on the Golf platform and powered by the 1.4-litre twin-charged TSI engine that
had been developed for the Golf. Its name came from the four middle letters in ‘Scirocco’,
Volkswagen’s popular coupé from the 1970s and ’80s. The current Scirocco R production
car has adopted both the classic Scirocco name and most of the IROC’s bold design cues.
Pushing the boundaries
Even the vehicles that have not ventured beyond concept stage remain important for
the future. For instance, the innovative design that attended the super-efficient Concept
BlueSport has been kept firmly in mind for Volkswagen models to come. A compact
roadster with sporting aspirations to match its eco-credentials, the BlueSport
was mid-engined with rear-wheel drive. Agility and economy went hand in hand, with
3. The XL1’s ultra-sleek design and use of lightweight materials
help it achieve outstanding fuel consumption figures 4. The
E-Bugster concept car is an all-electric variant of the classic
Volkswagen Beetle
Retro revolution
Words: GABI MILLS
Retro
revolution
1
2
3
There’s no end to what today’s technology can do for us. But in the rush to
rationalise our lives, have we lost sight of some simple pleasures?
It’s a digital age we live in. No matter what it is we want to
do, there’s a device available to help us—and do it faster and
more easily than was possible last year or the year before that.
When we want information we need go no further than the
internet. It’s available when we want it, too, thanks to mobile
networks and portable devices. Syncing our calendars,
contacts and diaries, once a pipe dream, is now a breeze.
It’s curious, then, that in spite of this high-tech avalanche,
it’s possible to discern a renewed interest in objects
of distinction from last century. Record players, antique
furniture, old Polaroid cameras, quality stationery—all have
found favour among arbiters of taste for the simple pleasures
they provide.
As obsolescence kicks in ever faster, more and more people
are finding satisfaction in using objects from the past. We
will never give up our modern tools. But utilising the speed
and convenience of the latest technology, while still finding
a place for outmoded objects, is proving an irresistible
combination.
Take your smartphone or tablet, for example. Sure, they are
a terrific way to carry around your contacts list, calendar and
other critical information. But what if the battery is flat or you
left it at home and need to make an urgent call? We revert
to simple behaviours of the past. We head for the nearest
landline, consult the White Pages or call directory assistance.
1. Fountain pens recall the days when putting thoughts down on paper
was a joy 2. Antique furniture is a must-have for the discerning retronaut
3. Forget megapixels—Polaroids are the new cool
Similarly, although there is a huge (and growing) selection
of productivity, note-taking and organisational apps available
on all mobile platforms, it’s hard to beat the simplicity and
utility of pencil and paper. To borrow the parlance of our
times, pens and paper are platform-neutral, they’re fully
compatible with other pens and paper, they won’t run out of
power, and they certainly won’t break if you drop them.
The retronauts among us seem determined to cling to a
version of our pasts, perhaps associated with happy memories
of childhood, family traditions or even something we saw
at the movies. This is good news for those in the business
of providing products that pre-date the digital revolution.
Melbourne’s Zenith Records, for instance, presses its
own vinyl records for artists keen to create an authentic,
warm vinyl sound, reminding us of the days when we hovered
a stylus over an album expectantly.
As obsolescence kicks in ever faster, more
and more people are finding satisfaction
in using objects from the past.
Retro revolution
4
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5
4. An email still can’t compete with a thoughtful,
hand-written letter 5. Leather-bound diaries like
this one are finding their way back into briefcases
and satchels
The rise of retro culture also has some basis in our desire to
reclaim tactile control of our tools of communication. Using a proper
Blackwing pencil for sketching, or a Montblanc fountain pen to
write a thank-you note with, has far more resonance for many than
something created with keyboard and mouse.
Similarly, witness the growth in popularity of specialty stationery
stores, art supply stockists and online retailers. Offering a vast
range of paper, pens and other accessories that appeal to
all tastes and budgets, they’ll help you get in touch with your
inner retronaut.
Apps like Crayola, Penultimate and ArtRage all allow us to give
vent to our creative urges. But there are good reasons for using the
real thing—the smell of wax crayon in hand, the gentle flex of a
favourite notebook, the paint-soaked brushes in a jar.
Perhaps our renewed interest in retro devices and designs
is driven by a desire to remind those around us that we
acknowledge the past. That film camera that can do what even
the latest digital camera can’t isn’t just proof that quality is for
the ages. It’s a statement that, in matters of design, we’re happy
to embrace all the advances of our era but we’re just as content to go
back to the days before technology ate itself.
Pens and paper are platform-neutral,
They’re fully compatible with other
pens and paper, and they certainly
won’t break if you drop them.
Get the tools
If you’re assembling a quality daily toolkit
of retro gear, here are a few vital inclusions:
Little black notebook: Moleskine may be
the brand with the name recognition but
look out for Rhodia, Leuchtturm 1917,
Behance and others. Or you might prefer a
notebook in a different format; try Maruman,
Midori, Clairefontaine, O-Check, Delfonics
or Whitelines for something different.
Pens and pencils: You don’t need to carry
a fountain pen (and if you do, it doesn’t
need to be an expensive one) but a couple
of good pens—ballpoint, gel ink or rollerball,
depending on preference—are vital. A pencil
is always handy but don’t automatically reach
for a mechanical model; woodcase pencils
are making a big comeback. Names like
Blackwing, Musgrave, Faber-Castell, Tombow
and Koh-I-Noor are all respected.
Address book: A vital companion to your
notebook, an address book is an invaluable
backup to your phone’s contacts list. Try
Moleskine, Day Planner and Filofax.
Pencil case: Letting all your gear rattle
around inside your bag isn’t a great idea
but you’ll probably want something nicer
than a $1.99 plastic number from the
supermarket. Check out offerings from
Crumpler, O-Check, Delfonics, Papelote,
Nomadic and Kokuyo for starters.
YouVW is the exclusive
online destination for
Volkswagen owners.
To help you get the
most from your YouVW
experience, some new
features include:
• Owner benefits, including exclusive pre-sale
tickets to sporting and entertainment events.
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• Discover the latest and previous editions of Das.
Magazine and Volkswagen Magazine, giving you
exclusive access to exciting Volkswagen news from
Australia and around the world.
Register using your Owners ID or sign in at www.youvw.com.au
Find your Owners ID on the flysheet provided with this magazine.
Conditions apply, see volkswagenaustralia.com.au/youvwcompetition2012. Open to Aust residents 18+ who hold a current valid Aust driver’s licence for a continuous period of at least 3 yrs & who own a
Volkswagen. Starts 20/9/12 & ends 9am AEDST 20/11/12. Max 1 entry per person. Draw: 11am AEDST 22/11/12 at Ste 3, Erina Plaza 210 The Central Coast Highway, Erina NSW 2250. Winner published in
The Australian 29/11/12. Total prize valued at $3,000. Volkswagen Driving Experience redeemable in Syd, Melb, Perth, Adel or Bris in 2013 only (subject to availability). All costs associated with attending are
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Summer
2013No.TP12/3542
Volkswagen Magazine 37
Words: PAUL RODGER
Beetle
New century,
new Beetle
Volkswagen’s latest Beetle combines tradition and
audacity in a triumph of modern design.
The Beetle’s silhouette is simultaneously familiar and strikingly original
Beetle
Overseas model shown
Not many cars can lay claim to the description ‘iconic’. But ask anyone to
name a car worthy of the description and it’s likely the Volkswagen Beetle will
come to mind.
Loved the world over for its quirky styling, practicality and sense of fun, the
Beetle captured the public imagination like few other cars. The proof is in the
numbers. More than 21 million Beetles were sold between 1938 and the end of
production in 2003. By the time the last one rolled off the production line, the
Beetle had become the longest-running and most-manufactured car of a
single design platform anywhere in the world. In the process it came to
embody Volkswagen’s ‘people’s car’ philosophy.
The Beetle changed what drivers wanted in a car. Now it has been updated
and is ready to embrace the 21st century.
It’s a credit to Volkwagen’s designers that this, the third iteration of the
famous nameplate, manages to maintain the spirit of the classic Beetle in a
vehicle so resolutely modern. The new Beetle integrates the past and future,
combines traditional with contemporary, but never forsakes the essence
of the original.
On the outside, the new Beetle’s lines are redolent of its ancestor’s, but with
a stance that is wider, longer and flatter. The rounded headlights remain, as do
the flared arches and protruding lower sills, but the new Beetle has been given
a lower, sportier look. This has been achieved by making the bonnet longer
and the windscreen significantly steeper. Retro styling still takes pride
of place, but this 21st-century Beetle has been given an altogether more
purposeful look and feel.
Just as the Beetle’s body shape pays homage to its roots, so too does
its interior.
Expansive body-coloured dash panels and door rails evoke memories of the
classic Beetle. So does the instrument cluster, with its speedo in the middle
and rev counter and fuel gauge positioned either side. A flat-bottomed
steering wheel is a modern flourish and brings a sporty edge to the Beetle’s
sophisticated interior.
There’s plenty of load space, too. By extending the new Beetle’s wheelbase,
the interior has been made larger and the luggage compartment volume
increased to 310 litres. Loading bulky objects is made easy now that the Beetle
has a wider hatch aperture, while items can be transported on the folding rear
seat bench. In the front, a practical, but discreet, storage compartment fits
seamlessly into the dashboard and continues the retro theme.
Volkswagen’s new Beetle proves it’s possible to have it all. While still offering
a nod to its heritage, the new Beetle is undeniably a vehicle for this century.
A modern classic? It’s already shaping as one.
The new Beetle integrates
the past and future ... but
never forsakes the essence
of the original.
Volkswagen’s latest Beetle is a classic in the making
Caddy Edition 30
Overseas model shown
Stylish delivery
A special-edition Volkswagen Caddy has been released
to celebrate the popular van’s 30th anniversary.
For the past
three decades the Volkswagen Caddy has
been the delivery van and people mover of choice for
discerning drivers everywhere. With its efficient engine,
adaptable use of space and brilliant handling, it is agile,
comfortable and versatile enough to be put to use in myriad
situations—whether for work or for pleasure.
This year marks 30 years since the release of the first Caddy
and to celebrate the milestone Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicles has introduced an exciting special-edition version,
the Caddy Edition 30.
The short-wheelbase 5-seater people mover is offered
with the same 103kW engine and 6-speed DSG transmission
currently featured in the Caddy Maxi Comfortline TDI320.
However, a number of exciting visual changes have been
made that set the special edition apart. Externally,
the Caddy Edition 30 incorporates a black roof panel, 17’’
‘Budapest’ alloy wheels with black highlights, fog lights,
roof rails, twin halogen headlights and painted bumpers.
Unique Caddy Edition 30 signatures on the sliding doors and
at the back of the vehicle distinguish the special edition from
other Volkswagen Caddys on the road.
Inside, the build quality and attention to detail are
everything one would expect of a Caddy. The special edition,
however, gives the driver that bit more. The Caddy Edition 30
receives high-quality Alcantara interior upholstery, as well
as a plethora of driver conveniences such as leather steering
wheel, full interior trim and climate control. If that didn’t
make it exclusive enough, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
will restrict sales to 75 units.
Of course, the Caddy Edition 30 isn’t just about performance
and practicality with a stylish twist. Consider the impressive
fuel consumption and environmental figures that are a
Caddy hallmark. Add to them a comprehensive list of safety
and security features and it’s clear the Caddy Edition 30 is
the smart choice for the small business owner and busy
family alike.
The special-edition Caddy Edition 30 was launched in
Australia in October 2012.
With its efficient engine, adaptable use
of space and brilliant handling, it is
agile, comfortable and versatile enough
to be put to use in myriad situations—
whether for work or for pleasure.
As practical and reliable as ever, but with a dash of style
Words: PAUL RODGER
Passat Alltrack
City, country,
everywhere
Few vehicles combine versatility, refinement and
style as successfully as the Passat Alltrack.
Passat Alltrack
What’s in a name? In the case of the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, a
1
2
1. Pressing the off-road button beside the gear lever helps prevent
wheelspin on slippery surfaces 2. Bi-Xenon headlights incorporate static
and dynamic cornering lights 3. Comfort reigns supreme in the cabin
passenger car promising familiar levels of cultivation, performance and
safety, but sure-footed enough to meet any of the demands placed on it.
An urban cruiser not averse to dirt, dust or gravelly grades. A refined family
wagon concealing the restless heart of an explorer.
The Alltrack is a Passat with a difference. It’s meant to go where the
standard Passat can not.
The elevated ground clearance of the Passat Alltrack provides the
first clue to its capability. At 165mm and with high approach and
departure angles to keep the front and rear clear of ground contact,
the Alltrack looks ready to tackle any terrain. But its ability to handle
the rough stuff is more than skin deep. Stainless steel underbody
protection panels and Volkswagen’s proprietary 4MOTION four-wheel
drive technology combine to send an unambiguous message: this is a
vehicle that can handle whatever comes its way.
Designed to look and feel like a city car, but capable of withstanding
challenging road surfaces, Volkswagen’s new all-rounder occupies the gap
between the Passat range and the Tiguan and Touareg SUVs. On offer to
Australian buyers will be the same spirited and efficient engine found in
the Passat sedan, wagon and Volkswagen CC: a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
producing 125kW and 350Nm.
Although it may straddle traditional car categories, the Passat Alltrack
does nothing by halves. Take it off the beaten track and the electronic offroad system helps to keep it planted and in control.
Activated by pressing a discreet console-mounted button, off-road
function transforms the Passat Alltrack from sedate road cruiser into
an all-terrain adventurer. Its intuitive DSG transmission alters the
gearbox’s shift patterns and throttle response. ABS brakes are modified
so they respond more effectively on loose or slippery road surfaces. And
electronic differential locks react more rapidly to prevent wheelspin of
individual wheels.
In addition, off-road function activates the Passat Alltrack’s hill descent
assist program, which automatically brakes the car when a certain descent
angle has been exceeded. Even with a trailer added, tow vehicle and trailer
are kept stable and moving in a straight line.
The Passat Alltrack features a generous range of technology as
standard, including fatigue detection, automatic air conditioning
and tyre pressure indicator. It’s also a miser when it comes to fuel
consumption, employing Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technologies such
as engine Start/Stop system, Brake Energy Recuperation and Coasting
Function to maximise a tank of diesel. Driver assist systems, such as Lane
Assist, which provides steering feedback to the driver when the car is about
to leave its lane, Side Assist and Bi-Xenon headlights incorporating LED
daytime driving lights with static and dynamic cornering lights, can be
selected as options. So too can Volkswagen’s new-generation Park Assist 2,
which guides drivers when entering or exiting a parking space.
3
The Passat Alltrack will be that unique combination of touring wagon
when it is released in Australia this year: equally at home
on smooth bitumen, rutted country lane or craggy outback Activated by pressing a discreet Consoleincline. Versatile, and with all the comfort and style one has mounted button, off-road function
come to expect from Volkswagen’s venerable Passat range, transforms the Alltrack from sedate road
cruiser into an all-terrain adventurer.
expect to see the Passat Alltrack (literally) everywhere.
Think Blue.
Words: Philippa Todhunter
Making every drop count
From energy-saving initiatives at its plants, to summer camps,
apps and an eco-driving contest, Volkswagen is leading the way
on sustainability.
Eco Driving Challenge winner
shows how it’s done
The winner of Volkswagen’s ‘Think Blue.
Eco Driving Challenge’ is all set to
represent Australia at the ‘Think Blue.
World Championship 2012’ in Los Angeles.
Sarah Bernard averaged 5.1L/100km to
win this year’s competition and secure
her place in the eco-driving challenge,
which will be held on 25–29 November.
Sarah was one of 12 contestants
chosen to take part in the Eco Driving
Challenge. Participants were shortlisted
after they were asked to submit their
most innovative and practical ideas on
sustainability. They were then flown to
Canberra and asked to put their ecodriving skills to the test. Four cars were
used, all featuring Volkswagen BlueMotion
technologies: Golf, Tiguan, Volkswagen
CC and Touareg. Contestants drove two
different courses in each car at Canberra’s
Mount Stromlo. Their fuel consumption
figures were recorded and then averaged
to reveal the winner.
Now Sarah will have the opportunity
to pit her eco-driving skills against the
world’s best.
Volkswagen is never short on innovative ideas for making sustainability a blast.
a clever addition to the event
will be the new ‘think BluE. world
championship.’ app, whIch will
allow everyone and anyone to
try their hand at eco-driving.
From ‘you-powered’ photo booths to interactive bins, environmental awareness has
never been so exciting. The company has one simple rule for making going green easy
and enjoyable: all you have to do is ‘Think Blue.’
Leading by example, Volkswagen implemented its ‘Think Blue. Factory.’ initiative
aimed at practising the ‘Think Blue.’ philosophy in its production plants. This project is
committed to making more efficient use of energy, materials and water during production
and to reduce the emissions of CO2 and pollutants.
Volkswagen of Mexico recently presented its impressive results at the Fair of
Puebla, 137km east of Mexico City. In the past seven years, for each car produced
at its factory outside the city the use of electrical energy decreased by 30 per
cent, natural gas by 25 per cent and potable water by 32 per cent. Embodying
the ‘Think Blue.’ attitude of environmental responsibility, Volkswagen aims to
reduce the environmental impact of production by 25 per cent in all its plants
by 2018. According to Hubert Waltl, Member of the Board of Management of
the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand with responsibility for Production and
Logistics: “Responsible mobility goes hand in hand with environmentally compatible
production. It’s why Volkswagen is forging ahead with its ‘Think Blue. Factory.’ concept.”
Grounded in the philosophy of creating a sustainable future by promoting
environmental awareness, Volkswagen’s campaign centres on fresh ideas and attitudes
to sustainability. So what better way to launch ‘Think Blue.’ in the United States than by
inspiring a little innovation among the younger generation? Joining forces with Normal
Park School near its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Volkswagen launched its ‘Think
Blue. Ideas.’ contest, in which it asked pupils to present their ideas on ecological
sustainability before a panel. From the weird and wacky to the interesting and ingenious,
the results were astonishingly varied. The project highlighted how ‘Think Blue.’ is an
attitude anyone can contribute to.
Come November, Volkswagen will challenge participants from all over the world to
demonstrate responsible mobility at the ‘Think Blue. World Championship 2012.’.
Competitors, including the recent winner of Australia’s ‘Think Blue. Eco Driving
Challenge’ (see sidebar) will be given free rein to demonstrate their fuel-saving skills.
A clever addition to the event will be the new ‘Think Blue. World Championship.’ app,
which will allow everyone and anyone to try their hand at eco-driving. The game, which
can be played on iOS devices and Facebook, is yet another example of the ways
Volkswagen is engaging people with the idea of environmental sustainability.
As Luca de Meo, Head of Group Marketing, put it, “The principle of ‘Think Blue.’ is
perfectly reflected by the game and inspires everyone to join us in making our everyday
driving behaviour more responsible in an exciting and entertaining way.”
For information on Volkswagen’s ‘Think Blue.’ philosophy and to join in on the fun,
visit www.volkswagen.com.au/thinkblue.
1. Sarah Bernard celebrates winning the ‘Think Blue. Eco Driving
Challenge’ with rally driver turned eco-driving expert Ed Ordynski
1
History
Volkswagen in
Australia
When Volkswagen AG established an
assembly operation in the Melbourne
suburb of Clayton in 1954, it didn’t take
long for Australians to warm to the small,
reliable and hardy newcomer from Germany. Extracts from the book Volkswagen in Australia: The Forgotten
Story, by brothers Rod and Lloyd Davies, reveal Australians’ love affair with these ‘home-made’ Volkswagens.
Fitting the trim
Early brochures
‘VOLKSWAGEN comes to Australia’ is
the slogan of this 1954 promotional
leaflet (top left). It is believed to be
one of the first brochures presented
to the Australian public by the new
Volkswagen distributors, Regent
Motors (Holdings) Pty Ltd. Refreshing in
its advertising style, Volkswagen simply
referred to their car’s high quality of
manufacture and the company’s unique
approach to transport.
Competing with a multitude of British
and American cars in the automotive
market, Volkswagen, inspired by its
international success, boldly set about
its flamboyant advertising style, no
boasting or wild claims, simply letting
the little car speak for itself.
Volkswagen, during these early
days, rebuked dealers, agents and the
motoring press who referred to the VW
1200 as a ‘beetle’ or ‘bug’. However, as
sales momentum grew, these descriptive
names eventually took hold.
Inside the Clayton plant (top left),
Volkswagen 1200 De Luxe Sedans
proceed down one of the trim lines at
more than 100 vehicles per shift. Slowly,
in an unending stream, the painted
bodies would be fitted with their
respective trims, only to rise again
on the overhead conveyor.
From here, the gleaming bodies
were transported to the final line where
‘the marriage’ of the floorpan with its
running gear joined the body. Note the
body to one side of the line, probably
pulled to receive special treatment.
Panels welded
The constant din of air tools and hand-
held spot welders added to the
general noise surrounding each of the
two VW 1200 main jigs (top right). The
birth of each car in the Welding Shop
from raw metal gave rise to the shape
of the new Volkswagen Beetle.
The jig assisted workers to accurately
position the relevant body parts prior
to final welding. These assembled
bodies would be lifted onto the
conveyor with guards attached, then
transferred to the paint dip.
Time for a dip
The ‘black dip’ (bottom right) was
used for giving each Volkswagen
a protective coat of anti-corrosion
paint to the bare metal of all sections.
Unique to Australian automobile
manufacture, the tank held 7000
gallons of primer paint, used for
all pressed panels for storage and
later assembly.
Having been completely immersed
in the special primer, the body
shells were ready to begin their
journey through the labyrinth of
painting booths and drying ovens.
Volkswagen at this time was the
only Australian motor vehicle
manufacturer to completely dip car
bodies in paint. By the late 1960s,
this process was superseded
by electrophoretic dipping.
At Continental we share the
passion for driving with the
desire for safety.
History
Sound deadening
VW factory workers (left) spray
adhesive glue onto special sounddeadening material, which was then
affixed to the chassis in readiness for
the completed bodies.
Time for spot welding
A late-1950s VW 1200 Sedan (right,
middle) in the making at Clayton.
Workers on the Panel Jig accurately
place a roof panel in position for spot
Rod and Lloyd Davies
have this to say about their
homage to the Volkswagen
brand:
“This ‘labour of love’ is
the culmination of three
years work of passion and
persistence, including
wonderful friendships made
and strengthened. We hope
welding. Care is taken at this stage
as the car’s foundation must register
with all components further along the
assembly line. Methods of assembly
and manufacture were adopted from
Wolfsburg in Germany, guiding the
Australian-built Volkswagens to an
enviable reputation for top quality.
Later, Clayton adopted Australianmade ‘Dorman’ welding guns, favoured
by the Body Shop workers as they had
no ‘kick’ when welding.
these words and images leave
you with an indelible memory
of those carefree days when
the look of a Volkswagen and
the sound of an air-cooled
motor was commonplace on
our roads. Producing this
book is our way of preserving
a part of our Australian
Volkswagen heritage.”
Final touches
The Paint Shop area (bottom right),
with not a protective face mask in sight.
Attention to detail was paramount,
with all work inspected for any paint
defects. Here, low-temperature drying
enamel paint is used for repairs.
To the right can be seen touch-up
spray painting, and workers rubbing
primer coats ready for baking. The next
process would be the final colour coat,
followed by further baking.
Volkswagen in Australia:
The Forgotten Story by Rod
and Lloyd Davies was first
published in 2004. A copy of
the book can be obtained by
calling AF Publications on
03 9720 1153, by e-mailing
[email protected]
or by writing to PO Box 685,
Heathmont, Victoria 3135.
By fitting Continental tyres to your Volkswagen,
you’re fitting Europe’s tyre of choice.
www.continental-tyres.com.au
Tokyo
Words: UTE JUNKER Photography: CORBIS, NAOTAKE MURAYAMA, GETTY IMAGES
The allure of Tokyo is captured in the eyes of a maiko (apprentice geisha)
Tantalising
Tokyo
One of the world’s great cities, the thrumming
Japanese capital is home to a seemingly
endless array of urban attractions.
Temples and bullet trains,
towering skyscrapers and neon
calligraphy, and whole neighbourhoods evidently populated by people
dressed as comic book characters. While all great cities are odes to
diversity, Tokyo takes it to extremes. One minute it’s Blade Runner, the
next it’s a classic woodblock print; and that’s precisely its charm.
Take Omotesando boulevard in the stylish Aoyama district, a place of
pilgrimage for label lovers and designs fans alike. Here bold-face labels
demand attention alongside buildings that are works of art in their own
right. The crystalline Prada store, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, is
most seductive at night, when it looks like a luscious piece of honeycomb,
glowing warmly. Step into the Commes des Garçons store, by contrast,
and you feel like you’re diving into a cool pool, thanks to the glass wall
dividers that shimmer like water. The nearby Louis Vuitton store, designed
by Aoki Jun, resembling a set of trunks stacked in a corner, is proof that not
every luxury brand takes itself too seriously.
Stroll to the other end of Omotesando, however, and you’ll arrive at the
bridge at Harajuku, where a very different kind of fashion is on display.
Here, cosplay girls (from ‘costume’ and ‘play’) parade in outlandish
costumes—some dressed as nurses, some as dominatrixes and some as …
well, we’re not sure what has matching pink boots, stockings and hair, but
whatever they are, they’re at Harajuku.
In their very different ways, the two ends of Omotesando represent
the classic Japanese paradox: a rigidly ordered society that finds
extreme ways to break free. It should be no surprise, therefore, that
a city as densely packed as Greater Tokyo (population 35 million) is
home to a kaleidoscopic cross-section of humanity, a dizzying swirl
of elegance and outlandishness, crassness and comedy, serenity and
sheer intoxication.
Yossan/Corbis
Getting started
Where you start your Tokyo adventure will depend on where you stay. In
a city this big, there’s no one central area. The airport is 60km out of town,
but efficient buses and trains service several different centres.
The Grand Hyatt hotel makes a good base, not just for its large bathrooms
and seven restaurants but for its location in the heart of Roppongi Hills,
Tokyo
1
Tokyo is home to a kaleidoscopic cross-section of
humanity, a dizzying SWirl of elegance and outlandishness,
crassness and comedy, serenity and sheer intoxication.
one of Tokyo’s main entertainment destinations. If bars, clubs
and shopping aren’t enough to keep you occupied, one of Tokyo’s
best galleries is also at hand—the Mori Art Museum, spectacularly
located on the 52nd and 53rd floors of Mori Tower, which focuses
on contemporary art.
The National Art Centre and Suntory Museum of Art are also in
the neighbourhood. After your browsing, unwind with a drink at
the B bar, part of the Baccarat shop, where martinis are served in
antique crystal.
Roppongi is Tokyo at its well-heeled, modern best. If, however,
you’re interested in the city’s ancient lineage—there’s been a
settlement here since the 12th century—the Imperial Quarter is a
good place to start.
Edo became the capital of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603, and
the imperial capital 260 years later, after the last shogun surrendered
to the Meiji. The emperor renamed the city Tokyo (‘eastern capital’)
to distinguish it from the former capital Kyoto (‘western capital’).
The Imperial Palace, completed in 1640, still serves as the
emperor’s residence. It is off limits to the public but the Imperial
Palace East Gardens offer plenty of distractions, from the Hundred
Man Guardhouse and the Moat of Swans to the tranquil wooded
paths that fringe the garden.
The Asakusa entertainment district, dating back to the 14th
century, offers another glimpse into the past. Once the preserve
of teahouses, kabuki theatres, sake shops, acrobats and strolling
musicians, much of the area was destroyed during World War
Two. But several important shrines have survived, including the
1000-year-old Senso-ji Buddhist temple. Its 17th-century shrine
If you’re looking for one
place that offers a lucky
dip of Japanese cultural
experiences, Ueno Park is
it. One of Japan’s earliest
public parks, it is home to
an amazing collection of
shrines and temples, as
well as the Tokyo National
Museum, where displays
include woodblock
prints, samurai armour,
kimonos, calligraphy and
lacquerware. Sit by the
lotus-filled Shinobazu
Pond for prime peoplewatching or head here
in springtime, when more
than 1000 cherry blossom
trees burst into bloom.
Tom Bonaventure/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
Naotake Murayama
Ueno Park
2
1. Tokyo’s well-heeled Roppongi district is a picture of beauty at night
crossing is one of the city’s most famous—and most photographed—locations
2. Bustling Shibuya
and beautiful garden are worth a stroll. Follow the delicious aromas
through the nearby warren of streets to some of Tokyo’s tempting
street food—everything from sembei rice crackers to skewers of
barbecued meat, eaten at outdoor stalls.
Culinary delights
Few cities take food as seriously as Tokyo. From Michelin-starred
restaurants to the informal izakaya (drinking places) where people
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Tokyo
3
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
A strong team for tough jobs.
4
3. Lanterns in the entertainment district of Asakusa 4. Nowhere does
delectable seafood quite like Tokyo 5. Furisode-san (a reference to their
long-sleeved kimonos) show off pots of ground cherries
Cosplay cafés
munch on grills and salads, there’s no end of culinary delights to
explore. Top of the list is Tsukiji fish markets, the world’s largest.
Tsukiji’s live tuna auctions have become a favourite tourist
attraction, even though they take place at 5am. (You’ll need to plan
ahead: public access is not permitted every day and is limited to 120
people, in two groups of 60.)
The best way to explore Tokyo, however, is to let yourself get a little
bit lost. It’s the surprises you stumble upon that remain seared in
your brain—like wandering into a department store just as it opens,
and finding the staff lined up to greet you with a formal welcome; or
the sounds of hundreds of pachinko (Japanese pinball) machines
clinking in unison in the Shinjuku district.
Go people-watching in Shibuya at Yoyogi Park, a popular place
for clubs and groups to gather and rehearse. In this crowded city,
parks are used as outdoor living rooms: everyone from horn players
to breakdancers come here to practise their moves. Near the
east-side entrance on Sundays, you’ll often see local rockabillies,
complete with wide skirts and pompadours.
A different kind of people-watching takes place at the frenzied
intersection outside Shibuya Station, which two million people
pass through every day. The traffic lights turn red simultaneously,
allowing pedestrians from all directions to spill into the intersection,
like ball bearings in a hotted-up pachinko machine. Seen from
5
Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images
In most cities, geeks stay locked up in their bedrooms.
In Tokyo, they run wild in Akihabara, the electronics
district, where they get their kicks at places such
as cosplay cafés, where the waitresses dress up as
manga characters. At Cure Maid Café, the waitresses
dress up as Victorian maids. At Queen Dolce, they
dress up as boys. At Nagomi, it’s not about what they
wear but how they act—bullying guests, then crying
when they leave.
An exciting lineup of tough workers at amazing fleet deals. The Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicle range covers all business requirements across all Australian businesses and your
nearest Volkswagen dealer has every configuration and price covered to match your needs.
This incredible range features Volkswagen Amarok – 4x4 Australia Magazine’s 2011 Ute
of the Year, now available in 8-speed auto and single cab. Volkswagen Crafter covers
cargo requirements up to a massive 17 cubic metres. These brilliant models join the legendary
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above (try nabbing a window seat in the second storey of the
Starbucks), it’s the ultimate reminder that, with its quirks and high
glamour, Tokyo remains one of the world’s great metropolises.
To find out more visit www.volkswagen-commercial.com.au today.
It’s the surprises you stumble across that remain seared in your brain—like
wandering into a DEPARTMENT store just as it opens and finding the staff
lined up to greet you with a formal welcome; or the sounds of hundreds
of PACHINKO machines clinking in unison in the Shinjuku district.
The product name Caddy® is a registered trademark of Caddie S.A. and is used by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles courtesy of Caddie S.A.
Words: John-Henry Weller Photography: STUART GRANT
Great Australian Drives
Twistand
Shout
With stunning scenery around every
bend, what better way to tackle
Victoria’s glorious Great Ocean Road
than in a Golf Cabriolet?
Anyone with even
a fleeting grasp of Victorian geography will know you don’t
start a journey along the Great Ocean Road from the Mornington Peninsula.
It’s on the wrong side of that sizeable body of water known as Port Phillip Bay.
But when my photographer friend Stuart Grant and I get the call to tackle what many
regard as Australia’s most stunning stretch of bitumen in Volkswagen’s drop-top Golf
Cabriolet, he makes a compelling case as to why we should do just that.
The fact he’s based on the ‘wrong’ side of the bay is, I’m sure, entirely coincidental.
Regardless, his offer to buy the Thai takeaway and the promise of a cosy bed in the
guest quarters, ahead of an early-morning departure on the Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry,
gets the deal across the line.
It’s still cold and dark outside when we get started the next morning. The Golf
Cabriolet’s digital thermometer shows a chilly 7°C but, once you get behind the wheel,
the optional heated leather seats quickly welcome us like old friends.
It’s the first time I’ve driven the new Golf Cabriolet since its release last November and
I’m immediately taken by the classy cabin environment, with its expanses of leather,
interspersed with matte chrome and aluminium highlights. Standard features like dualzone climate control air-conditioning, snug front seats with rear-seat easy-entry aid,
Bluetooth and USB connectivity ensure it’ll be an easy place to spend the day.
Scrolling through the trip computer I note that my peak-hour grind from Melbourne
the previous night has netted an average 8.1L/100km—reasonably thrifty considering
the stop-start first half-hour or so of driving.
It’s a short but enjoyable 40-minute voyage to Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Though not technically on the Great Ocean Road, it’s well worth a visit to take in its
elegant Victorian-era architecture and other attractions.
From there it’s a 45-minute drive from Queenscliff to Torquay, the Victorian surf
town where the B100, otherwise known as the Great Ocean Road, begins its journey
west. Nearby is Australia’s most famous surf break, Bells Beach. Sadly for us, the swell
isn’t pumping, but even a flat day at Bells brings out dozens of wet-suited surfers to bob
like seals in the chilly blue-green water of the Southern Ocean.
Back on the road, the vehicle’s firm ride alludes to the tight body control and
disciplined handling we’ll need for the hundreds of twists and turns that lie ahead. As
with the Golf hatch, the Golf Cabriolet drives its front wheels and uses the same
MacPherson-strut type front and multi-link rear suspension. The chassis is tuned to a
European-style ‘sports’ setting, which explains the firmer-than-usual ride.
At the township of Anglesea the colourful used surfboard collection outside the
Anglesea Surf Centre draws Stuart like a moth to a flame. A hand-written sign on the
The sky is that bit bigger with the Golf Cabriolet’s top down
1
Topless beauty
The Golf Cabriolet’s automatic
electro-hydraulic roof opens
fully at the touch of a button
in just nine seconds, a feat
that can be achieved while
driving at speeds of up to
30km/h. What’s more, it’s built
using three layers of fabric and
features a heated glass rear
window—ensuring this is a
cruiser for all seasons.
With four seats, 250 litres of
boot space that can be usable
even with the top down, and
a folding rear bench seat that
accommodates longer items of
luggage, the Golf Cabriolet is
as functional as it is attractive.
The windscreen frame is
refreshingly short, making
it easy to get in and out of
the vehicle. The frame is
reinforced and this, along with
other structural modifications,
makes for an extremely strong
safety cell.
DESpite the chill, we relish the
sensation of having the heated seats
and climate-control system warming
the cabin While the cold winter air
ruffles hair and nips at exposed ears.
front door betrays the area’s laid-back attitude: “We open at the
respectable time of 9.30-ish”.
Manager Trenton Little says that his dad, Bruce, opened the
shop 26 years ago and that he’s grown up working there. He
describes it as “kind of like the corner store” for local surfers.
Father and son give the handsome black and white Golf
Cabriolet the once over, cooing at its sporty stance, low roof line
and swept-back windscreen frame. Top up or down, the vehicle
looks crisply styled and utterly contemporary, the smoked LED
rear light lenses, sporty 17-inch alloy wheels and chrome
highlights creating a real sense of luxury and performance.
Back on the road I marvel at the free-spinning enthusiasm of the
twincharged direct-injection petrol engine. The combination of
supercharging, for instant low-rev response, and turbocharging,
for mid- and upper-range thrust, works brilliantly.
The engine’s 118kW/240Nm outputs and fizzy enthusiasm
at any speed belie its 1.4-litre capacity, but the proof is there at
the bowser in its meagre average fuel consumption of just
6.5L/100 km and 153g/km CO2*.
Under an insistent right foot the engine revs eagerly to its
6000rpm limit, the seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox with sport
mode and Tiptronic function providing swift, clean shifts up or
down the ratios.
Ultimate
Protection.
2
1. The Cabriolet shares
the same horizontal
grille and elegant
headlight design as the
rest of the Golf family
2. Heated seats keep
the chills at bay
Top down as the good Lord intended, the Golf Cabriolet
looks striking, the roof folding back smoothly and quietly at the
press of a button (no latches here, folks) to nestle in a recess
behind the rear seats.
Despite the chill, we relish the sensation of having the heated
seats and climate-control system warming the cabin while the
cold winter air ruffles hair and nips at exposed ears.
We stop again briefly at Split Point Lighthouse, standing
whitewashed and proud atop towering coastal cliffs at Aireys
Inlet. It’s one of several historic lighthouses to be found along
this beautiful but notoriously rugged stretch of Victoria’s coast.
Looking out from the cliffs, it’s easy to imagine how the
treacherous seas, jagged reefs and hostile weather claimed the
hundreds of ships that lie scattered on the ocean floor between
nearby Moonlight Head and Cape Otway.
www.volkswagenfinance.com.au
Volkswagen Insurance is for Volkswagen drivers.
Volkswagen Insurance offers premium and flexible insurance cover options that you can tailor to suit your needs.
Discover how you can protect your next Volkswagen investment with the ultimate benefits of Motor Vehicle Cover,
Tyre and Rim Cover, Asset Equity Cover, Loan Protection Cover and Purchase Price Insurance Cover.
Selecting the right insurance is simple. For more information or an obligation-free quote, visit your authorised
Volkswagen Insurance dealer or contact us on 1300 137 213.
*Combined figures as per ADR 81/02.
Volkswagen Insurance products are provided on behalf of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited AFS Licence No. 234708, ABN 15 000 122 850 (Allianz). In arranging this insurance
Volkswagen Financial Services Australia Pty Limited, ABN 20 097 071 460, Australian Credit Licence 389344 and the authorised dealers act as an agent of Allianz and not as your agent.
Volkswagen Genuine
Accessories.
Should the sun reappear, the roof can be retracted in just nine seconds
A plaque beside the tarmac at Devil’s Elbow
It’s times like this that you appreciate
tells the story of the Great Ocean Road’s
the subliminal safety nets of the anticonstruction by 3000 returned World War I
lock braking system and electronic
servicemen, who carved it by hand in the most
stabilisation program.
arduous of conditions between 1919 and 1932.
The hairpin here is the tightest turn on the Great
Ocean Road, but there are plenty more to come.
Many say the stretch between the townships of Lorne and
specification highlights
Apollo Bay is the road’s most picturesque section: and indeed,
• Twincharged petrol engine with
the combination of huge cliffs, towering rock walls and
direct injection
thundering surf makes for a dramatic backdrop. But there are
•
Fully automatic three-layer fabric roof
plenty of stunning sights even before you get to Lorne’s famous
•
Big-car performance with small-car
café strip, each twist and bend revealing a fresh vista of pristine
fuel efficiency
beaches, rocky coves and jagged headlands.
• Media Device Interface and Bluetooth
Beyond Lorne the road crosses a series of small rivers flowing
• Active roll-over protection modules
busily to the ocean. At one of these, Wye River, we realise
the weather has beaten us. The Twelve Apostles are still 90 minutes
drive away but the fine drizzle has turned to solid sheets and, as
MODEL
Golf Cabriolet
Stuart reminds me, there’s no story without photos.
Turning for home in the descending gloom, I’m thankful for the
ENGINE
1.4-litre TSI
Golf Cabriolet’s sure-footed handling, strong braking and precise
TRANSMISSION
7-speed DSG and manual
steering. It’s times like this, too, that you appreciate the subliminal
MAX POWER (kW)
118
safety nets of the Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic
Stabilisation Program.
MAX TORQUE (Nm)
240
Despite the fact we’ve travelled only part of this classic
COMBINED FUEL CONSUMPTION* 6.5L/100km
Australian road, we’ve seen enough to ensure a return visit. We’ll
L/100km*
(manual 6.6L/100km)
bring the Golf Cabriolet again to be sure, although next time we
*Fuel consumption figures according to Australian Design Rule (ADR) 81/02
might just wait for summer.
As individual as you.
Customise your Volkswagen to suit your needs and sense of style. The Volkswagen Accessories
philosophy is all about innovative technologies and top-level design – down to the finest detail.
For more information or to experience the full range of genuine
accessories speak with your Volkswagen dealer today.
Das Auto.
Me & My Volkswagen
Words: Paul Rodger
All for a
good cause
This Volkwagen Kombi once went
‘everywhere’. Now it’s encouraging
people to think and act locally.
If you think you’ve seen this 1976 Volkswagen Kombi van
before, you’re probably right. It may just be Australia’s most
recognisable Kombi.
Featured in Telstra BigPond’s ‘I’ve Been Everywhere, Man’
campaign, the Kombi became the face of one of the more
memorable TV commercials from 2006. A catchy tune,
a gormless bloke and the hint of a long-distance road trip
combined to give it an easy charm.
The Kombi got around then. And it still gets around. But it’s
no longer used to spruik the benefits of wireless broadband.
Instead, it’s been put to use in a campaign more grassroots in
nature: helping keep Australia’s coastal areas and waterways
free of the pollution that can kill and injure marine life.
Current owner Cath Leach helped mastermind the Kombi’s
change of career direction. A passionate conservationist, she
cares deeply about issues of sustainability—especially those
relating to coastal and marine ecosystems. With a corporate
background behind her, she says she was
inspired to start a communications and
design company to raise awareness about
issues affecting our marine environment.
She knew the light blue van could help
her spread the message when she stumbled
across it on eBay. “I could not stop thinking
about it,” she says. “I ended up with my
dream vehicle within two weeks.”
It’s not Cath’s first Kombi—her family
owned one while she was growing up in
Pembrokeshire, Wales. So fond was she
of the family van she gave her new
Kombi the same name—Myfanwy.
Passers-by are encouraged to
Park themselves on a beanbag
and watch a documentary
shown on myfanwy’s screens.
Cath says the modifications already made to Myfanwy
for the BigPond campaign made it perfect for her purposes.
A ‘mini-cinema’ is fitted to the van comprising a large
plasma screen in the main cabin and four smaller screens
to the rear. Passers-by are encouraged to park themselves
on a beanbag and watch a documentary shown on one
of Myfanwy’s screens.
“We take Myfanwy to festivals and other locations on
the coast and we screen short films about the history and
ocean life of Australia’s beaches,” Cath says. “We also
showcase engaging clips, ads and clever animations about
conservation and how we can help maintain our amazing
marine habitats.”
She says she draws inspiration from working with cleanbeach initiatives such as Take 3, which asks anyone visiting a
public area to take three pieces of rubbish with them when
they go. Another is the Two Hands Project, which encourages
participants to use ‘their own two hands’ to clean up plastic
pollution in an area near them.
Cath says she will soon be joining students from Pymble
Ladies’ College in Sydney as part of a scheme to collect rubbish
at a local beach. The students will create artworks out of the
debris they have collected with a view to raising awareness
about the impact of rubbish on marine life.
Look out for the pretty blue Kombi next time you’re at your
local beach. It’s sure to be pulling a crowd.
Service Department
Words: Paul Rodger
1
2
Things move quickly in the automotive industry. Barely a year goes
Volkswagen’s Technical Training Centre mixes theory and
practice to produce highly skilled service technicians.
by without new technology being brought to market, not just in the form of
new models, but also in updates to existing models. This fast rate of change,
coupled with the high degree of sophistication of vehicles to begin with,
means heavy demands are made on service technicians.
Volkswagen understands the need for education to keep pace with
developments in the industry. At its Technical Training Centre in the
western Sydney suburb of Chullora it has implemented a training program
aimed at ensuring technicians within the Volkswagen dealer network are
skilled in the latest vehicle technologies and servicing protocols. A similar
centre operates in the Melbourne suburb of Derrimut.
Volkswagen Group Australia Technical Training Manager Kieren
Gradidge says the courses available to trainees are among the best in
the country, combining expert tuition with lessons in industry-wide best
practice. Central to the success of the Technical Training program, he
says, is having trainees put into practice what they have learned in the
1. Technicians undertake training on a variety of current-model Volkswagen
classroom. He calls this ‘blended learning’.
vehicles, such as these Volkswagen CC sedans 2. The Technical Training
“The centre offers a transparent link between theory and practice,” he
Centre uses the latest equipment to diagnose a range of simulated faults
says. “Trainees have the advantage of using a classroom with computer
stations offering online access and multimedia training, and adjoining the
Systems, Convenience and Safety Electronics to Occupant Safety and
classroom is the workshop where they are offered hands-on training in all
Diagnostic Competence. In total, 28 courses are offered across eight
its forms.”
different competencies, or ‘pathways’, each of which is aligned to
Facilities are second to none. Seven training ‘modules’ make up the
Volkswagen’s international accreditation program.
centre, each comprising a classroom and workshop. Modules are also used
Importantly, says Gradidge, all the pathways offered have been designed
by students enrolled in the Modern Apprenticeship Program, which acts as
specifically to adapt to new products offered by Volkswagen. “If tomorrow
a springboard for entry into the Technical Training courses.
Volkswagen introduces a new technology, we ensure that it is introduced
Each workshop includes the latest equipment used for fault finding and
to the relevant training programs, whether for a new model or for new
diagnosis, as well as in-floor hoists. One of the hoists is a four-post in-floor
technologies in general that apply to multiple models.”
version capable of raising vehicles as heavy as five tonnes. The four-post
The existence of on-demand stand-alone courses, covering new models
hoist also allows for wheel alignment and assistant system calibration,
and new technologies, highlights Volkswagen’s determination to school
such as for the Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control technologies found
technicians in all the latest developments.
in some Volkswagen models. In-floor exhaust extraction ports remove
Gradidge says a broader purpose runs through everything the centre
noxious fumes, while power is supplied via moveable overhead rails,
does: ensuring customer satisfaction. “We want Volkswagen owners to
avoiding messy cables on the workshop floor.
have the highest level of confidence when they visit a dealership that they
Training aids play a big role at the centre. Learners can work on detailed
are being serviced by the most highly qualified factory-trained technicians.
demonstrator models and vehicle parts with cut-away housings to see how
Our job is to provide staff within our dealer network with the best knowledge
they function. Other systems, such as the vehicle’s electrical substructure—
and skills necessary to assist our customers to the highest level.”
wires that run the length of a car body like veins in a body—have been
mounted on a vertical board for easy display. Trainers can flick
a switch to cause a fault in the system, allowing trainees to test “If tomorrow Volkswagen introduces a
their methodologies.
new technology, we have to introduce it
The courses offered at the centre cover all areas of vehicle tO the traininG PROGRAM, WHETHER for a new
repair, from Inspection Service, Petrol and Diesel Engines, model or for new technologies that apply
Power Transmission, Running Gear, Air Conditioning to multiple models.”
Showroom
Volkswagen Showroom
Das Auto.
up!
•
•
•
•
•
Volkswagen’s range will continue to grow in 2013, with new models in
several categories. Here’s what we’ll be seeing in the showrooms.
World Car of the Year 2012
City Emergency Braking function
Electro-mechanical power steering
3- and 5-door body styles
maps + more Portable Infotainment
Device optional
Entertaining and engaging • Perfect city companion
Polo
•
•
•
•
•
2010 Wheels Car of the Year
5-star ANCAP safety rating
Optional fuel-efficient TSI petrol
and TDI diesel engines
Available in a range of colours
Polo GTI available for ultimate
performance and handling
Golf/Golf Wagon
•
•
•
•
•
2010 Drive Best Small Car
(Golf 118TSI Comfortline)
Fuel-efficient and powerful range of
TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines
5-star ANCAP safety rating (Golf only)
Golf GTI, GTD and R variants available
Golf BlueMotion for greater fuel
efficiency and low emissions
Jetta
Tiguan
•
•
•
•
•
Represents everyday practicality and
effortless performance
Powerful and fuel-efficient range of
TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines
Impressive safety as standard
Ideal family car
•
•
•
BlueMotion Technology available
with 118TSI and 103TDI models
Range of fuel-efficient TSI petrol
and TDI diesel engines
Advanced safety and driver
assistance systems
Golf Cabriolet
Eos
Scirocco R
Volkswagen CC
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Two-door, four-seat convertible
Soft-top roof opens in less than
10 seconds
Safety features include rollover
protection and airbags
250L of boot space
Passat Sedan/
Passat Wagon
•
•
•
Innovative driver assistance technologies
Powerful TSI and FSI petrol and TDI
diesel engines incorporating world-class,
environmentally friendly BlueMotion
Technology (on selected models)
Standard features include Satellite Navigation
and Rear View Camera (RVC Plus)
•
•
Five-piece roof with integrated sunroof
coverts from Coupé to Cabriolet with
the touch of a button
6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox with sport
mode and Tiptronic function as standard
Choice of powerful and fuel-efficient
TSI petrol or TDI diesel engines
•
•
•
•
2011 TopGear Australia magazine
Car of the Year
Dynamic coupé design
Direct-injection and turbocharging offers
incredible power delivery
Adaptive Chassis Control
Manual or DSG transmission
•
•
•
Elegant coupé styling
Superior driving pleasure
and dynamics
Everyday suitability with five seats
Powerful TDI diesel and V6 petrol
engine available
Innovative Keyless Access and Easy
Open function
Touareg
Amarok
Multivan/Caravelle
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spacious SUV body style for
comfort, interior space and safety
3.5-tonne towing capacity
4MOTION and 4XMOTION
variants available
Bluetooth connectivity, leatherappointed interior as standard
3.0-tonne towing capacity
Full-size tray with room for a pallet
Best-in-class fuel consumption
4MOTION available
•
•
•
•
Powerful TSI petrol (Multivan only)
and TDI diesel engines available
7-speed DSG transmission standard
across the range
Optimal mix of interior space, flexibility
and passenger comfort
Flexible seating configurations
4XMOTION available on Multivan
Parting Shot
Words: Paul Rodger
Bitten
by the
bug
Greg Mackie hasn’t just loved
every Volkswagen he’s owned, he’s
loved pushing them to the limit.
Mackie takes on
Greg Mackie has been a Volkswagen aficionado for
more than 50 years. It’s a rare devotion: he turned 71 just
a few months ago.
A panelbeater by trade, Mackie says he got to know and
love Volkswagens back when he served his apprenticeship at
a Volkswagen dealership in the late 1950s.
He says it was the simplicity of the cars that first attracted
him. “They were so easy to work on; they were built to be
serviced,” he says. He has since owned about 20 Volkswagens.
Mackie might have been content to lead a life of restoration
and quiet enjoyment of his cars had he not become friendly
with the late Jack Bono, the famed Volkswagen and Porsche
mechanic and racer of the 1950s and ’60s.
Mackie says Bono’s recommendation that he take his
modified 40hp Beetle to a hillclimb at Silverdale, NSW,
in 1961 changed his life. Although initially unsure what a
hillclimb was, Mackie ended up with the outright sedan
The Beetle in action
oomba, in 1963
at Catalina Park, Kat
‘The Esses’ at Mt
Panorama, Bathu
rst, in 1963
record, beating the likes of Jaguar and Holden. “I took to it
like a duck to water,” he says.
He followed up that win with others in the 1300cc class,
Appendix J competition (the equivalent of today’s Touring
Cars event). Mackie had found his calling. Interestingly, the
Beetle he raced was in no way a dedicated track car. He says
he drove it to work every day, and although the engine had
been modified slightly, it was ostensibly factory standard.
He says he raced the same car at Bathurst, where it was
good for 102mph down the main straight. “It was a very
satisfying car to race. It had great traction and excellent
brakes. They were stock brakes, too—they pulled the car
up at the bottom of the straight at 100 yards.”
Mackie went on to have a successful racing career through
the ’70s and ’80s. A highlight was winning the 2.0-litre class
of the 1981 Comalco Series and the NSW Sports Sedan
Championships in a Superbug with a 1968cc modified engine.
These days Mackie leads a quieter life. Occasionally he
gets a call to help out sons David and Tim when things get
busy at the family sheet metal business in Mittagong, NSW.
Restoring his beloved cars keeps his hands dirty. A 1955
Beetle, a 1956 Karmann Cabriolet, a Porsche 356 and a Mako
Formula Vee are all works in progress. He also has a 1959
Beetle with a 2.0-litre engine, modified original suspension
and Porsche 356 drum brakes that he says he and “other old
blokes like him” like to take to GEAR (Golden Era Auto
Racing) events.
Mackie’s maxim: once bitten, forever smitten.
It was a very satisfying car
to race. It had great traction
and excellent brakes ... they were
stock brakes, TOO.
volkswagen.com.au
The Volkswagen Passat.
Pleasure before business.
Rear View Camera and Sat Nav now as standard.
What you do from 5 to 9 counts as much as from 9 to 5. Luckily the stylish Volkswagen Passat
is great for both.
Incredible technology – Find your way with the Passat’s Satellite Navigation and see every
angle when you’re reversing or parking with a Rear View Camera.
European styling and performance – With luxurious leather appointed upholstery,
DSG transmission, optional Park Assist and a range of petrol and diesel engines, every road
will feel like an autobahn.
Find out more about the car that’s perfect for business suits or even budgie smugglers.
Visit volkswagenaustralia.com.au/passat
VGA4254_Ten/VM
CLEANING UP NEVER
FELT SO GOOD
CAL0446/FPC/VW
Your car may look clean on the outside, but what about the inside?
That’s where Caltex Vortex Premium Diesel comes in. Its active
ingredients have been specially designed to help reduce deposits on fuel
injectors – resulting in improved power, enhanced performance,
better fuel efficiency and a cleaner engine all round. We know because
it’s been tested. Visit caltexkeepitclean.com.au to know more.

Passat alltrack Versatility, refinement and style concePt cars Putting

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