Latest news with #Volkswagens
NZ Autocar
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
New Volkswagens now come with a service plan
Volkswagen New Zealand has announced a new Service Plan offering, available across its range of vehicles. This new plan covers the first three scheduled services of a vehicle and is included within the price of the vehicle. Previously VW offered service plans as a cost option at time of purchase. For buyers of a passenger vehicle, the Service Plan covers the first three years or 45,000km of ownership from the date of delivery, coinciding with 15,000km, 12 month service schedules. Read more 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI review For Amarok buyers, the deal covers the first three scheduled services within three years or 60,000km, whichever occurs first. New Caddy and Multivan petrol or PHEV models have the first three services covered within three years or 45,000km, and all other new Volkswagen Commercial diesel models are covered for the first three scheduled services (within six years or 90,000km). 'This new offer is about giving customers one less thing to think about when they purchase one of our vehicles,' says Chanelle McDonald, General Manager Passenger Vehicles at Volkswagen New Zealand. 'In a world that doesn't slow down we know peace of mind is invaluable, and this is another way we're helping future owners get more out of their Volkswagens – and their time.' The service plan is also transferable if you sell within the three year period.
NZ Autocar
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Volkswagen EVs will use LFP batteries from 2026
All electric Volkswagens will move to an updated platform from next year, ushering in lithium ion phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry that promises to reduce costs. Volkswagen is another major electric car maker to move to LFP battery chemistry. The first to use this will be the ID 2 supermini, due next year. The reason is that it is cheaper to produce than NMC packs, is almost as energy dense and the batteries can recharge to 100 per cent without undue degradation over time. After that, the rest of Volkswagen's ID models will utilise this updated platform (MEB Plus), and adopt the LFP chemistry. This type of battery pack is quickly becoming the one to have because technological developments have increased its range potential while preserving a cost advantage over NMC packs. Tesla followed BYD in bringing the technology to mass production, with the Model 3 in China. Ford also went down the LFP route with the Mustang Mach-E and now other volume car makers like Volkswagen are embracing this technology. It isn't subject to the thermal runaway afflicting NMC battery technology either. Volkswagen CEO, Thomas Schäfer, told Autocar UK: 'The upgrade to MEB Plus comes next year, and we will roll out the cell-to-pack battery systems with LFP. 'That will be a major step forward in terms of cost for us. It's very important, and also in performance. 'We will come in with MEB Plus across the models, including ID 3, ID 4, ID 7. They will have LFP. 'In the volume game, LFP is the technology.' The battery factory for Volkswagen Group in Salzgitter, Germany. The LFP batteries are built at Volkswagen Group's new factory in Salzgitter, Germany. It will continue to make the existing NMC packs until they're phased out. While no LFP specifications are yet to hand, there is potential for the EVs to gain range while price falls. Well, to gain range at any rate. This technological overhaul will be accompanied by a design refresh of Volkswagen's ID line-up. R&D boss Kai Grunitz said last year this redesign will bring 'huge improvements' that show Volkswagen is 'going back to where we came from'. The new look is key to that. 'Design is your first touchpoint. That's what excites people.' He added that the question of whether it is electric or petrol doesn't matter with an iconic car.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
The VW that's just turned 50! Over 20m drivers have bought one since 1975... and no, it's not a Golf!
Reaching half a century is a major milestone for us all and one that's worth celebrating - and the same can be said for cars turning 50, too. That's why Volkswagen has raised the bunting, brought out the cake and yanked on the party popper strong as one of its longest-serving models reaches this impressive anniversary. The month of May marks 50 years since the Polo hatchback was launched alongside the slogan 'Small on the outside. Big on the inside' and became an international bestseller. Six generations on, and more than 20 million global sales later, the pioneering compact car redefined 'affordable mobility for all'. From coupes to estates and GTI hot hatches, the Polo set benchmarks for superminis the world over, including bringing in some of the small car safety features we take for granted today. And it became a supermini that every person is proud to own, from Andy Murray to Heidi Klum. We take a look at how the little brother of the Golf established itself as one of the most successful cars in its class.... May 2025 marks 50 years of the Volkswagen Polo - the supermini was launched with the slogan 'Small on the outside. Big on the inside'. It might be small but its sales success is mighty First of its kind: The Mk1 Polo - 1975 Volkswagen was riding a wave of new launches in the '70s, as the hallowed 'People's Car' Beetle was due to be replaced: the Passat arrived in 1973, the Golf in '74 and the Polo in 1975. The Polo stood out because of how short it was, and angular. A Mk1 Polo was a very petite thing; with a wheelbase of 2,335mm, it was smaller than a modern-era VW Up!. But it wasn't just the size that made it stand out; it had state-of-the-art tech for the time, and was heralded as affordable mobility for the car buyers of the generation. Yet it wasn't truly a VW (of sorts). The 1975 Polo was essentially a 1974 Audi 50, albeit modified for maximum functionality. The Polo was one of a few Volkswagens launched in succession that came in to replace the Beetle and continue the legacy of the 'People's Car' for VW A Mk1 Polo was a very petite thing; with a wheelbase of 2,335mm it was smaller than a modern VW Up! Series production of the Polo I began in March 1975 at Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, with 1.1 million units being produced there by 1981 The breath of fresh air in the small car segment caught on because it was cheap, practical, stylish and fun to drive. Agile, great handling and economical, it ticked all the right boxes for a joyful small runaround. There was an array of four-cylinder petrol engines to choose from with a four-speed manual gearbox, with a line-up leading 'GT' with 60hp. The first-generation Polo sold 500,000 cars worldwide and became famous as the car that could chameleon between first driving lessons, family trips or summer sporty drives. The Mk2 Polo - 1981 Running on the success of the Mk1, the second-generation brought in new body styles, more engine choices and a step up the premium ladder with a new interior. Among the plethora of upgrades was the iconic steep rear window, gaving the Mk2 the 'wagon' shape it is still remembered for today. The 'Breadvan' style was joined by a 'Coupe' and the Derby two-door saloon. It wasn't just the updated looks that continued the sales success of the Polo, but the reputation for quality and reliability. The second generation cemented this and made sure that the Polo could continue to be a dominating small car even with the arrival in the UK of numerous small hatch rivals including the Peugeot 205, Nissan Micra, Fiat Uno and the second-gen Ford Fiesta. The Polo Mk2 continued the success of the original model while featuring new body styles, a wider range of engines and a more premium feeling interior. The Polo Mk2 also brought about the iconic steep rear window, giving that classic 'wagon' shape. By 1986 two million Polos had been produced – making sure that the Polo is still going strong today (unlike the poor Fiat Uno). The Mk3 brought in the modern Polo shape that still underlines the Polo of today The Mk3 Polo - 1994 The third generation launched in 1994 and it was a big leap up, not least in creating the Polo look that's evolved into the car in showrooms today. The Mk3 came with a completely new body, chassis and engine and shared a platform with the Seat Ibiza and a floorplan with the Golf – both of which helped to keep costs down. Not only was it modern in design but for the first time the VW Polo came with five doors and as an estate, keeping up with other European supermini rivals. And crucially it brought in some very important safety innovations such as airbags – a first for vehicles in its class. The Mk3 introduced airbags in small cars making sure that superminis kept up bigger cars in the safety stake - a massively important step A total of 3.5 million Polo III models were produced - and it was available as a five-door for the first time The Polo as a safe small car, particularly for new drivers, was a reputation well earned. Plus, thanks to the introduction of the VW Lupo in 1998, the Polo was no longer the entry point to the VW range and so it could go upmarket without alienating buyers. The 1999 facelift was proof of that, bringing in some features you'd previously only get in larger cars, including air conditioning and a built-in sat-nav. The Mk3 also saw Polo add the famous three letters 'GTI, with production limited to 3,000 units in 1998. It sold out almost instantly! The Polo 5 introduced a host of digital newbies and had interior updates including a touchscreen The Mk4 and Mk5 Polo - 2001 and 2009 2002 saw the Mk4 usher in the all-new Polo for the new millennium, with more of a resemblance to the Golf and the smaller Lupo than before. It grew 15cm bigger than the last generation, while still sharing the platform with the Seat Ibiza and the Skoda Fabia, making it more spacious for families and offering a larger boot. Engine offerings were vast with everything from 1.2-litre to 2.0-litre petrols to a few diesels. You could also get a sporty turbocharged GTI. The Mk4 and Mk5 Polos are the models that many learner drivers in the 2010s learnt to drive in The Mk5 from 2009 won about as many gongs as there were going, including World Car of the Year. Lighter than the Mk4 it was more practical as it was both longer and wider, although it definitely fell into the sensible rather than exciting category. The Polo 5 introduced a host of digital newbies; infotainment including a touchscreen and driver assists. The present day Polo is the biggest yet and had a facelift in 2021 to make sure it had refreshed exterior style and state-of-the-art infotainment The Mk6 Polo you can buy today - 2017 Welcome to the Polo of today. The sixth generation – from 2017 - is the most upmarket of all the Polos, and the most luxurious – as to be expected with advanced tech in cars and improvements in manufacturing. The Mk6 is also the biggest Polo measuring 4,074 mm long, 1,751 in width and 1,461 in height. The 2021 upgrade brought in even more digital and product innovations, with new assistance and comfort systems. There were exterior improvements including matrix LED headlights and a refreshed front and rear bumper design. An eight-inch digital display, an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and VW's 'We Connect', wireless charging and advanced lane keep assist, and cruise control were just a few of the changes. To date 20 million Polos have been sold across the globe making it one of the most successful small vehicles of all time. Last year, Britons snapped up 28,981 examples, making it the best-selling supermini. Not bad for a car that Volkswagen says 'stands for affordable entry-level mobility'.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Audi begins local assembly of Q7 in Malaysia
AUDI has set the stage for more for more locally assembled luxury models after kicking off the production of its flagship Q7 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Pekan, Pahang on Thursday. This also marks a significant milestone as the first Audi model in the premium luxury segment to be assembled in Southeast Asia. As Audi continues expanding its footprint, the Q7 local production represents a significant leap toward establishing Malaysia as a key production hub for high-end vehicles. The move reinforces Audi's commitment to strengthening its presence in the region, catering to the growing demand for high-end mobility solutions. Expanding automotive production in Malaysia The seven-seater mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) is being manufactured at the Volkswagen Group Malaysia assembly plant in Pekan, the only Audi production facility in Southeast Asia. The plant, which already assembles Volkswagen models for Malaysia, operates in partnership with DRB-HICOM Bhd under a contract manufacturing arrangement. Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) managing director Dr. Susanne Lehmann emphasised the plant's role as a centre of excellence, with a modernised product portfolio designed to uphold Audi's renowned standards in quality, performance and luxury, now locally assembled. "Today marks more than just the launch of a car. It is a symbol of vision, partnership, innovation and progress." VGM's world-class German engineering production and infrastructure here represents the highest standards of quality, sustainability and smart manufacturing, she added. Investment and future expansion With an initial investment of over RM12 million, the Pekan plant is set to produce up to 5,000 Audi vehicles per annum, with plans to expand its lineup beyond the Q7 in the future. The Pekan plant currently assembles Volkswagens Golf, Arteon, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg. The localisation of Audi's production aligns with rising demand for luxury vehicles in Malaysia, fuelled by urbanisation, increasing disposable incomes and a shift toward premium mobility solutions. According to PHS Automotive Malaysia managing director Denyu Bostandzhiev, local assembly offers competitive pricing and shorter delivery times for Malaysian customers. "Given the rising demand for D-segment SUVs, now is the perfect time to introduce the Q7, ensuring Audi's presence is strengthened in Malaysia and across the region," he stated. Performance and features The Q7 S Line Mild Hybrid (MHEV) being produced in Pekan is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 340 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. It features an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, enabling engine-off coasting for up to 40 seconds between speeds of 55 to 160 km/h. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h2. Luxury and technology The Q7 comes equipped with advanced features, including: * Quattro permanent all-wheel drive for superior handling. * Adaptive air suspension for a smooth ride. * Four-wheel steering for enhanced maneuverability. * Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system for immersive audio. * HD Matrix LED headlights with laser high beams for optimal visibility. * OLED taillights with customizable light signatures2. Pricing The Q7 S Line MHEV is priced between RM469,000 and RM489,000, making it a strong competitor against other luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 xDrive50e (about RM494,800) and Mercedes-Benz GLE450 (about RM524,888).
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
You won't believe what the original Volkswagen logo looked like
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The Volkswagen logo is one of the most memorable car logos around. Everyone knows what it looks like. And at first glance, it would seem the only changes in recent decades were to make the Volkswagen logo flat and to narrow the lines for a time. It's a simple and distinctive brand identity. Surely there's nothing to argue about? So I thought, but it seems a furious debate is raging. Some people are adamant that at some point the Volkswagen logo changed in a way not seen on official design documents. The Volkswagen logo comprises the V and the W from the brand name in a circle. The debate is about whether there is – or was – a gap between the two letters. The design used today shows the V and W clearly separated by a space. But some people are convinced that a previous design used one single shape, with the V and the W joined in the middle. "I thought it was just a big, weird W because it was connected, I was at least 19 when I went 'Oh duh, V-W! I get it!'," one person writes on Reddit. Some are dismissing the suggestion as a classic example of the visual Mandela effect, a phenomenon in which people remember seeing an image in a way that never existed. The Mandela effect is very real. Famous examples include widely held false memories of the Monopoly man wearing a monocle and the Fruits of the Loom logo featuring a cornucopia. There have also been claims of a Ford logo Mandela effect. But those on the side of the conjoined no-gap VW logo don't believe that they're imagining it. Some have delved into some deep internet archaeology, combing the web for evidence that the logo used to look the way they remember it. The answer? Even a quick search on a stock photo library suggests that the VW logo has indeed sometimes appeared without a gap on some vehicles in some countries at various times through the brand's history. Some people have even tracked down appearances by Volkswagens in movies to prove that the conjoined logo design existed. Residue: No space in the Volkswagen logo in Knocked Up (2007) from r/Retconned It appears that this was never an official or intentional design decision, though. Even vintage Volkswagen logo design specs show a space between the two letters. Some of the no-gap logos may have been made by third parties. It may also be that manufacturing plants in some countries decided it was easier to make the badge out of a single piece of chrome. And perhaps at certain times there was less insistence on sticking to the style guide than there is today. Implementation of the gap has varied over time too. On some cars it was barely a hairline between the two letters, making it invisible at a distance. In other applications, the letters are more clearly separate. But wait, there's more evidence for the connected VW logo – and even more controversy! Volkswagen says its logo was designed by an engineer called Franz Reimspiess, who also worked on the engine for the Beetle. He's said to have won a competition to design the identity and to have won 50 Marks for his efforts. But an Austrian designer called Nikolai Borg claims that he designed the logo in June 1939, directed by the Nazi engineer Fritz Todt. His version of the logo had no gap between the V and the W, which has led to claims that Volkswagen added the gap to avoid paying Borg. However, in 2005, the Vienna Business Court rejected Borg's copyright claim, ruling that the VW logo had already been trademarked a year before his design. That appears to confirm that the original logo design was the one with a gap. The most surprising part of the Volkswagen logo history is the original design. Today the phrase 'Nazimobile' is associated with a certain low-poly electric pick up (check out the viral anti-Tesla posters), but the OG was the humble Beetle. The original Volkswagen logo was surrounded by a cogwheel and an elaborate design that appears to combine a propeller and a swastika, an indication of the company's early connections the Third Reich. Hitler himself commissioned the manufacture of the first VW and provided state subsidies to support production. The aim was to create an affordable 'people's car', which is what the word Volkswagen means. The outbreak of the Second World War caused the people's car project to fail. The Swastika was dropped from the logo, and Volkswagen was repurposed to produce military vehicles. When the company was revitalised after the war by British Army officer Ivan Hirst, the logo was streamlined to a simple VW in a circle, similar to the design we know today. Want to discover more logo histories? See our Tesla logo history and our pick of the best logos of all time.
