Volkswagen tweaks Australian line-up

VOLKSWAGEN has upped the standard safety and infotainment gear on some of its highest selling models in an update that has also brought changes to pricing of its Polo, Golf, Beetle and Jetta ranges.

The upgrade to the line-up, which Volkswagen Australia says is the biggest of its kind in the local company's history, ushers in a reversing camera as standard across the aforementioned model ranges, as well as the Scirocco R coupe and Tiguan crossover.

It also includes an App-Connect USB interface for Apple CarPlay, Andriod Auto and Mirrorlink allowing drivers to connect their respective smartphones, and an upgraded 6.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen display.

Pricing has altered depending on the model, with the base Polo TSI Trendline increasing by $500 to $16,990 plus on-road costs, while the 81TSI Comfortline drops by $100 to $18,590. The GTI pocket rocket pricing remains static but it gains Sport Select Suspension on top of the reversing camera and USB interface.

The Beetle, which is only available in one grade, is up by $600 to $31,390, and the Jetta Trendline has increased by $200 to $22,990.

Volkswagen's biggest seller in Australia, the Golf, has also received spec additions and a pricing reshuffle, while the 90TSI variants are now 92TSIs thanks to a 2kW, boosting power to 92kW.

This power-up impacts the old base Golf, the new 92TSI Trendline and 90TSI Comfortline. VW has dropped the old 90TSI Comfortline manual and the entry level Golf wagon.

Some prices are down by as much as $200 or up by $700 in the case of the Golf hatch and wagon range, depending on the variant.

Other new inclusions are keyless entry and start on 110TSI and TDI Highline hatch and wagons, while the new 92TSI Trendline adds 15-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and an auto-dimming mirror over and above the standard gear on the base Golf 92TSI.

VW has dropped the price of the spicy Golf GTI manual by $1000 to $40,990, and on top of the infotainment additions also adds bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

The Scirocco R, and some Jetta and Tiguan variants replace the old satellite navigation system with the new Discover Media infotainment system.

Volkswagen Group Australia managing director John White said customers will appreciate the value added to the company's local range.

“Volkswagen has always stood for quality, innovation and value, and never has this been more true in the company’s history in Australia than with the arrival of our new model year vehicles,” he said.

“It’s great to be able to offer our customers the best of German engineering, and in the coming weeks and months, our customers will be able to get even more bang for their bucks.”