Volkswagen reveals model onslaught

VOLKSWAGEN has confirmed that six new or updated models will arrive in local showrooms in the next 18 months, including the next-generation Passat mid-sizer and a jacked-up Alltrack version of the Golf wagon.

Speaking at the launch of the new Polo hatch in Brisbane this week, Volkswagen Australia managing director John White detailed the German car-maker’s new-model onslaught.

First cab off the rank is an update for the Tiguan compact SUV that arrives in September, which should see the company through until the all-new model lands in 2016.

“Right now we still have two more years to go of the current generation Tiguan,” Mr White said.

“We’re going to be announcing in September fairly significant changes to the Tiguan for the 2015 model year and the first thing that we’re doing is upgrading it.”

This will include a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors and colour touch-screen as standard, and Mr White said the Tiguan’s diesel variant will also gain more power.

“We’re going to be significantly upgrading the diesel variant with a 130kW TDI engine, which is going to bring us to leadership in that class,” he said.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in the current Tiguan makes 103kW and 320Nm and the new oil-burner is likely to be a similar engine to the 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo unit from the 130TDI Passat.

As reported by GoAuto, the Scirocco R sports coupe has been spared the axe by Volkswagen and will arrive in Australia in November.

Following the Scirocco will be the new Polo GTI hot hatch and refreshed mid-size Jetta in early 2015. The Jetta is set to be loaded with more standard kit as Volkswagen attempts to boost its sales in Australia.

“You can count on the line-up having more features as we and make it a much better volume competitor.”

Volkswagen is not revealing specific information on the Polo GTI, but Mr White said customers will be “pleasantly surprised”.

“The Polo GTI will evolve in the way the regular Polo is evolving right now in terms of refinement and performance and just bringing it to that next level.

Really what you’re going to see is a smaller more compact version of the Golf GTI.”

By mid-2015 Volkswagen will launch the Golf Alltrack in Australia, and much like its larger Passat Alltrack sibling, it will feature the 4Motion all-wheel drive system and an increased ride height.

Finally, late next year, the next-generation Passat will arrive in Australia, charged with increasing the brand’s market share in the mid-size segment.

“[The Passat will feature] a totally new design from the chassis all the way up,” Mr White said. “New powertrains and new sharper look not only in the sedan version but in the wagon, as well as an Alltrack version,” Mr White said.

The eighth-generation Passat will go head-to-head with mid-size rivals such as Ford’s Mondeo, the Mazda6 and the current king of the segment – Toyota’s Camry.

The new Passat will make its international debut at the Paris motor show in October.