Category Archives: Volkswagen

Electric/hybrid, SUV/4X4, Volkswagen

Tiguan is a true ‘people’s car’

Leave a comment

Volkswagen Tiguan

By Bill McCarthy

THE translation of Volkswagen into English could well describe the latest version of the firm’s hugely popular SUV.

‘The people’s car’ is very apt, with the VW Tiguan having sold six million worldwide since its introduction in 2007. So popular it took another nine years for the second generation to come along in 2016 and now that model has had a major revamp at the end of last year.

It is Europe’s best selling SUV and gets a new trim line-up and a choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid power units, together with design and technological advances.

Already one of the most stylish and recognisable on the market, it retains its muscular SUV look, sitting high off the ground with stylish 18-inch alloys. However the rugged look is softened with roof rails, rear tinted glass, LED Matrix headlights flanking the slim grille and large air flow ducts below.

 The firm’s Y-structure trim allows for two range toppers. It starts with Tiguan, then Life and a choice at the top end of Elegance for luxury, and R-Line, driven here, being the sportier model. This features 20-inch ‘Misano’ alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension, bespoke  bumpers and rear roof spoiler, as well as upgraded light clusters.

“Acceleration is brisk, with top seed of 121mph . . . . if you are driving on German autobahns”

This model featured the hi-tech 1.5-litre TSI, 150 PS engine, mated with the familiar, slick-shifting 7-speed DSG transmission. The engine features cylinder deactivation, shutting down two cylinders under certain conditions to boost mpg and reduce CO2 emissions.

The interior is much improved  with the digital instrument panel ‘cockpit’ and the eight-inch touch screen dominating. The touchscreen controls navigation and sound system which includes DAB radio, and connectivity with streaming and internet capabilities. Smartphones can be hooked to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via screen mirroring.

In typical VW style the interior is solidly built with high quality fixtures and fittings, together with high-end soft touch finish to dash and doors and leather bound steering wheel and gearshift.

It is a comfortable place to be, with 30-colour ambient lighting, heated front seats, sports steering wheel with touch control function, brushed stainless steel pedals and a black headliner and aluminium scuff plates displaying the R-Line logo.

On the road the engine is refined, with plenty of grunt, and whether in full auto mode or having fun with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, is an engaging drive. Acceleration is brisk, hitting 60 in just over nine seconds and on to a top speed of 121 mph, if you fancy it, driving on the German autobahns.

Considering its high-off-the-ground stance, it feels stable, even when cornering at higher speeds, while the steering is nicely weighted and direct. The gearshifts via the dual-clutch box are barely perceptible, particularly around town. On the motorway is a comfortable cruiser with plenty of torque to aid overtaking at higher speeds, with only road noise from the large alloys occasionally intrusive and, if being really picky, some wind noise from the door mirrors.

 The cylinder technology helps to deliver impressive real-world economy, with nearly 40mpg possible according to the WLTP figures and CO2 emissions of 143 g/km.

There are multiple space and stowage options via the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats which also slide back and forth. It has a large boot, which comes with the option of ‘kick’ operation for easy remote opening and easy loading, and partitions for keeping items separate.

The generous 615 litres increases to a huge 1,665 with the seats folded flat. In addition a large bin between the front seats offers further stowage space, as do the roof rails.

 There is a full complement of airbags, plus features like stability and traction control together with Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist and front and rear parking sensors, as well as a Driver Alert System and Dynamic Road Sign Display.

The R-Line also features Emergency Assist and Travel Assist over the Elegance trim model, facilitating Level 2 autonomous driving at speeds of up to 130 mph (where permitted).

The entry-level trim kicks off with a generous raft of equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights and the goodies mount up as you move up through Life and then twin range toppers Elegance and R-Line.

Factfile

Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line 1.5 TSI 150 DSG

Price: £ 32,135

Mechanical: 1498cc, 150PS, four-cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via seven-speed DSG auto transmission

Maximum speed: 126mph

Acceleration: 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds

Economy: 38.8 mpg

Insurance group: 20E

CO2 emissions: 165g/km

BiK rating: 36 per cent

Warranty: three years, 60,000 miles

Family hatchback, Motor reviews, Volkswagen

New Golf better than ever

Leave a comment

Volkswagen Golf 8

By Bill McCarthy

THE iconic Golf has now been around since 1974. A runaway success that has endured for decades with its combination of quality, practicality and reliability, not to mention a few technical firsts.

 The latest, eighth generation, is a bit of a leap forward in design and tech. A new car, still unmistakably a Golf, but with sharper styling, leaner, more efficient engines  and an innovative interior with state-of-the-art technology.

Usually the reserve of more expensive and larger models, these can include a head-up display, adjustable ambient lighting with 32 colour options, and the ability to use a mobile phone as the vehicle key

It is still an excellent drive, with pin sharp steering and first class handling and has the  desirability that challenges even the more upmarket German models.

The Golf 8 will, says VW, eventually have the widest selection of engines in its class, the most efficient of these offering a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 17per cent compared with the outgoing car. These include petrol, cleaner diesels, mild and full hybrid.

Still based on the firm’s MQB platform,  it is slightly longer than the outgoing model but with virtually the same wheelbase, however the new slippery design means the Cd or drag figure is reduced, making it the most efficient yet. Essentially boot and passenger space remain pretty much the same. 

 As ever, there are myriad variations with new trims and engine choices, from  Life, Style and  R-Line at the top end. Even the entry Life model has an upgrade on standard kit than the previous equivalent model with smart alloys, electric windows and door mirrors, parking sensors, central instrument panel and multimedia touchscreen.

The Style driven here additionally offers 17-inch  alloy, front sports seats, bespoke interior trim and upholstery, climate control, door mirror puddle lights and LED headlights including cornering function and ‘Style’ exterior badging.

It is an altogether sexier looking model than predecessors, with swooping bonnet and narrow front grille flanked by LED headlights, with the signature VW badge centre, and a large air scoop below. To the rear, the word Golf is emblazoned on the boot, the sign of a company’s confidence in its product.

The so-called digital Innovision Cockpit is standard across the range and includes 10-inch display, and online navigation, connectivity and infotainment system within the additional 10-inch touch-screen display. It does take a bit of getting used to, a bit like the Peugeot 308’s digital screen, with a lack of buttons. The centre console has touch pad sliders for the air conditioning system and infotainment system. 

This mid-range model featured the 150PS, TSI petrol engine which delivers plenty of power, but excellent economy. It’s not all that long ago that the thought of a petrol engine of this size delivering around 50mpg would have seemed improbable. A sign of how petrol engine technology has moved on. 

It’s lively and can hit 60mph in just over eight seconds, plenty of pace for most needs and on to a top speed of 139mph where permitted. Mated to the usual slick VW six-speed gearbox, it delivers instant acceleration and has enough torque for effortless overtaking on the motorway.

It also handles beautifully, the suspension reacting expertly to changes in road conditions and it feels stable and well-planted while cornering.

Technology includes a raft of safety kit, plus it is also the first VW to use the Car2X car-to-car wireless communication technology.

This enables the vehicle to exchange information between other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure and can exchange data about hazards on the road ahead, for example broken-down vehicles, traffic jams or even approaching emergency services 

Still practical, there Is plenty of room for five people, along with a 381-litre luggage capacity. When the asymmetrical  rear seat backrest is folded down, the load capacity increases to a maximum of 1,237 litres.

The best Golf so far so, after more than four decades, perhaps the last word should go to Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of VW Passenger Cars: “A Golf always remains a Golf because the underlying concept is timeless.”  

Volkswagen Golf Style 1.5 TSI

Price: £25,230

Mechanical: 150PS, 1,498cc, four cylinder turbo charged petrol engine driving front wheels  via six speed gearbox

Insurance: 20E

Max speed: 139mph

0-62mph: 8.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 50.2

CO2 emissions: 125g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles