Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be hosting its second Volkswagen Fest 2018. With much more on offer this year, the festival will run from 12th till 14th October 2018 at Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam. The Volkswagen Fest 2018 will see Volkswagen fans from all walks of life celebrating their love for the brand. The main highlight of this year’s festival will be the unveiling of a special edition model range, and the introduction of Volkswagen’s Customer Loyalty Program.
Over the three days, visitors will get the opportunity to test drive a variety of Volkswagen models, and enjoy rebates and amazing deals on new and pre-registered cars. There will also be free petrol vouchers worth RM3,000 on selected pre-registered cars and on “Starbuys” such as the Vento from as low as RM55,888* and the Golf GTI (below) from as low as RM 188,888*. What’s more, those interested to buy a brand new Volkswagen can take advantage of the ongoing Price Protection Scheme is still applicable for all cars registered before 30 November.
And for the convenience of those wanting to sell off their current vehicle for a Volkswagen, there will be a free car evaluation and quick loan checks by a partner bank to assist in their hire purchase applications. As for existing Volkswagen owners visiting the festival, they will enjoy a free 20-point check on their cars at the designated aftersales booth, which also has other customer care-related activities. Additionally, Volkswagen will be offering a special aftersales membership for the first 200 owners with cars that are four years and older.
Other highlights to look out for at night are an outdoor movie screening on the 12th October at 8:30pm of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle starring in Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), and a mini concert with popular local bands such as Paperplane Pursuit, Talitha Tan and Bunkface on the 13th of October from 7.45pm. There are plenty of activities for visitors and their family members to enjoy such as the array of Klang Valley’s best food trucks, busker performances and Instagram-worthy art installations. For fitness buffs, a sunrise Yoga and HIIT workout session is available on 14th October, Sunday morning from 8am till 10am.
Volkswagen Fest 2018 will take place from the 12th – 14th October 2018 at Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam. Opening hours are: · 10am – midnight (12th – 13th October 2018). · 10am – 10pm (14th October 2018).
The cursor blinks. It awaits manual input because for now at least, thoughts can’t be translated automatically into words. I have a feeling however, it will be thus soon. Anyway, even if it could right now, I doubt anything I’m thinking about the VW Golf 1.4 TSi R-Line would be considered coherent at the moment, and the funny thing is, this was one of the easiest cars from VW that I’ve encountered in recent memory. Allow me to explain…
If you were to trace the lineage of the Golf, back to when it all started in the mid-70’s, it was never intended as a performance car, at all. Iterations of the Golf like the GTi and R were of course the ‘hot’ models in the stable, but in my opinion the regular Golf – like this 1.4 TSi for example – were very much the second ‘people’s car’ from VW, after the Beetle, and thus anyone expecting GTi or R type performance from this car, just because it’s a Golf, are in for surprise. And to me, it was a pleasant one…
Fast-forward more than four decades later and the vanilla-Golf is indeed still staying true to its manifesto, and while the 150Ps may not sound like much, it’s the 250Nm of torque that deserves some mention. It comes in at a low 1,500rpm to 3,500rpm, making it quite excellent for smooth and rapid acceleration as well as roll-on acceleration between 80 – 120kmh, commonly known as the ‘danger zone’ seeing as how that’s the area of speed for overtaking. Here’s how it works…
Again though, this is nowhere near the kind of acceleration and power you’d get from its aforementioned performance siblings, instead it’s smoother and a lot more linear as opposed to fireballs-out-the-flanks frantic. It imparts a more civilized way of driving, and it’s something that’s a lot easier to get used to. Believe me on this, after owning a Golf 1.4 TSi for 30 minutes, you’ll feel it’s been part of your life for years. It’s just that accommodating. Or is it?
Perhaps VW knew this full well, that maybe 90% of those buying this car would use it as a family car, daily-driver and occasional out-of-towner, because they seem to have dialed-in a lot of NVH suppression in this car – in addition to 7-airbags and a host of active and passive safety systems – so apart from superb build-quality, the ride is also amazingly quiet on the inside, and it’s only when you mash the accelerator pedal to the carpet that you can just about hear the intake roar emanating from the engine bay. It’s quite an addictive sound I tell you, and it should please that remaining 10%.
Almost didn’t see that “Mode” button till it was too late! It’s perfectly hidden from the driver’s view when the shifter is in ‘D’
I guess VW also realized that, well, for the aforementioned 10%, a Golf should also be fun, so they equipped this 1.4 TSi with a couple of naughty bits, in the form of ‘drive modes’. Yes, at the touch of a button (suspiciously located hidden from view behind the gear-lever next to the auto engine start/stop override button) ‘Sport’ mode ups the revs, delays the 7-speed DSG shifts and milks that 1.4 TSi engine to an inch of its life. It’s a profound transformation, and while (again) nowhere near its siblings, it still allows this car to be quite a bit of fun, for that occasional solo Sunday drive with the lads.
Born in 1974, and 44 years on, the effervescent Golf is still as fun has it’s always been and always should be. The perfect daily-commuter that won’t burn a hole in your bank account (annual road tax is just RM70!), shod with a wonderful TSi engine that’s both frugal and efficient, yet tractable and energetic, there’s a lot to like about this car, and if you’d like to see the full spec list, click this: VW Golf 1.4 TSi R-Line
Oh yeah, before I forget, here’s that cool digital-analogue instrument cluster I was talking about in the video. It’s quite brilliant actually. And do note, I’d done almost 200km and still had a range of another 390km to go before filling-up. What a car, what a car. I just thought that and it appeared on my screen all by itself. Honest. – Chris Wee.
I hate this goddam car. Ever since the first time I drove it in mid-2016 during its official media drive (below), I knew I’d end up eventually hating it, and sure enough, I did. But before I create any (more) confusion – because sarcasm really doesn’t translate well in text – let me be clear. I hate it because it’s so damn good.
The VW Vento 1.2 TSi is like the baby sedan of the Volkswagen family, and boy is it ever belligerent. Part of my ire comes from the fact that the annual road-tax for this car is a paltry RM55, whereas I’m paying five times more than that yearly, for a car that’s nowhere even close to being this awesome. Seriously, a car paying only RM55 a year for road-tax has no damn business being this good.
And that’s just one of my smaller capacity cars that I’m comparing the Vento to, I’ve not even touched on the 2,800cc monster I also own, for which I’m paying (grabs calculator) 25 times more annual road-tax. And again, it’s nowhere near as good. Let that sink in a bit, and maybe you’ll start to feel my angst.
So you see, why I hate the Vento is because it made me seriously question my lifestyle choice of personal transport. Having always been (or for as long as I can remember, which is not very long) an old-school and classic car kinda guy, I began to consider the possibility of selling all the cars I own and settling once and for all, for a ‘new’ car, like this Vento. Now this wasn’t an easy feat to accomplish on the Vento’s part by any means, but it definitely gave it a go…
The official media drive encompassed a series of switchbacks as well as flat-out bursts on the highway. On the B-roads, the Vento performed very well, darting from corner to curve with uncanny dexterity, while on the highway when we weren’t puttering around and enjoying the elevated levels of comfort and low NVH, it managed to keep-up with much higher capacity sedans. Case in point a popular 2.4 family sedan, not known to be a slouch.
The Vento was able to tail this sedan at speeds exceeding 190kmh (actual photo above) and beyond, and all the while still feel composed and un-stressed. Even my co-driver who was at the wheel at the time (unabashed blame-shift right there), a guy not easily impressed, was impressed. As was I.
105Ps and 175Nm may not seem like a lot, and something tells me these figures are modest. it comes from a 4-cyl, direct-injection, turbocharged engine that’s only a 1,197cc (hence the ridiculously low annual road-tax).
To put that into perspective, my Kawasaki Voyager XII motorcycle has a bigger engine, but yet again, nowhere near as powerful. Oh yeah, while on that matter, that bikes’ annual road-tax also costs five times more than the Ventos’. For the full specifications and price list (the Vento’s, not my bike), click this link.
Well, if you’re tired of reading about it, have a look at this recent in-car video when I got my hands on the little Vento again, while I go off and sulk for a while…
So this time around, for this revisit of sorts, I had the Vento for a whole week, and after all was said and done, this was my final say on the car…
So yeah, the VW Vento, it’s made me question everything I’ve ever held dear to my heart, insofar as my personal thoughts and feelings on the automotive realm are concerned, and for that reason, and that reason alone, and maybe also because it costs less than a hundred grand, I still hate it. Just kidding. – Chris Wee.
VW Vento 1.2 TSi Photo Gallery (photos during official media drive in 2016 by Aaron Lee)
Ready to go Wild? Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has introduced a new package for the Tiguan Comfortline, called the ‘WILD’ package. Included in the ‘WILD’ package are aluminium sports pedals, chrome trunk garnish, chrome load lip protector, chrome exhaust trim, scuff plates with Tiguan logo – and the kit is completed with VW Tint window film. The ‘WILD’ package retails at RM5,099.
Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM (above) said that the introduction of the ‘WILD’ package provides Tiguan customers with an option of having their Tiguan stand apart from the others. “We are constantly looking for new ways to enhance our products and offer stylish options for our customers. Having these enhancements on the Tiguan will definitely complement the SUV’s sleek design and defined contours,” he said.
A strong favourite amongst SUV fans in Malaysia, the Tiguan combines a 1.4L turbocharged direct injection TSI engine with a 6-speed automatic wet-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) to give an impressive output of 150PS and a torque of 250Nm between 1,500 to 3,500rpm. The Tiguan Comfortline is priced at RM 148,990 excluding the ‘WILD’ package.
Together with all current Volkswagen models (effective 1st January 2018), the Tiguan comes with a free 3-year maintenance programme (or 45,000km, whichever comes first) along with 5-year manufacturer’s warranty and 5-year roadside assistance.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced a revised Service Maintenance Schedule for Volkswagen cars, effective 1st April 2018. The revised Service Maintenance Schedule also offers up to 26% savings for Volkswagen owners (calculated based on 5 years or 75,000km).
Florian Steiner, Managing Director of VPCM said that the move is in-line with the company’s continuous efforts to optimize the ownership experience and in giving owners peace-of-mind. “The revised Service Maintenance Schedule, paired with the three years’ free maintenance programme which we introduced on the 1st of January 2018, makes owning a Volkswagen even more cost-effective,” he added.
A list of the revised Service Maintenance Schedules for all current and previous Volkswagen models sold in Malaysia can be found in detail on the official Volkswagen website. The revised Service Maintenance Schedule is only applicable to models sold by the manufacturer, and does not cover models imported via unauthorized distributors.
This revised Service Maintenance Schedule is implemented, due to extended replacement intervals of certain components. This translates into better savings for the owner. However, Volkswagen technicians will still perform routine checks, as part of the standard service process and will advise accordingly, if any parts replacement is required.
Set against an Alpine backdrop along the shores of Lake Wörth or Wörthersee as it is known in German, the tranquil town of Reifnitz transforms every May into a giant automobile playground to celebrate the Golf GTI. Since 1982, the town has hosted the “Wörthersee Treffen”, an annual gathering of GTI enthusiasts.
What began as a small gathering of GTI owners is now a full-fledged festival of modified, classic and vintage Volkswagen cars attracting over 100,000 fans around the world. This year marks the 37th year of the event, and it promises to be quite a show. Check out the video from last year!
For the first time ever, and in conjunction with the upcoming launch of the new Golf family, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering fans in Malaysia the chance to win the trip of a lifetime to the annual Wörthersee GTI Festival in Austria.
The contest is divided into two rounds. In Round One, participants are required to answer 10 Golf-related questions in the fastest time, and the top three fastest participant will advance to the Grand Finale. The Grand Finale promises to be a nail-biting experience, as the three finalists will be battling it out in a Live Quiz finale at the Volkswagen Tour happening in 1 Utama Shopping Centre on the 31st of March 2018.
The grand prize? An all-expense paid trip for two to join the thousands of GTI fans around the world in Austria!So rev up, and take on the ultimate Golf challenge!
This is how you get to Worthersee…
ROUND 1: · Participants are required to register and complete their personal details on Volkswagen Malaysia’s website (https://www.volkswagen.com.my/GTIWorthersee) · The contest will run from 20th March till27th March, at 11:59pm · Participants may take part in a practice round to familiarize themselves with the mechanics as many times, before they begin the Quiz. · Participants are required to answer a set of 10 multiple choice questions in the fastest amount of time. · Each participant may submit multiple entries during the contest period. · Three (3) finalists will be selected to compete in the Grand Finale.
ROUND 2 (GRAND FINALE): (Live Quiz Round, 1Utama Shopping Centre) · Three finalists will compete head-to-head in a live quiz hosted at the Volkswagen Tour in 1Utama Shopping Centre on the 31st March 2018. · The Winner will be selected based on the fastest time, the most number of correct answers, subject to the decision by the panel of judges and announced at the event.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced its return to the 2018 Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL) as the official automotive partner. Volkswagen’s previous involvement with LTDL was in 2016.
For this year’s LTDL, VPCM will be providing a total of 180 units of Volkswagen cars from its current model line-up, comprising of the Polo, Vento Highline, Passat Trendline, Passat Highline and the Tiguan Highline. The vehicles will be used throughout the race by riders, safety marshals and officials. You can see some of them in this short video leading the LeTour cyclists…
As the official automotive partner, VPCM is also will be presenting the White Jersey to the competition’s Asian Champion. Commenting on the partnership, Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM said that Volkswagen is honoured to once again be part of Asia’s most prestigious cycling event.
“We are delighted to be able to support the race with our range of Volkswagen models, and we look forward to the amazing display of endurance, agility and strengths from the world-class riders taking part. On behalf of Volkswagen, we wish the participants all the very best,” he added.
Held since 1996, the Le Tour de Langkawi is a multiple stage bicycle race that has gained multiple accolades and is now recognised as a highlight in the global competitive cycling calendar, attracting the world’s top riders.
It’s quite a mouthful isn’t it? Volkswagen Passat Comfortline Plus 280 TSI 7-speed DSG. Okay, so that last bit with the mention of its gearbox isn’t really in the official name, I just added it in for effect and because I’m silly that way…
But while we’re at it, let’s dissect that “280” badge on the boot shall we? Well, apparently it denotes the torque figure, but this Comfortline Plus 1.8 variant only has 250Nm, so why “280” then? VW says that if the torque figure falls between a certain range, they’ll just take the higher numeric and stick it on the boot. Wait, what?
It’s all part of a new naming nomenclature that began last year, whereby the VW Group has chosen to use the torque figure to denote which variant of the car it is, simple as that.
If you’re still with me, let’s try to forget all that because it really isn’t relevant to the car at hand. Here’s my take on the car, summed up in a short video:
It really is nice actually, and as you can see from the video below, it looks strikingly good as well. Here’s a quick 360-degree external walk-around video, followed by the 5 main things I love about this car:
The Clock…
No joke, wanna know one of the coolest things about the Passat interior? It’s the clock. Seriously, situated smack-dab in the centre of the dashboard sits this wonderful analogue clock. Now I don’t know about you but to me, in this digital-age, digital clocks really cheapen the looks of a car. I don’t care if it cost millions or mere thousands, a digital clock cheapens any car that it’s used in. Period.
Thankfully, the one in this Passat looks glorious. I absolutely love the simplicity of it, and the thought given to where it’s placed deserves mention too; anyone in the car can see it, regardless of where they’re sitting.
The Engine…
Like me, I’m sure anyone test-driving this car will not believe it’s a 1.8-litre 4-pot, especially when ‘Sport’ mode is selected, followed by vigourous fingering of the paddle shifts. I should have worded that better I think, but you get what I mean.
There’s a definite Dr.Jeckyll & Mr.Hyde thing going on under that bonnet because ‘Sport’ mode really does bring out the beast in this car, and while normal cruising rewards the occupants with a smooth and effortless ride, ‘Sport’ mode alters this cars’ personality to the ‘nth degree.
The Design…
It’s a subjective matter of course, but in terms of design and aesthetic appeal, despite being a ‘safe’ choice as I mentioned in the video, there’s still something about how this car looks from the outside that’s uncannily appealing.
It’s not in the least bit ostentatious, however, the Passat manages to pull-off looking sporty and aggressive, and yet stylish at the same time. There’s just something about that front-end that captures your attention and holds it. Double-takes were very prevalent during the time I had the car…
The Ride…
Here’s another trick akin to what the designers pulled-off insofar as looks are concerned, that the engineers accomplished as well. The car runs on 18-inch alloys, but you’d never know it because the suspension manages to soak-up even the worst undulations and asphalt irregularities, which abound in this country.
At the same time, the Passat feels stable and reassuring in twists and turns taken more ‘spiritedly’. It’s not a GTI and shouldn’t be thought of as one, but it will hold its own during the odd occasion you find yourself alone on a stretch of road that would be a sin to not take advantage of. Yes, I know you know what I mean…
The Ownership Experience…
I had a bet the other day with a friend that I could drive a car for 5km and know exactly everything I’d need to know about it for the purposes of a review. I was bullshitting of course, and while reliability and cost of ownership are things that I can’t comment about for this Passat, I can say that having had it for a longer period of time than usual, it’s a brilliant ownership proposition.
This is the kind of car that would be ideal as a company car, daily commuter and weekend family-time car as well. It’s big, spacious, comfortable and very well appointed (FULL specs, click here). That’s my driving position in the photo above and look at the space available at the back. Some carmakers shorten the length of the rear seat for added legroom, this is not the case with the Passat.
So as I said in the video, despite not seeing this car much on the road, it is a definite worthy consideration for anyone seeking a D-segment car in the RM180k range. By all means go test the other multitude of D-segmenters from Germany, Japan, S.Korea, and even the USA. But do yourself a favour… save the VW Passat for last. – Chris Wee.
VW Passat 1.8TSI Comfortline PLUS Specs That Matter…
Price: RM179,990 + RM4,990 for PLUS upgrades
6.5″ touchscreen display radio ‘Composition Media’ with USB, SD Card slot, Bluetooth and AUX-In
‘Climatronic’ air-conditioning system with 3-zone temperature control
Front leather seats with 12-way electric adjust with massage and memory for driver
‘Easy open’ rear boot and Keyless Entry and Push Start
Electronic parking brake, auto hold and hill hold control
Park Assist 3.0
Adaptive LED lighting system
Rear view camera with 4 views
6 airbags
Power & Torque…
The 1.8TSI which is powering this Comfortline PLUS has 180PS and 250Nm @ 1250rpm – 5000rpm with the combined fuel efficiency of 5.7l/100km.
For the record, the 2.0TSI which is powering the Highline has 220PS and 350Nm @ 1500rpm – 4400rpm with the combined fuel efficiency of 6.2l/100km.
PLUS upgrades worth RM12,000
‘Monterey’ alloy wheels 8J x 18″
Window tinting by VW Tint
For full details, warranties and official price, click here.
Eighty years. Yup, that’s how long the VW Beetle has been around. It’s one of the most iconic cars in automotive history – recognised and loved by many for its distinct shape, which really hasn’t changed much in eight decades, and rich heritage.
This year, the Beetle celebrates its 80th birthday, and Volkswagen Malaysia (VPCM) is celebrating with a nationwide dealer celebration and everyone is invited. The nationwide birthday celebration will take place on the 17th of March, Saturday at all authorized Volkswagen dealers from 11am till 5pm.
Visitors at the party will be able to test drive the Beetle Sport 1.2TSI (above & below)and enjoy fun themed activities and refreshments for the whole family. Those who take part in the test drive will also stand a chance to win a lucky draw price of a LEGO Creator Expert Volkswagen Beetle at the dealership. Check out our review of the Beetle Sport here.
The Beetle Sport is priced from RM147,888 and is available in a variety of colours that will delight owners – Bottle Green (above), Pure White, Tornado Red, Blue Silk, Dark Bronze and Habanero Orange.
The Beetle comes with paddle shifters, cruise control, 2-zone Climatronic air-conditioning system, 6.5” Composition media with touch screen display with App-Connect, leather trim “Vienna” seats with front seat lumbar support, bi-xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights.
A 1.2-litre turbocharged TSI engine with an output of 105PS with a maximum torque of 175Nm under the hood mated to 7-speed DSG automatic transmission ensures an exhilarating ride with every drive.
Customers can enjoy a rebate of RM5,000 for a Beetle, as well as cash rebates of up to RM15,000 on other Volkswagen models. All Volkswagen models registered from the 1st of January 2018 also come with a 3-year (or 45,000km, whichever comes first) free maintenance package.
