Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has kicked off its Chinese New Year campaign, featuring a range of enticing deals across its entire model lineup. Running until the 29th of February, the campaign presents substantial savings of up to RM18,888 on various Volkswagen models, including the Golf GTI, Tiguan Allspace range, and the Arteon R-Line.
Here are the details of the savings offered during the campaign:
Tiguan Allspace Life (IQ.Drive): RM2,888 savings, priced at RM174,102
Tiguan Allspace Elegance (IQ.Drive): RM8,888 savings, priced at RM197,102
Tiguan Allspace R-Line (IQ.Drive): RM8,888 savings, priced at RM250,102
Arteon R-Line (IQ.Drive): RM18,888 savings, priced at RM281,102
Golf GTI (IQ.Drive): RM3,888 savings, priced at RM249,102
As part of the campaign, Volkswagen is offering a comprehensive ownership package for all its models. This includes 5 years of free maintenance, a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, and 5 years of roadside assistance. The Chinese New Year campaign not only brings exclusive savings but also enhances the overall ownership experience for Volkswagen customers.
Prototaip bateri pepejal QuantumScape telah menunjukkan keputusan yang mengagumkan dalam ujian yang dijalankan oleh Volkswagen PowerCo lab, melebihi keperluan prestasi dengan ketara.
Prototaip ini telah melalui lebih daripada 1,000 kitaran cas, mengekalkan lebih daripada 95% kapasiti tenaganya yang asal. Menurut QuantumScape, ini setara dengan kereta elektrik menempuh lebih daripada 482,803km tanpa kehilangan jarak yang ketara.
Walaupun matlamat syarikat adalah 800 kitaran dengan retensi tenaga 80%, ujian ini memberikan harapan yang baik untuk pembangunan bateri metal litium pepejal. Teknologi ini menjanjikan jarak panduan yang lebih panjang, masa cas yang lebih singkat, dan keselamatan yang ditingkatkan berbanding bateri litium-ion konvensional.
QuantumScape dan Volkswagen bekerjasama untuk membawa bateri pepejal ini ke pasaran dengan secepat mungkin. Syarikat berhasrat untuk mempunyai “sampel B dengan jumlah yang lebih tinggi” sedia pada tahun depan.
QuantumScape, a leading developer of solid-state batteries, has achieved significant success in recent testing conducted by Volkswagen’s PowerCo labs. The prototype of QuantumScape’s solid-state battery underwent an impressive 1,000 charging cycles, retaining over 95% of its initial energy capacity. This outstanding performance is equivalent to an electric vehicle covering more than 482,803km without experiencing any noticeable degradation in range.
The solid-state battery technology developed by QuantumScape is considered revolutionary due to its potential to offer longer ranges, shorter charging times, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The company’s target for the prototype was 800 cycles with 80% energy retention, and the actual results have far surpassed this goal.
The rigorous testing carried out by Volkswagen’s PowerCo labs is a crucial step in validating the performance potential of QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium metal batteries. The prototype cell used in the tests has the same number of layers and follows the same proprietary cell format as QuantumScape’s first production-intent battery cell, known as the QSE-5.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) hari ini memperkenalkan Golf GTI yang telah dinaik taraf, lengkap dengan sistem audio Harman Kardon dan ciri paparan Head-up Display. Dengan peningkatan baru ini, Golf GTI kini ditawarkan pada harga RM252,990.
Sistem audio premium Harman Kardon 480-watt meningkatkan lagi ambien dalaman GTI dengan 10 unit pembesar suara. Ia mampu memberikan pengalaman bunyi keliling yang mengasyikkan dan akustik
mengagumkan. Menggabungkan aspek keselamatan dan kepekaan yang pintar, paparan head-up display memaparkan pelbagai maklumat penting pada ruang pandangan pemandu pada cermin utama. Maklumat-maklumat penting seperti kelajuan, navigasi dan sistem amaran memastikan pemandu sentiasa peka dan melihat informasi tersebut tanpa perlu mengalihkan mata mereka daripada jalan raya di hadapan.
Golf GTI ialah sebuah ikon yang tidak perlu diperkenalkan lagi. Ia merupakan sebuah hot hatch yang menawarkan prestasi penuh kuasa dan meningkatkan pengalaman pemanduan. Jentera itu dijana oleh enjin 2.0TSI turbo berkuasa 245PS dan tork 370Nm yang dipadankan bersama kotak gear 7 kelajuan klac basah DSG. Hot hatch itu amat mudah dikenali dengan adanya gril hadapan jenis honeycomb dan kemasan GTI berwarna merah yang menjadi signatur rekaannya. Penampilan itu dilengkapkan dengan rim aloi Richmond bersaiz 18” yang sporty, angkup brek berwarna merah, serta lampu utama dan belakang LED sepenuhnya.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has unveiled an upgraded version of the Golf GTI, now equipped with a premium Harman Kardon audio system and a Head-up Display. Priced at RM252,990, these enhancements aim to provide an elevated driving experience for enthusiasts.
The addition of the Harman Kardon 480-watt audio system complements the Golf GTI’s interior, delivering an immersive surround sound experience through its 10 speakers. This feature enhances the overall ambience of the GTI, providing impressive acoustics for an immersive driving experience.
Another notable feature introduced in the upgraded Golf GTI is the Head-up Display. This innovative safety feature projects essential information directly onto the driver’s field of vision on the windscreen. Vital data, including speed, navigation details, and system warnings, is presented in a way that allows drivers to stay informed without diverting their attention from the road.
The Golf GTI, a renowned icon among hot hatches, continues to impress with its powerful performance. It is powered by a 2.0TSI turbocharged engine coupled with a 7-speed wet clutch DSG, generating an impressive 245PS and 370Nm of torque. Recognisable by its signature honeycomb front grille, red GTI trims, and sporty 18” Richmond alloy wheels, the Golf GTI also features full LED headlamps and taillights.
Volkswagen, facing challenges in a competitive automotive landscape, has informed its employees to brace for potential job cuts as the company aims to save €10 billion. The move is part of the automaker’s strategy to address inefficiencies, high costs, and regain competitiveness in a rapidly changing industry.
Company Struggles and Cost-Cutting Measures
Volkswagen is currently grappling with a decline in market share in China, the need to navigate the competitive landscape posed by Tesla, and a temporary production pause for its electric vehicles in Europe due to sluggish demand. Thomas Schaefer, CEO of the VW brand, candidly stated at a recent staff meeting that the company is “no longer competitive” in its current state, citing high costs and inefficiencies within the organization.
During the meeting at the Wolfsburg headquarters, Schaefer emphasized the need for change, stating, “With many of our pre-existing structures, processes, and high costs, we are no longer competitive as the Volkswagen brand.” Gunnar Kilian, a board member for human resources, acknowledged the possibility of job reductions, with some employees considering partial or early retirement. However, he emphasized that the majority of the targeted €10 billion in savings would come from measures beyond job cuts, details of which will be revealed later.
Addressing Inefficiencies and Duplications
Kilian urged the company to be “brave and honest enough to throw things overboard that are being duplicated within the company or are simply ballast we don’t need for good results.” The company aims to streamline its operations, eliminate redundancies, and optimise processes to achieve cost savings and enhance overall efficiency.
This announcement follows earlier warnings from Schaefer in June, where he alerted VW managers about rising costs, stating, “the roof is on fire” and emphasising the need to address cost challenges across various areas within the company.
Volkswagen’s cost-cutting strategy reflects the broader challenges faced by traditional automakers as they navigate an industry undergoing significant transformation, including the rise of electric vehicles and changing consumer preferences.
Volkswagen Group has reportedly decided to externalise the development of its upcoming Scout electric SUV and truck, opting for Magna Steyr to engineer the two models in exchange for €450 million (approximately RM2,307,300,007). This significant development contract marks a notable collaboration between the German automotive giant and Magna Steyr, a renowned contract manufacturer based in Graz, Austria.
The revival of the Scout brand by Volkswagen was announced in May 2022, with plans to introduce an electric pickup truck and SUV in 2026. Subsequent developments included the appointment of CEO Scott Keogh in July, the announcement of a new assembly plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, and the appointment of Chris Benjamin as Chief of Design in May 2023. The project has now taken a new turn with the decision to externalise the development process.
Magna Steyr, known for its extensive experience in contract manufacturing, is tasked with engineering the electric SUV and truck for Scout Motors. The €450 million agreement positions Magna Steyr as a key player in the development of these EVs. The company, which has been assembling vehicles since the late 1970s, has built various models, including the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and is currently involved in the production of models like the Toyota Supra/BMW Z4, Jaguar’s E-Pace and I-Pace, and the Fisker Ocean.
Volkswagen telah mengambil keputusan untuk memberikan pembangunan SUV dan trak elektrik Scout yang akan datang kepada Magna Steyr dalam satu perjanjian bernilai €450 juta (RM2,307,289,475). Pengenalan semula jenama Scout diumumkan pada Mei 2022, dengan rancangan untuk membawa trak pikap dan SUV elektrik ke pasaran menjelang 2026. Dalam perkembangan terkini, Volkswagen telah memilih Magna Steyr, pengeluar kontrak yang berpengalaman yang berpusat di Austria, untuk mengendalikan aspek kejuruteraan penting bagi kenderaan elektrik ini.
Magna Steyr mempunyai reputasi kukuh dalam industri ini kerana pengalamannya yang meluas dalam pengeluaran kontrak, dengan terlibat dalam penyusunan pelbagai model kereta untuk pembuat kereta yang berbeza, termasuk Mercedes-Benz G-Class yang ikonik dan model untuk Toyota, BMW, Jaguar, dan Fisker, antara lain.
Volkswagen has offered a tantalising sneak peek at the upcoming all-electric estate version of its flagship ID.7 model, which now goes by the name ID.7 Tourer. The highly anticipated model is slated for release in Europe in 2024 and promises a blend of spaciousness and impressive efficiency. Volkswagen plans to reveal the final design in the forthcoming months.
With the ID.7 Tourer, Volkswagen marks its entry into the all-electric estate segment, poised to make its debut in 2024.
An aerodynamic design is a cornerstone for achieving extended driving ranges. The ID.7 saloon, previously unveiled and now hitting European roads, stands as a testament to Volkswagen’s commitment to aerodynamics, boasting a remarkable Cd-value of 0.23. The ID.7 Tourer is no slouch in this department either, with a nearly identical Cd-value of 0.24. Even beneath the intriguing Indian summer camouflage, the ID.7 Tourer’s elegant and commanding design shines through.
The ID.7 Tourer is presently clad in a seasonal camouflage pattern, echoing the multi-layer paint scheme showcased on the ID.7 saloon at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. The imagery of the camouflage exudes an Indian summer aesthetic, with seamlessly integrated QR codes at the rear.
The ID.7 Tourer offers a luxurious interior with its short overhangs and extended wheelbase. When carrying a full complement of five passengers, the car’s cargo capacity extends up to 545 litres, reaching the height of the rear seat backrest. Fold those seats down, and the nearly two-metre-long cargo space can expand to an impressive 1,714 litres.
Like all members of the ID. family, the ID.7 Tourer is built on the MEB platform from the Volkswagen Group. The advantages of this modular system, including short overhangs and an extended wheelbase, yield a spacious and elegant full-sized hatchback with an expansive sense of roominess and a substantial increase in trunk capacity.
Following the successful production of the ID.4, the ID.7 Tourer is the second model based on the MEB platform to be manufactured at Volkswagen’s Emden plant, reaffirming the company’s commitment to electric mobility in Germany’s north-western region.
As the automotive world continues its electric revolution, Volkswagen’s ID.7 Tourer stands as a compelling addition, combining efficiency, style, and the promise of a brighter, sustainable future.
Volkswagen is ramping up its commitment to high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) with the introduction of the ID.X Performance concept car. This concept is part of Volkswagen’s broader electrification strategy, which includes performance-focused models like the ID.GTI and GTX variants.
The ID.X Performance concept is based on the ID.7 sedan but deviates significantly from its standard counterpart in terms of appearance and performance.
It showcases several distinctive design elements and features, highlighting its sporty and performance-oriented character.
Firstly, the front end of the concept car undergoes a dramatic transformation, marked by a large black grille positioned at the base of the front bumper. This bold grille design exudes a strong and aggressive visual presence. Additionally, matching vents are strategically placed at each corner of the front fascia, contributing to the car’s sporty appearance and possibly aiding in aerodynamics.
Moving to the rear of the ID.X Performance, a carbon fibre diffuser serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. It enhances the car’s aerodynamic efficiency, reducing drag and potentially increasing downforce. The use of carbon fibre also adds a touch of high-performance, racing-inspired style to the rear design.
