On October 24, Volkswagen will have the attention of the motoring world when it unveils the 8th generation of the Golf. The event will take place at its home city in Germany, Wolfsburg. Prior to the event in 12 days, the carmaker has released these sketches as teasers.
One of the bestselling cars for decades, the Golf has evolved continuously from one generation to the next, meeting the changes in society and demands of consumers. For the new generation, Volkswagen says there will be more digitalisation and connectivity than ever before, packed with innovations and sporting a highly expressive design.
Evolution of the ‘face’ of the Golf through eight generations.
New range of efficient engines
In the new model, the strengths that have made the Golf a worldwide bestseller will be complemented by a new range of efficient engines (which will undoubtedly include hybrids). Enhanced suspension technology will provide a boost in terms of agility.
From the sketch, it can be seen that the exterior design is more dynamic – and yet instantly recognisable as a Golf from all sides. On the inside, fresh colours and fabrics define the look of the new model as well as a new digital cockpit.
How the dashboard of the Golf has changed since the first generation launched in 1974.More digitisation for the instrument panel of the Golf Mk.8
Will it be assembled in Malaysia?
Following its debut, the first deliveries of the new Golf Mk.8 will commence in December. Now that the assembly facility in Pekan, Pahang, has the MQB platform for the Tiguan, it would be easier to put the Golf Mk.8 on the line as well, allowing a more competitive price. This could then allow the Malaysian facility to become a regional production hub for the model to be distributed using AFTA privileges. However, we have heard that although Volkswagen has been keen to export cars, certain duty issues have yet to be sorted out.
What happens when you give a Volkswagen Beetle R to a legendary race car driver and super pro drifter to compete in rallycross? You’d get race wins. That’s exactly what happened during the final round of the 2019 Americas Rallycross Series in the hands of Tanner Foust. (more…)
When it comes to sportiest Volkswagen on the planet, the models always come with their performance brand letter, the Volkswagen R. Bred and perfected on the race track, all Volkswagen R models are offered and enhanced with both superior performance and all-round capabilities for daily driving which includes comfort and driving dynamics. (more…)
Volkswagen has stopped producing the Beetle and whatever stocks remain in Malaysian dealerships as well as dealerships in other countries are all that’s left. Decades from now, these last models may be classic items, the way the original has held its own appeal.
You may want to get one to keep but you already have a car and can’t pay for a new Beetle. However, there is way to get one for FREE – and all that’s needed is a creative spirit. As part of a year-long celebration of the beloved Bug, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia will be giving away a brand-new Beetle in its ‘Win the Icon’ Instagram contest.
The last Beetle leaving the assembly line at the VW factory in Mexico in July this year.
The contest runs from today till 4 pm onNovember 30, 2019 and rides on Volkswagen’s tagline of ‘Better experienced than explained’. Open to all Malaysians (with a valid driver’s license), participation in the contest needs only a test drive of a new Volkswagen model at any authorized dealership in Malaysia. You have to document the experience in a one-minute video clip, caption it creatively and then upload it to Instagram (set to Public viewing).
You can test-drive various models and submit separate videos as well, and these will be accepted as additional entries.
Together with your submission, you need to complete the slogan: “My #BetterExperiencedThanExplained story is…”. Follow and tag @VolkswagenMalaysia in the post. That’s it! And if your submission is the winning one, you will know in December and become the owner of a new Volkswagen Beetle 1.2TSI.
You can ask for a test-drive at any authorised VW dealership in Malaysia
For more information, visit www.volkswagen.com.my or any authorised Volkswagen dealership in Malaysia.
The much-loved Volkswagen Beetle ceased production twice – the first time in 2003 after a 39-year run and the second time in July this year. With the second event, Volkswagen made it clear that the model line will not have a successor.
However, as with any model that is so iconic, fading into history is not going to happen easily. Even with the first and original generation, there are many units preserved by collectors which will be around for decades to come.
Electrifying the Beetle
And even at Volkswagen, a subsidiary known as Volkswagen Group Components has come up with a holistic concept for the electrification of the historic model. The conversion exclusively uses new parts they have mutually agreed on from the mass production of Volkswagen Group Components. The electric drive, the 1-speed gearbox and the battery system are based on the new VW e-up!. The conversion of the historic Beetle is being carried out by the specialist company eClassics.
Unlike the original model, there is no engine in the rear compartment of the e-Beetle.
“The electrified Beetle combines the charm of our classic car with the mobility of the future. Innovative e-components from Volkswagen Group Components are under the bonnet – we work with them to electrify historically important vehicles, in what is an emotional process,” explained Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components. “We are also providing Beetle owners with a professional conversion solution, using production parts of the highest quality.”
New VW e-up! as technical basis
The technical basis for the conversion is provided by tested production parts from Volkswagen’s new e-up! These are manufactured at Volkswagen Group Components production sites. The components work together in the e-Beetle as an electric drive that reaches performance peaks of 60 kW/82 ps. The lithium-ion battery pack is built into the underbody and consists of up to 14 modules, each with a capacity of 2.6 kWh, cumulatively delivering energy of up to 36.8 kWh.
Under the rear tail light unit on the right side is the port for recharging the battery pack.
The higher performance and the increased weight due to the extent of electrification require the adaptation and reinforcement of the chassis and the brakes. Despite the new total weight of 1,280 kgs, the e-Beetle accelerates to 50 km/h in just under 4 seconds and to 80 km in just over 8 seconds.
The range of the e-Beetle, which reaches top speeds of up to 150 km/h, is 200 kms – a comfortable distance for a relaxing day out in a classic car with a ‘new heart’. In the event that the e-Beetle runs out of electricity during the trip, fast charging is possible via a combined charging system. As a result, the e-Beetle can store enough energy for a journey of over 150 kms after recharging for around an hour. That would be about the time spent at a cafe along the way.
Concept can be transferred
Based on this concept, the subsequent electrification of other historic vehicles will also be possible. We are already working together to prepare the platform for the Bus. An e-Porsche 356 could also be pursued in the future,” Mr. Schmall hinted. The use of the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) is also being considered. This creates additional opportunities regarding performance and range.
About Volkswagen Group Components
As an entrepreneurially independent business unit under the umbrella of Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group Components is responsible for the development and production of strategic components for the Group’s vehicle-producing brands. 80,000 employees work in over 60 plants at 47 production sites worldwide in five business areas – Engine and Foundry, Gearbox and Electric Drive, Chassis, Seats and Electric Mobility. They develop and manufacture vehicle components, shape future topics such as charging infrastructure and battery recycling – and thus make a decisive contribution to the value of the Volkswagen Group, its brands and products.
A brand logo is a very important element in a company’s identity, more so if the company has global coverage. While the first design may sometimes be rushed when the company is founded, more thought usually goes into the design and what it means as the years go by. In the car industry, brand logos have evolved constantly but, in most cases, the original image is retained. The change usually comes during a new era in the business environment or in the company’s direction.
At the 2019 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany this week, the Volkswagen brand unveils its new logo and a new brand design. This world premiere marks the start of a new era for Volkswagen, accompanied by the presentation of the full-electric ID.3 at the same time. Volkswagen’s future is electric, fully connected and has a neutral carbon balance.
The first Volkswagen logo (left) which was used in the 1930s, and the new one (right) which will appear from this month.In between, the logo evolved a number of times but the ‘VW’ remained a clear element.
More modern and more authentic
With its new brand design, VW has created a uniform global 360° brand experience which is ‘more modern and more authentic’. The new Volkswagen logo with its flat two-dimensional design is clearer and has been reduced to its essential elements. The brand design and the logo aim for high flexibility and are intended for digital applications. It will apply to Volkswagen Passenger Cars and also Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
“The new brand design marks the start of the new era for Volkswagen,” said Jurgen Stackmann, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and After-Sales. “By formulating new content and with new products, the brand is undergoing a fundamental transformation towards a future with a neutral emission balance for everyone. Now is the right time to make the new attitude of our brand visible to the outside world.”
One of the world’s largest rebranding campaigns
The realignment of Volkswagen’s brand design is said to be one of the world’s largest rebranding campaigns, with the changeover to the new design due to be completed by mid-2020. The strategic foundations for the new brand design were not done by external agencies but by a joint team of Volkswagen Design and Marketing. The design was implemented with the full integration of all departments of the company in the record time of 9 months using a powerhouse concept developed by Volkswagen especially for this purpose. A total of 19 internal teams and 17 external agencies were involved in the project.
Volkswagen’s Chief Designer Klaus Bischoff played a key role in the development of the new corporate identity. “In the new brand design, we have created an authentic communications platform for the emotional presentation of e-mobility. We are showing the Volkswagen of the future under the motto of “digital first” and “no filter”.
The symbol and trademark will be the new logo which is more modern, clearer and simpler. The logo is reduced to its essential elements and presented with a new design that is flat and two-dimensional. It will allow more flexible use and will be outstandingly recognizable in digital media. To date, the logo has been blue and white. A new blue tone is now being added, allowing additional colour variants. As the digital application with simple, user-friendly interfaces has become extremely important, the logo will be positioned flexibly with the new ‘moving frame’ in the future.
Focus on people in visual language
The new visual language of the brand will be very different from that presented by Volkswagen to date – it will be bolder and more colourful. The focus will be on people. Volkswagen will no longer concentrate on perfectionism in vehicle photography. In future, the main objective will be to present realistic situations that customers can identify with.
As in the case of the vehicle, light will also play a key role in communications. Light is the new chromium. In future, the logo will be illuminated, on the vehicle, at the brand locations and at the dealerships.
Instead of a brand claim, Volkswagen will have a sound logo for the first time. This will make also make the Volkswagen brand distinctive in acoustic terms, both in the vehicle and in communications. For several decades, Volkswagen has used a male voice to present its vehicles and for advertising purposes. The brand is now to become female. For almost all markets, a woman with a warm, pleasant and confident voice will speak for Volkswagen.
By mid-2020, around 70,000 logos at Volkswagen outlets and facilities worldwide will be changed to the new one (left).
70,000 logos to be changed worldwide
The international roll-out of the new brand design starts at the motorshow with outlets and facilities in Europe being the first to change during September, followed by China in October. North and South American markets will follow from the beginning of 2020 along with all other markets. The exercise is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. In total, about 70,000 logos in 171 markets in 154 countries will be replaced. In general, the cost to dealers will be kept as low as possible. In architectural terms, there will be no change to the interior of the dealerships.
You must have insurance coverage for your motor vehicle if you want to use it on the road. In the past, insurance coverage was just that; you paid the premium annually and if you had a claim for accident damage or the vehicle was stolen, the insurance company paid the appropriate compensation.
Today, things are different and to enhance the ownership experience, the car companies work with their partner panel insurers to give customers more than just insurance coverage. Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is among the companies which offers insurance coverage with extra benefits. The insurance programme, launched recently, is known as the Volkswagen Insurance Plan or ‘VIP’.
When accident repairs are necessary, VIP policyholders are assured that the work will be done by authorised dealers with equipment and processes approved by Volkswagen. Needless to say, only genuine parts will be used.
As a privileged VIP policyholder, benefits include prioritised claim approval, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing and assurance that repair work is conducted at authorised Volkswagen body and paint centres, in accordance to Volkswagen repair standards with only genuine parts used.
Additionally, there are no excess fees, no betterment cost and an agreed value of up to 10 years. This is applicable to all Volkswagen models, regardless of vehicle age.
Available through all authorised VW dealerships
VIP can be purchased at any Volkswagen authorized dealerships in Malaysia when registering a new vehicle or during roadtax renewal. Allianz General Insurance Berhad and Etiqa General Takaful Berhad are partner panel insurers, with Allianz offering conventional insurance, and Etiqa offering both conventional and takaful insurance.
“With VIP, all Volkswagen owners regardless of model, can enjoy quality services and roadside assistance at the best value under a comprehensive plan catered exclusively just for them,” Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM, explaining that that VIP has been conceptualised under the Volkswagen Cares philosophy.
“Our owners are at the core of everything we do and providing this added service to them at our dealerships also ensures that the entire process is streamlined and more convenient, making our Volkswagen dealerships a one-stop centre for customer convenience and peace of mind,” he said.
For more information on Volkswagen products and services in Malaysia, visit www.volkswagen.com.my or any authorised dealership.
The 680hp all-electric Volkswagen ID. R has set the very first record of the “China Challenge” on Tianmen Mountain earlier this week. With a time of 7:38.585, Romain Dumas conquered all 99 corners of 10.9km “Big Gate Road” and we’re guessing that this record is going to stay there at the top for quite some time. (more…)
The next generation of Volkswagen’s Golf – among the top ten bestselling cars of all time – is nearing launch. This will be the 8th generation of the model which appeared in 1974 to take over from the Beetle as the modern ‘people’s car’. To date, over 35 million units have been sold worldwide.
7 generations of the Golf have been launched to date, with the current one having had its debut in 2013.
Designed for the 21st century
The new Golf will be a product for the 21st century, with design and digital innovations for the new era of electrified drives, a digitalised and connected interior world, assisted driving and online-based functions and services.
The camouflage lets onlookers identify that the black and white lines are disguising a 5-door hatchback. The DNA of the Golf, evolved over 45 years, is still evident but the camouflage still masks the finer details of the new design.
The design of the original Golf has evolved over the years but its DNA continues in the new generation.
Commenting on the all-new model, Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design, says: “At this time, we will not disclose all details of the new Golf, but you can already perceive its elegant proportions.” The next generation will be a genuine eye-catcher!”
The countdown to the global debut of ‘No. 8’ has already begun and Volkswagen says its world premiere will be in autumn 2019. That would almost certainly be at the Frankfurt Motorshow.
The 680hp all-electric Volkswagen ID.R has stormed through the racing world with all of its might this past year. And every time we see it breaking a world record, we see it in different colours. Now, a special livery in red has been unveiled and the electric beast is ready for another record-breaking attempt. (more…)
