Geneva Motor Show Round Up
The Geneva Motor Show has started and is now in full swing. Car manufacturers are now bracing to see if public reaction to their newly revealed models will be positive or not. Volkswagen is no different. Perhaps the biggest news in the Volkswagen stand in this year's show is the official debut of the Golf Variant, to be rebadged as the Jetta Wagon once it arrives in North America. As previously mentioned, the Golf Variant is 14 inches longer than a Golf which means that five people can sit inside all while 24 cubic feet of stuff is neatly stowed in the back. Fold the back seats and cargo room increases to a titanic 54 cubic feet. At launch, the Golf Variant will be available in one gasoline engine and two diesel engines. See them on European streets this summer, North American launch by late this year. Indeed, the Golf Variant is Volkswagen's only model introduction for this year's show.
Volkswagen has decided to use Geneva as the time to announce their extensive diesel plans. The Passat BlueMotion officially debuted and as usual, Volkswagen is touting its clean, fuel-sipping qualities. And rightfully so. The Passat BlueMotion is capable of doing 46 mpg and yet can go up to 120 mph if need be. Perhaps not hair-raising fast but that's still good. As with its Polo sibling, the Passat BlueMotion is fitted with a diesel engine, specifically, one that does 105 hp. No timeline was given for this model's market launch but expect it on European streets sometime near the end of this year. Another diesel announcement Volkswagen made today was a V6 diesel engine they have dubbed BlueTDI. This engine, fitted for the Touareg, comes equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction catalytic converter which is able to separate NOx exhaust components into harmless nitrogen and water without producing other harmful side products. So, because of it's emission-reducing technology, the V6 BlueTDI Touareg satisfies the tough Tier2 Bin5 emission standard in the US and therefore, Volkswagen will be bringing this model over next year. Along with that, the diesel Jetta will see it's return sometime after the Touareg next year.
A European launch should follow after that. Volkswagen put their new diesel plan into practice by giving the Geneva Motor Show 120 Polo BlueMotions to use during the press days shuttling journalists and business visitors around. Well, that's one Polo for every gram of CO2 the PoloBlueMotion produces in every Kilometer. If you're a sucker for new concept vehicles or model introductions, then Volkswagen's showing in this year's Geneva Motor Show may be disappointing. However, having concepts that have little chance of going into production give way to more realistic models is refreshing to see. And finally, North America gets a little loving with a diesel Touareg and Jetta on the way that may actually be here for good this time. That said, it would have been nice to round off the show with a little sneek peek of that upcoming four door coupe we thought we would see. We'll let it slide this time, Volkswagen, but make sure it's in the next major show.
Jump to read a whole slew of press releases and some pictures to boot. Wolfsburg, Germany - At the International 77th Geneva Motor Show held from March 8 to 18, Volkswagen is presenting an abundance of innovative new models. Presented as world premieres are the new Golf Variant and the Passat BlueMotion. 137 g/km). The cargo space of the new Golf Variant is 1,550 liters. The first cars will be delivered in early summer. Engine power ranges from 75 kW / 102 PS to 103 kW / 140 PS. Early this summer Volkswagen will already be introducing another technological highlight in the diesel area to the market: The Phaeton V6 TDI. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is presenting two concept vans that are also powered by economical TDI engines: The Caddy Life Edition and the Multivan PanAmericana. While the Caddy sets the stage as the sportiest version of this model series, the Multivan PanAmericana was designed for life鈥檚 biggest adventures with its elevated ground clearance. For 45 years now, Volkswagens with extra-large cargo areas have been called - unless they are a van - "Variant".
