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Tag: Volkswagen

  • Volkswagen offers $20K discount

    Volkswagen offers $20K discount

    German auto brand Volkswagen has cut the prices of three models in Vietnam by VND140-500 million (US$5,700-20,300) this month.

    The Teramont now costs VND2 billion, down VDN500 million, or 20%, from its original price tag.

    The full-size SUV, which is imported from the U.S., has high-end entertainment features such as an 11-speaker audio system and 8-inch screens.

    The Teramont X, which starts at around VND2 billion, comes with a discount of VND99-130 million depending on locality. It is imported from China.

    The Touareg, imported from Slovakia and priced at up to VND3.05 billion, is being sold at discounts of VND134-182 million.

    Volkswagen announced the discounts after major brands such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, and Suzuki all cut their prices.

    Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association members’ sales rose by only 1.1% year-on-year in the first seven months to 163,800 units.

  • Volkswagen Jetta gets a facelift

    Volkswagen Jetta gets a facelift

    Volkswagen’s D-segment fighter has just been given a facelift. The Jetta has features like Xenon headlamps with integrated washers, LED daytime-running lamps, dual-zone Climatronic air-con and 16-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a 12-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear parking sensors, and cruise control.

    Volkswagen’s D-segment fighter has just been given a facelift. The Jetta gets some additional features to make it more competitive and desirable.

    The Jetta now comes with additional features like Xenon headlamps with integrated washers, LED daytime running lamps, dual-zone Climatronic air-con and 16-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a 12-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear parking sensors, and cruise control.

    There are no changes regarding the engine and the car is available in a 2.0-litre TDI and 1.4-litre TSI avatar. The new Jetta will be made available in 3 trims. Both engines come with a six-speed manual transmission, and the 2.0-litre TDI also gives you an option of a six-speed DSG automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

    Commenting on the launch of the new Volkswagen Jetta, Arvind Saxena, managing director, Volkswagen Group Sales India, said, “With Volkswagen’s acclaimed engineering expertise, we are able to build some of the most comfortable, safe, fuel-efficient and performance-oriented luxury sedans, which offer outstanding power delivery and driving dynamics. We are sure that the new Jetta, with its range of petrol and diesel engine options and optional 6-speed DSG automatic transmission, will offer a delightful driving experience for premium-segment car buyers in the Indian market.”

  • Volkswagen Converts Its Aurangabad Facility To Run On 100% Green Energy

    Volkswagen Converts Its Aurangabad Facility To Run On 100% Green Energy

    Volkswagen Group has announced that its Aurangabad facility has transitioned to 100 percent green energy. The group had initially targeted reaching the goal by 2025, but it has done so ahead of its target. The facility received its Green Energy Certificate from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

    Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, said, “In the Volkswagen Group, ‘goTOzero’ is not only a roadmap for effective climate protection, it is also an integral strategic initiative towards sustainable mobility. We take a holistic approach to decarbonization – from production through service life to recycling.”

    “By replacing the external energy supply with renewable energy from MSEDCL,  SAVWIPL’s Aurangabad Plant has become the first automotive facility in Aurangabad Plant has become the first automotive facility in Aurangabad to be certified as a Green Energy Plant by MSEDCL,” the company said in a statement.

    With the move to green energy, VW’s Aurangabad plant will now achieve a 48 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per year. The VW group targets to become a carbon-neutral company by 2050.

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  • VW To Give Its Green Light For Audi, Porsche To Enter F1

    VW To Give Its Green Light For Audi, Porsche To Enter F1

    Audi and Porsche owner Volkswagen is likely to give the green light for the two brands to make their entry into motor racing’s Formula One at a meeting next week, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

    “We will hopefully be able to communicate our intention to enter into Formula One then,” one of the sources said, with the second adding there was a “good chance” of a positive decision.

    Volkswagen declined to comment. The news was first reported by Business Insider.

    There has long been a talk of Audi and Porsche forming partnerships with existing Formula One teams, their most likely method of entry into the highest class of international racing.

    Audi and McLaren denied reports last year that a partnership between the two brands had already been formed but said that it was under discussion, with a decision to be expected this year.

    Audi will offer around 500 million euros ($556.30 million) for McLaren, one source said, while Porsche intends to establish a long-term partnership with racing team Red Bull starting in several years’ time.

    Volkswagen has not previously been involved in Formula One but has worked with Red Bull, notably in the world rally championship. McLaren and Red Bull were not immediately available to comment.

    A source told Reuters in November that Volkswagen’s ultimate decision will rest on whether Formula One follows through on its plans to switch to synthetic fuels by 2026, and on McLaren’s progress regarding electrification of its vehicles.

    Volkswagen has invested the most of any global carmaker by far in electric vehicle production and batteries in an attempt to clean up its image from the Dieselgate emissions scandal and remain in line with governmental carbon reduction targets.

    The decision comes as Volkswagen grapples with the uncertainty of the impact of the Ukraine war on its finances, which will also be discussed at next Thursday’s meeting.

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  • Swiss Set To Drop Criminal Probe Of VW Emissions Scandal

    Swiss Set To Drop Criminal Probe Of VW Emissions Scandal

    Swiss federal prosecutors are set to drop a nearly five-year criminal investigation into Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal after concluding they did not have a strong enough case to file charges, they said on Tuesday.

    The Office of the Attorney General said it had informed the German carmaker and its Swiss dealership arm this month “that it considers the investigation to be complete and intends to drop the case,” it said in a statement, confirming a report by broadcaster SRF.

    The defendants and private plaintiffs can still review the case file and submit more evidence before the case is closed officially, it said.

    VW admitted in September 2015 it had installed secret software in hundreds of thousands of U.S. diesel cars to cheat exhaust emissions tests and make the cars appear cleaner than they were, and that as many as 11 million vehicles could have similar software installed worldwide.

    SRF said Swiss plaintiffs could still claim damages through civil law, noting VW has already paid out billions abroad.

    Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings after a court ruled they must conduct their own investigation into hundreds of complaints lodged in Switzerland.

    The case centred on the potential damage to around 175,000 customers who bought or leased VW group vehicles with diesel motors that at least some VW officials must have known had been manipulated.

    SRF said Swiss plaintiffs could still claim damages through civil law, noting VW has already paid out billions abroad. “But without official culprits, such proceedings in Switzerland are very costly and difficult for individuals,” it added.

    Contacted by Reuters on Tuesday, VW had no immediate comment.

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  • Volkswagen Virtus Name Confirmed For Upcoming Compact Sedan, Debut In March

    Volkswagen Virtus Name Confirmed For Upcoming Compact Sedan, Debut In March

    Volkswagen India has announced the name of its upcoming compact sedan, and the model will be christened as ‘Virtus’ upon launch. The Volkswagen Virtus will be the second offering from the German automaker to be based on the MQB A0 IN platform after the Taigun and will replace the Volkswagen Vento in the company’s portfolio.

    Speaking about the Virtus name, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, said, “The new Volkswagen Virtus invigorates and impresses with its dynamic and emotional design language. The global sedan represents dynamism in its appeal and confidence in its character while retaining the core DNA of the brand. The Virtus is a perfect illustration of a sedan that meets the aspirations of customers in India with a truly global outlook.”

    Volkswagen says the name Virtus is a combination of the words ‘Virtuoso’ and ‘Virtues’ that signify “excellence, finesse, energy, and brilliance.” The upcoming sedan has been designed and developed for those who seek experiences, says the company. What we do know is that the VW Virtus would be a step above the Vento in every way. The car promises to be wider, longer, and well-appointed while bringing in a host of creature comforts. Going by the Taigun, we won’t be surprised to see feature-laden variants right from the entry-level trims.

    The Volkswagen Virtus for India is scheduled for debut on March 8, 2022, and the sedan is expected to arrive in two turbocharged petrol engine options and three transmission choices. The model will go on sale later in the year.

  • Volkswagen Brings Back The Microbus Together With A Battery

    Volkswagen Brings Back The Microbus Together With A Battery

    Volkswagen will show a production version of its long-awaited ID.Buzz, an electric reincarnation of its beloved Microbus or Kombi, on March 9 and plans to launch it in the United States in late 2023, the company said on Friday.

    The ID.Buzz is one of “the most anticipated and most hyped” models anticipated from the Volkswagen brand since the company launched its new Beetle in the late 1990s, Scott Keogh, head of Volkswagen’s North American operations said during a media call.

    Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess tweeted on Thursday “The legend returns on 03/09/22!” The tweet contained a sketch of the profile of the ID.Buzz van.

    Volkswagen has shown a series of prototypes for a new Microbus over the past decade. But those prior show vans – the Budd.E and the Bulli – never made it to production, to the frustration of fans of the vehicle.

    Keogh said that a three-row version of the ID.Buzz will launch in the United States, where the original microbus became an icon of the counterculture, in late 2023 or early 2024. Volkswagen will launch a two-row version in Europe.

    “You want to get to 100,000 units before you localize,” Keogh said.

    Volkswagen will ramp up production of its ID.4 electric SUV at Chattanooga this year.

    Earlier Friday, Volkswagen said U.S. sales of its VW brand vehicles rose 15% in 2021, driven largely by strong sales of gasoline-fueled SUVs such as the Atlas and Tiguan.

    Shortages of vehicles caused by chip supply chain problems will continue to limit vehicle production and sales in the United States through 2022, Keogh said.

    He said he believes as many as two million potential car buyers did not buy a vehicle in 2021 because of the lack of supply, creating pent up demand for this year and beyond.

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  • Samsung To Supply New Advanced Auto Chip To Volkswagen

    Samsung To Supply New Advanced Auto Chip To Volkswagen

    Samsung Electronics on Tuesday revealed new auto chips targeting demand for advanced chips in cars, including one mounted in Volkswagen’s infotainment system developed by LG Electronics. Demand is rising for “high-tech” automotive chips that can handle more entertainment consumption and increased electrical components in cars, Samsung said in a statement, saying that it plans to actively respond to the growing demand.

    The chips, developed by Samsung’s logic chip design business System LSI, includes a chip enabling 5G-based telecommunications for downloading high-definition video content during transit, and a power management chip for stable electricity supply.

    A third chip, an infotainment processor that can control up to four displays and 12 cameras at once, has been mounted in Volkswagen’s high-performance computer called In Car Application Server (ICAS) 3.1, developed by LG Electronics’ vehicle components business, Samsung said.

    Samsung and cross-town rival LG Electronics have both targeted the expansion of the global electric vehicle market and the rapid electrification of cars as opportunities to sell more high-tech chips and sophisticated components, analysts said.

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  • Volkswagen Powers Up The Grid To Take On Tesla

    Volkswagen Powers Up The Grid To Take On Tesla

    Volkswagen plans to double staff numbers at its charging and energy division, roll out new payment technology next year and strike more alliances to take on Tesla in a key electric vehicle (EV) battleground: power infrastructure. By ensuring there are enough fast-charging plugs – and enough power – for the EVs it wants to sell, Europe’s biggest carmaker hopes to convince drivers worried about battery ranges that they can ditch their fossil fuel cars for good.

    Underlining its electric ambition, Volkswagen has drafted in power industry veteran Elke Temme, who spent nearly two decades at German energy companies RWE and Innogy, to help the carmaker get in better shape to take on Tesla. In the job since January, Temme, 53, has been tasked with bundling the carmaker’s various power activities such as procuring energy, enabling customers to charge their cars at home, and on the road, and selling the electricity required.

    Getting this done will require a bigger workforce and Temme plans to double the staff at Volkswagen’s European charging and energy division, known as Elli, to about 300 in 2022, having already tripled it this year, she told Reuters in an interview. “We’re investing in huge growth areas that don’t always have to be profitable right away. We always see these investments in the overall context of our group strategy,” she said. “That’s why building up a comprehensive infrastructure is key.”

    Temme declined to specify the budget she has been given but said Volkswagen, led by Tesla admirer Herbert Diess, has approved the investment requests for the division, which also sells home battery storage systems similar to Tesla’s Powerwall. Volkswagen leads the pack worldwide by far with its investment plans for EVs and batteries through 2030, according to a Reuters analysis, and it is planning to spend 35 billion euros on battery EVs by 2025.

    But when it comes to the networks of fast-chargers that many analysts believe are crucial for bringing EVs into the mainstream, VW has some catching up to do. Tesla has been rolling out high-performance Superchargers for years and has a global network of about 30,000 fast-chargers that it says can give a 200 km (125 mile) boost in 15 minutes. The company said in October that its own network has doubled in the past 18 months – and will triple over the next two years.

    Volkswagen, meanwhile expects its network of fast-chargers to nearly quadruple to about 45,000 by 2025 – when it aims to overhaul Tesla as the global EV market leader – with 18,000 EV pumps in Europe, 17,000 in China and 10,000 in North America. Volkswagen in March said it plans to spend 400 million euros on expanding its fast-charging network on the continent by then. But that’s a drop in the ocean compared with the 5 billion euros the European Union reckons is needed every year until 2040 to expand charging infrastructure on the continent, and it is raising the pressure on utilities and governments to step up.

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  • Porsche AG Benefits From Being Part Of Volkswagen Group

    Porsche AG Benefits From Being Part Of Volkswagen Group

    Porsche AG, part of the Volkswagen Group, profits from being part of Volkswagen, its CEO Oliver Blume said on Wednesday, following speculation that an IPO of the luxury unit could be on the cards.

    “We feel very comfortable in the Volkswagen Group, we can profit from synergies. The important thing in this time is to focus on transformation,” Blume said, speaking at a car industry conference organized by autos publication Automobilwoche in Ludwigsburg, Germany. China Vehicle Sales Fall 9.4% In October 2021

    Germany’s Manager Magazin reported in October that investment bank Goldman Sachs and law firm Freshfields were among advisors working on a possible listing of the unit.

    Volkswagen’s CEO Herbert Diess said on Oct. 28 the company was constantly reviewing its portfolio but provided no further comment.

  • Brussels Urges Volkswagen To Compensate All EU Dieselgate

    Brussels Urges Volkswagen To Compensate All EU Dieselgate

    Brussels on Tuesday called on Volkswagen to pay out all European consumers – and not just German ones – affected by the “Dieselgate” scandal in which the automaker tampered with vehicle emissions to cheat pollution tests.

    EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a statement that VW “is not willing to work with consumer organisations to find appropriate solutions for consumers,” noting that it so far is only making payouts to German and US purchasers of its affected vehicles.

    “All consumers need to be compensated,” Reynders said.

  • Volkswagen India Rolls Out New Brand Design And Logo Across Dealerships Ahead Of Taigun Launch

    Volkswagen India Rolls Out New Brand Design And Logo Across Dealerships Ahead Of Taigun Launch

    Volkswagen recently rolled out its new brand design and logo across the company’s 150 dealerships across the country. The new brand logo was first unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show and it was showcased in India for the first time at the 2020 Auto Expo. The company is using a phase-wise approach for implementing the new brand design and logo. The first phase will have 30 touchpoints get the same, while the remaining outlets will get the flat two-dimensional logo in the coming weeks.

    Commenting on the announcement, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said, “The implementation of new brand design across our dealerships marks a new era for Volkswagen in India. By implementing the new brand design and logo, we aim to create a 360-degree customer experience, that is intriguing and contemporary across all channels and appeals to our customers.”

    Through the implementation of the new brand design, Volkswagen aims to make its dealerships more human, attractive and emotional, the company said in a statement. The brand will also provide behavioral training to its entire staff including the salesmen and service advisors to make them more customer-oriented. The automaker also introduced ‘Sarvottam 2.0’ to amp up its digital efforts and offer a more transparent purchase and ownership experience to customers

    The rollout comes right in time as Volkswagen India gears up to introduce the new Taigun compact SUV. The brand new offering that has been specifically designed for India is the first model from the automaker under the India 2.0 strategy. It follows in the footsteps of the Skoda Kushaq that’s based on the same MQB A0-IN platform and will be sold only with petrol engine options. We will be driving the Volkswagen Taigun very soon. So make sure to keep watching this space for all the action.

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  • Volkswagen Polo GTI Facelift Unveiled

    Volkswagen Polo GTI Facelift Unveiled

    Now before getting into the details of the new Volkswagen GTI facelift, let us tell you how these official pictures of the 2021 model year surfaced online. So we actually don’t know whether it is one of Volkswagen’s marketing strategies, or Ralf Brandstatter – CEO, Volkswagen Passenger Cars got so excited by looking at these official pictures of this new hot hatch, that he couldn’t help sharing them on his linked in profile. Yes! This is how the range-topping 2021 Volkswagen Polo GTI was unveiled, almost two years after the global debut of the line-up.

    In terms of design, the new GTI gives you exactly what you expect of a facelift as the changes remain subtle and it’s a predictable evolution if you will. It gets fully redesigned headlights along with the slim DRLs extending to the new grille, just like the Golf GTI. Then, there are wider taillights and the overall design has been spruced up with the usual red accents, dual exhaust tips, and a honeycomb grille. It also sports chunkier two-tone alloy wheels with upgraded brakes featuring red calipers and other sporty elements include contrasting black mirrors and roof.

    On the inside, it gets VW’s Discover Pro and Discover Media systems as optional, and the car also receives Volkswagen’s new ‘digital cockpit’ dashboard setup, as used by the Golf and ID 3. Other elements include a 9.0-inch touchscreen unit, panoramic sunroof, voice control, wireless charging, Beats sound system, and 18-inch alloy wheels. In the safety department, the new Polo gets Volkswagen’s Travel Assist system for the first time, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist, side assist and rear traffic alert. Autonomous emergency braking is also standard, as is a driver alert system and automatic post-collision braking.

    The new Polo GTI also comes with three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport with the last one tuned for enhanced exhaust note. The Polo GTI also gets a bespoke, performance-oriented chassis tune, lowering the body by 15 mm compared with the standard Polo and adding a large stabilizer on the car’s front axle, rigid coupling rods at the front and stiffer axle-locating mounts at the rear. Now Brandstatter is promising a powerful TSI engine under its hood, but mechanical details are not confirmed yet. We expect it to feature the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Turbo TSI motor tuned for optimum performance and it should come with the options of both six-speed manual and DSG transmission. Talking about the India context, the new Volkswagen Polo GTI is based on the sixth-generation Polo and both models are not likely to join VW India’s line-up anytime soon.

  • Volkswagen, Ford To Exit Auto Finance Business In India

    Volkswagen, Ford To Exit Auto Finance Business In India

    The auto financing arms of Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co plan to stop giving new credit to car buyers and dealers in India and will exit from the country, sources aware of the development told Reuters. Volkswagen Finance Private Ltd, the German carmaker’s finance arm, stopped giving loans to car buyers in India last year and in May told dealers of all VW brands, which includes Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi, to find another financing, two sources with direct knowledge of the talks said.

    As some customers failed to make repayments, the finance unit has suffered losses, and will close for business by Dec. 31, the sources said.

    More than 50% of Volkswagen group dealers use credit from the finance arm, they said.

    Volkswagen Finance Private Ltd said in a statement that it had acquired a major stake in Indian loan brokerage portal KUWY Technologies to service its retail customers.

    It is in talks with dealers and will review its business strategy by the end of the year, the company said.

    The auto finance arms are classified as non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and they compete with banks for providing credit. But banks have access to cheaper funding so can offer loans at lower rates than those offered by NBFCs or shadow lenders.

    To offset the disadvantage, Volkswagen and Ford would offer incentives to those dealers who have used their credit finance, the sources said.

    Dealers typically need credit to buy cars from automakers which they then sell on to customers.

    Volkswagen’s plan to exit the financing business has surprised dealers, coming weeks ahead of the launch of Skoda’s new sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to boost sales in India, the two sources said.

    Skoda dealers have been asked to find new financing by the end of the month – a tight deadline ahead of a new model launch, one source said.

    Ford Credit, the automaker’s financing arm, stopped lending to car buyers at the end of last year and will cease credit to dealers by June 30, two separate sources said.

    The decision to exit the financing business comes at a time when Ford is finalizing a new strategy for India after ending ties with Mahindra & Mahindra on Dec. 31.

    A Ford Motor India spokesperson said the company regularly assesses market conditions for its credit business and the decision to discontinue was conveyed to dealers in October – before it made any announcement on the Mahindra partnership.

    “We are confident the auto financing sector in India can support Ford customer and dealer new financing needs. Our team continues to service our existing book of business,” the spokesperson said, adding that 25%-30% of its dealers do business with Ford Credit.

  • Volkswagen Multivan Revealed For European Markets

    Volkswagen Multivan Revealed For European Markets

    Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed the all-new Multivan, which is a replacement to the Caravelle and will be targeted for the European markets. The Multivan is no longer built on the Transporter platform (on which the Caravelle was based) but is now based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, which just goes to show you the flexibility of this platform, which spawns everything from a Polo to now the Multivan.

    The Multivan has an all-new exterior design that pays homage to the DNA of its predecessors, dating back to the 1985 Transporter T3, with a horizontal design line and full-width grille and headlights, to give it a modern and dynamic look. The A-pillars have been remodeled to improve visibility, while unique front and rear light signatures give it a fresh look. The front air intakes, painted in the same color as the vehicle, have been reduced, paying tribute to the heritage of the rear air-cooled engines of the first three generations.

    The Multivan measures 1,941mm wide, 4,973mm long, up to 1,903mm high, and with a wheelbase of 3,124mm. A longer version, measuring 5,173mm is also available. Overall, it means the new generation has a longer wheelbase and wider, lower profile, all designed to improve aerodynamics, lower fuel consumption and increase range. The model is available with wheels up to 19 inches, and in three specifications: “Multivan”, “Life”, and “Style”.

    Optional is a panoramic glass roof, with LowE laminated safety glass to reduce incoming thermal radiation by 44 percent, as well as an electrically operated rear hatch and power sliding doors, which can be operated via gesture control for ease of entry.

    The Multivan is fitted with LED headlights as standard but can be upgraded to interactive IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights, which offer a permanent full beam, without blinding oncoming drivers and dynamic cornering to provide precise illumination during bends. The IQ.LIGHT system also features an illuminated LED lateral bar in the radiator grille as a further element of the daytime running lights.

    Inside, the new Multivan is more flexible and spacious than ever, with a new modular, lightweight seating system and an innovative table. With space for up to seven seats, the rear five seats, which are up to 25 percent lighter, can be moved and removed to suit, while the second row can be moved 180-degrees to create a conference-style seating configuration. The full-width bench seat for the third row has been replaced by individual seats to allow single seats to be removed for complete flexibility.

    An innovative multi-function table has been designed for the new Multivan. Using the central track, it can be moved between any of the seating rows, and for the first time can be used as a centre console between the front seats. The table, which is completely removable, features adjustable height, three cup holders, and a storage bin.

    Enabling the flexible seating and table track system is the completely flat floor from front to rear seats with no center console, made possible by the removal of the traditional handbrake. Instead, the parking brake is activated electronically by button, or automatically. The new Multivan is offered only with an automatic DSG gearbox controlled via shift-by-wire technology, meaning the gearstick has been removed to further increase occupant space, with controls ergonomically integrated into the instrument panel.

    In base version the Multivan offers 469 liters of luggage space behind the third row of seats, extending to 1,844 liters (1,850 litres with panoramic glass roof) behind the second row. The full cargo capacity up to the front seats is 3,672, extending to a maximum 4,053 liters in the longer version fitted with the panoramic glass roof.

    The cockpit area has been completely redesigned alongside a new multi-function steering wheel. All key features in the new Multivan are now on one line of sight, with a secondary line for other functions to make operation as intuitive as possible. Touch controls provide direct access to settings such as air-conditioning, seat heating, and audio volume.

    On the central console are the 10.25-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ display and the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Centrally arranged between the two on a high-gloss black surface are the new, minimalist shift-by-wire DSG controls. Integrated next to this are two USB-C sockets as standard and a tray for optional inductive smartphone charging. For the first time on a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model, a head-up display is available.

    The standard infotainment system is called ‘Ready 2 Discover’, which includes an integrated eSIM to deliver online safety and convenience features. We Connect can be used free of charge for an unlimited period, with services such as breakdown assistance, vehicle status, and parked position.

    We Connect Plus, available free for three years, provides extra services such as the ability to lock and unlock the vehicle or control the optional auxiliary heater remotely via smartphone. In combination with the more advanced, optional Discover Media and Discover Pro navigation systems, We Connect Plus includes further navigation-related services, such as online map updating and traffic information. We Connect Plus also provides additional services for the eHybrid, such as allowing owners to pre-set the vehicle inside temperature and to manage the charging process via smartphone.

    All infotainment systems can be combined with a Harmon Kardon sound system developed specifically for the Multivan. In addition to 14 high-end loudspeakers behind precision laser-cut panels, a 16-channel Ethernet amplifier with 840 watts of music output, and four sound settings, the system uses the ‘Fraunhofer Sonamic Panorama Algorithm’, which is able to separate out the individual sources of a stereo recording and distribute them evenly across a U-shaped acoustic stage, to create the optimum sound.

    The Multivan features more than 34 drivers assist systems enhancing safety, comfort, and convenience. Standard is the Front Assist area monitoring system, which includes City Emergency Braking, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and the Lane Assist system.

    Other new systems include Car2X – allowing local communication with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure in order to provide warnings of any danger, side protection, crosswind assist, turn-off assist, which warns of any oncoming traffic when turning across a carriageway, and an exit warning system, which warns when opening a door of any bicycles or vehicles approaching from behind.

    The Multivan also debuts IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, which allows semi-autonomous driving by combining the predictive Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to make long-distance journeys safer and easier.

    Also available on the new Multivan is Area View, a real 360-degree representation of the vehicle using four cameras, visible on the 10-inch infotainment display, to making parking and maneuvering as safe and easy as possible.

    Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the new Multivan, which has a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg, is available with three powertrains, including for the first time in a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option.

    The new Multivan eHybrid combines a 1.4 TSI 147 bhp engine with an 85kW electric motor to produce a combined power output of 215 bhp, providing silent, zero-emission driving when in electric-only mode for short, urban trips while giving customers the flexibility to enjoy longer journeys. The eHybrid uses a bespoke six-speed DSG gearbox.

    The 13kWh lithium-ion battery is housed under the Multivan’s flat floor, saving interior space and lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity to improve handling. The charging point is located on the right-hand side of the front wing.

    The front-wheel-drive Multivan is also available with two four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines: a 1.5 TSI and a 2.0 TSI. A four-cylinder turbo diesel will be introduced next year. Be rest assured though that the Multivan will not come to India.

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