2010 - 2014
Australian Volkswagen History
2010
The Golf 6 sweeps all the major 2009 Australian car awards, announced in the new year. Firstly the Golf wins the CarsGuide Car of the Year Award (News Ltd), the first Volkswagen to do so since the awards began in 1997. A week later the Golf wins the Drive Car of the Year Award (Fairfax Ltd), as well as their Best Small Car Over $20k award. The GTI again wins the Drive Best Performance Car Under 60k. While VWs have won numerous Drive minor awards in the past, this is the first major award for Volkswagen since the Drive awards began in 2006. The Golf also wins the Best Car Best Midsize Car Over $30k Award, organised by the NRMA, RACV and RACQ. The Golf GTI wins the Top Gear Australia Car of the Year award.
The Golf then wins the 2009 Wheels Magazine Car of the Year Award, the longest-running and most prestigious of them all. This is just the third Wheels award for Volkswagen, and the first since the original Golf won it 33 years earlier, back in 1976.
Other VW to claim motoring awards are the Passat CC (Drive Best Luxury Car Under $60k); Eos (CarSales Best Sports Car); and Transporter (CarSales Best Light Commercial Van).
The latest redesigned 5th generation (6R) Polo, the current World Car of the Year, is released in Australia. Sourced either from Spain or South Africa, the new Polo wears the sharp new VW ‘family’ face and a host of dynamic and ergonomic improvements. The new Polo has 5 EuroNCAP and 5 ANCAP stars, the first such car in its class, and brings a new dimension of quality to the Australian small car market. The range features two petrol engines and one diesel. The base 63 kW petrol Polo Trendline 3-door starts at $16,690 for the 5-speed manual, or $2,500 for the 7-speed DSG. The higher-spec 5-door 77TSI Comfortline petrol is $19,850 for the 6-speed manual, with the same DSG option. The 66TDI Comfortline diesel drinks just 5.5 L/100 km, the most frugal VW ever sold in Australia, and starts at $22,350 for the 5-speed manual. Again the DSG is a $2,500 option.
A BlackOrange limited edition New Beetle is released. It features sports suspension and 17” wheels, leatherette trim and aluminium highlights. Only two colours are available – black with silver highlights, or Red Rock metallic with black highlights. The BlackOrange is available from $27,500, only $800 more than the normal New Beetle petrol and diesel options. The Cabriolet BlackOrange price is $37,700, same as the regular Cabriolet.
The Golf Wagon is released onto the Australian market for the first time. Australia never saw the station wagon versions of the Golf 3 or 4, while the Golf 5 ‘Compact Wagon’ was displayed in Sydney in 2008 but not released. The new Golf 6 Wagon (‘Variant’ in Europe and ‘Estate’ in UK) has a 690-litre rear compartment, or 1,495 litres with the back seat folded down. For Australia four models are available. The 90TSI Trendline is $26,990 and the 77TDI Trendline is $29,490 for the manual versions; the 7-speed DSG is $1,500 extra. The 118TSI Comfortline is $33,990, and the 103TDI Comfortline is $36,490, with the DSG as standard for the two top models.
Another Golf joins the Australian range, the Golf GTD. Its 2.0-litre 16-valve turbo-diesel engine produces 125 kW / 350 Nm, more than the first three generations of Golf GTI. The new GTD does 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, faster than a Commodore V6, yet averages just 5.5 L/100 km. The GTD has most of the GTI’s trim and details, with a chrome highlight grille and a wide range of options. Only imported in 5-door, the 6-speed manual GTD is $39,290 and the 6-speed DSG is $41,790.
In July the ultimate Golf – the Golf R – is released in Australia. Instead of using a 3.2-litre V6 like the discontinued R32, the new Golf R uses a high-tech 2.0-litre turbocharged four. In Australian-spec the Golf R produces 188 kW (slightly less than Europe due to our poorer fuel and hotter climate), but more than the old R32, and does 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds (DSG). The Golf R features a distinctive aggressive look and a wide range of options. The 3-door R is $48,490 (6-speed manual) or $50,990 (6-speed DSG). The 5-door is $49,990 (manual) or $52,490 (DSG).
In September the limited edition Golf GTI Adidas is released, with special ‘Adidas’-themed trim, 18” wheels and classic Candy White or Tornado Red paint. Unlike the earlier Golf Pirelli, the GTI Adidas is not souped up and uses standard Golf GTI mechanicals. The 5-door, 6-speed DSG Golf GTI Adidas is listed for $45,990, $3,000 more than a regular Golf GTI.
In October the Golf gets a new ultra-affordable ‘entry level’ with the introduction of the 77TSI petrol. Its turbo engine is just 1.2 litres but produces 77 kW. Fuel consumption is 6.1 L/100 km. In spite of its economy, the 77TSI shares most of its trim and equipment with its larger 1.4-litre 90TSI brother. The Golf’s new entry level price with the 77TSI is just $21,990 for the 6-speed manual, or $24,490 for the 7-speed DSG.
A special edition of the Eos is announced, the Eos White Night. It becomes the fourth Volkswagen model (after the Golf, Passat and Touareg R models) built by ‘Volkswagen Individual’ to be sold in Australia. The Eos White Night features Candy White body work with a Deep Black roof, custom leather interior, new body kit with special trim and 18” wheels. It sells for $53,990 for the 103TDI and $55,990 for the 147TSI, a price premium of $3,500 over the normal Eos models. Later in the year the Eos 155TSI is added to the local range, the new top model fitted with the 155 kW Golf GTI engine and extra options. It starts at $48,990.
The Passat range is revised, with improvements to the trim specification, changes to the engine lineup and a new entry price. The 2.0-litre 103TDI and 147TSI models are discontinued. The Passat 125TDI (the most popular model) enjoys a Highline upgrade, while the V6 FSI Highline gains additional standard equipment. The R36 gets improved dark tinting and a better Media Device Interface. The RMS510 is available across the range. Pricing starts at $38,990 for the new entry 1.8-litre 118TSI, up to $66,990 for the top model Passat R36 Wagon.
The popular Tiguan SUV is updated, with 7-speed DSG replacing the old automatic gearboxes. The Tiguan 125TSI petrol is $33,990 for the 6-speed manual, with the DSG a $2,500 option. The 103TDI diesel 6-speed manual is $36,690, with the same DSG option. The top 147TSI is $42,990 and comes with 7-speed DSG as standard.
Volkswagen Group Australia begins work on their new Australian corporate headquarters on Muir Rd, Chullora. The $28.5 million development will include a three storey head office, international training centre, service facilities and a warehouse distribution centre. This will replace the small leased head office at Lord St Botany that VWGA has occupied since 2002, and has outgrown. The new centre will employ 200 people and take five to six container-loads of supplies from Port Botany every day. The first stage is scheduled for completion in 2011.
The updated ‘T5½’ Transporter arrives in Australia. Externally it has the new Golf-style nose but most of the improvements are within. All previous 5 and 6 cylinder engines and auto transmissions are discontinued, replaced by three different new generation 2.0-litre TDI turbo diesels and the option of VW’s DSG gearbox and 4Motion AWD. The three Transporter choices are now the 75 kW TDI ($36,490); 103 kW TDI ($37,990) and 132 kW TDI ($41,990). The top two models can be ordered in long wheelbase ($2,000 extra), and with DSG ($3,000 extra). Only the 132 kW TDI has 4Motion ($3,500) or 4Motion with DSG ($6,500). The Caravelle uses the 103 kW TDI ($49,990), while the top Multivan Comfortline has a choice of the 103 kW TDI ($49,990) or the 132 kW TDI ($56,990). Crew Van and Double-cab Chassis versions are also available, all with 132 kW 4Motion and/or DSG if required.
At the end of the year the Transporter Single Cab Pickup returns to Australia. It comes as the long-wheelbase with aluminium rear tray fitted, and the 103 kW TDI engine. It is the first complete single-cab Transporter to sell in Australia since the T3 was discontinued in 1991, although the previous T4 was available (as a single cab chassis only, with no tray) up to 2003. The Single Cab 2.0 TDI 6-speed manual is $40,990, and the 7-speed DSG is a $3,000 option.
Several new Volkswagens make their public debuts at the Sydney Motor Show – the long-awaited Amarok 4WD double-cab ute (in both civilian and Dakar Service guises); the Polo GTI, and the Golf BlueMotion. The VW stand also features a cutaway twincharger engine and a DSG gearbox. The Sydney show is now held in alternate years with Melbourne.
Australian VW sales grow by an amazing 26.3%, finally breaking the 46-year-old Australian sales record of 31,419 set way back in 1964 (34,588 VWs were actually made in Clayton that year; the extra 3,100 were exported). Apart from this new record, VW also sets new Australian sales records for Passenger Cars (26,799) and SUVs (6,590), and for the Polo, Golf, Caddy, Multivan, Tiguan and Crafter. The 500,000th VW passenger car since 1954 is sold in November, and the 150,000th VW Commercial since 1954 is sold in October. VW finishes 7th in passenger car sales, overtaking Mitsubishi for the first time ever, and 10th overall for the fifth year in a row. VW is Australia’s most popular European make, for the sixth consecutive year.
38,016 Volkswagens are sold – 3,195 Polos, 326 New Beetles, 136 New Beetle Cabriolets, 15,425 Golfs, 2,391 Jettas, 985 Eos, 3,494 Passats, 260 Caddy Lifes, 477 Multivans, 110 Caravelles, 1,630 Transporters, 174 Cab-Chassis, 1,983 Caddys, 840 Crafters, 6,216 Tiguans and 374 Touaregs.
2011
As the Golf did the previous year, the Polo sweeps all the major 2010 Australian car awards, announced in the new year. The Polo wins the CarsGuide Car of the Year Award (News Ltd). A week later the Polo wins the Drive Car of the Year Award (Fairfax Ltd), with the Golf finishing runner-up. The Polo also wins the Best Car Best Light Car Over $20k Award, organised by the NRMA, RACV and RACQ. The Polo GTI wins the Motor Magazine ‘Best Bang For Your Buck’ award.
The Polo then wins the 2010 Wheels Magazine Car of the Year Award. This is the fourth prestigious Wheels award for Volkswagen, and the second one in a row after the Golf won last year.
Other VW to claim motoring awards are the Passat CC (Drive Best Luxury Car Under $60k, again); Jetta (Best Cars Best Medium Car Under $50k) and Tiguan (Best Cars Best SUV Under $40k).
Club Veedub celebrates two Volkswagen milestones at the CMC’s annual Eastern Creek Classic Car Show. 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Type 3’s European release, and also the 40th anniversary of the Superbug.
The Polo GTI is released for local sale, the first new VW in a busy year for new Australian launches. This much-anticipated ‘hot hatch’ has a twin-charged (turbo and supercharged) 1.4-litre TSI engine that produces 132 kW and 250 Nm, rather more than the previous Polo GTI’s 1.8-litre 110 kW engine. The latest Polo GTI does 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, 1.3 sec faster than the previous Polo GTI and exactly the same as the ‘big brother’ 155 kW Golf GTI. For Australia the new Polo GTI is available only with 7-speed DSG; a manual is not offered. The 3-door is $27,790, and the 5-door is $28,990.
The updated Caddy appears in February. The Caddy is the biggest-selling small van on the Australian market and the only one now with ESP as standard. The updates also include Hill Start Assist, more airbags, a better entertainment system, redesigned seat mountings and a new range of engines with a new naming convention – instead of using the power rating (kW), the Caddy now uses the torque (Nm). Thus the 1.2-litre 63 kW TSI petrol is now the ‘TSI160’ and the 77 kW is the ‘TSI175’. The 1.6-litre TDI with 75 kW is now the ‘TDI250’ and the 2.0-litre 103 kW TDI is now the ‘TDI320’. Both Caddy vans have petrol and manual options, but the Life passenger version is TDI250 only. The bigger Life Maxi is DSG only. Only the Maxi van and Maxi Life have the TDI320 option. The 11-model Caddy range starts at $21,990 for the TSI160 van and up to $41,990 for the TDI320 DSG Maxi Life. Three months later the 4Motion 4WD system is offered on the top TDI320 Maxi Van and Maxi Life models for an extra $3,500.
The Amarok twin-cab 4WD ute goes on sale in March after its showing at the Sydney Motor Show last year. The new fourth line of VW Commercial vehicle – after the Caddy, Transporter and Crafter – offers a new standard in this market segment compared with the crude Japanese alternatives Australians have been used to. The Amarok is the first Argentinian – in fact the first ever South American – built Volkswagen ever sold in Australia. The Amarok is available only with one engine, the 2.0-litre 120 kW / 400 Nm TDI diesel, and six-speed manual gearbox. Australian Amaroks come in three levels. The base Amarok has a choice of 2WD only or Selectable 4WD, at $33,990 or $43,990. The Amarok Trendline (Selectable 4WD) is $47,990. The Amarok Highline (Selectable 4WD) is $52,990. The top of the range is the Amarok Ultimate, for $58,490 (choice of Selectable or Permanent 4WD). The 4WD Amaroks are awarded 5 ANCAP safety stars, the only 5-star vehicles of this kind on the Australian market.
In May the updated ‘B7’ seventh generation Passat is launched; it’s the European Passat, not the cheapened basic US version. It has a new ‘family’ nose and all new panels except for the roof and glasshouse. The new Passat also has a selection of technical innovations such as a fatigue detection system; optional City Emergency Braking; Front Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control and Park Assist 2. The new Passat also has improved safety (already ANCAP 5-star), refinement and fuel economy. Both sedan and wagon Passats are available, with three engine choices – the 118TSI petrol, 125TDI diesel and the V6 FSI, all models with DSG only. The base 118TSI Passat sedan starts at $38,990, up to $55,990 for the V6 FSI Highline. Station wagons are $2,000 extra.
At last, the VW Scirocco (in ‘R’ spec only) is slated for Australian release early next year and goes on display at the Melbourne Motor Show. VW Group Australia says the Scirocco R will replace the two-door Golf R on the Australian market in 2012, and will actually undercut the 2-door Golf R by $1,000 (as it's FWD, not 4Motion AWD). It’s just the second time the Scirocco has ever been on display in Australia, after the Mk1 appeared at the Sydney Motor Show in 1976 (but it was not released for sale). The 1980s Mk2 Scirocco wasn’t seen in Australia at all.
The updated and freshened Eos cabriolet coupe is released in June. It has a new nose and rear that follows the current VW ‘DNA’ of the other models, as well as an expanded standard equipment and accessories list. The Australian range is simplified, with only two engines offered – the 2.0-litre 155 kW TSI petrol (from the Golf GTI) and the 2.0-litre 103 kW 320 Nm TDI turbo diesel. Both models come exclusively with the 6-speed DSG – the manual gearbox is no longer available. The 103TDI DSG starts at $49,990 and the 155TSI DSG at $51,990.
The updated Mk2 Touareg is released in two stages. The restyled ‘VW DNA’ 2011 model appears in July, with a longer wheelbase and a choice of four models. The 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine is available in 150 kW / 400 Nm or 176 kW / 550 Nm, the latter with the option of VW’s beefed-up ‘4Xmotion’ with reduction gearing and centre/rear diff locking, and choice of five modes – On-road, Off-road, Low, Centre Lock and Rear Lock. The fourth model is the 3.6-litre V6 FSI petrol engine with 260 kW. All four models come with an 8-speed automatic as standard, BlueMotion stop/start systems and brake energy recuperation. In September the 2012 models are released, with slightly more power for the second TDI (180 kW), better economy across the range and a better on-board 360-deg camera system. The base 150TDI is $62,990; the V6 FSI and V6 TDI are both $77,990 and the top V6 TDI 4XMotion is $82,990.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Multivan (European release), the Multivan Edition25 is released. It is based on the normal Multivan Comfortline but only with Candy White paint, matt black roof and black-toned highlights, Nappa leather interior and black 18” sports wheels. The Edition25 has the 2.0-litre 132 kW 400Nm TDI with DSG, and is available from $66,990.
The latest redesigned Jetta is released in September, based on the Mk6 Golf platform but not sharing any panels with the hatchback. The new Jetta shares the new VW ‘family DNA’ with the rest of the range, and is 16 cm longer than the previous Jetta. Interior room and comfort are increased, together with a new range of safety features. The new Jetta is offered with three engines – the 118TSI petrol, 103TDI diesel and the top 147TSI petrol – with only the 118TSI having a 6-speed manual option; otherwise the 7- and 6-speed DSGs are standard. The 118TSI manual is $26,490, with the DSG an extra $2,500. The 118TSI Comfortline is $32,490; the 103TDI is $34,990. The top Jetta is the 147TSI Highline, at $37,990. With the Sydney Swans AFL team sponsored by Volkswagen Group Australia, it’s perfect for the Swans’ Lewis Jetta to pose next to the new VW Jetta.
In October another special edition European Golf GTI is released locally, the GTI Edition35, first seen at the Wöthersee VW show in Austria. It has bi-xenon lights, special front bumper, ‘Watkins Glen’ alloy wheels and ‘Jacky’ trimmed seats with optional Vienna leather. The normal GTI’s 155 kW is increased to 173 kW, making the Edition35 the most powerful 2WD Golf ever sold in Australia (beating the earlier GTI Pirelli), with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds. Only 200 are imported, in just four colours – Tornado Red, Candy White, Carbon Steel Metallic or Deep Black Pearl - at $43,490 for the 6-speed manual or $45,990 for the 6-speed DSG.
The Tiguan compact SUV also gets the current ‘VW DNA’ update, with a new sharper nose and tail. There is now a new entry-level 1.4-litre TSI with the option of just 2WD, while the 2.0-litre engine gets slightly more power. There is also a new top version, a 2.0-litre TSI with the 155 kW engine from the Golf GTI. BlueMotion technology with stop/start is available across the range, in 2WD form for the base 1.4 118TSI and for the 4Motion system on the rest of the range. The Tiguan 118TSI (2WD) starts at $28,490; it is six-speed manual only. The 132TSI 4Motion is $33,490 (6-speed manual) or $2,500 extra for 7-speed DSG. The economical 103TDI is $35,990 (6-speed manual), with the same DSG option. The top Tiguan 155TSI is 7-speed DSG only and is $42,990.
The Golf Cabriolet returns to Australia for the first time since 2003 (when the old ‘Mk 3½’ Cabrio is replaced by the New Beetle Cabrio). The new Golf Cabrio has a newly-designed fully automatic three-layer fabric roof that opens in only 9 seconds (at speeds up to 30 km/h), and like the Eos has no intrusive anti-roll bar that marred the earlier Golf Cabrios. The new Cabrio has 17” alloy wheels, tinted windows and Golf R-style LED taillights. Only one engine option is available to Australians – the 1.4-litre twin-charged 118TSI. It retails for $36,990 for the 6-speed manual or $39,490 for the 7-speed DSG.
44,740 Volkswagens are sold – a new all-time Australian record. Sales have grown 17.7% over 2010. VW overtakes Subaru (overall) for the first time since 1976, and Honda (overall) for the first time since 1973 and moves up to 8th place overall. The Golf finishes as the 11th most popular car on the Australian market with a record 18,383 sales, only a few hundred behind the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Ford Falcon. This is the fifth-best ever VW one-model one-year total, behind only the VW 1200 Beetle in 1963, 1962, 1964 and the record 1960 (24,388).
Detailed sales figures to follow soon.
