IAA 2017: VOLKSWAGEN BRAND POINTS THE WAY TO THE AUTOMOTIVE FUTURE
•Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess: 'The Volkswagen Brand will already be offering 23 all-electric models in 2025.'
•World premiere of the further developed I.D. CROZZ
•Public premiere of the new T-Roc at the IAA
•New torque-strong Polo GTI completes the GTI family
•Úpdate of the Golf Sportsvan with Traffic Jam Assist, gesture control and more features
The Volkswagen brand is pointing the way to the future at its motor show appearance at this year's International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt: along with the world premiere of the new I.D.CROZZ – a zero emission SÚV that will go into production in 2020 – three other premieres will be featured: the new T-Roc, the new Polo GTI and the updated Golf Sportsvan.
Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Brand Board of Management Volkswagen Passenger Cars: 'We will be thoroughly updating our vehicle range by 2020 and expanding into important segments. In 2025 Volkswagen Brand will already be offering 23 all-electric models and invest 6 billion euros in electric mobility over the next five years. In this process, the different drive technologies will continue to have currency for many years to come. It makes sense for diesel, petrol and electric drives to mutually complement one another.'
In presenting the updated I.D. CROZZ, a four-door electric concept car, the Volkswagen brand is offering a look at the SÚV of the future. This crossover of SÚV and coupé, which makes a masculine and powerful impression, has been systematically further developed with an eye towards a production car. In its interior, the new I.D.CROZZ impresses with a large amount of space and a highly versatile seating concept. B-pillars were omitted in the I.D. CROZZ, so that the large swinging and sliding doors could be opened wide, and it is even possible to transport a crossbike without any trouble. The CleanAir system – a new Volkswagen development – continually supplies clean air to the interior. Now it is also possible to open and close the doors and activate the fully automated 'I.D. Pilot' driving mode by voice command. The front and rear axles each have one electric motor drive whose torque distribution is controlled via an 'electric propshaft'. The driving range of the SÚV that outputs 225 kW (system power) and boasts a top speed of 180 km/h (111mph) is up to 500 kilometres (310 miles) (NEDC) on one battery charge.
Showing just how broad the range of new Volkswagen products is at the IAA are the other show premieres: T-Roc, Polo GTI and the updated Golf Sportsvan.
The T-Roc: as part of the largest model campaign in the brand's history, Volkswagen will soon be extending its model line-up to include the new, expressively designed T-Roc. The crossover model, which is a completely new development, celebrated its world premiere just around three weeks ago, and it will bring fresh momentum to the class of compact SÚVs. The all-round vehicle, which can be ordered with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, combines the aplomb of an SÚV with the agility of a sporty compact model. And it does indeed rock the segment – in varying ways depending on specification and above all colour combination. For the T-Roc is the first Volkswagen SÚV that will be available to order in two-tone paintwork with visually contrasting roof section (including the A-pillars and exterior mirror housings). The overall package of the new T-Roc is rounded out by modern assistance systems (Front Assist and Lane Assist are standard; Traffic Jam Assist is optional), a new generation of Active Info Display, agile, efficient engines, ideal connectivity and ride comfort that is on par with the Golf. Presented for the first time at the IAA is the T-Roc in an R-Line version, which offers even more exclusiveness.
Inseparably associated with Volkswagen is the letter combination GTI – the world's most familiar identifier for sporty compact cars. Now a new Volkswagen GTI is launching: the next Polo GTI, which is also celebrating its show premiere in Frankfurt. This means that the Wolfsburg-based manufacturer will have three GTI models in its 'GTI family' line-up: the iconic Golf GTI (169 kW / 230 PS5 and 180 kW / 245 PS6), the up! GTI (85 kW / 115 PS7) that launches in 2018 and the new Polo GTI with 147 kW / 200 PS. They all share the combination of a high level of agility, low weight, stiff yet comfortable running gear, a safe front-wheel drive system and an ergonomically optimal seating position behind a grippy sport steering wheel. Added to these are GTI-specific features like the typical red stripe in the radiator grille and the legendary 'Clark' plaid seat covers.
Another vehicle being shown to the public for the first time at the IAA is the updated Golf Sportsvan. This is the favourite model for all of those who swear by the Golf but prefer greater seat height, versatility and space.
Technical highlights of the updated Golf Sportsvan are three new petrol engines (TSI), new infotainment systems (top system has gesture control for the first time), an extended range of assistance systems and new standard equipment features such as LED tail light clusters. The design has been sharpened with new bumpers, a new radiator grille and new LED tail light clusters. The Golf Sportsvan is one of the most versatile cars in its class with a cargo capacity of up to 1,520 litres and a rear bench seat that has 180 mm of longitudinal adjustment. Pre-sales of the updated compact MPV begin this autumn for Germany.
Source - Volkswagen
