2016 Volkswagen New Cars

Details of the new and updated Volkswagen models launching in Australia in 2016.

Passat Alltrack — Q1

The rugged B8 Passat wagon-based Alltrack crossover will arrive in Australia by March, complementing the smaller Golf Alltrack and giving VW a rather unique crossover SUV offering.

The second-generation version of the all-wheel-drive Passat Alltrack wagon follows a familiar theme, with off-road-inspired body cladding, heavy duty bashplates on the bumpers, and suspension that’s raised by 27.5mm.

It’s expected that our market’s version will initially, at least, receive only the 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel from the regular Passat. Expect it to command a few grand premium over the regular Passat wagon, pointing to a price in the high $40Ks.

Tiguan — Q4

A massively important launch for the company is the new-generation Tiguan compact SUV, which looks to mark a big step up over the aged current model.

For starters, the new an more ruggedly design model is 60mm longer and 30mm wider than the current car, making it more closely aligned to top-sellers such as the Mazda CX-5.  It also gets a much larger boot, at 521L.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB component matrix for transverse engine, front- and all-wheel cars, the Tiguan is nevertheless said to weigh around 50 kilograms less than before.

Volkswagen has already been open about its hope that the new Tiguan will double the sales of the current car. Read all the details on the MY16/17 Tiguan here.

Amarok update — Q4

The updated 2017 Amarok ute range is expected late in the year, bringing with it some welcome cabin updates such as new infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Details are a little sketchy at present, we’ll keep you posted. (Current Amarok pictured.)

Volkswagen Teases New Concept for CES 2016, Looks like Electric Bulli

Volkswagen has released a video teasing its concept car for the CES 2016 trade show in Las Vegas.

The teaser isn’t too revealing, but we do notice an almost flat front end and a flat trunk lid. The company’s show car is clearly an evolution of the Bulli concept, a vehicle that promised to deliver a modern take on the famous Volkswagen Bus. Like the Bulli concept, we expect the CES 2016 exhibit to show an electric car, this time fitted with Volkswagen’s next-generation multimedia systems.

The Bulli concept was first shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car was the spiritual successor of the first generation Volkswagen Transporter, also known as the Bus or the Bulli.

This isn’t Volkswagen’s first attempt at a concept vehicle to get in touch with the Bulli’s roots. In 2002, the German company showed a retro-styled concept called the Microbus. The project was supposed to go in production in 2003, but the launch was delayed and the car eventually got canceled in 2005.

The other retro inspiration Volkswagen took was the Beetle, a cult-car that is at its second modern iteration.

Since CES is mostly centered around electronic equipment, the guys at Volkswagen will also showcase their future technologies for automobiles. Their previous press release stated that the company plans to release a taste of its future developments in the field of car-to-car interconnectivity. The Volkswagen press release also announced new display and operating concepts, elements that might be integrated in the brand’s future vehicles.

Along with the all-new concept car, Volkswagen will also feature an exhibit named Golf R Touch concept, which will show the Wolfsburg manufacturer’s soon-to-be-released products in the field of in-car infotainment. In brief, we’re talking about Volkswagen’s future multimedia systems. They could get a new interface, bigger screens, fewer buttons, and more processing power.