Volkswagen Beetle 2014 News

New Volkswagen Golf Wagon and Tiguan R-Line models added to existing Golf hatch, Beetle and Touareg R-Line lineup.Volkswagen has expanded its range of R-Line sports-flavoured models with new R-Line option packs for the Golf wagon and Tiguan, along with a new standalone Tiguan 155TSI R-Line flagship.The R-Line packages bring unique body styling and wheels, chassis improvements and other spec upgrades, without going for the full-house GTI or R performance boosts. Golf Wagon with R-Line packageUnlike the Tiguan 155TSI R-Line and the larger Touareg V8 TDI R-Line, the Golf R-Line is not a standalone model, but a $2200 option pack that can be applied to both the Golf 103TSI and 110TDI Highline versions of hatch and now wagon bodystyles.The R-Line package brings with it special front and rear bumpers, colour-coded sideskirts, tinted windows, R-Line badging, aluminium trim and 18-inch alloy wheels on the Golf's exterior.Inside the cabin there is aluminium finished brake and accelerator pedals, leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters and sports seats.The R-Line package also improves the handling of the Golf by giving it 15mm lower sports suspension and progressive power steering for a sportier feel.Tiguan R-LineThe standalone Tiguan 155TSI R-Line takes its model name from the 155kW/280Nm  2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that sits in the engine bay.It's coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission - with paddle shifters on the steering wheel - that delivers drive to all four wheels via VW's Haldex 4Motion system.The Tiguan R-Line gets similar R-Line external styling to the existing models - rear roof spoiler, unique front and rear bumpers, and R-Line badging. It also receives leather upholstery, adaptive suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and satnav.A $2500 R-Line package is also optional for the regular Tiguan 132TSI and 130TDI models, which comes with all of the 155TSI R-Line's extra goodies aside from the leather trim and adaptive suspension.

The first R-Line upgrade on a Golf and price cuts on the Jetta are Volkswagen’s model-year 2014 range revision highlights. Showroom-wide changes include a welcome upgrade to the Beetle but price increases of up to $2000 on some models.The R-Line Package - $2200 on the popular Golf Highline and $2000 on the niche Beetle - adds a raft of racy badges, trim, go-fast kit plus sports suspension, 18-inch alloys, faster steering and paddle-shifters.Such items should bring the Golf even closer dynamically to the GTI but the latter is now $500 more. Most Golfs cop a price rise - $250 on the Car of the Year Comfortline and $300 on the Highline. An extra $400 is now asked for the Cabriolet and $300 for the Beetle. Steeper stickers adorn the Polo - $250 on the Comfortline, $350 on the GTI. The three-door version of the hot hatch has been dropped.Tiguan buyers are looking at $400 extra on the Pacific or $500 for the top-line 155 TSI. A Passat adds $500 for the 130 TDI and Alltrack and $750 for the V6. Touareg buyers have to find $800 extra for the V6 diesel and $2000 for the V8.Only the slow-selling Jetta gets price relief - $1500 off the 118TSI and $3250 from the Comfortline. It also loses the 103 TDI Comfortline and quick 147TSI Highline. Elsewhere the Beetle, to date one of the few locally sold VWs with basic rear suspension, now features the multi-link independent setup of the superseded Mark VI Golf. There’s new paint too - “candy white”, if you like.Next month the new Golf R and GTI Performance version arrive. 

The first images of Volkswagen’s new Beetle Dune concept have appeared online, ahead of its public unveiling in Detroit this week.Teased in a single sketch last week, the Beetle Dune boasts a 5cm suspension lift and off-road styling tweaks compared to the production Beetle coupe, harking back to the previous Dune concept shown at the 2000 Los Angeles motor show.The interior has been given the Dune treatment too, with black and yellow trim, an enlarged touchscreen interface, extra gauges atop the dash and a new dash-mounted grab handle for front seat passengers.Unlike the earlier concept, Volkswagen admits that the new Dune “is a lot more feasible ... potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle".“The Beetle Dune is very much based on the current production model”, Volkwagen says.Despite its off-road pretence, the Dune uses a front-wheel drive layout, with the 155kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four from the limited-edition Beetle R-Line sold overseas, backed by a six-speed DSG dual-clutch auto.   

With the softroader segments booming around the world, there's probably no car that's not being weighed up as too unlikely a model to get the treatment. Volkswagen's Beetle has some history in that field as the underpinnings for decades of 'dune buggies' -- with even the military building some as desert patrol and fast attack vehicle for the SAS, US Navy Seals and other troops.VW is again trumpeting that heritage in the name of the Beetle Dune concept that will be unveiled at Detroit motor show, with a 5cm higher ground clearance and a ski rack suggesting it's getting set to tackle the slopes. An earlier Dune concept appeared at the LA show in 2000, but VW admits it was "not very realistic (and) the 2014 Dune Concept is a lot more feasible ... potential for a new production version of the sportiest Beetle".However it's not getting the benefit of all-wheel drive, and instead is based on the limited-edition R-Line Beetle sold overseas with a 157kW turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels with the benefit of an electronic diff lock system to add traction, and a strut-type front and multilink rear suspension.

China is clearly on top of the car world in 2011.