Volkswagen Jetta News

Volkswagen Australia has recalled 16,098 Polo, Golf, Jetta and Passat cars, and Caddy vans, over a problem with their DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission

Just when you thought the very last examples of models discontinued years ago had been sold, think again.

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.

Another 35,000 vehicles have been added to Volkswagen Australia's diesel emissions recall list.

US owners of VW cars with diesel engines that can cheat emissions tests have already been given $500, but local owners still have no compensation.

Three weeks after the global scandal broke, Australian owners of VW diesel cars finally know if their car is affected or not.

The VW diesel scandal has now reached Australian showrooms, with 10 models now banned from sale effectively immediately.

June is by far the biggest month for new-car sales as dealers push hard to close their books for the financial year.The devaluing Aussie dollar means the deals for all brands are not as sharp as in previous years — but if you know where to look you can still drive a bargain.Some models are in run-out, so there is an extra push on those, while other brands have taken the knife to the RRP because they're chasing volume for their overseas parent companies.Here are the 15 best deals for the end of the financial year plus a few tips on those either to avoid or to haggle harder on.Suzuki CelerioThe cheapest car from a mainstream brand isn't discounted — because it launched with such a sharp price: $13,990 drive-away with automatic transmission effectively makes this a $10,000 car plus on-road costs. Astonishingly cheap and giving plenty of reason to cheer. With a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, it'll run on loose change.VW Polo 66TSIRecent deals on the Toyota Yaris ($17,990 drive-away with auto) and Hyundai i20 ($14,990 drive-away with auto) have evaporated this month (still might be worth a try). The Holden Barina and Ford Fiesta deals are not that sharp either. Enter the Polo 66TSI at $18,490 drive-away with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Its turbo 1.2-litre four-cylinder is powerful (for its size) and super-efficient. Stock is thin on the ground so be sure to shop around.Kia CeratoDeals on the VW Golf ($25,490 drive-away with auto), Toyota Corolla sedan ($23,990 drive-away with auto) and Mazda3 (you're invited to talk a deal) are not as generous as in previous months, while Nissan is offering $2800 of "extra value" but no driveaway deals on Pulsar SSS. No-one can compete with the South Koreans this month. The Cerato sedan or hatch with automatic is still an incredible $19,990 drive-away (with seven-year factory-backed warranty). At $4300 off, we called it deal of the decade — until...Hyundai i30Holy smoke. This wasn't a misprint: $19,990 drive-away — with automatic transmission — for the recently updated i30 hatch, with the new nose and standard reversing camera. That's more than $5000 off full price, eclipsing Kia's deal.VW JettaFancy some European flair? Don't mind driving a sedan? The VW Jetta is $24,490 drive-away with auto. That's $1000 cheaper than the Golf with which it shares its engine and underpinnings. And it has a bigger boot.Kia KoupTreat yourself to something a bit sporty — the Koup has European styling and a 1.6-litre turbo engine and can be had for $23,990 drive-away, about $6000 off full price.Holden TraxIt may not be the prettiest on sale, but it's one of the roomiest and best equipped for the money. Now $23,990 drive-away for the LS with free auto, and $24,990 drive-away for the Active with free auto. Both are about $6000 off the full RRP.Ford Kuga MkIIAn unsung hero of the compact SUV segment, it's good buying at $29,790 drive-away (about $3000 off). Don't be put off by the 1.5-litre four-cylinder in such a big car. It's turbocharged, so it has plenty of oomph, and the smaller capacity makes it more fuel efficient. Only blot: no rear camera.Mitsubishi ASXRecently updated, the ASX gets a sharp price: $25,000 drive-away for a manual or $27,500 drive-away for an auto. That price is for cash or via Mitsubishi's own finance deal — which has a catch. You must have a 20 per cent deposit.Mazda CX-9The CX-9 is nearing the end of its model life. Its petrol V6 isn't the most fuel-efficient but this is the biggest seven-seater for the money. The 2WD base model is a bargain at $39,990 drive-away (about $6000 off full price).Holden Colorado7 LTWant to get off the beaten track and don't mind a bouncy ride around town? The Colorado7, normally $47,490 plus on-roads (about $50,000 drive-away), is available until June 30 from $43,990 drive-away, about $6000 off — with five-year warranty and three years' free servicing.Mitsubishi ChallengerThe Challenger is fairly crude, even by heavy-duty 4WD standards, and ageing. Its replacement is due within months — which is why the price is a super-sharp $37,990 drive-away, about $10,000 off full price.Holden ColoradoThere are a couple of good deals, starting with $36,990 drive-away for the base model LS (auto adds $1000). The range-topping LTZ with all the bling is $42,990 drive-away for the manual (aim for $44,990 drive-away for the auto). This is a mega discount of more than $10,000. Holden includes a five-year warranty and three years' free servicing.Toyota HiLux SR5With a completely new HiLux due in October, discounts are steady on the run-out model. The SR5 crew-cab manual is back to its previous low of $47,990 drive-away, auto is $49,990 drive-away.VW AmarokJoining in the tradie discount war, VW continues its free eight-speed auto deal on all Amaroks. The base model crew-cab Core is sharp buying at $38,990 drive-away while the Trendline adds bigger alloys and some bling for $43,990 drive-away. Both are about $6000 off full price.

Drive-away pricing, sharpened styling and revised features for Volkswagen's mid-size Jetta sedan.

Tiguan R-Line, new Scirocco R, expanded Golf range, new Polo GTI, revised Jetta and new Passat to help maintain Volkswagen sales growth.  Volkswagen has a range of revised and new models planned to help maintain the brand's current sales strength, despite the overall Australian new car market being down 2.1 per cent so far this year. VW Australia's managing director John White expects these new models to help strong sales of the existing Golf, Polo, Tiguan and Touareg to top the brand's 54,892 unit 2013 result, particularly considering the 32,562 units sold by VW to the end of July already represent a 3.8 percent increase year to date. "Overall this year, we believe that even with a market that's going to be down, we should be ahead of last year," he said.Starting with the revised Polo light hatch that arrives in showrooms this week, a revised version of the strong-selling Tiguan SUV will also touch down in September, strengthening its appeal ahead of an all-new model that is still at least two years away. TIGUAN R-LINEThis will see the Tiguan fitted with a standard reversing camera, rear parking sensors and a colour touchscreen display for the first time, plus the addition of a performance-themed Tiguan R-Line model with a 130kW turbodiesel engine as a new range-topper. GOLF R-LINE WAGONA wagon version of the Golf R-Line will appear in October, based on the success of the sports styled option pack available on existing Highline Golf hatch models.SCIROCCO RThis will be followed in November by the surprise arrival of the refreshed Scirocco R performance coupe, which was widely tipped as a non-starter for Australia after the also slow-selling Up and Eos models were discontinued in April. The revised Scirocco R made its first appearance at the Geneva motor show in March, with styling that has been brought in line with the Mk7 Golf R that arrived here in April.Mr White cited a positive response from the public, media and dealers as a key reason for the model's return to our shores, but it will be accompanied by a new sales strategy."There is going to be significant simplification in terms of colours and option packs, and significant reduction in the expectation of sales, where we are going to focus on making the Scirocco R a low volume, highly desirable vehicle," he said. POLO GTIA revised version of the hot Polo GTI is set to appear at the Paris motor show in September, before arriving down under in the first half of 2015. The GTI will score similar visual and interior upgrades to the regular Polo, but will boost power from 132-141kW and is also tipped to bring a manual transmission for the first time in a Mk5 Polo GTI.JETTAA refreshed Jetta mid-size sedan will also make its way to Australia in the first half of 2015, and John White is expecting the new model to better challenge segment leaders like the Toyota Camry and Mazda6, unlike the current model which has fallen 35 per cent year to date and is currently outsold by the 6 by more than 3:1."We're taking a look at the way that we're going to be configuring the car line, and you can count on the car line having more features and benefits to it, as we look to maximise the opportunities for the Jetta and make it a much better volume competitor," he said.  GOLF ALLTRACKMr White also confirmed the local future of a high-riding all-wheel drive Golf Alltrack wagon near the end of the first half of 2015, with the new model to follow a similar formula to the Alltrack version of the Passat wagon.PASSATRounding out 2015 for Volkswagen will be the all-new Passat that is due to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in September. Mr White confirmed that we will see  the new model late next year, and will be available in sedan, wagon and Alltrack bodystyles.NOT COMINGVW Australia Polo product manager Todd Ford confirmed there are no plans to put a Polo R into production, despite various reports to the contrary and the media being given the chance to drive prototype versions of the Audi S1 mechanical twin earlier this year."We'd love it if we could, but there won't be an R version of the current generation Polo," he said.Mr Ford was also unable to shed any light on the expected Golf R wagon's local future, despite several prototypes being spied testing in recent months."There  has been no model confirmed for production, so I cannot speculate on any Australian future," he said.  He also reiterated that there are no plans to bring the Mk7 version of the hot diesel Golf GTD to Australia, due to a lack of suitable business case.  Upcoming Volkswagen modelsTiguan spec upgrade and R-Line – September 2014Golf Wagon R-Line – October 2014Scirocco R update – November 2014Polo GTI update – first half 2015Jetta update – first half 2015Golf Alltrack – mid-2015Passat redesign – late 2015