Volkswagen Tiguan 2014 News

Audi and Volkswagen have issued three safety recall notices involving 582,822 vehicles sold exclusively in the United States.

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.

There are now more than 11 million Volkswagen diesel cars -- and possibly 50,000 in Australia -- caught up in the software cheat that secretly tricked emissions testing equipment.

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.

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

Volkswagen joins the growing list of car makers fitting rear-view cameras as standard. The Volkswagen Tiguan will soon join the growing list of cars and SUVs to come with a rear-view camera on all models across the range. All versions of the updated VW Tiguan compact SUV due on sale September 15 will come with a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors and a larger, 6.5-inch display screen in the dash. The Tiguan will also gain driver fatigue-detection technology which is also standard on the latest Golf. Volkswagen is yet to publicly announce the changes but a dealer bulletin warns prices will rise because of the extra equipment. The Tiguan range currently starts from $28,490 plus on-road costs for the 118TSI manual, although there is a special offer this month to clear old stock, from $27,990 drive-away, a saving of about $3500. The bulletin says the Tiguan 118TSI with automatic transmission will cost between $31,000 and $32,500 plus on-road costs (even though it is on-sale this month for $30,490 drive-away), while the range will top out at $45,000 for a new Tiguan R-Line (pictured) powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo engine as the Golf GTI hot hatch. The fitment of a rear-view camera will fix a glaring anomaly for the Volkswagen Tiguan given most new SUVs have cameras as standard across all models. The price of a brand-new car with a rear view camera has limboed to a new low -- just $14,990 -- with the arrival of the new Honda Jazz hatchback in July. The price undercuts the previous low set by the Toyota Corolla sedan introduced in January for $20,700, which comes with a rear view camera and parking sensors. The improved affordability of the technology has prompted experts to ask why rear-view cameras are still not fitted as standard to Australia's top-selling family-sized SUVs. Rear-view cameras are not available on the most affordable versions of the Ford Territory or Holden Captiva 7 -- they're standard only on the most expensive versions, typically priced in excess of $40,000 -- even though every Toyota Kluger has had a rear view camera since 2007. Holden and Ford are expected to introduce changes late this year. Figures from Federal safety authorities show that almost 100 children aged up to 4 years were killed in driveways or car parks between 2001 and 2010 -- about 10 per year -- and more than 500 kids were seriously injured over the same period. The shame file:SUVs without rear-view cameras across their entire ranges in 2014 (as of August) Audi Q3 (camera optional on all versions)Audi Q5 (camera only on the most expensive versions)BMW X1 (camera only on the most expensive versions)Ford Ecoboost (camera not available on any model)Ford Kuga (camera only on the most expensive versions)Ford Territory (camera only on the most expensive versions)Holden Captiva 7 (camera only on the most expensive versions)Hyundai ix35 (camera only on the most expensive versions)Jeep Compass (camera only on the most expensive versions)Jeep Patriot (camera only on the most expensive versions)Kia Sportage (camera only on the most expensive versions)Land Rover Freelander (camera only the most expensive versions)Land Rover Discovery (camera only the most expensive versions)Nissan Patrol diesel (camera not available)Toyota LandCruiser (camera only on the most expensive versions)Volkswagen Tiguan (camera only on the most expensive versions) The honours list:SUVs with rear-view cameras across their entire ranges in 2014 (as of August) Audi Q7BMW X3BMW X5Holden Colorado 7Honda CR-VHolden TraxHyundai Sante FeJeep CherokeeJeep Grand CherokeeKia SorrentoLexus LXLexus RXMazda CX-5Mazda CX-9Mercedes-Benz GLAMercedes-Benz ML-ClassMercedes-Benz GL-ClassMitsubishi ASXMitsubishi ChallengerMitsubishi OutlanderMitsubishi PajeroNissan DualisNissan PathfinderNissan Patrol V8 petrolNissan X-TrailRange Rover SportRange Rover VogueSubaru ForesterSubaru OutbackSuzuki Grand VitaraToyota RAV4Toyota KlugerToyota PradoVolkswagen Touareg

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

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.