Last week’s media launch was the first opportunity for us to drive the new Passat models in the UK and the first opportunity anywhere to drive the Saloon, writes David Miles. So with that in mind, plus the overall decline in diesel sales in our domestic market, I opted for the Passat Saloon GTE Advance 1.4-litre TSI, PHEV, 218hp, 6-speed DSG auto priced at £38,940. There are extra cost … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW Passat SEL 190 estate
Volkswagen’s golden oldie Passat is a treasure. From its launch in 1973 it is now the VW with the longest-lived name-plate after the Beetle went out of production this year and it even predates the Golf name by a year. With over 30 million sold worldwide in 46 years, the Passat is the best-selling mid-size car in the world after seven versions have been launched. The enhanced eighth generation … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW T-Roc Design 1.6TDI
Volkswagen were quick to enter the MPV market yet took their time when it came to the modern SUV sector, but it’s been worth the wait for the medium-sized T-Roc. There’s a very wide range of T-Roc models from which to choose with petrol or diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions and a number of trim levels, all carefully packaged to tempt you to move on … [Read more...]
First drive: VW T-Cross
With SUV styled vehicles now taking close to, or in some countries, over 40% of the new car market, manufacturers from budget to luxury brands have wasted no time in covering all angles in terms of size, performance and price, writes David Miles. Another new SUV range is now joining the fray, the Volkswagen T-Cross, an urban SUV which sits below in size and price their popular T-Roc … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: VW Tiguan Allspace auto 4Motion
The Tiguan mid-sized SUV is Volkswagen third best selling model range in the UK behind the Golf and Polo hatchbacks, writes David Miles.The 5-seater Tiguan and it larger 7-seat Tiguan Allspace form the meat in the VW sandwich of their ever extending range of SUVs. Globally over 5-million Tiguans have been sold in its 11-year history.Top layer of the VW SUV range is the large and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW Arteon R-Line 2.0TDI 190ps A
Volkswagen is raising its game again.Introduced in late 2017, the VW Arteon flagship of the marque is steadily expanding and today runs to over 20 variants in the UK.There are seven petrol or diesel engine and powertrain options including manual, automatic and 2WD or 4WD versions in two trim levels in a single five-door bodystyle.Using the modular VW platform, Arteon sits … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: VW Touareg R-Line 3.0V6
The trials and repercussions of the Volkswagen Group brands over emissions have been well documented but didn’t stop them becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of vehicles with 10.74-million vehicles produced last year and 4.1-million sold so far this year, writes David Miles.However for annual top-dog global sales it’s a close run thing with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance for … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen T-Roc Design 1.0TSI
The people’s car company is moving with the times in the shape of the Volkswagen T-Roc.This new to market SUV is their latest offering in a booming sector which is pushing out traditional saloons and hatchbacks in favour of more practical “tall” hatchbacks. VW has long experience in the MPV market and put that to good use developing the T-Roc and emphasises a model with a lot of … [Read more...]
Bigger, bolder, better Polo arrives
The sixth generation VW Polo has arrived in the UK bigger and better than before, says David Miles.Over 14 million Polos have been sold to date throughout five generations and in 2017 it was the UK’s seventh best-selling car with 47,855 registrations.Despite triggering the diesel emissions scandal which contributed to a fall of 17.1% in UK diesel powered car sales, Volkswagen ironically … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW Tiguan Allspace
Defying the downward UK car sales trend through 2017 and rising to become the second best selling brand in the country, Volkswagen is out to make a bigger impression this year as it plugs gaps in its range.One of the spaces falls between the Tiguan SUV and the Touareg 4x4 and its about to be filled by the Tiguan Allspace.Derived from the Tiguan SUV but using the VW modular platform it has … [Read more...]