Wow, VW has a lot to offer these days! A dazzling array of vehicles, from modern city cars to high-end SUVs, whatever your VW requirements seem to be covered.
First of all, we have the Fox and the elegantly named “Urban Fox”, these are three door hatches that replaced the very capable Lupo. The Fox is aggressively priced for what is a very competitive supermini market. A good range of equipment is available on both models, with the Urban Fox being the higher spec of the two. The engines offered are 1.2 and 1.4 with excellent fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. Expect the usual VW build quality despite its small size.
The Polo has grown in stature and is now available in eight models with nine engines. The three and five door models start with the base E, which comes well equipped all the way up to the GTI, with its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine producing 150bhp and propelling the car to 134mph, making it the fastest production Polo ever! fast so far!
The ever-popular Golf now comes in no less than five different three and five-door versions with engines ranging from 1.4-litres to the incredible 3.2-litre V6 in the R32 with the iconic Golf GTI hot on its heels but costing around £ 4k less. The Golf Plus offers more head and leg room, but to avoid the shopping cart tag, it’s available with 16″ alloy gearboxes, 6-speed manual and 7-speed automatic and a host of other features to complement your more practical leanings.
The Golf Estate comes with a Wapping 1550 liters of load space which should be more than enough to fit all those family items in when you leave which of course are never used!
The iconic Beetle continues to command attention, if not a feminine touch. I mean a vase for flowers! Someone is forced to put water in it, resulting in a huge garage bill. The Cabriolet looks good and is certainly a future classic and the 1.8T would easily take out Herbie! With a fairly high center of gravity, ESP is a welcome extra in case you overcook things in the corners.
The Jetta is still available, but even VW describes it as an “undisclosed secret”, so there may be an element of doubt as to who it’s being marketed to. Having said that, the Jetta is an extremely capable feature-packed sedan and top sport model boasting 17″ alloy wheels from 0 to 62.5 mph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph.
The Passat exudes quality and is aimed at the discerning buyer. This four-door saloon does not disappoint and is packed with high specifications, not to mention class-leading safety features, earning the Passat a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. LED lighting and Auto Hold parking brake function combined with Dynamic Start Assist are nice touches. Moving on to the Passat Estate, which offers the same degree of quality with the addition of plenty of cargo space. Also available is the Tiptronic transmission and something called Dynamic Launch Assist which allows you to drive smoothly without having to release the parking brake first – smart huh!
The Passat CC combines coupé style with the space and comfort of a sedan. With a luxurious interior and positive sporty handling coupled with sleek aerodynamics, the CC is one impressive vehicle.
Tiguan is the new compact 4×4 with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system and a host of electronics that, at the touch of a button, offer respectable off-road capability. Available in four models with a range of engines, this is a nimble little off-roader that’s well suited to urban driving.
The EOS is an attractive convertible with its impressive folding steel roof and an interior packed with the latest gadgets, including touchscreen satellite navigation. The 3.2-liter V6 version is certainly fast enough to throw your hair off if you drive it with the top open.
The Touran is a stylish seven-seater with a staggering 500 seat variations and some 39 different storage compartments for the younger members of the family to store their stuff. There are five models available with a range of diesel and petrol engines. Safety is an important consideration for a family vehicle, which is why the Touran has a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, as well as ABS ESP and Multi-Stage Airbags, as well as Isofix child seat mountings.
The spacious Sharan is available in four trims, from ‘S’ to Sport, and sleeps up to seven people plus all their belongings. Sharan comes with a choice of three diesel and one petrol engine with six-speed manual gearboxes or a five-speed Tiptronic Auto. Safety features include curtain airbags and an ABS hardbody as standard and ESP is available as an extra. A quality minivan that stands out in a competitive market.
Touareg is the big brother of the Tiguan and is a really impressive 4×4. A host of features include high ground clearance, a lockable center differential and a high and low ratio gearbox, options include air suspension. With a range of engines from the 2.5-litre TDI to the massive 5.0-litre V10. Sitting in alloys up to 19″, the Touareg really stands out in the luxury SUV sector.
We finally have the Phaeton, a rare beast that is handcrafted in a glass factory in Dresden! A truly luxurious vehicle with just about every conceivable feature you can imagine. Inside, you feel pampered in a sumptuous world of leather and wood. With up to 12-cylinder engines that power the car quietly and effortlessly. This is Mercedes S-Class territory with a price tag to match.
What a Volkswagen collection!