JANUARY USA SALES - VOLKSWAGEN - Minor growth for the German brand, even with new metal.

• January sales total 23,504 units, representing a .04 percent increase over January 2014
• The all-new Golf delivered 2,040 units for the month, marking a 143% percent increase in sales for the model over the previous January
• The Golf GTI delivered 1,978 units, a 129% percent increase
• Jetta sedan delivered 8,320 units for the month

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported sales of 23,504 units delivered in January 2015.

The all-new Golf family continued to find success in both deliveries and accolades. In January, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Golf and Golf GTI were named the North American Car of the Year. Golf family sales in January totaled 4,199 units, which includes 2,040 Golfs, 1,978 Golf GTIs and 181 e-Golf units. The Golf family continues to expand in 2015 with the addition of the much anticipated Golf R which goes on sale later this month. Five hundred pre-orders of the Golf R were filled in less than a 12 hour period last month.

“We are encouraged by the continued success of the Golf family, in fact it was one of the best months on record for Golf family sales. We look forward to the new additions of the much anticipated Golf R and Golf SportWagen later this quarter,” said Mark McNabb, chief operating officer, Volkswagen of America.

The Jetta, refreshed for the 2015 model year now with a suite of driver assistance features, continued to show its strength as a core model, with 8,320 units delivered.

The Touareg, refreshed for 2015, delivered 482 units, 257 of which were Clean Diesel TDI, amounting to 53 percent of sales of the model.

The Chattanooga-built Passat totaled 6,305 units delivered for the month. The Tiguan delivered 1,473 units.

January 2015 Sales

	Jan.15	Jan. 14	Yr/Yr% change	Jan.15  YTD	Jan.14 YTD	Yr/Yr% change
Golf	2,040	839	143.1%	2,040	839	143.1%
GTI	1,978	865	128.7%	1,978	865	128.7%
Golf R	-	8	-100.0%	-	8	-100.0%
e-Golf	181	-	-	181	-	-
Total Golf/GTI/e-Golf	4,199	1,712	145.3%	4,199	1,712	145.3%
Jetta Sedan	8,320	8,455	-1.6%	8,320	8,455	-1.6%
Jetta SportWagen	649	1,313	-50.6%	649	1,313	-50.6%
Total Jetta	8,969	9,768	-8.2%	8,969	9,768	-8.2%
Beetle Coupe	897	1,284	-30.1%	897	1,284	-30.1%
Beetle Convertible	492	750	-34.4%	492	750	-34.4%
Total Beetle	1,389	2,034	-14.8%	1,389	2,034	-14.8%
Eos	156	183	-14.8%	156	183	-14.8%
Passat	6,305	6,236	1.1%	6,305	6,236	1.1%
CC	531	881	-39.7%	531	881	-39.7%
Tiguan	1,473	1,777	-17.1%	1,473	1,777	-17.1%
Touareg	482	544	-11.4%	482	544	-11.4%
Routan	-	359	-100.0%	-	359	-100.0%
TOTAL	23,504	23,494	0.04%	23,504	23,494	0.04%

New Volkswagen GTE, capable of 166mpg and 39g/km, making this one clean car.

• New plug-in hybrid Golf GTE combines benefits of e-mobility with GTI dynamics
• GTE available to order now with first deliveries expected in March
• Golf becomes the only car to be available with five powertrain types (four in UK)
• Combines petrol and electric motor to produce 204 PS and range of up to 580 miles

The Volkswagen Golf GTE is available to order from today, costing £28,035* RRP.  And unlike Volkswagen’s other electric vehicles (the e-up! and e-Golf) which are sold through a network of 25 e-Retailers, the GTE will be available through all of the company’s franchised sales outlets.

The name of Golf GTE reflects its standing in the line-up alongside the petrol-powered GTI and diesel GTD, while its pricing also reinforces this position.  

The new car is driven by two engines: a 1.4-litre 150 PS TSI direct-injection petrol engine and a 102 PS electric motor.  

Together, they produce a maximum power of 204 PS and a theoretical range of 580 miles, while maximum torque is 350 Nm (258 lbs ft).  A six-speed DSG gearbox developed for hybrid vehicles is standard.

The electric motor is integrated into the gearbox housing, while further hybrid components include power electronics and a charger.  An electro-mechanical brake servo and an electric air conditioning compressor make for energy-efficient braking and air conditioning.  

There are five operating modes: ‘E-mode’, ‘GTE mode’, ‘Battery Hold’, ‘Battery charge’ and ‘Hybrid Auto’.  In pure electric mode (activated at the press of a button), the Golf GTE can travel up to 31 miles.  Electric power can also be saved – for example when driving to a zero-emissions zone – and in electric mode, the GTE is capable of speeds of up to 81 mph.

With the TSI engine engaged as well, the Golf GTE can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds and on to 138 mph, yet returns a combined cycle figure of 166 mpg and CO₂ emissions of 39 g/km.  As such it is expected to be exempt from VED and the Congestion Charge.

The Golf GTE’s 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged in 3.75 hours from a domestic mains outlet, or 2.25 hours from a domestic wallbox. 

The Golf GTE is available in five-door bodystyle only and in one highly-specified trim level.  Visually, it combines elements of the e-Golf and Golf GTI, with C-shaped LED daytime running lights (e-Golf) and aerodynamic horizontal ‘fins’ (GTI).  Where the GTI features red, the GTE has blue accents, including across the radiator grille and into the headlights (which as on the e-Golf are LED), while 18-inch ‘Serron’ alloy wheels are fitted as standard.

Inside too, the GTI’s red highlights are turned to blue – including the stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter and seats, and a blue stripe in the tartan pattern on the sports seats.  Touchscreen infotainment system with DAB radio and Bluetooth is standard, while optional navigation includes bespoke EV features such as the ability to identify potential destinations on electric range, and charging points. 

The GTE also has an e-manager which allows the driver to preset vehicle charging, as well as interior cooling or heating and these functions can be operated remotely using the Car-Net app on a smartphone; a three-year subscription is standard in the UK.  The speedometer and tachometer are familiar, and the latter is supplemented by a power meter in the central display, which shows the status of the battery, whether or not power is being used and the intensity of any regeneration.

(*RRP OTR after £5,000 Government plug-in car grant has been deducted)

The new range topping POLO GTi goes on sale now, for march delivery.

• New range-topping Polo GTI launches with 1.8-litre turbocharged 192 PS engine
• Available with choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox
• Polo takes GTI design cues from larger Golf sibling; high-tech infotainment system
• Available to order now with first UK deliveries due March 2015

The latest generation of Volkswagen’s Polo GTI made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and is now available to order from Retailers across the UK, with first customer deliveries due in March 2015.  It will cost £18,850 RRP OTR for the three door manual with a £630 premium for five doors and £1,245 for the DSG gearbox.

The new Polo GTI is powered by a 1.8-litre (1,798 cc) turbocharged petrol engine delivering 192 PS between 4,200 and 6,200 rpm (5,400-6,200 DSG), marking an increase of 12 PS over the outgoing model.  And unlike the previous Polo GTI, this latest generation is available with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

With a manual gearbox, the Polo has a maximum torque of 320 Nm (236 lbs ft) available between 1,450 and 4,200 rpm.  For the DSG these figures are 250 Nm (184 lbs ft) between 1,250 and 5,300 rpm due to technical differences in the design parameters of the gearboxes. 

The Polo GTI lives up to its performance badge, reaching 62 mph from standstill in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 146 mph.  But the Polo GTI’s power does not come at the expense of efficiency, with a combined fuel consumption figure of 50.4 mpg and corresponding carbon dioxide emissions of 129 g/km for the DSG (47.1 mpg and 139 g/km for the manual).

The Polo GTI follows the design cues of its ‘big brother’, the Golf GTI.  Compared with the standard Polo, new bumpers, GTI insignia, distinctive 17-inch ‘Parabolica’ alloy wheels and red radiator grille strips and honeycomb grille distinguish it from the rest of the range, along with standard sports suspension (lowered by 10 mm at the front and 15 mm at the back). 

At the front, LED lights are standard for the first time, while at the rear a GTI roof spoiler, taillight clusters in Dark Red, the black grained diffuser and chrome dual exhaust pipes continue the sporty theme.

On the inside, the Polo GTI features a leather sports steering wheel with logo and red stitching harking back to the Golf GTI, as do the gear and handbrake levers and floor mats with red beading.  The check design ‘Clark’ cloth seats with black bolsters have been a GTI emblem since the first GTI in 1976.

The Polo GTI has ESC Sport (electronic stability control).  Like on the Golf GTI this enables the ESC to be adapted for use on a track.  It works in two stages: first the traction control is switched off, then ESC Sport is activated which raises the ESC threshold and delays intervention (without ESC being completely deactivated).  XDS+ is also standard: another Golf GTI ‘import’, XDS compensates for the understeer which is typical of front-wheel drive cars, meaning driving characteristics are more precise and neutral. 

Available as an option on the new Polo GTI is a Sport Performance Pack with Dynamic Chassis Control which offers sportier steering, accelerator response and engine noise inside the car. 

For more details, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk. 

Polo GTI – prices

Model	Economy, mpg comb’d	CO2 emissions g/km	Price £, RRP OTR
1.8-litre 192 PS TSI 6-spd manual 3dr	47.1	139	18,850
1.8-litre 192 PS TSI 6-spd manual 5dr	47.1	139	19,480
1.8-litre 192 PS TSI 7-spd DSG 3dr	50.4	129	20,095
1.8-litre 192 PS TSI 7-spd DSG 5dr	50.4	129	20,725