Volkswagen cars

2013 Volkswagen Golf Estate Concept R-Line

Along with the launch of the new Golf Variant, Volkswagen has also unveiled the new Golf Estate Concept R-Line - the first time an R treatment is applied to a Golf estate model. Even though VW said nothing about a future production version, we are pretty sure we are going to see one on the market pretty soon.

Up front, the new R-Line concept receives a newly designed bumper with a dominant air intake in the middle, a new front spoiler painted in the body color and striking splitters. When viewed from the side, the concept gets high-gloss black sill and for the rear, the R-Line package adds a sporty and distinctive black diffuser, a new roof spoiler and chrome tailpipes. The concept will be offered with 18-inch R-Line wheels painted in "sterling silver."

For the interior, the new Golf Estate R-Line will add ergonomically designed sport seats, center panels wrapped in a high-tone Nappa leather in "Space Blue," black carbon leather used for the inner surfaces of the side supports and black Nappa used for the outside surfaces of the seats, the steering wheel and the middle arm rest.

Spy Shots: Volkswagen Golf VII Variant Caught Without Camo

Now that VW has officially dropped the new-generation Golf onto the market, our spy photographers have also caught the upcoming station wagon version out for a testing session. As you can see, the car is almost camo-free, meaning that the world debut is getting closer.

As you can see, the taillights are in the right positions and not as seen in the previously captured prototypes. On both the exterior and the interior, the upcoming station wagon version will be similar to the hatchback version, except, of course, the rear that will be specially design to suit the station wagon body.

Under the hood, Volkswagen will offer the same engine found in the standard Golf, meaning a choice of four engines: an 85-horsepower, 1.2-liter TSI; a 140-horsepower, 1.4-liter TSI; a 105-horsepower, 1.6-liter diesel unit; and a 150-horsepower, 2.0-liter diesel unit.

The new-generation Volkswagen Golf Variant will make its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Car Show.

2013 Volkswagen Golf VII GTI

The seventh generation Volkswagen Golf GTI has been initially previewed by a very cool Golf VII GTI Concept unveiled in 2012 at the Paris Auto Show, but now is time to finally see the production version at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

The seventh generation Golf GTI brings some major updates for the model: next to exterior and interior updates, the new GTI is being offered for the first time in two different power levels: a standard GTI and a Performance version that increases the final output by 10 horsepower. Also, despite being more powerful than the previous generation, the new GTI is also more fuel efficient: an improvement of about 18%.

On the German market the seventh generation Golf GTI will be priced at 28,350 euro - about $37,00 at the current exchange rates.

UPDATE 02/27/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI.

2013 Volkswagen Golf Plug-In Hybrid

VW has just revealed plans to unveil a plug-in-hybrid variant for the seventh-generation Golf next month at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The model will join the already packed Golf lineup that includes versions like GTI, GTD and the more powerful R.

Few details have been offered, but you should expect to see the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain recently shown in the Audi A3 e-tron. We are talking about the 1.4 TFSI engine with an output of 150 horsepower combined with an electric motor that generates a total of 75 kW (100 horsepower). The hybrid system will be combined with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds.

The future Golf hybrid will be delivering an all-electric range of 50 kilometers (31 miles) when driven to speeds up to 80 mph.

Full details on the new Volkswagen Golf Plug-In Hybrid will be unveiled during its official debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

2013 Volkswagen XL1

Volkswagen’s dream of developing a 235-mpg car (1 liter per 100 kilometers) has finally been realized, as the new XL1 will be making its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. To make things even better, the first details have been released today. Volkswagen describes it as "a spectacular appearance – a car of the future, built for today."

On the exterior, the model remains pretty much identical to the concept unveiled at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show, including those cool gullwing doors. Still, the car is a little bit better than VW hoped, because its fuel consumption goes down to an impressive 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers, or 261 U.S. mpg.

The model will be unveiled next month at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and the first production batch will consist of just 50 units, with any other unit being developed on demand.

Updated 02/21/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Volkswagen XL1.

2013 Volkswagen Golf GTD

VW is further expanding the seventh generation Golf lineup with the addition of the new GTD version. Set to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the new Golf GTD will be put on sale immediately after with a starting price of €29,350 (about $38,700 at the current exchange rates).

The new-generation GTD continues a tradition started way back in 1982 when Volkswagen revolutionized the market with the unveiling of its first turbo-diesel Golf. The seventh-generation Golf GTD is the most powerful diesel Golf ever launched and it delivers an impressive fuel economy of just 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers (or about 56 U.S. mpg).

When compared to a standard Golf, the new GTD version received smoked LED rear lights and a larger roof spoiler. The interior has also received numerous GTD elements, like sports seats and steering wheels, a black roofliner and a GTD instrument cluster.

Hit the jump to read more about the new Volkswagen Golf GTD.

Rumormill: Next-Gen Golf R to Deliver Nearly 300 Horsepower

The seventh-generation Golf has just hit the market, and the future will bring seven new variants, including the R variant. The future lineup will include models like the GTI and GTD, but also fuel-efficient models like a BlueMotion and, for the first time, the electric version eGolf.

The most impressive and powerful version of the lineup will be the Golf R. A report from AutoCar suggests it will be offered with a 2.0 TSI engine that will deliver about 286 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. That’s a significant jump from the current version’s 256 horsepower in the US version and 270 horsepower in the European model.

The engine will be mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 5.0 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph. There will also be a new exhaust system that will make the engine sound more muscular.

Volkswagen will also be working on making the next Golf R a little bit lighter — expect a weight of just about 2,645 pounds — and improving fuel economy to about 40 mpg.

This is still an unconfirmed rumor and we will find out the real details once the car debuts. You cans expect this unveiling in September at the Frankfurt motor show.

2014 Volkswagen Golf R Convertible

Volkswagen is already offering a Convertible and a GTI Convertible for their Golf line, so it would be ridiculous not to apply the same treatment to the most powerful model in the Golf line-up: the R version. The model is expected to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, but Volkswagen already offered the first details on the model.

The new Golf R Convertible has been described as "the first-ever open-top R model and the fastest-ever production open-top Golf," and it pretty much offers the same features as the hatchback version. The difference will be of course its fully electric insulated hood that can be lowered in 9.5 seconds and raised in 11 seconds at speed up to 18 mph.

Updated 02/07/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Volkswagen Golf R Convertible.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR

Back in the 1970s, Volkswagen thought it was a good idea to release a special-edition model of the popular Beetle with the designation "GSR", which stands for "Gelb Schwarzener Renner".

Translated to English, GSR stands for "Yellow Black Racer.” As the name suggested, that Beetle was dressed in yellow and black though, more importantly, it was far sportier and more exclusive than most Beetles of its kind with only 3,500 units built.

Fast forward to today at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show and Volkswagen thought it was a good idea to release the modern-day version of the Beetle GSR. And true to form, they’re calling it, well, the 2014 Beetle GSR.

Suffice to say, this is a pretty big deal, not only for those old enough to remember the original Beetle GSR, but also for the young bloods out there who can be reminded just how popular and sought after this special-edition model was back in the day.

There’s a lot to like about the new Beetle GSR and for our part, we can’t get enough of it.

UPDATE 05/13/13: Volkswagen has officially been given a sticker price. Click past the jump to see how much it’s going to cost you.

Find out more about the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR after the jump

2014 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo R-Line Convertible

The Volkswagen Beetle GSR will undoubtedly garner most of the attention at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, but nobody should sleep on another Chicago-bound Beetle.

This is the Volkswagen Beetle Turbo Convertible R-Line, the latest member of Volkswagen’s R-Line family.

Just like its brethren, the Beetle Convertible Turbo R-Line comes packed with so many exterior and interior upgrades that spruces up the already fresh-looking Beetle. The exterior offers new bi-xenon headlights matched with LEDs to go with an R-Line badge on the front grille that makes sure everyone knows that this Beetle comes loaded with the program. Aluminum-alloy wheels measuring 19-inches and a new sport-tuned suspension was fitted into the car to further improve its driving characteristics.

As for the interior, Volkswagen went to lengths to give the Beetle a sportier look, highlighted by a "metallic-finish" dash and door trim, a flat-bottom R-Line multi-function leather steering wheel, stainless-steel R-Line scuff plates, aluminum sport pedals, and plenty of leather on the seats. Volkswagen also added a number of tech features, including an RNS 315 navigation system, keyless access with push-button start, and the totally awesome and ear-soothing Fender Premium Audio System.

At the end of the day, the R-Line upgrades are enough to spice up the Beetle Convertible Turbo. Some people might think that there’s not enough to warrant the badge, but for us, these add-ons are well worth your time.

Press Release after the jump