These are difficult times for everyone and reducing expenses is even more important than ever before. To help those who own a Volkswagen vehicle, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has come up with a few initiatives that can save them money and give them some ‘breathing space’.
Extended payment plan with 0% interest plan
Vehicles need to be serviced periodically, even though their usage may have decreased considerably due to the restrictions of Movement Control Orders over the past year.
For those who send their vehicles to selected authorised Volkswagen dealers, there’s a flexible payment plan which allows them to spread out their bill over 6 or 12 months. Even better – no interest rate will be charged (terms and conditions apply). However, payments must be by a credit card.
20% service discount
Those who have registered for Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) will enjoy more savings. These include three 20% rebate vouchers for maintenance service at authorised Volkswagen service centres. The vouchers can be used from the fifth year of service and the following two services during the period of 3 years. Additionally, customers will enjoy 2 years of free roadside assistance under VCP (terms and conditions apply).
30% discount for repairs
Every ringgit saved is a ringgit earned, and this is the basis of VPCM’s Repair Packages offerings. There’s a 30% discount on selected Repair Packages when they repair their cars at authorised Volkswagen service centres. This is applicable for Volkswagen models older than 5 years.
The Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP)
The Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP) has many benefits which will prove valuable if repair claims are necessary after an accident. If the vehicle is not more than 10 years old, there is no betterment cost for any replacement parts used. The comprehensive coverage includes various value-added services without any extra charges. Additionally, there is an agreed sum and insured value for vehicles up to 10 years old in the event of total loss.
Other VIP benefits include prioritised claim approval, windscreen replacement approval within 2 hours, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing, and assurance that repair work conducted at authorised Volkswagen Body & Paint centres are in accordance with Volkswagen repair standards and only genuine parts are used.
Visit www.volkswagen.com.my for more information or to locate an authorised dealer and service facilities anywhere in Malaysia.
Almost every day, there’s news about the electrification in the auto industry, if not the introduction of a new electric vehicle (EV). The industry, especially in Europe, has fast-tracked plans to move existing model fleets from using internal combustion engines to either hybrid or fully electric powertrains. Some companies even plan to stop selling vehicles with combustion engines before the end of this decade.
But there are also some companies that will look for a balance in the rush to electrification, focussing more on overall carbon neutrality (which can address climate change) for their entire operations, rather than just the products alone. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, is one of those who feels that the rush to switch to zero emission vehicles is too excessive, demands massive investments and will damage the industry in some ways.
Whole world won’t ‘electrify’ at the same time
While governments are forcing the corporate hands of the carmakers to make the changes and cut emissions from vehicles, there will still be models with combustion engines on sale for a while. We don’t know yet how fast the infrastructure to support EVs can be developed and grow because, in some places, it doesn’t even exist yet. In Malaysia, for example, the number of recharging stations already set up is really just ‘a handful’ and an absence of a coherent policy to encourage sales and use of EVs has yet to be formulated.
While motorists in regions like Europe are steadily switching to electric vehicles, there are many millions elsewhere in the world who will continue to use vehicles running on fluid fuels for many more years.
So while some carmakers may feel that they can get by (in future) selling just EVs, there will be some who will still be developing models with combustion engines for the rest of this decade at least. Engineers can still push emissions down further to meet stricter regulations and a new generation of fuels will also help in this respect.
Renewable low-carbon fuels
These are renewable low-carbon fuels and following on from R33 Blue Diesel which has been around since 2018, Bosch, Shell, and Volkswagen have now come up with low-carbon petrol. Their new fuel, called Blue Gasoline, similarly contains up to 33% renewables, ensuring a well-to-wheel reduction in carbon emissions of at least 20% per kilometre driven. This means a fleet of 1,000 VW Golf Mk.8 1.5 TSIs alone could save more than 230 metric tons of CO₂ per year, assuming an annual mileage of 10,000 kms each.
Shell will offset the remaining carbon emissions from the use of Blue Gasoline through certified offset arrangements. The initial plan is to make the fuel available at regular filling stations over the course of the year, starting in Germany.
“On the road to climate-friendly mobility, we must ensure we don’t leave any technical opportunities untapped, starting with electromobility and ending with renewable fuels. Every bit of CO₂ we save can help us achieve our climate targets,” said Dr. Uwe Gackstatter, President of the Bosch Powertrain Solutions division.
“Blue Gasoline is another building block in the effective reduction of CO₂ emissions from the vehicle fleet. Blue Gasoline’s high storage stability makes the fuel particularly suitable for use in plug-in hybrid vehicles. In the future, the expansion of the charging infrastructure and larger batteries will mean that these vehicles predominantly run on electrical power, and thus that fuel may remain in the fuel tank for longer periods of time,” explained Sebastian Willmann, Head of Internal Combustion Engine Development at Volkswagen
Highest standards set for fuel quality and sustainability
Blue Gasoline fuel complies with the EN 228/E10 standard and even exceeds it in key parameters such as storage stability and boiling behaviour. High-quality additives also keep the engine extremely clean and protect it against corrosion. This means not only that the fuel can be distributed via the existing filling station network, but also that it can be used in all new and existing vehicles for which Super 95 E10 petrol has been approved.
The proportion of up to 33% renewables is made up of biomass-based naphtha or ethanol certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system. One source of such naphtha is what is known as tall oil, a by-product in the production of pulp for paper. But naphtha can also be obtained from other residual and waste materials.
Low-carbon fuels at Bosch company stations
In the Blue Gasoline project, the three partners jointly defined the fuel specification to be achieved, taking into account engine requirements and sustainability. They put the product they developed through intensive testing on engine test benches and in trial vehicles – with consistently positive results. Bosch has begun supplying Blue Gasoline at its company filling stations for the past month, with other stations scheduled during for rest of 2021.
The supply of conventional Super 95 E10 petrol will then be gradually phased out. Since the end of 2018, R33 Blue Diesel has been the only diesel fuel that Bosch company filling stations offer for company cars and internal delivery vehicles. R33 Blue Diesel is also becoming available at more and more regular filling stations in Germany. At present, it is offered at 8 filling stations belonging to different brands nationwide, with more set to follow.
Not a substitute for electromobility
For Bosch, renewable low-carbon and carbon-neutral fuels will not replace electromobility but complement it. In principle, the use of these fuels makes sense in all modes of transport, but especially in those for which there is as yet no clear and economical path to electrification. In addition to ships and aircraft, this applies primarily to heavy goods vehicles and existing vehicles, but also to the millions of vehicles with internal combustion engines or hybrid powertrains that are on the world’s roads today or will be built in the coming decades.
To promote rapid market uptake for these fuels, the focus is on renewable biomass and synthetic fuel components that can be blended into regular fuel in high proportions in line with existing fuel standards.
The new Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4MOTION will soon be leaving the assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang. It is expected to be priced between RM245,000 and RM255,000 and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is now accepting pre-bookings.
Introduced to the Malaysian market last year, the Arteon is Volkswagen’s flagship with the latest enhancements, including an updated interior and exterior, new technology and a new 2-litre engine.
The redesigned front grille and bumper are more prominent and complement the full LED headlights. At the rear, new LED 3D lights with sequential indicators add character to the Arteon’s sloping fastback design. It is also the first model to carry the new Volkswagen and R logos.
The Arteon is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine which produces up to 280 ps, with 350 Nm of torque. A 7-speed wet-clutch DSG is used to deliver the power which goes to all four wheels, thanks to the Volkswagen4MOTION all-wheel drive system.
Inside the Arteon R-Line 4MOTION, the cockpit area has a new steering wheel with haptic touch controls, and ErgoComfort sports seats in Nappa Carbon leather and 14-way adjustment. For the driver, a high-resolution Digital Cockpit offers convenience and the views can be easily customised.
The Discover Pro infotainment system, with a 9.2-inch colour display, comes with voice and gesture control for safer handsfree management of various functions. The system now supports both wireless App-Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing favourite apps to be brought to the dashboard. Also standard is a premium Harman Kardon 700W audio system with 12 speakers strategically positioned around the cabin.
Like many modern cars, the Arteon R-Line has driver assistance systems which include Lane Assist, Side Assist, and an Automatic Post-Collision Brake System. It even reminds the driver to take a break on long journeys. A Surround View camera provides all-round coverage with a simulated image integrated to real imagery from small cameras around the bodywork.
The Surround View display shows all sides of the Arteon, while the Rear Cross Traffic Alert system (below) detects vehicles approaching from either side as the car is reversing out of a parking bay.
As with all Volkswagens sold by authorised dealers in Malaysia, the Arteon R-Line 4MOTION comes with 3 years of free scheduled maintenance, 5 years warranty coverage with no mileage limit, and Roadside Assistance for the first 5 years of ownership.
What is 4MOTION?
4Motion is Volkswagen’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system which delivers power to the front wheels as well as the rear wheels. While many people may think that AWD is only good for off-road driving, it is actually useful on the road too.
With all 4 wheels powered, traction is improved and this will be appreciated on wet or slippery roads. Acceleration can also be improved and grip during cornering is also better. Of course, the Laws of Physics still apply so having 4MOTION doesn’t mean that you can drive around a corner faster than the capability of the tyres to grip the road.
AWD systems like 4MOTION have ‘intelligence’, sending power to whichever wheel needs it at any given moment. If it senses a wheel starting to spin, the system cuts the power going to that wheel and sends more power to whichever of the other wheels can best use it. Because it all happens automatically, the driver can focus on driving.
The 4MOTION system in the Arteon R-Line is one of two versions which Volkswagen developed. In Arteon application, because the engine is mounted transversely, an electro-hydraulic Haldex coupling is used whereas the other version for models like the Touareg SUV employ a mechanical Torsen centre differential to distribute power to the front and rear wheels. This is because of the engine being installed in a longitudinal orientation.
Power delivery is on an infinitely variable basis by a multi-plate clutch. Normally, power is mainly transmitted to the front axle, which saves energy. However, in the event of an impending loss of traction, the rear axle is activated in a fraction of a second. The distribution of power to all four wheels becomes active before wheelspin occurs, rather than being reactive. A loss of traction is therefore virtually excluded. However, should any wheel slip occur, power is immediately transmitted to the wheels where it is needed.
The bestselling van in history, with over 12 million units sold worldwide, is the Volkswagen Transporter. While the earliest version which began in 1950 was on a Beetle platform, the model later gained its own ‘T platform’ from the 1990s for a variety of versions including minibuses, pick-ups and campervans.
From T platform to MQB platform
The current generation is the T6 Transporter with its people-mover variant known as the Caravelle. With the new T7 generation, the Transporter will leave the T platform behind in what will be the creation of a new model line named Multivan, while the current T6 is likely to continue as a commercial van for some time.
A trio of vans
The new Multivan (1941 mm wide, 4973 mm long) will ride on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform which should give it more versatility. It will be a less commercially-oriented product and is likely to become a significant MPV model range as well. In fact, Volkswagen has already indicated that the Multivan will be one of three members of a multi-purpose vehicle line-up that will include the T6 Transporter and all-electric ID. Buzz.
The exterior looks of the Multivan adopt the latest design language seen on the new Golf and Polo, and also pays homage to its predecessors, dating back to the 1985 Transporter T3. The front air intakes, painted in the same colour as the vehicle, have been reduced, paying tribute to the heritage of the rear air-cooled engines of the first three generations.
The colour scheme in the press photos goes with the cubic theme of the design which has clean surfaces and large glass panels all round. Also available is a panoramic glass roof with LowE laminated safety glass to reduce incoming thermal radiation by 44%.
PHEV for the first time
Volkswagen has a large number of markets and so its powertrain choices for the Multivan will need to take into consideration the less developed countries which will still want combustion engines. At the same time, for the markets where electrification is moving forward, there is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)variant – the first time in this Volkswagen segment.
The Multivan PHEV will have a 1.4-litre TSI 150 ps petrol engine and an electric motor powered by a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The total system output is 218 ps with instantaneous torque which will provide brisk performance. Volkswagen does not give any numbers yet other that that, with a 6-speed DSG transmission, ‘short, urban trips’ are possible on pure electric power.
The combustion engine powertrains that will be available will be two 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines – 136 ps 1.5 TSI and 204 ps 2.0 TSI – and a 150 ps 4-cylinder turbodiesel. All the engines will deliver their power through a 7-speed DSG to the front wheels.
Semi-autonomous capability
The Multivan will have a lot of new and advanced tech, with more than 34 driver assist systems. Besides the ones that provide autonomous braking, lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, there is also IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist which allows semi-autonomous driving by combining the predictive Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to make long-distance journeys safer and easier. It can be used up to 210 km/h.
Other new systems include Car2X – allowing local communication with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure in order to provide warnings of any danger ahead.
More flexible and spacious within
Inside, the new Volkswagen Multivan is more flexible and spacious than ever, with a new modular, lightweight seating system and innovative table. Seating layouts can be for 2 to 7 persons with removable seats and swivelling features.
The innovative multi-function table has been designed specially for the Multivan. Using the central track, it can be moved between any of the seating rows and also used as a centre console between the front seats. The table, which is completely removable, has adjustable height, three cupholders, and a storage bin.
The maximum cargo capacity with all rear seats removed is up to 4053 litres (depending on variant) with the longer 5173 mm version.
The new Multivan will go on sale later this year and while there will be a righthand drive version, it is hard to say whether it will be imported to Malaysia. The last time the model was sold (as the Caravelle) was in the 1990s when a small volume was assembled locally by Auto Dunia, which was then handling the Volkswagen brand.
June is here and for this new month, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has special deals for those shopping for a new Volkswagen Passat or a Tiguan Allspace Highline.
Those who make use of the eShowroom will enjoy an increase of RM1,500 savings on the Passat family and RM1,000 on the Tiguan Allspace Highline. Both the Passat Elegance and its sportier sibling, the Passat R-Line comes with exclusive savings of RM5,000, on top of ongoing promotions.
For SUV fans, take advantage of eShowroom savings of RM4,500 on top of the ongoing promotion for the Tiguan Allspace Highline which can seat seven comfortably.
Those who want to enhance their Tiguan Allspace Highline with accessories can enjoy a 15% discount when purchasing the new accessories package for the Highline and R-Line variants. This special package, priced at RM6,134 (total savings of RM1,082), consists of scuff plates, aluminium pedal caps (1 set), load edge protector, rear mudflaps (1 set), running board kit and a luggage compartment liner.
Alternatively, the Tiguan R-Line accessories package is now priced at RM4,464 (savings of RM787). This package consists of load edge protector, running board kit and a luggage compartment liner. Bookings to purchase the kit and future installation appointments can be arranged by calling any authorised Volkswagen service centre.
Aftersales 0% interest payment plan
VPCM doesn’t forget its loyal and supportive customers when it has promotions. From June 1, owners can opt for financial flexibility with a 0% interest-free instalment plan when paying for service or repair work via credit card.
Available at selected authorised Volkswagen service centres, the payment plan can be spread over 6 or 12 months, depending on the selected bank. Owners are advised to check with their preferred dealer on the specific terms and conditions.
Volkswagen Service campaign extended
If you still have taken advantage of the Aftersales Service campaign, the good news is that VPCM has extended it till the June 30, 2021, so more owners can enjoy the benefits. Those who send in their vehicles for service will be get 20% off Volkswagen genuine engine oil, and those who spend a minimum of RM1,200 will receive a complimentary carcare kit that consists of wax polish, wax shampoo, glass polish, plastic care, and leather care solutions in 50 ml bottles.
Under the ‘Safe Hands’ initiative, Volkswagen service centres nationwide follow strict guidelines which includes contactless vehicle acceptance, video walkthroughs, sanitisation before and after service, and cashless payments with e-invoicing.
Owners are advised to book their service appointments online and select free pick-up and delivery to have their Volkswagen serviced without having to leave the comfort of their homes. Dealers operating hours are available on the website at www.volkswagen.com.my.
Fully autonomous cars are still many years away but the industry is slowly equipping some of the new models with the capability to operate autonomously, both to reduce driving fatigue as well as to improve motoring safety in general.
The upcoming Volkswagen Polo is one of the world’s first small cars that will be capable of partly automated driving. With the optional IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, the hatchback will be able to steer, brake and accelerate automatically on request. This is made possible by. Volkswagen is consolidating its systems on the road to automated driving under the IQ.DRIVE umbrella brand.
These technologies have up to now only been available in larger models such as the Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon and Touareg. As a first in its class, the Polo now also permits partly automated driving across the entire speed range.
What is IQ.Drive Travel Assist?
IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist is an extremely easy-to-use system, with operation not much different from current cars where activation can be done using buttons and switches on the steering wheel. In the case of the new Polo, the multifunction steering wheel has a separate button for the smart assist system.
When activated, the car assumes partly automated lateral and longitudinal guidance. The system is based on the fusion of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and adaptive lane guidance, combining for lateral and longitudinal guidance.
ACC is already common in many cars, maintaining a safe gap with any vehicle ahead even when a cruising speed has been set. The speed will be adjusted accordingly and the set speed will be resumed once there is no vehicle ahead, as monitored by a radar.
Additional autonomy
In the Polo, there is also a predictive – forward-looking – ACC system in combination with the navigation system and dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). Among other things, this will allow the vehicle to react to bends or town boundaries and reduce speed. Additionally, a camera-based Dynamic Road Sign Display helps the Polo computer to ‘know’ how fast it can travel legally.
The lane keeping system known as Lane Assist scans the area in front of the Polo using the same camera in the windscreen as the Dynamic Road Sign Display system. The camera detects the lane markings and steers correctively as soon as any unintentional movement out of the lane is detected.
If IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist is active, the predictive ACC and adaptive lane guidance work together as described. In other words, the Polo brakes, accelerates and steers automatically within the system limits. However, the driver must keep their hands on the steering wheel, as they are always responsible for judging the traffic situation and controlling vehicle behaviour. The driver signals this preparedness via the capacitive surfaces of the steering wheel rim, which respond to touch.
With the manual 5-speed and 6-speed gearboxes, IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist can be used from a speed of 30 km/h to the maximum speed of 210 km/h. If the Polo is fitted with a 7-gear dual clutch gearbox (DSG), the assist system is available from the moment the car starts moving.
With IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist and DSG, it is therefore possible to drive with assistance and thus more comfortably in stop-and-go traffic jam situations. Those who prefer to be more involved in their motoring can keep IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist switched off. However, partly automated assist systems relieve the strain on drivers, especially on long journeys.
The autonomous road ahead
Based on the industry-accepted classifications that have 6 levels (from 0 to 5), IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist meets the requirements of Level 2 partly automated driving by taking over both lateral and longitudinal guidance at the same time. Taking into account the legal situation and with respect to safety, Level 2 is considered the most suitable at this time.
For safety reasons, the driver must still continuously monitor the system. Only when this is no longer necessary does the more highly automated Level 3 start and that will be a major leap forward. Still, in Level 3, the driver must be potentially prepared to take control when necessary. Over time, the higher levels will become available, reducing driver involvement to the point where only the destination just needs to be set and the car will operate by itself from start to finish.
Autonomous vehicles will not be suitable globally for some time as it will depend on local regulations as well as the ability of the road network to allow such vehicles to operate safely. Even now, autonomous vehicles are allowed to operate only on specific sections of highways in most countries.
With the Hari Raya festive season on this month, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is having a Raya-Raya campaign as well as an Aftersales Raya campaign, both of which will save money for those buying new Volkswagens as well as those who already own one.
Volkswagen Raya-Raya Campaign
Until May 31, 2021, purchasers of selected Volkswagen models will enjoy a RM1,000 duit raya rebate. The two variants of the Passat also come with additional RM3,500 savings when customers book online via the Volkswagen eShowroom. Additionally, those who purchase a new Passat Elegance will have 1-year comprehensive insurance free of charge, while the Passat R-Line comes with a year’s supply of free petrol.
Aftersales Raya Campaign
VPCM doesn’t forget loyal customers who have joined the Volkswagen family and with the Aftersales Raya campaign, owners who send in their vehicle for service at authorised dealerships will enjoy a 20% discount on Volkswagen genuine engine oil.
During the campaign period, which runs till June 13, 2021, owners who spend a minimum of RM1,200 will receive a complimentary carcare kit that consists of wax polish, wax shampoo, glass polish, plastic care, and leather care solutions, as well as complimentary Volkswagen Raya packets (both complimentary items available while stocks last).
A new addition to the Aftersales Raya campaign is the promotion for windscreen wiper blades, important items especially with the rainy weather these days. Just as you need good lighting at night, you also need good wiping of the glass for safe motoring. Until June 30, 2021, a pair of wiper blades from authorised service centres will be offered with a 20% discount.
For motoring safety, the windscreen wipers should remove water properly so the view ahead is clear. If your wipers are not doing their job well, have them changed. Until the end of June, authorised Volkswagen dealers are offering a 20% discount for a new set.
New VIP insurance partner
VPCM has also announced a new insurance partner under the Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP). This is AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad which joins existing partners Allianz General Insurance Berhad, Etiqa General Takaful Berhad and Zurich Takaful General Insurance Berhad.
As a VIP policyholder, benefits include prioritised claim approval, roadside assistance with 24-hour emergency towing, and assurance that repair work is conducted at authorised Volkswagen Body & Paint centres in accordance with Volkswagen repair standards with only genuine parts used. Additionally, there are no excess fees, no betterment costs and an agreed insured value for vehicles up to 10 years old. This is applicable to all Volkswagen models regardless of vehicle age.
To know more about Volkswagen products and services, or to locate authorised service centres, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.
The EXTREME X series is the ‘Dakar Rally for electric vehicles’ but the small number of SUV EVs taking part are very special models, developed for the purpose of the unique competition. They are not what would be available from showrooms, just as F1 cars are not sold to the public.
Volkswagen, however, has shown that even production EVs can take the very rough conditions of off-road racing with a specially prepared Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV having completed the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) Mexican 1000 race recently.
Standard electric powertrain
The ID.4 was driven by professional racer and Volkswagen brand ambassador, Tanner Foust, and Rhys Millen Racing partially modified a rear-wheel-drive version of the E-SUV model. However, it used a standard powertrain with an 82-kWh battery pack. The radiator was raised several centimetres to improve approach angles and cooling capacity, and additional skid plates of thick steel were added to the undercarriage.
To cope with the demanding conditions and terrain, the suspension was also modified with more travel and ground clearance. Rally-style coil-over struts were fitted to all four wheels along with tubular lower control arms in the front and boxed lower rear links.
Inside the cabin was a roll cage for safety, racing seats and supplemental screens for key data like battery temperature, crucial information to know with the high desert temperatures and constant high speeds.
Biofuel-powered generator for recharging
The ID.4 was one of the 64 vehicles that finished the entirety of the NORRA 1000, out of 90 cars and trucks entered. Stages measured between 53 kms and up to 270 kms over the 1.600-km route. The ID.4 was able to recharge mostly using a portable biofuel-powered generator connected to a 50 kW flat charger. In a couple of instances where the ID.4 was scheduled to be transited to the next stage but the charger was not available, the team towed it behind a chase vehicle for a short distance, using the regenerative braking to add range.
Despite the brutal nature of the Baja wilderness, the only damage suffered by the e-SUV was some cosmetic injury to the rear bumper. All of the vehicle’s key power, battery and control systems performed as expected. The ID.4 was raced mostly in ‘B’ level battery regeneration mode with the standard traction control turned on.
“This was an exciting test of ID.4 technology because no other production-based EV had ever entered this event, let alone completed it,” said Scott Keogh, President & CEO of Volkswagen of America.
The ID.4 is the second model in Volkswagen’s all-electric ID range. First deliveries in Europe started at the end of 2020 and it is also being sold in North America and China. Last month, it was announced as the 2021 World Car of the Year.
How do you judge a car in just three or four days?
There really isn’t much you can say about it other than the way it drives, how the interior feels, and the overall efficiency.
That is the issue with motoring journalism in Malaysia.
So the best way to properly understand a car is to look into a forum where other owners share their experience.
Or to drive a somewhat high mileage car that has been properly used and abused by other members of the Malaysian motoring fraternity.
Which is what I did when Volkswagen Malaysia handed me a car with a little over 10,000km on the odo.
There is no doubt that the Volkswagen Arteon is one the best looking car of its segment.
It created waves when it was first introduced to the world, and it still turns heads today.
At about RM220,000, it seems a better buy than the established competition; the BMW 3-Series, the Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A4.
It is a lot bigger than the competition and a lot more spacious.
And surprisingly offers more creature comforts, though it does not offer as much safety tech as the other Germans.
And that is what makes it fall short of being utterly perfect.
But then again, the Arteon also has held up surprisingly well after 10,000km in the hands of motoring journos.
Of course the cars are fully refurbished before being passed from one journo to another, but there are things that simply cannot be done so quickly.
Such as seat bolstering, faded plastics, buttons that become undone and surfaces that are easily scratched such as the door sills.
I found none of that in this Arteon.
What I did find though is that in the 5-6 days that I had the car, the entertainment system failed on me, once!
This was when I wanted to switch from the Apple CarPlay, to which I was connected to wirelessly, to a regular radio station.
I had Google Maps running (not a fan of Waze) and perhaps the onboard processor had too much.
The system then wouldn’t respond for a couple of minutes, and then it went blank for another couple of minutes.
Shortly after it restarted and was fine for the rest of my drive time.
Just tech being tech, I guess.
But other than that though, I have nothing but praises.
I loved the spaciousness of the Arteon.
For the first time ever, I did not need to move the front passenger seat forwards to accommodate my kid’s rear facing car seat.
The 563 litre booth accommodated everything you need to manage a child over a weekend, plus groceries, plus the wife’s bags, and then some.
Just for reference, the booth is slightly smaller than that of the Passat, but yet is bigger than the 4-Series and the Audi A5 Sportback.
The entertainment system, despite that one issue I experienced with it, was impressive with a 700W 12-speaker DynAudio sound system.
Metallica’s S&M album never sounded so good in a mid-segment passenger car.
The wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity is truly god sent, and something Mercedes-Benz and BMW should take a card from.
However, I do feel the engine does not do justice to the car’s good looks.
The 2.0-litre engine produces just 187hp and 320Nm of torque.
But for those with a need for speed, there is the Arteon R that produce over 300hp.
But it has never been officially offered in Malaysia save for that one time Volkswagen showcased a demo car to gauge public interest.
That didn’t go too well since it would have costed over RM300,000.
But the one great thing that the standard Arteon does incredibly well is fuel efficiency.
I did about 550km during my drive and still had about a quarter tank left when it came time to return the car.
Volkswagen also claims that the Arteon needs just 6.3 litres of fuel to travel 100km on the combined cycle.
And this technically means that in an ideal scenario, the Arteon can travel 1000km with its 66-litre tank. This does depend on how heavy your right foot is though.
Despite its frugal nature, the Arteon also offers the usual array of Drive Modes that make the car sharper or comfortable, all at the touch of a button.
This either stiffens or softens the suspension, adjusts the steering wheel and the accelerator according to the selected drive mode as well.
This did lead to a more interesting drive in Sport mode as the car generally felt more eager.
Even after 10,000km of being driven by people determined to bring out the worst in the car, yours truly included, the Arteon has been steadfast.
The interior is always the first place that wear and tear sets in, and is not easy nor cheap to restore, and despite that the interior of this Arteon has held well.
The powertrain too has proven to the naysayers that Volkswagen has left its old engine and gearbox issues firmly in the past.
And for if you regularly maintain it with care, then there shouldn’t be any issues.
If you do buy brand new, the entire ownership experience is made better with a five-year warranty and a three-year free maintenance program.
Also, it is also worth noting that the new 2021 Volkswagen Arteon is due to be launched in Malaysia real soon.
This means prices of the current Arteon will drop, making it an incredibly good buy in the used car market.
If you can look past the lack of power and appreciate the overall design and the efficiency of the car, then the Arteon would be well worth considering.
Especially when compared to the old guards from Germany.
The Volkswagen Arteon is priced at RM221,065.28 excluding insurance.
Just as motorcars from the time of Gottlieb Daimler evolved over the decades to be varied in purpose, design and performance, electric vehicles have also a variety of types. Initially, constrained by technology, ‘performance’, as enthusiasts know it, was not highlighted much even though an electric motor provides a lot of torque right from moving off for brisk acceleration. But with EV technology pushing the edge of the envelope more and more, ‘high performance’ can also be used with electrically-powered vehicles.
Volkswagen is now heading into the new segment with the ID.4 GTX unveiled at a digital world premier recently. A member of the brand’s electric range, it is the first fully electric high-performance model that is said to add a new dimension to sportiness and dynamics. Just as ‘GTI’ has been used to identify Volkswagen’s performance models, ‘GTX’ will do likewise with the electric vehicles.
“The most emotional member of the ID. family to date shows that electric mobility and top sporty performance are not mutually exclusive. The full torque of the electric powertrain is immediately available and you can feel the excellent vehicle handling in every bend,” said Thomas Ulbrich, member of the Board of Management for Development.
Two motors for all-wheel drive
The ID.4 GTX is the first model based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) to feature dual-motor all-wheel drive. There is one electric motor installed on the front and the rear axle. Together, both motors can generate maximum electrical output of 220 kW (299 hp) and can work together to give all-wheel drive.
Putting one motor at the front and one at the back to get all-wheel drive is actually an idea that goes back to the 1980s. Volkswagen engineers put two 1.8-litre engines in a Golf (Mark 2) that was entered in the Pikes Peak Hillclimb event in America. The prototype completed the course in 1985 and 1986 but suspension failure prevented it from finishing in 1987 and after that, the project did not continue after that.
The AWD system in the ID.4 GTX operates with greater efficiency as the motors are managed by computer, so optimum output will be generated on each axle according to conditions. Volkswagen claims that acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h can be done in 3.2 seconds, with 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Not exceptionally quick but can be considered high performance for an e-SUV. The top speed will be limited to 180 km/h.
Sportier character emphasised
The ID.4 is the 2021 World Car of the Year and the GTX shares the overall design with the other versions but gets differentiation to emphasise its sportier character. The familiar light strip has been combined with dynamic elements, in particular, the three honeycomb elements that form the daytime running lights. Besides conveying the sporty character, this styling element establishes a connection to the Golf GTI. Alongside the different bumpers are distinctive elements at the rear include the 3D LED tail light cluster with brake lights that form an X.
Visual connection to Golf GTI
The body colour is more dominant than on rear-wheel drive versions. The roof and rear spoiler are black, while the roof frame bar is a high-gloss anthracite. The interior also has a different colour scheme with the upper section of the dashboard and leatherette inserts in the doors in a dark shade called ‘X-Blue’. Red contrasting seams – a classic symbol for sportiness and strength – add accents to the seats. The GTX logo appears on the steering wheel, sill panel trims and – in perforated form – at the top of the front seat backrests.
The ID.4 line has been available in Europe, North America and China since last year, and the GTX will go on sale in Europe after June this year. The lowest priced ID.4 GTX will be 50,415 euros (about RM249,000) but buyers can apply for an EV grant of 7,500 euros (about RM37,000) to offset the cost.
The standard ID.4 which is now on sales in Europe, North America and China.
Will we see such EVs in Malaysia?
As more and more EVs are launched, Malaysians must wonder if we will see them in the showrooms. In neighbouring countries, government policies are already in place to give a big push to switching to EVs but Malaysia seems to show little initiative. There is a plan which will allow 10,000 EVs to be imported tax-free but unless there are assured long-term incentives to make it worthwhile for companies, we will see the same thing happening as before when there was tax exemption for a few years for hybrids and EVs. When the exemption ended and prices went back up, sales died altogether except for a few companies that decided to include electrified models in their locally-assembled line-up.
