Volkswagen owners in Malaysia who have been waiting to send their vehicles to the service centres for required maintenance, deferred during the Movement Control Period (MCO), can now do so. – Following the recent announcement by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), automotive service centres can resume operations at full capacity.
As such, all authorised Volkswagen service centres in the country will now resume their operations. Showrooms will, however, remain closed for the time being while the MCO is in effect.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) said that its service dealers will adhered to the strict guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) required by MITI. In connection with this, a ‘Safe Hands’ campaign is adopted taking customers’ and employees’ health into consideration.
The new standard operating procedure includes contactless vehicle acceptance, video walk-throughs, sanitization before and after repair, and cashless payments with e-invoicing during the contactless car pick-up. Additionally, selected dealers will offer vehicle pick-up and drop-off arrangements.
Customers need to make an appointment in advance and are advised to contact their respective service centres for this. Those Volkswagen owners and frontliners who had previously booked their appointments via the Welcome Back campaign will receive priority slots, depending on availability.
“As we prepare to attend to the aftersales needs of our customers, we do this keeping in mind that social distancing is the new normal, and that hygiene and sanitization is now an essential part of daily precautionary measures. I am pleased to say that our ‘Safe Hands‘ SOP adheres to these new standards and will apply to all aspects of our business operations, and not just at our service centres,“ said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.
Mr. Winter added that other safety precautions implemented at service centres will include regular sanitization of the premises and regular temperature screenings on all staff and customers.
For further information or contact information for authorised service centres, visit www.volkswagen.com.my.
To show appreciation to the nation’s frontliners in the War against COVID-19, Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has updated its ‘Welcome Back’ aftersales campaign announced earlier. The frontliners refer to the government hospitals doctors, nurses and administrators, personnel of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Armed Forces as well as RELA and Malaysia Civil Defense (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).
For this brave and dedicated group of Malaysians, there are additional benefits if they are Volkswagen owners. The benefits are a small token of appreciation to ease their burden and offer peace of mind.
The additional benefits include priority booking, complimentary car sanitization and a 10% discount off the total bill (terms and conditions apply). Volkswagen owners who are frontliners are required to indicate their respective occupational areas when registering online, and a Volkswagen representative will be in touch for verification.
Once verified, the additional benefits will be credited into their Volkswagen Cares App wallet and will be ready to be used for their pre-booked appointment. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the Movement Control Order is lifted.
The ‘Welcome Back’ campaign, announced earlier, offer Volkswagen owners a gift and an additional RM50 engine oil voucher (for owners not redeeming their free maintenance service and non-Volkswagen Cares Plus members).
To register and book an appointment, visit www.volkswagen.com.my where the Volkswagen Cares mobile app can be downloaded to enjoy the benefits.
It took some 14 years for the original Volkswagen Beetle to reach a cumulative production volume of 500,000 units, becoming the German carmaker’s bestseller for many years. Today, the bestselling model in the Volkswagen Group is the Tiguan and it reached the first 500,000 units within 8 years after being launched.
Thereafter, as its popularity grew, the cumulative volume rose very quickly and 13 years after launch, it crossed the 6 million mark last month. In fact, just last year alone, total Tiguan production was 910,926 units. On average, a brand new unit left the production line every 35 seconds in one of the company’s Tiguan factories in 2019.
Concept Tiguan displayed in 2006 was a preview of the Tiguan a year before it was launched.
Right timing for SUV boom
The Tiguan arrived in the market at the right time when the SUV boom was accelerating. Sold in 80% of countries in the world (including Malaysia), it is the most successful SUV on the market in Europe.
The SUV arrived in Malaysia in 2008.
It was launched at the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show, a year after Volkswagen had previewed the compact new model at the Los Angeles Auto Show as the Concept Tiguan. With demand for SUVs growing – especially smaller SUVs – the Tiguan was a popular choice for many buyers.
The second generation
The second-generation arrived on the market in April 2016. Where the first generation had sat on the PQ46 platform of the Passat (B6), the new one adopted the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB). This more versatile platform allowed the designers to develop a more authentic and muscular SUV with a considerably roomier cabin owing to the longer wheelbase.
Launch of the second generation in Malaysia in 2017.
The model line was expanded in 2017 with the debut of a second Tiguan variant for some markets. It was an XL version with a wheelbase extended by 110 mm and could include a third row of seats.
This variant was sold in North America, Europe and China. Since being added to the line-up, the long-wheelbase Tiguan accounts for 55% of the sales. The powertrains are common to the standard model but in China, a plug-in hybrid powertrain was made available last year.
Long-wheelbase XL variant.
The Tiguan is currently manufactured at four Volkswagen plants spread across four time zones. The normal wheelbase (NWB) version is manufactured at Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, for markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The plant in Russia produces the NWB vehicles for the Russian market and for neighbouring Central Asian countries. In Shanghai, Volkswagen manufactures the LWB Tiguan L for the Chinese market while the plant in Mexico supplies to North and South America and for markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
It is also assembled in Malaysia at the HICOM Automotive Manufacturers (Malaysia) complex in Pekan, Pahang.
Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) being in effect, a significant number of Volkswagen owners have had to put their vehicle’s aftersales needs on hold as all service centres nationwide are closed. Although workshops can operate, they are only allowed to perform emergency services and not regular maintenance work.
Looking ahead to the time when the MCO ends, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has prepared a ‘Welcome Back’ campaign for owners under the Volkswagen Cares initiative.
Keeping customer’s convenience in mind, VPCM invites owners to register and book their appointments on the Volkswagen website and upon submission of interest, a representative from an authorised Volkswagen dealership will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the Movement Control Order ends.
All Volkswagen owners who register during this period will receive free Volkswagen merchandise. Additionally, owners who are not redeeming their free maintenance service and are not Volkswagen Care Plus (VCP) members are entitled to an additional RM50 engine oil voucher. Those entering their fifth year of vehicle ownership are encouraged to sign up for the Volkswagen Care Plus programme to enjoy its benefits.
As mentioned in an earlier report, Volkswagen Malaysia will continue to honour the warranty of vehicles that were not able to meet the scheduled service maintenance due to the restrictions of the Movement Control Order.
All Volkswagen owners are required to download the Volkswagen Cares mobile app to enjoy the benefits. To register and book an appointment, visit the Volkswagen website.
Following the cancellation of this year’s Geneva International Motor Show (which was to have been held last month), the Volkswagen brand show stand can now be visited online. Starting from today, visitors can ‘experience’ all the new models of the brand for 2 weeks.
Furthermore, they can do so at any time of the day, from their homes anywhere in the world. This would be welcome by people in the increasing number of countries where there is a lockdown or restricted movement.
The 360° tour offers an interactive digital experience allowing visitors to be immersed in the motorshow. They can ‘stroll’ across the booth, view vehicles from all sides and also change colours and wheel rim configurations with the easy-to-use functions. This may well be the beginning of a new trend in the industry of presenting new models, given that social distancing will be emphasised in future.
“I am pleased that our marketing team has succeeded in making our booth available to all visitors despite the cancellation of the Geneva Motor Show. Virtually, they can experience our team’s attention to detail in the presentation of this show and our product highlights. Once again, this demonstrates that special situations call for special solutions,” said Jurgen Stackmann, Member of the Volkswagen brand Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and After-Sales .
“We are convinced that we will be able to reach even more people in future through virtual show visits in addition to the real presentation of vehicles,” he added.
All the vehicles and the booth planned for Geneva have been digitally processed for the 360° experience and give visitors a 3-dimensional experience of being at the show. The main focus is on the new products of 2020 which range from the future electric vehicle ID.3 to the new R2 with plug-in hybrid technology. There is also the latest generation of the iconic sports versions of the Golf, the GTI, GTD and GTE.
Users take part in a guided tour of the booth but can control their visit individually. By clicking integrated additional features and interactive exhibits which allow vehicles to be displayed with different colours or wheel rims, users are encouraged to interact with the presentation.
“Our first digital booth is only the opening chapter in our new sustainable concept for future innovative online experiences,” said Jochen Sengpiehl, Chief Marketing Officer of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand. “Exploiting the opportunities offered by virtual reality is part of our digitalization strategy. It will become an integral component of our experience marketing, the entire external presentation of the brand and interaction with customers and fans.”
Social distancing is important during this COVID-19 pandemic. By being at least 1-metre (more more) apart from each other, the possibility of the transmission of the virus can be reduced. It’s a difficult thing to do but it is something we have to learn to do automatically if we are to defeat COVID-19.
To help spread the message, Volkswagen and Audi have modified their logos to show ‘distancing’. The move is being done through animations and images on social media channels and other media.
In the case of Volkswagen, the logo which has the smaller ‘V’ right over the ‘W’, the revised logo now has the ‘V’ moved further up, creating a bigger gap. The simple message is that we need to keep our social distance.
The German carmaker adds that ‘at Volkswagen, we traditionally stand together in all crises and support each other. We are convinced that together we will find new ways and solutions that will enable us to overcome this crisis. Right now, it is particularly important that we follow the rules of conduct and hygiene with a lot of discipline’.
Audi’s logo consisting of the familiar four rings, which has its origins going back to 1932, likewise depicts separation by having the rings set apart. In their usual configuration, they are interlinked, like the logo of the Olympics which, incidentally, have been postponed to 2021.
In Thailand, Isuzu has also used a similar idea to create awareness of social distancing.
Social distancing is one of the measures that can help to break the chain of virus transmission. Once this can be achieved, the virus will not be able to infect more people and eventually, its threat will be reduced. That’s the reason why the government has the Movement Control Order which now extends until April 14, 2020. It aims to limit the gathering of people so that the virus cannot spread.
In due course, it will be possible for owners of the original Volkswagen T1 to make a conversion of the powertrain to a zero emissions electric drive system. Volkswagen Commercia Vehicles (VWCV), collaborating with eClassics, has developed a conversion package which is demonstrated in the e-BULLI all-electric concept vehicle.
VWCV engineers and designers formed a team along with drive system experts from Volkswagen Group Components and eClassics (a company which specialises in electric car conversions) to develop the e-BULLI. For the concept model, they chose a T1 Samba Bus produced in 1966 which, prior to its conversion, spent half a century on the roads of California.
New electric drive system components
The original 44 ps 4-cylinder boxer engine is replaced by a silent Volkswagen electric motor generating 61 kW (83 ps) and 212 Nm, the torque being more than double that from the engine before. The comparison of the engines’ power output alone makes it very evident that the concept vehicle will have completely new drive characteristics with performance unattainable using the original combustion engine.
Power transmission is by means of a 1-speed gearbox. The automatic transmission has 5 positions (P, R, N, D, B) and in position B, the driver can vary the degree of recuperation, ie of energy recovery when braking. The e-BULLI is claimed to have top speed of 130 km/h (electronically limited), 25 km/h more than the original T1.
The original T1 Samba Bus
Just like the powertrain of the 1966 T1, the combination of gearbox and electric motor integrated in the back of the 2020 e-BULLI drives the rear axle. A 45 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides energy for the electric motor while a DC/DC converter provides 12V power for on-board electronics.
As in the new ID.3 and future ID.BUZZ, the battery pack is housed centrally in the vehicle floor. This layout lowers the e-BULLI’s centre of gravity and thus improves its driving characteristics.
80% recharge in 40 minutes
The battery pack is charged via a combined charging system (CCS) socket. It enables charging with AC or DC electrical supply. Thanks to the CCS charging socket, the battery pack can also be charged at DC fast-charging points with up to 50 kW of charging power. In this case, recharging up to 80% energy levels can be done within 40 minutes. The range with a fully charged battery packs is claimed to be more than 200 kms.
Redesigned chassis
Compared to the T1, riding in the e-BULLI will feel completely different. This is due to the redesigned chassis which consists of multi-link front and rear axles with adjustable shock absorbers and coil-over struts. There is also a new rack-and-pinion steering system and 4 internally-ventilated disc brakes.
New looks
In parallel with the new electric drive system, an interior concept has been created for the e-BULLI that is both stylish and avant-garde. The new look and corresponding technical solutions were developed by the VCVW design centre together with a team from VWCV Vintage Vehicles and the Communications department.
The designers modernised the exterior of the iconic vehicle with great sensitivity and finesse, including giving it a two-tone paintwork finish in Energetic Orange Metallic and Golden Sand Metallic MATTE.
Details such as the new round LED headlamps with daytime running lights modernise the looks. On the outside at the rear, there are also LED charge indicators. They signal to a driver walking up to the e-BULLI how much charge the lithium-ion battery still has.
Original interior concept modernised
The 8-seat interior has a few things not expected to be in a T1. While the designers have re-imagined a lot of the interior, they did not forget the original concept and the seating is one of the new features. In keeping with the external paintwork, it is also in two colours. Solid wood looking like that of a ship’s deck is used for the floor throughout and, with the nice bright leather tones, the electrified Samba Bus takes on a maritime feel. This impression is strengthened by the large panoramic folding roof.
The new speedometer is based on the original while a two-digit display within it creates a link to the modern era. There is a small detail in the centre of the speedometer: a stylised Bulli symbol. A multitude of further information is shown via a tablet integrated into the roof console.
Music on board comes from an authentic-looking retro-style radio which is equipped with cutting edge technology such as DAB+, Bluetooth and USB. The radio is linked to a sound system with high quality components, including an active subwoofer.
The e-BULLI will be available at prices starting from 64,900 euros (about RM307,000) for the T1 conversion (complete with redesigned front and rear axles), with T2 and T3 conversions also being offered by eClassics in Europe.
What was presented as the ID. CROZZ showcar by Volkswagen earlier will become a production model known as the ID.4. The two letters, ‘ID’, indicate it as being part of the ID family that will use all-electric powertrains.
The ID range is part of the carmaker’s electric mobility strategy and following in the tracks of the ID.3, the countdown has already begun for this second model based on the new modular electric drive matrix (MEB). The new ID.4 will also be launched this year, possibly after the ID.3 which is scheduled to be in showrooms from mid-2020.
The ID.CROZZ concept displayed in 2017.
“Just like the ID.3, the ID.4 will also come onto the market as a carbon-neutral vehicle,” said Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of the Volkswagen brand. “We will produce and sell the ID.4 in Europe, China and the U.S.”
The design of this zero-emission SUV is particularly aerodynamic. This is especially necessary for EVs that need every advantage to maximise energy use. More efficient aerodynamics will reduce drag and the electric motor won’t have to work so hard to achieve a desired speed. This can help boost the ID.4’s range to up to 500 kilometres, depending on the drive package.
The ID.4 will initially be launched with rear-wheel drive, while an electric all-wheel drive version will be added at a later date. The high-voltage battery is positioned near the centre of the underbody to create a low centre of gravity and optimise driving dynamics, along with an extremely well-balanced axle load distribution.
Just like all other MEB models, the ID.4 will offer plenty of interior space as its electric drive technology is compactly packaged. The fully digital cockpit of the SUV has been clearly structured and is operated primarily using touch surfaces and intelligent, intuitive voice control.
For Volkswagen, the ID.4 and ID.3 represent important milestones in the brand’s bid to become entirely carbon-neutral by 2050 – in line with the Paris climate agreement. Plans have been put in place to reduce the Volkswagen fleet’s CO2-emissions by a third by as early as 2025.
Prototypes of the initial ID family
Volkswagen is currently investing one billion euros to electrify its model range while also offering an increasing number of hybrid vehicles. This is based on the fact that, just like electric powertrains, new mild and plug-in hybrid drives in high-volume product lines such as the Golf will significantly help to reduce fleet exhaust emissions in the future.
The ‘GTI’ suffix has been used by some manufacturers on their high-performance models, largely inspired by the success and popularity of the Volkswagen Golf GTI that came out in 1976. The German carmaker produced the original ‘hot hatch’ and was so protective of the ‘GTI’ badge that it even took Suzuki to court to try to stop its use on the Swift in the early 2000s. The General Court of the European Union favoured Suzuki, declaring that ‘any visual, phonetic or conceptual similarity” between the two cars was negated by the Swift model name’.
The court also stated that most customers ‘would not assume that all vehicles, parts and accessories come from the same manufacturer simply on the basis of the three letters ‘GTI,’ and accordingly any likelihood of confusion was excluded’.
Still, ‘GTI’ remains very strongly associated with the Golf and with the launch of the 8th generation of the model line, a new version has been eagerly awaited. The new Golf GTI will maintain its design DNA and character – a relief when you see how Volkswagen is also accelerating electrification of its models.
As before, the new GTI has an understated look which makes it a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’. However, GTI fans will recognise familiar elements like the red pinstripe. The standard LED headlights are positioned low down and dominate the striking front end in conjunction with the radiator grille. A narrow edge below the bonnet, red in colour, reaches across the entire front.
Upon activating the daytime running lights, two continuous LED strips up to the Volkswagen logo emphasise this striking line. This creates the completely new, unmistakable headlight design of the Golf GTI. Just as striking is the large, continuous, air inlet grille at the bottom featuring the honeycomb pattern so typical of this model as well as the integrated foglights.
Output raised to 245 ps/370 Nm
Preliminary information available (the model will have its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show next month), we know that it will have a 245 ps 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine which also produces maximum torque of 370 Nm. The numbers of this latest EA888 engine represent increases of 15 ps and 20 Nm when compared to the GTI of the last generation, and on par with the Performance Pack version of that same car.
The 4-cylinder engine can be ordered with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed dual clutch DSG. Volkswagen says that top speed is limited to 250 km/h with a slight improvement in the 0 – 100 km/h sprint.
GTI character, digital capabilities
Although Volkswagen is enhancing the digital and networking capabilities of the eighth-generation Golf to an unprecedented extent, many of the original GT insignia can still be found on board. However, the sports steering wheel of yesteryear has been transformed into a new multifunction leather sports steering wheel with touch controls and an optionally integrated Travel Assist button to allow the powerful Golf to run at a top speed of 210 km/h while Travel Assist is engaged.
The three silver spokes on the steering wheel have been retained the central area having a red finish. The classic checked pattern of the sports seats is also retained, the new checked design now being called ‘Scalepaper’. Incidentally, this pattern was the influence of one of the company’s first female designers, Gunhild Liljequist, who joined Volkswagen’s Department of Fabrics and Colours 30 years ago.
She had gained a lot of inspiration from her travels around England and was always taken by high-quality fabrics with checked patterns. This would lead her to use the tartan design, then known as ‘Clark Plaid’, for the Golf GTI which would go on to become a familiar sight in the hot hatch.
More information will be available when the car is launched and if we’re lucky, we may get to see it in Malaysia by the end of 2020, if not earlier.
Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about Volkswagen products and services available in Malaysia.
Volkswagen’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform is to be the key element in its future models as electrification increases. The platform, to be used by Volkswagen Group brands such as Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen, has many sophisticated components optimized for electric drive systems.
One of these is the APP310 e-drive unit that will used for the Volkswagen ID.3 due in showrooms from mid-2020. The powerful unit transmits power to the driven wheels using an extremely compact gearbox with a single gear. The mechanism used has only a small number of cogs. It is manufactured by a Volkswagen subsidiary.
Is one gear enough?
But why is a single gear enough for the drive motor? The traction, ie the force that allows movement, and speed of a motor vehicle depend on the rotational speed of its drive system. As the speed of the drive system increases, the force transmitted to the wheels – the torque – can vary.
With a vehicle with a combustion engine, the torque increases along with the engine speed and then falls again. With an electric drive system, however, the maximum torque is available immediately and remains constant over a wide range of speeds. The use of a multi-speed gearbox to achieve the desired speed or the necessary torque along the speed curve is therefore not absolutely necessary.
Volkswagen ID.3, due in showrooms in Europe from mid-2020.
One gear for every situation
That is why a 2-stage 1-speed gearbox is practical for the Volkswagen ID.3. When reversing the car, the direction of the electric drive system is simply reversed. In addition to various other components, power electronics are responsible for this and for the power characteristics of the drive system.
The e-drive weighs just 90 kgs and is compact enough to fit inside a bag.
In order to generate the maximum output of 150 kW, the 90-kg electric drive unit must rotate at high speeds. For a high level of torque, a 10x transmission ratio is used. To save space, the gearbox has a two-stage design with two smaller cogs instead of one big one. As a result, the electric drive motor in the ID.3 provides maximum torque of 310 Nm constantly over a wide range of speeds. The maximum speed of 160 km/h is reached at a maximum of 16,000 rpm.
Precision manufacturing
Because an electric drive system is very quiet, the level of noise in an EV is very important. Even the tiniest sources of noise can be heard. The parts for the 1-speed gearbox must therefore be manufactured with great precision to ensure that they do not cause any additional noise. At the end of the production line, not only the power characteristics of the electric drive system checked but so are the relevant noise levels.
