In their bid to become a “global Volkswagen,” Volkswagen Philippines understands the importance of halo models, and with that, they’re seriously considering to bring in the Golf R hot hatch.

Volkswagen didn’t have to wait long to launch a more powerful version of the Golf GTI with the new GTI Clubsport. Based off the all-new Mk8 Golf, it produces more power than the current Golf R while still retaining the front-wheel drive layout. Bonkers, right?

Volkswagen has finally lifted the covers off the hot hatch version of its all-new Mk. 8 Golf, and it comes in three flavors: gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and even diesel. Meet the 2021 Golf GTI, GTE, and GTD.

The demise of diesel has been greatly exaggerated. Despite investing a large chunk of its product development on electric vehicles, Volkswagen has also announced that its eight-generation Golf is still getting a high-performance diesel. The Golf GTD will make its official global debut this March.

The all-new 8th generation Volkswagen Golf has landed and with it brings progressive updates that include digitalization and electrification technology. It’s set to launch on the market first in Germany by the end of this year with the rest of the world to follow.

Volkswagen Philippines’s decision to shift its source of vehicles to China may have one adverse effect: the discontinuation of its breakthrough Jetta and Golf GTS models.

Over 30 members of the Volkswagen Jetta Club Philippines and Volkswagen Golf GTS Sportwagen Pilipinas embarked on another memorable Sunday run, this time leading to Pico de Loro Cove in the coastal town of Nasugbu, Batangas.

Volkswagen Philippines is now offering a new variant of its best-selling Golf GTS sports wagon, the Highline, to jump start 2018.

Volkswagen Philippines is now offering its “ultimate sportsman” with much more bite. Often considered as a “speak softly, carry big stick” type of car, the Golf GTI is shaping up to be ferocious enough to take on the Honda Civic Type R and Subaru WRX STI.

Volkswagen Philippines recently held the “Volkswagen Driving Experience” for its Golf GTI owners and potential customers at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

Volkswagen Philippines has begun preselling two new passenger car offerings: the 2017 Jetta and 2017 Golf GTS with retail sales beginning at the end of the month. The move comes as VW Philippines aims to continue its strong momentum after being crowned the best-selling European car brand last year.

It’s hard what to make of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf. Looking at it purely as a car, it’s pretty darn good: timeless looks, peerless build quality, peppy performance, respectable fuel economy—it is by and large, the whole compact car package. But put the window sticker on it—P 1,759,000—and the 1.4 TSI Highline isn’t looking like such a bargain anymore. The price pretty much limits the appeal of Volkswagen’s everyman car. And while Corolla or Civic buyers looking to upgrade won’t be lining up for a Golf any time soon, those willing enough to pay the premium will certainly be in for a treat.

Volkswagen Philippines revealed a “triple treat” for Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) visitors with the market premiere of three new models: the CC, Caddy, and Golf GTI Oettinger Edition.


Volkswagen CC

The highlight of the pavilion is undoubtedly the sexy CC four-door coupe. Shown in the pure white shade, it highlights the sporty yet elegant styling of this four-seater executive coupe/sedan. Based off the Passat, it’s differentiated primarily by its Euro-5 emissions compliant 2.0-liter Turbo Direct Injection (TDI) engine. With 177 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque, it combines performance and efficiency. It also comes with the 6-speed DSG (dual clutch) automatic with an idle start/stop system.

Aside from the powertrain, the CC ups the handling thanks to its solid platform underpinned with front 3-point Double Wishbones and rear 4-link independent suspension. It also rides on massive 19-inch rims with 235/35 R 19 tires. And aiding the driver is a wealth of aids including Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC), Electronic Differential Lock (XDS), Engine Drag Torque Control, and Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP).

Interior amenities include a 12-way driver’s seat with memory, automatic climate control, leather seats, and many more.

It retails for P 2,850,000.

Specifications:

• Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged direct injection diesel
• Max. Output: 177 horsepower @ 4,200 rpm
• Max. Torque: 380 Nm @ 1,750 –2,500 rpm
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 70L
• Emissions: Euro 5
• Gearbox: 6-speed DSG
• Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
• Steering: Electromechanical, speed-sensing
• Front suspension: Struts and 3-point wishbone with stabilizer
• Rear suspension: 4-link with stabilizer
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 4,802 mm x 1,855 mm x 1,421 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,710 mm
• Wheel size: 8J x 19”
• Tire size: 235/35 R 19

Volkswagen Caddy

For those who want something more family-friendly, Volkswagen is bringing to market the Caddy. Based off the Golf Mk V platform, the Caddy is uncompromising in terms of driving dynamics, but can also deliver the practicality, flexibility, and spaciousness of an MPV.

Powered by a 2.0-liter TDI engine, the Caddy generates 140 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. This potent engine is mated to a 6-speed DSG gearbox while power is routed through a 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

Compared to the Touran, the Caddy replaces the swing doors for traditional sliding ones. Yet, styling doesn’t take a backseat with its 17-inch rims fitted with 205/50 R 17 tires.

As a family-friendly vehicle, the MPV comes with 4 airbags, stability control, hill hold control, cruise control apart from the aforementioned all-wheel drive system.

The Caddy comes in a range of seven colors: Candy White, Toffee Brown, Reflex Silver, Natural Gray, Lav Red, Night Blue, and Deep Black Pearl for a price of P 1,550,000.

Specifications:

• Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged direct injection diesel
• Max. Output: 140 horsepower @ 4,200 rpm
• Max. Torque: 320 Nm @ 1,750 rpm
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 60L
• Emissions: Euro 5
• Gearbox: 6-speed DSG
• Drivetrain: 4Motion all-wheel drive
• Steering: Electromechanical, speed-sensing
• Front suspension: MacPherson struts with subframe and stabilizer
• Rear suspension: Rigid axle
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 4,878 mm x 1,794 mm x 1,893 mm
• Wheelbase: 3,006 mm
• Wheel size: 6J x 17”
• Tire size: 205/50 R 17

Volkswagen Golf GTI Oettinger Edition

Finally, Volkswagen is giving its Golf GTI hot hatch the tuner treatment with the unveil of the Oettinger Edition.

With over 60 years of experience tuning high-performance German cars, Oettinger is adding even more style to the Golf GTI with a motorsports-inspired body kit. The Oettinger kit is comprised of a front spoiler, front splitter, side skirt set, 4-pipe rear skirt insert with diffuser, roof spoiler, and 4-pipe rear muffler, light-weight 19-inch twine spoke rims with 225/40 R 19 tires. It’s also wrapped in a matte black wrap.

The Oettinger Edition is more show than go however as the engine remains unchanged. It still generates 220 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine. Euro 4 compliant, the Golf GTI delivers power to its front wheels via a 6-speed dual clutch automatic.

The price of the Golf GTI Oettinger Edition is P 2,918,511.16 with the kit costing P 628,511.16.

Specifications:

• Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline
• Max. Output: 220 horsepower @ 4,500 – 6,200 rpm
• Max. Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,400 rpm
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 50L
• Emissions: Euro 4
• Gearbox: 6-speed DSG
• Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
• Steering: Electromechanical, speed-sensing, progressive steering system
• Front suspension: Struts and 3-point wishbone with stabilizer
• Rear suspension: 4-link with stabilizer
• Accessories:
• Twine spoke, Black gloss machine 7.5J x 19” alloy
• 225/40 R 19 Pirelli Cinturato
• Oettinger front spoiler
• Oettinger front splitter
• Oettinger side skirt set
• Oettinger 4-pipe rear skirt insert with diffuser
• Oettinger roof spoiler
• Oettinger 4-pipe rear muffler (4 x 84mm diameter)
• Matte black foil

As a venerated nameplate in the Volkswagen range, the Golf has been around for seven generations and 43 years. Throughout its history, it’s become the brand’s best-selling vehicle (outselling even the Beetle) and has won numerous awards and accolades worldwide. The current generation is no different. It has won more than two dozen awards around the world including the World Car of the Year and the Japan Car of the Year (the first foreign nameplate to do so).

At their annual Media Appreciation Night held at the Volkswagen Bonifacio Global City showroom, the German carmaker outlined their product plans for 2016 after a banner  2015. This includes the introduction of upgrades and enhancements to existing product lines and introduction of sought-after new models.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

When Volkswagen announced their arrival to the Philippine market, just about everyone cowered in fear. After all, the German automotive giant partnered with one of the country’s biggest conglomerates sounded like a force to be reckoned with. Alas, everyone had a collective meh when they announced their line-up. It was so lackluster that a Liebherr fridge sounded more exciting. And then the branding went in all sorts of directions with Das Auto sounding more like anything with four wheels and a VW badge. But they seemed to have understood their misstep and rectified their ways. One living proof is the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The original hot hatch is finally here: the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Although the GTI nameplate has been around for a while in Europe, it’s the relative new comer here in the Philippines. In this match up, the Golf GTI is pitted against the Filipino favorites: Subaru WRX, MINI Cooper S, and the Toyota 86.

Photos by Ulysses and Volkswagen Press

UPDATE (1): We pit the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs its rivals. Click here. (2/27).

The Philippines is finally getting a good taste of the coveted European hot hatch flavor with the official arrival of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. After a lengthy preview that started at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), the seventh-generation Golf GTI is finally here. An award-winning sporty compact that has won the world over with its technological leadership and sporty prowess, the all-new GTI aims to carry that tradition and continue to be the sustainable, attainable sports car.

Volkswagen showed off its sporty side by unveiling two new additions to its line-up. The first is the Jetta Sport Edition, a new variant of Volkswagen’s globally best-selling compact sedan that now offers a more stylish exterior. The second is the Philippine sneak peek of the much-anticipated all-new Golf GTI Mark 7, a car that Volkswagen Philippines will launch in 2015.

Normally concept cars are things of pure imagination: outrageous lights, wheels, doors, and what have you. But once in a while, there comes a concept car that seems almost ready to cross the line between design studio to showroom floor. Once such example is the Volkswagen Golf R 400—a car which, as it says on the tin, pushes out 400 horsepower. Concept car my a**!