PoloDriver

Just as the first UK deliveries of the Mk 7 Golf are filtering through, Volkswagen has today announced details of the new performance-orientated Golf GTD, the derv-sipping cousin of the Golf GTI. It’s a whole three decades since the nameplate was first introduced, and the latest version builds on the parsimonious, performance, and practical foundations that the original Mk 1 version set. The Mk 7 Golf GTD is powered, once again, by a 2.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel engine, with 182bhp and 380Nm (280lb ft) of torque, available from just 1750rpm.

The six-speed Golf GTD is reputedly able to drive 67.3 miles per gallon of fuel, and has emissions of 109g/km – when specified with the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, emissions rise by 10g/km and fuel economy dips to 60.1mpg, still more than respectable for a performance hatchback. Living up to its ethos, the 1309kg Golf GTD takes 7.5 seconds to reach 62mph from rest, and can reach 142mph.

Standard kit is what you’d expect a sporting Golf to have – 17-inch alloy wheels fitted with 225/45 tyres, side skirts, more aggressive front and rear bumpers (the rear including a diffuser), sports suspension, smoked LED tail lights and a larger-than-standard rear spoiler. Moving inside, there are the now obligatory tartan sports seats, a black rooflining, sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, and GTD-specific gear knob and trim strips. There’s also now a touch of bling, with white ‘ambience lighting’, while high-end equipment includes climate control, parking sensors and a winter pack.

Available in Germany for €29,350, the new Golf GTD is available to order from 5 March, with UK sales expected to start in April. Deliveries are said to start in the summer, with UK prices and exact specification to be confirmed. Proving how important a model the GTD now is, Volkswagen has unveiled it before the latest iteration of the GTI, and will be debuting the new GTD at the 2013 Geneva motor show next month.

Over at Indian Autos Blog, our friends have reported that Volkswagen India has released two new colour options for its popular Polo and Vento models. Pepper Grey and Shadow Blue were previously available on the Polo and Vento respectively, but now, they can be specified on both models for the 2013 model year. Both variants have recently been refreshed and been updated with more technological equipment such as an RCD 320 music system with Bluetooth and SD card slot, as well as a multifunction steering wheel. The current Polo and Vento have been very popular models in India, with over 62,500 units sold during 2012.

In related news, the Vento is due to be exported to Algeria from March 2013, after being unveiled at the Algiers motor show. Expected to take its name from the Russian and South African versions of the car, the Polo Sedan will be built in Volkswagen’s Indian or Russian factories. Nepal has also just received the Polo TDI, exported from India. Imported by Pooja International, the car will be available in Comfortline and Highline versions, and is powered by the 1.2-litre 74bhp TDI engine. Equipment highlights include keyless entry, double DIN music system, and USB connectivity. Indian Autos Blog reports the Polo TDI Comfortline costs 3.19m Nepalese Rupee, while the TDI Highline is priced at 3.39m Nepalese Rupee.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

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Seen at the Autocar Performance Show in Mumbai last year, Volkswagen Group India has today announced details of the new Polo SR. Fitted with a 1.2-litre 74bhp petrol engine, the Polo SR is priced at Rs 6.27 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Externally, the sporty SR is differentiated from regular Polos by front, rear and side skirts, chrome finishers on the tailgate, front grille and exhaust, a rear roof spoiler and unique ‘SR’ badging. Based on the Highline model, the Polo SR offers front airbags, ABS, climate control, multifunction display, RCD 320 radio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, rear parking sensors, 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lights.

Volkswagen has, predictably, announced a ‘Cross’ version of its award-winning Up city car. To be launched at the 83rd Geneva motor show next month, the CrossUp (we’re still not pandering to the silly punctuation) joins the established CrossPolo, CrossGolf and CrossTouran models. A European market-only model at the moment, UK availability is yet to be decided, reportedly currently thought to be 50/50. Volkswagen UK had sold limited examples of the CrossPolo and CrossGolf in this country (badged ‘Dune’), but we would imagine that the market is just too small for such a niche model, especially as it lacks four-wheel drive, a feature the new Fiat Panda 4×4 does have.

Whatever the UK market decision, the CrossUp looks the part. It gets the mandatory black plastic mouldings for the wheel arches and sills, as well as ‘CrossUp’-branded side strips. There’s also silver roof rails, wing mirrors, and bumper insets, front fog lights, a raised ride height (Volkswagen doesn’t state by how much), and 16-inch ‘Cross’ alloy wheels with 185/50 tyres. The interior isn’t as ‘Crossed’ up as much as the exterior, which a choice of red or anthracite trim, black, red or silver dashpad, and leather-trimmed steering wheel and handbrake lever. Door sill trims also get ‘Cross Up’ branding.

Standard equipment includes remote central locking, electric front windows and door mirrors, variable cargo floor, multifunction display, and ESC electronic stability programme. Powered by the higher output 74bhp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox used in other Ups, the CrossUp will be available in Germany from late summer, with a starting price of €13,925, which equates to £11,982 at current exchange rates. Although not up to traversing large European mountain ranges, the smart CrossUp might just be the thing for scampering across very wet grass or scooting around the city.

As well as the CrossUp, Volkswagen has also announced a more imminent special edition, and we had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t 1 April. The Cheer Up (we kid you not) closely resembles the range-topping High Up with its anthracite-coloured multi-spoke alloy wheels. To lift your heart, it also features ‘Galvano’ (no we don’t know either) Grey door mirror casings, chrome-trimmed front fog lights, ‘uniquely’-trimmed seats, and RCD 215 CD/MP3 player. Engines are the usual 1.0-litre 59 and 74bhp petrol three-cylinders, while the Eco Up’s 67bhp natural gas-powered unit is also available. Prices start at €11,825 – a saving of €895 over a similarly-equipped standard model. Those crazy Germans!