The Volkswagen Centre Wednesday, 21 August 2013 unveiled three new exciting VW variants
in fulfillment of its pledge, earlier in the year, to rekindle the profile of
the Volkswagen brand in Nigeria.
The trio of Polo, Jetta and Passat CC
are VW’s newest sensation in the fervently competitive ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’
segments of the global passenger car market.
Unveiling these cars at a press meet in
Lagos, Mr. Manish Daryanani, head of sales and
marketing, The Volkswagen Centre Lagos told local automobile media that
Volkswagen is the original and top selling marquee of the VW Group and the
biggest German automaker and second largest automaker in the world.
While also
saying VW’s Golf, Beetle and Passat models rank among world’s top 10 lists of
best selling cars of all time, Mr. Daryanani said Volkswagen is yet unrivalled
among automakers that spend the most money on R&D (Research and Marketing).
This initiative
according to him prompted the re-evaluation of the trio of Passat CC, Jetta and Polo to
meet the growing demand for excellent, elegant, comfortable and functional cars
with value for money.
The local automobile media later
discovered these attributes in the VW models during a mock test drive that
commenced at the VW Centre through Falomo, Ikoyi to Onikan via Ahamadu bello
Way through Bar Beach and back to the showroom at Akin Adesola / Kofo Abayomi
Streets Victoria Island Lagos.
Santosh Kumar, head of media and marketing, Stallion Motors instructs test drivers before the road test at the VW Centre Akin Adesola Victoria Island Lagos
Mr. Daryanani explained that this Polo is
manufactured in India and is currently in its 5th generation with bigger
dimensions than the previous MK2 or MK3 cars.
“While it is no longer a mini hatchback
as it used to but a sedan version, the Polo now has a much more versatile
interior with excellent fuel economy,” VW sales and marketing helmsman
affirmed.
He however described the Polo as a unique blend of style, economy and practicality that lifts above
many other superminis on the market - “Thanks to its classy interior and
excellent build quality which makes it feels more like a bigger car. It's very comfortable to
drive,” he said.
The Polo is offered in 1.6litre
automatic transmission (A/T) with 77kw and 105bhp with all safety and security
options including dual airbags, Bluetooth, USB ,Aux-in with CD layer, multifunctional
steering etc.
Mr. Daryanani also said the car will be
available in the local market at an introductory price of NGN2, 990, 000 with
excellent value for money proposition to interested buyers.
The Volkswagen Jetta on the other hand
is the saloon version of the Golf or a
manageable alternative to the larger dimensions of the Passat but built using the same platform
as the previous generation Golf and same high standards as the rest of the VW
range.
Customers will
delight in VW Jetta’s generous 3-year/36,000-mile no-charge scheduled
maintenance program, he said.
From whichever angle you look at it, the
Jetta, without doubt, looks
more like a Passat, but underneath, its pure Golf which means
tried and
tested components and parts, Mr. Daryanani noted.
He also said “As with the rest of the VW range, the
Jetta is well constructed from high-quality materials but we will offer only one engine
variant – the 85kw, 105bhp 2.0-litre TSI
petrol
engine with automatic transmission.
This variant according to
him has excellent grip, feels
secure and has responsive handling with nice and sharp steering.”
Meanwhile, the heat
insulating tinted glass from the B pillar backwards reduces sunlight by up to
65%, helping to ensure a pleasant temperature in the passenger compartment and
also providing additional privacy.
What’s more the
front centre armrest with spacious storage compartment allows you to keep your
essentials close to hand and within easy reach, while the cover keeps items out
of sight of prying eyes.
Standard
Equipment in the 2013 Jetta includes lengthy list of standard features such as
keyless entry, power windows, AM/FM/CD player, cloth seats, and manual air
conditioning system with pollen filter and folding rear seats.
Also reassuring on
reliability, the VW Centre marketing helms man said the new Jetta couldn’t
deliver less given its tried-and-tested gearboxes
and components that put the car well ahead of competitions.
The full range of airbags, including curtain units,
electronic stability control and anti-whiplash headrests all fitted as standard
as
in the Golf makes the car one of the safest in its class, little wonder it secured the full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash safety
tests.
And for the ‘C’ segment
Passat CC; Mr. Daryanani explained that the CC is largely unchanged since
its emergence as a 2009 model. “But for 2013, it
adopts new styling cues that bring it in line with its
more-modern upscale siblings.”
The trio of VW CC, Jetta and Polo in a convoy during the road test at the toll gate of the newly commissioned Lekki Phase 1 link bridge
Still a replica of the original concept of ‘four-door coupe’, the
Volkswagen CC combines the dramatic styling of a coupe with the practicality of
a sedan.
Like the
Mercedes-Benz CLS that sparked this emerging segment, the CC now seats five,
providing easier access to the rear seats than a normal coupe.
Volkswagen has
in addition updated the CC with more standard equipment with revised exterior
styling, the VW helmsman noted.
He said the CC
though shares basic features with outgoing version of the Passat sedan, the
latest version is enlarged, de-contented with dreadful luxury to appeal to
young and upwardly mobile executives.
Cross section of local automobile media with Manish Daryanani, Head of Sales and marketing, Volkswagen Centre Lagos
The CC's
connection to the old Passat is most visible in its sophisticated cabin,
soft-touch materials, fit and finish excellence and overall intuitive design
with flowing and polished exterior.
“We are
convinced the CC's exterior will win over most buyers just as its overall look
is elegantly reassuring with details like a relatively low, sloping roofline
and sleek lights contributing to the attractive, expensive-seeming mien.
Changes for the
latest model year also include a simpler, more conservative grille and headlamp
design that brings the look more in line with
Volkswagen's mainstream Passat and Jetta offerings, Mr. Daryanani noted.
However, the
standard engine for the CC is a smooth and torquey 1.8 litre Turbo FSI four cylinder
engine that delivers 160bhp at 5100 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque starting
from 1800 rpm.
Also available
with standard six-speed manual or an optional dual-clutch automatic that VW
dubs the DSG is the motor that helps the CC hit 120kmph from a stop in a touch
over seven seconds.
Experts rate
fuel economy in the new CC at 21/32 mpg while the manual and automatic-equipped
cars carry a 22/31 mpg rating.
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