Geneva: Volkswagen Group Night, a fashion show for car lovers!
It has become a classic tradition. Every year, Volkswagen Group invites nearly 1,300 journalists for a sneak preview of its latest achievements scheduled to launch the next day at the Geneva Motor Show. The top dogs from the German company’s twelve different brands come out for Volkswagen Group Night, which takes place at Geneva’s Espace de quartier Sécheron. One by one, the brand directors take the stage to present their brand-new models. The whole thing is terribly formal and has a uniquely German flair to it.
This year, VW Group has an avalanche of new products on offer, including some from Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini. Check them out:
Volkswagen XL1
More than 10 years after Volkswagen unveiled its first concept car with a one-litre engine (2002), the German automaker is releasing the definitive version of its XL1, a production model. Presented by Felix Baumgartner, who earned the world free fall record at Red Bull Stratos and is a Volkswagen brand ambassador, the XL1 was one of the evening’s showstoppers. This plug-in hybrid seats two and will be the most aerodynamic car on the market – not to mention the most fuel efficient!
Carefully studied in wind tunnels, the vehicle’s unique lines contribute to its remarkable drag coefficient of 0.189. Its two-cylinder diesel engine and 20-kilowatt electric motor need a meager 0.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometers.
Even though Volkswagen has made it clear that it plans on marketing the XL1, they haven’t said a peep about its distribution or price. But we’re betting that this vehicle, which will no doubt play the “green” card for the brand and will be limited to 250 units for the time being, is going to cost a pretty penny, as it is largely assembled by hand.
Volkswagen GTI
The seventh generation of the GTI is not going unnoticed, as it extends the life of this line of vehicles, which speed buffs have been worshipping since 1976. It not only features devilishly good looks, but it also offers heart-stopping performances thanks to its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection that produces 220 horsepower and 258 lbs.-ft. of torque. European buyers will also be offered a Performance Pack that boosts output to 230 horses (though the torque will remain mostly unchanged). Two transmissions are on the menu: a six-speed manual and the superb DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. It will hit the European market in May 2013 with a starting price of 28,350 Euros. Plus, its fuel consumption is down 18% compared to the previous generation.
Volkswagen GTD
The new Volkswagen GTD is practically a diesel GTI. It features a TDI drivetrain including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection that generates 184 horsepower and an impressive 280 lbs.-ft. of torque. Appearance-wise, it resembles the GTI. The GTD’s performances are spunky, though not as much as its lighter gas-powered cousin (the turbodiesel engine weighs more). The GTD will be available in Europe as of June 2013 for 29,350 Euros.
Volkswagen Cross Up!
Given its petite frame, the new Cross Up! was made for the city, despite the fact that it looks like a miniature Audi Allroad with its raised ground clearance, black fenders, 16-inch wheels and protective shield on the front bumper. Equipped with a 74-hp 1-litre three-cylinder engine and five-speed manual gearbox (which transmits power to the front wheels only) the Cross Up! will make its debut in Europe this summer. It still remains unclear whether it will make its way to North America, even though success is almost guaranteed for it on our side of the pond.
Audi A3 e-tron
The Ingolstadt-based brand is speeding up the development of its hybrid models with the introduction of an e-tron version of its popular A3. This new plug-in hybrid develops a combined power of 204 horsepower and 258 lbs.-ft. of torque by way of a 1.4-litre turbo engine and a 75-kilowatt electric motor (positioned under the combustion engine) as well as a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Audi, this model can dash from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 222 km/h. The Audi A3 e-tron claims to have an all-electric range of 50 km and can reach 130 km/h running just on electric power.
Audi RS6 Avant
With its 560-hp twin-turbo V8, this new wagon was made for hurried parents as it can reach 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Like the S8, the new RS6 Avant comes with cylinder-deactivation technology that slashes fuel consumption by 30% compared to the previous model. These vehicles were not in attendance at Volkswagen Group Night, but they will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
Audi S3 Sportback
With the new S3 Sportback, Audi is adopting the same approach as Volkswagen with its GTI. Specifically, this involves producing a higher-performance version of a conventional model and marking up the price substantially. The S3 Sportback’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine boasts 300 horsepower and 280 lbs.-ft. of torque. It can jet from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds with the conventional manual gearbox or 5.0 seconds with the dual-clutch DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox). The vehicle sits an inch lower than the A3 and S3 Sportback and comes with 18-inch alloy wheels.
Audi RS Q3
The four-ring brand also makes the RS Q3, a compact SUV on steroids. This vehicle, which is not sure to be offered in Canada, is powered by the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection that is found in the TT RS. As the brand’s eighth RS, it promises athletic performances thanks to its 310 ponies and 309 lbs.-ft. of torque. Quattro AWD is included in the offer, as is a seven-speed S-Tronic transmission. Audi claims that the RS Q3 takes 5.5 seconds to get from 0 to 100 km/h, even though it weighs more than 1,700 kg. Like all other RS models, the new Q3 variant features oversized air intakes in front and silver-coloured side mirrors. Another thing we noticed: the word “quattro” is now emblazoned just under the grille. There are more RS touches inside, including a flat-bottomed steering wheel, grey gauges with red needles, and contrasting stitching on the sport seats.
2014 Bentley Flying Spur
With the new generation of the Flying Spur, Bentley is making its intentions very clear. It aims to build the brand’s fastest, most powerful sedan ever. Like the Continental GT Speed, the new Flying Spur is equipped with a spectacular 6.0-litre W12 turbo that develops 616 horses and 590 lbs.-ft. of torque. All these ponies will be put to good use, as the vehicle weighs in at more than 5,400 lbs. (2,450 kg).
Nonetheless, Bentley claims that the 2014 Flying Spur can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reach 160 km/h in less than 10 seconds. Its fuel consumption, however, is 19.6 L/100 km in the city and 11.8 on the highway (these figures also come from Bentley). The brand’s models all keep their stocky appearance, despite efforts by their designers to soften their image with more rounded fenders and curved rooflines. The interior offers a conventional configuration of 5 or 4 seats with a central console to separate the two rear seats. The options include 1,100-watt Naim sound system with 11 speakers and two screens for the rear passengers.
Porsche 911 GT3
Not to be left out, Porsche unveiled its new 911 GT3. Some of the first 911 prototypes took the stage first to mark the 50th Anniversary of this iconic model. The new GT3 guarantees mind-blowing performances, such as 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h, thanks to its 475-hp engine and maximum of 9,000 rpm. What’s more, the new GT3 will be available with a dual-clutch PDK, a milestone for this resolutely sporty model.
Lamborghini Veneno
There’s no denying that the most spectacular vehicle on display at the Volkswagen Group Night was the new Lamborghini Veneno. The company plans on building just three units of this furiously aggressive vehicle, which is rife with aerodynamic features and carbon fibre. Powered by the brand’s V12, the Veneno has an exceptional weight-power ratio of 1.9 kg/hp, allowing the vehicle to fly from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds (according to Lamborghini).
