2024 Volkswagen California revelead – bigger, better than before

VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles has officially pulled the covers off the seventh-generation California for the European market.

It is based on the long wheelbase version of the Multivan and will be offered in five versions – Beach, Beach Tour, Beach Camper, Coast, and Ocean – when it goes on sale in June.

According to Volkswagen, every area of the California has been has redesigned, making it more spacious, smarter, more sophisticated, more versatile and more sustainable.

For example, the camper van now comes with two sliding doors as standard, as well as a pop-up roof.

When the pop-up roof is closed, the interior height is 1,297 mm and when it is open, the height increases to 2,108 mm.

Customers can also opt for an awning that can be fitted on left or right side of the vehicle to shield against rain or too much sun.

Inside, the rear bench seat has been replaced by individual seats, allowing customers to store their expensive bikes inside. The seats can also be positioned individually according to personal preferences.

From the California Beach Tour and above, the backrests of the outer seats can also be folded all the way back to form a flat bed surface.

In addition, practical drawers are located under all individual seats as well as in the driver and front passenger seats. There’s also a large number of 45-watt USB-C ports to ensure that mobile devices never run out of power.

The Beach Camper is also equipped with a permanent mini-kitchen at the rear, while the Coast and Ocean each get a versatile kitchennette and a pull-out refrigerator in the style of the Grand California.

The California is built on the MQB platform and will be offered with several powertrain options, including a four-cylinder TDI with 150 PS and a four-cylinder TSI with 204 PS, both are front-wheel drive.

It will also be available as a plug-in hybrid called the eDrive that boasts a total system output of 245 PS and 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

The platform also allows a wide range of driver assist systems including Travel Assist, which offers semi-automated driving assistance and thus increases long-distance driving comfort.

Volkswagen Touareg returns to Malaysia – CKD, RM470k

VOLKSWAGEN Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has officially launched the Volkswagen Touareg R-Line, marking the re-entry of the flagship SUV into the local market after more than a decade.

We’re getting the facelifted third-generation model introduced globally in May of last year, in a sole R-Line variant.

The Touareg R-Line is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, and comes with a rather hefty price tag of RM469,990, including the Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP).

The Touareg has a more aggressive look thanks to the R-Line package, redesigned front section, ‘R’ insignias on the doors and grille, and 20-inch Braga alloy wheels.

The design of the rear end is also sharper with its continuous horizontal LED strip for the taillight clusters. The rear VW logo is now illuminated in red, a first as this was previously only available in markets such as China and the US.

There are also new IQ.Light HD Matrix headlights, which have more than 38,000 interactive micro-LEDs to illuminate the road more precisely than ever before. In addition, entry and exit puddle lighting illuminates the ground by the doors with the Volkswagen logo.

Taking centrestage inside is the Innovision Cockpit, which consists of a 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit instrument display in front of the driver and a 15-inch touchscreen featuring the Discover Pro Max infotainment system and Wireless App-Connect.

Other creature comforts include wireless charging, five USB-C Type C ports with 45W capacity, four-zone air conditioning, Active Climate seats for the driver and front passenger, and the 730W Dynaudio Consequence audio system with an 80W amplifier and 13 speakers including a subwoofer.

The Touareg R-Line is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 TSI engine producing a respectable 340 PS and 450 Nm, delivered to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission and the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Air suspension with Automatic Self-Levelling is standard. Aside from providing comfort, it automatically adapts the vehicle height to match terrain conditions and can lower the ride height by 40 mm for easier loading or unloading of cargo. Wading level is an impressive 550 mm.

Safety-wise, the Touareg comes equipped with the IQ.Drive system offering features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking, Lane Assist, Lane Keeping, Park Assist, Front Cross Traffic Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Also included is Night Vision, which provides uses an infrared sensor in the camera to detect thermal signatures from humans or animals up to 130 metres ahead to keep the driver aware of potential collision.

The Touareg is available in five exterior colours, namely Lapiz Blue, Silicon Gray, Grenadilla Black, Oryx White and Dolomite Silver.

The aforementioned Volkswagen Assurance Package includes five years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty, and five years complimentary roadside assistance.

The ID.7 Tourer is VW’s first EV wagon, up to 685km range

If you still remember 2019, Volkswagen once showcased the ID. Space Vizzion Concept, now in February 2024, they present its production version – the ID.7 Tourer.

This will mark Volkswagen’s entry into the electric wagon (EV) segment. The ID.7 Tourer joins the lineup of models such as the Golf Variant, Passat Variant, and Arteon Shooting Brake.

The VW ID.7 Tourer measures 4,961mm in length, 1,862mm in width, 1,536mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,971mm.

This EV wagon can accommodate 605 liters of cargo, which can be expanded to 1,714 liters when the rear seats are folded. VW also offers an additional roof box for those seeking more space, perhaps for long journeys or moving houses.

The exterior and interior design, as expected for Volkswagen, are distinctive. Essentially, it is an ID.7 with an elongated roof.

This Tourer version features a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) roof that can become transparent to allow light in, according to preference.

In terms of mechanics, the ID.7 Tourer is powered by a single electric motor at the rear, with an output of 282hp and 545Nm of torque. The Pro variant comes with a 77kWh battery pack, while the Pro S variant features an 86kWh battery.

With the larger battery, the ID.7 Tourer can travel up to 685km on a single charge. As for charging, it can achieve a range of 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes using DC.

This EV wagon will be manufactured at the Emden factory in Germany, the same facility used for assembling the standard ID.7 and ID.4 models. The launch of this model is expected around mid-2024.

2024 VW Touareg to arrive soon, with 3.0 V6 and night vision, ROI open

The premium SUV market will once again be enlivened by the presence of the all-new Volkswagen Touareg in the Malaysian market.

This was confirmed by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) through their social media platform, and certainly, the registration of interest (ROI) has also been opened.

Based on the ROI page, the 2024 Touareg will be offered in an R-Line variant, which brings a sportier image compared to the Elegance.

The 2024 Volkswagen Touareg is the third generation launched globally in mid-2023. This SUV will be powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TSI engine with 335hp and 450Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Standard features include LED matrix IQ.Light headlights, air suspension with automatic adjustment, a 730-watt Dynaudio Consequence power audio system, and the IQ.Drive driver assistance system with night vision. The exterior features a new grille, LED headlights with L-shaped DRLs, and a light bar at the front and rear.

As of now, there is no expected price, but according to information from our sources in Pekan, this SUV will be assembled as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unit. If true, it will be the first generation of the Touareg to be assembled in the country.

Are there any enthusiasts eagerly awaiting this new generation of the Volkswagen Touareg?

Volkswagen Malaysia’s CNY promo offers up to RM18,888 in savings

VOLKSWAGEN Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) recently announced the launch of its Chinese New Year campaign, with a suite of deals across its entire line-up of models.

Running till February 29, the campaign offers savings of up to RM18,888 on Volkswagen models, which includes the Golf GTI, Tiguan Allspace range and the Arteon R-Line. Full details of the savings are as listed below:

Model Savings RRP with savings
Tiguan Allspace Life (IQ.Drive) RM 2,888 RM 174,102
Tiguan Allspace Elegance (IQ.Drive) RM 8,888 RM 197,102
Tiguan Allspace R-Line (IQ.Drive) RM 8,888 RM 250,102
Arteon R-Line (IQ.Drive) RM 18,888 RM 281,102
Golf GTI (IQ.Drive) RM 3,888 RM 249,102

In addition, all Volkswagen models now come with five years free maintenance, five years unlimited mileage warranty and five years roadside assistance.

Bookings and test drive arrangements can be made at all authorised Volkswagen dealerships nationwide. For more information, visit volkswagen.com.my.

Volkswagen Golf GTI updated for 2024, now with Harman Kardon and HUD

THE Volkswagen Golf GTI continues to receive updates for the Malaysian market, this time incorporating the Harman Kardon audio system and a head-up display. The 2024 revised hot hatch for 2024 is now priced at RM252,900.

The premium Harman Kardon audio system in the Golf GTI consists of 10 speakers with a 480-watt capacity. The head-up display presents driving information such as speed, navigation, and warning systems in the driver’s line of sight on the main mirror.

Other features of this high-performance hot hatch remain unchanged from before. It is powered by a 2.0 TSI turbo petrol engine with an output of 245hp and 370Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox (wet clutch).

Exterior upgrades include a honeycomb front grille, red GTI accents, 18-inch Richmond alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and full LED lighting system.

The IQ Drive safety features from the previous iteration are also retained, encompassing systems like Travel Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Assist, and Adaptive Lane Guidance.

Every purchase of the Volkswagen Golf GTI is covered by a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, complimentary maintenance for 5 years, and 5-year roadside assistance.

Volkswagen recalls 6,671 cars in Malaysia over Takata airbag issue

VOLKSWAGEN Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has issued a recall involving 6,671 vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2014 following a Takata airbag safety issue.

This recall campaign involves six Volkswagen models, namely the sixth-generation Golf GTI, Eos, Passat CC, Polo, Beetle, and Vento, which are equipped with a specific driver front airbag gas generator housing.

According to VPCM, the concern with the front driver airbag housing generator is caused by deterioration of the generator’s propellant due to high air humidity and temperature fluctuations over a long period of time. This could lead to potential injury on the driver and passenger.

In an official statement, the company said that they have taken the necessary steps with its dealer partners to ensure parts availability and that the recall is conducted smoothly and efficiently. The nationwide recall will be carried out in phases to manage the number of cases.

“All notifications to identified owners, based on the Volkswagen database will be conducted by email and WhatsApp, and customers who purchased the vehicle from a previous owner or a used car dealership are advised to urgently contact the nearest Volkswagen authorised dealer for verification,” it said.

Should parts replacement be required in the event of parts replacement, all labour and replacement parts for this service will be at no cost to owners, the company added.

Owners may visit https://www.volkswagen.com.my/volkswagen-service/repair-and-service/service-action and key in their 17-digit VIN number which can be found at the bottom left of their vehicle’s windscreen.