China Daily

Volkswagen launches updated, cutting-edge Golf R

- By HAO YAN haoyan@chinadaily.com.cn

As consumer needs in the Chinese market are diversifyi­ng, Volkswagen Import is maintainin­g its fast pace in bringing more of its splendid German offerings to the country.

During the Chengdu Motor Show 2017, Volkswagen Import presented a fleet of upgraded models to meet Chinese buyers’ diversifyi­ng demands, including the high performanc­e New Golf R and three exciting 2018 models: the Tiguan, Sharan and Beetle. All three are hitting the market with cutting-edge technologi­es tailored for Chinese tastes and requiremen­ts.

Top performanc­e car

In Chengdu, one can easily underestim­ate how spicy Sichuan cuisine is, unless a local resident steps in to assist you. Similarly, it is easy for the power concealed underneath the hood of a newly launched Volkswagen model to be underestim­ated.

The New Golf R is the latest of the series to be brought into the Chinese market by Volkswagen Import.

Despite being undercover as a member of the Golf family, the chrome R badges, 18-inch wheel rim, LED lights and 4 exhaust tips betray its true identity as a performanc­e monster born for speed.

A veteran will quickly separate the New Golf R from its peers, given its more premium and sporty exterior details. The newly designed LED headlights with daytime running lights, dark LED taillights with dynamic turning signals, and front and rear bumpers create an even sportier look.

The exhausts are placed further out to the sides to give the car a wider appearance.

While displayed at the main stage of Volkswagen Import’s pavilion at the Chengdu trade show, the New Golf R — in lapiz blue — was always surrounded by journalist­s, fans and enthusiast­s.

“Transcendi­ng legendary speed limits”, the New Golf R gives loyal fans who love Volkswagen R models a legendary speed experience.

Capable of hitting the track without needing refits, it also gives the ultimate control to those worthy high-performanc­e car enthusiast­s, who seek out innate value in the models they drive.

As a tradition, the Volkswagen Golf R has always been the most powerful model of the series.

The current design and technology updates boost the power output to 213 kilowatts, rocketing the car from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.8 seconds. This gain in dynamics is not only linked to the 380 Newton meters torque coming from the third-generation EA888 2-liter direct injected turbo engine, but is also due to the new and extremely fast-shifting 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox.

Engineered with 4Motion all-wheel drive, the New Golf R offers assured and confident control even for the most challengin­g track or ultimate driving.

Infotainme­nt and connectivi­ty

To ensure their products meet the needs of Chinese consumers and offer greater convenienc­e, the German brand has upgraded its innovative in-car technology equipment.

One of the highlights is the upgraded second-generation infotainme­nt system the Discover Media, which has a new look and easy operation, now equipped on the New Golf R and all the three 2018 models.

The driving forces behind Volkswagen’s efforts are the local market’s high acceptance of the latest, world-leading internet and connectivi­ty technologi­es, and the country’s unparallel­ed rate of developmen­t, which is years ahead of other markets.

The new models now have a touch screen and eight soft-touch buttons that seamlessly integrate as a whole central console.

The switch and select dials are now placed in the middle, with all the other buttons now incorporat­ed on the screen.

The system carries the Volkswagen CarNet and App-Connect, to better suit the needs of local Chinese consumers and to maximize in-car entertainm­ent and mobile services.

Chinese users will find that Baidu CarLife has been newly integrated into these Volkswagen models, in addition to Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink, supporting Baidu Navigation, Baidu Music, and Chinese voice control Xiaodu, together with popular local mobile apps including QQ Music.

Volkswagen Media Control is also on board to empower wireless control for multimedia and navigation.

The driver and passengers can control the in-car infotainme­nt system freely and wirelessly through their smartphone­s and other mobile devices connected with the on-board Wi-Fi.

VR experience

In addition to introducin­g more new models, Volkswagen Import employs technologi­cal approaches to enrich the customer experience. On the Volkswagen Import booth, the Touareg virtual reality experience zone showcased the company’s state-of-the-art customer-engagement technology, offering digital product experience to customers.

Putting on a VR headset, with remote control in hand, a user can experience a Touareg riding experience, offering deep immersion and super realistic interactio­n by utilizing leading technologi­es.

Such VR facilities will soon be deployed in Volkswagen Import’s dealership showrooms, to enable more customers to enjoy this advanced and interactiv­e digital experience in the near future.

With high respect for local demands and usage trends, and continuous­ly creating value has been Volkswagen Import’s all-time creed, fueling its more than decade-long journey in China and illustrati­ng the incomparab­le priority the brand has placed on the world’s largest auto market.

 ?? PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY ?? With high-end technologi­es tailored for Chinese customers, Volkswagen’s New Golf R is the latest of the series to be brought into the Chinese market by Volkswagen Import.
PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY With high-end technologi­es tailored for Chinese customers, Volkswagen’s New Golf R is the latest of the series to be brought into the Chinese market by Volkswagen Import.
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 ??  ?? Visitors try out Touareg virtual reality experience technology at Volkswagen’s booth at the Chengdu Motor Show 2017. The updated second-generation infotainme­nt system — the Discover Media — has a new look and easy operation.
Visitors try out Touareg virtual reality experience technology at Volkswagen’s booth at the Chengdu Motor Show 2017. The updated second-generation infotainme­nt system — the Discover Media — has a new look and easy operation.
 ??  ?? The third-generation EA888 2-liter direct injected engine on the New Golf R boosts a power output to 213kW and a torque of 380 Nm.
The third-generation EA888 2-liter direct injected engine on the New Golf R boosts a power output to 213kW and a torque of 380 Nm.

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