| According to Volkswagen's Production | | | | VW has also announced a 30 percent more |
| Development Executive Ulrich Hackenberg, VW | | | | fuel-efficient version. This stems from the |
| fans will have to wait longer than originally | | | | VW Polo Blue Motion were released on the last |
| planned for the next-generation Golf. He | | | | quarter of 2006. The Blue Motion models |
| added that the VW Golf Mark VI will hit | | | | utilize slow-shift gear boxes that reduce |
| dealerships in the later part of 2008. | | | | fuel consumption as well as low-resistance |
| | | | tires to save extra fuel. |
| This is contrary to previous reports that | | | | |
| implied VW was making a tracking development | | | | Meanwhile, contrary to the trend for |
| on the next model because of its declining | | | | automakers to increase a car's size with each |
| sales in the US, and tougher competition from | | | | new model change, VW is planning to make its |
| radically styled models such as the Honda New | | | | flagship Phaeton sedan smaller for the |
| Civic. | | | | all-new 2010 model. |
| | | | |
| Hackenberg said VW is on the right on track | | | | The announcement came from VW boss Martin |
| and where they want to be. This is a good | | | | Winterkorn who told reporters at Germany's |
| sign for one of the highest selling cars on | | | | Der Spiegel the next Phaeton will be based on |
| the road today. | | | | the next generation Audi A6 with the two |
| | | | vehicles sharing several components. |
| Original plans under the leadership of former | | | | |
| VW chief Bernd Pischetsrieder would have seen | | | | With this model, VW is expected to make |
| the car released at September's Frankfurt | | | | substantial savings because there is no need |
| Motor Show. But Volkswagen's new head Martin | | | | to develop expensive components such as |
| Winterkorn has pushed back its release to | | | | transmissions or power trains. The current |
| further accommodate styling changes and | | | | model Phaeton never managed to meet its |
| increases in quality levels such as that of | | | | projected sales expectations, with only a |
| the Volkswagen mufflers. | | | | quarter of the 20,000 planned units rolling |
| | | | off the showroom floor. |
| These latest innovations reveal the new | | | | |
| design for the Mark VI Golf, proving that its | | | | The Phaeton had several flaws going against |
| designers are keeping with the current | | | | it. Unlike its aluminum constructed Audi A8 |
| model's stylish yet conservative looks. The | | | | sibling, the Phaeton weighs too much, lacks |
| previous design would have seen the next Golf | | | | performance and its engine easily gets |
| wearing teardrop shaped headlights as used by | | | | exhausted, thereby needing more fuel. The VW |
| the Eos convertible. | | | | label also lacks the brand cachet needed in |
| | | | this premium segment. Analysts say the German |
| The two-door version was dropped in favor of | | | | car maker will not be making the same mistake |
| the all-new Scirocco. The Golf Mark VI will | | | | with its next version. According to the |
| be coming as a four-door hatch and as a | | | | source, the new Audi A8 will be larger than |
| people carrier with the Europe-only Golf | | | | the Phaeton, which itself will be larger than |
| Plus. There will be numerous engine choices | | | | the A6, and will showcase technologies |
| for the new Golf. These include a new 1.6L | | | | earmarked for the next-generation Bentley |
| TSI engine developing 200hp as well as a | | | | Continental. |
| high-performance 2.0L version with 260hp in | | | | |
| the GTI. Some reports say top of the line | | | | In an interview with Bloomberg last April, VW |
| 3.6L FSI V6 engine taken from the Passat R36 | | | | America Spokesman Andreas Meurer revealed |
| and developing 281hp will round out the Golf | | | | that the Phaeton would make a return to the |
| range. | | | | US after the slow-selling sedan was pulled |
| | | | from the market in 2005. |