Well, this is it. The 89th Geneva International Motor Show is here and Volkswagen has a lot to share with the world at this premiere auto show. Focusing on electric mobility and performance (like duh?), the German automaker is premiering four vehicles: ID. Buggy Concept, the 8th generation Passat, T-Roc R, and Touareg V8 TDI. But really, the star of the show is no doubt the matte Fern Green ID. Buggy that we somehow have a feeling it won’t happen.
Anyways, we shall spare you the agony of words and so, here’s a quick rundown of this striking green electric vehicle:
• Inspired by classic Californian dune buggies of the 60s
• Next-gen design with no roof, no doors, and a body that appears to float above the chassis
• Weatherproof interior with two integrated seats and a fully digital cockpit
• Can serve as a platform for wide variety of custom vehicles
• Powered by VW’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB)
• RWD and 2-seater can be converted to AWD and 2+2 seater
• Max. output of 201 HP and 228 lb-ft (309 Nm) of torque
• 62 kWh battery “designed for short but active distances of 155 miles” (249 kilometers)
• 0-62 (0-100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds, top speed electronically limited to 99 mph (159 km/h)
• Wheels/tires: VA 255/55 R18, HA 285/60 R18
Don’t ask when it will be made for I think it is unlikely that it will ever see the light of the production. Just look at it and tell me you think it will become a production car eventually. Lets not kid ourselves. It is probably not going to happen.
Meanwhile… the 8th generation of the Passat has Travel Assist feature that allows it to travel, partially automated, at almost any speed (up to 210 km/h or 130 mph). Plus it has a thing known as “capacitive steering wheel” that detects touch of the driver, providing an interactive interface to systems including Travel Assist.
“It allows the Volkswagen to take over steering, braking and acceleration. All the driver needs to do is keep their hands on the steering wheel – the Passat checks that is happening using the brand’s first capacitive multifunction leather steering wheel, which reacts to a gentle touch. Travel Assist is a fusion of the front camera, Front Assist pedestrian monitoring system, Park Assist parking maneuver system, Side Assist lane changing system, and the ACC automatic distance control system, into a new, intelligent assistance system.”
Speaking of the Passat, VW is also premiering the new Passat Variant R-Line Edition with high-end configuration and “top-of-the-range” engines. Limited to 2,000 units, Passat Variant R-Line Edition gets Volkswagen all-wheel drive technology, 4MOTION, with optional range-topping engine with 240 PS or 272 PS (237 or 268 HP). Here’s a quick list of the features:
• “Moonstone Grey” finish paint job with high-gloss black roof
• Black roof-edge spoiler, roof rail and wing mirror housings
• High-gloss black side window frames, rear diffuser, headlight rims and all trims
• Dark LED tail lights
• High-gloss black 19-inch “Pretoria” type alloy wheels
• A black interior with R-Line sports seats
• Nappa leather and carbon leather upholstery
• Brushed stainless steel pedals
• Side sills with R-Line logo in stainless steel
• New ambient lighting
• Digital Cockpit, along with a 9.2-inch glass-covered Discover Pro navigation system with integrated SIM card (eSIM and R-Line start screen
• Wireless App Connect, Bluetooth technology, supports Apple CarPlay
• New IQ.Light LED Matrix headlight system
• Area View camera system
• Latest version of DCC adaptive damper control system
• “ESC off” function for driving on race tracks
• Travel Assist and Capacitive Steering Wheel
Pre-sales of the Volkswagen Passat Variant R-Line Edition will begin in Europe in May 2019. Neither the pricing nor the exact availability of the vehicle is known.
As for the Volkswagen T-Roc R, it is the new range-topper of the crossover model featuring a 2.0L four-pod TSI engine that puts out an impressive 300 PS (296 HP) and churns out a pretty mind-bending 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. The Volkswagen T-Roc R is super quick and pretty darn fast too, making the century spring (0-62) in just 4.9 seconds before topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph).
Finally, there’s the Touareg V8 TDI that, as the model name implies, is driven by a V8 version of the TDI engine. The 8-cylinder, V-configuration motor puts out 421 PS (415 HP) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque and does so while meeting the requirements of the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard. Plus, it gets air suspension all-round for “perfect comfort and aerodynamic driving” driving on rough terrain which the ride is designed for.
No words on when will the Volkswagen T-Roc R and Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI will be coming onto the market.
All images courtesy of Volkswagen.
