•  Volkswagen Cross Up, 2014

Volkswagen is expanding its range of striking Cross models: from late summer 2013 the VW cross up! will become the newest addition to the company's lifestyle family. Already members are the successful CrossPolo, CrossGolf and CrossTouran models.

Cross - that stands for individualised Volkswagen models with a particularly rugged design and tough, lifestyle qualities. Thanks to numerous striking exterior elements, the Volkswagen cross up! is instantly recognisable as a stand-alone model: sideways on, for example, black mouldings on the wheel arches and sills, plus full-length door protector strips topped with 'cross up!' lettering create a sporty look. Further unmistakable features of the cross up! include the silver roof rails, the wing mirrors in a light silver metallic finish and bumpers also incorporating silver elements. The robust, sporty character is defined above all by the extra ride height and the 'cross' 16-inch alloys with a high-sheen finish and 185/50 tyres.

High-quality details are also to be found in the interior of the Volkswagen cross up!: in addition to seats in a special trim (in a choice of red or anthracite), an instrument panel with high-quality dashpad (in a choice of red, black or dark silver) and fabric mats, a small set of leather features with coloured stitching (leather steering wheel with spoke and leather handbrake lever) give it a refined ambience. The quality impression is rounded off by chrome trim around the air outlets and tachometer and by door tread plates with 'cross up!' lettering.

The Volkswagen cross up! is equipped to a high specification: included as standard are remote central locking, electric front windows, fog lights, electrically adjustable heated wing mirrors, an asymmetrically split, folding rear seat with headrests, a variable cargo floor, a rev counter, a multifunction display and the ESC electronic stability programme.

The powerful style of the VW cross up! is reflected in a choice of five paint colours. The principle here is that the upper areas of the bumpers plus the door handles are painted in the vehicle colour, while the panels of the B and C pillars and the window frames are black.

A 55 kW / 75 PS three-cylinder petrol engine combined with a five-speed manual transmission serve as the power train for the lifestyle-oriented Volkswagen cross up! - available in Germany from late summer 2013 at a starting price of €13,925.

Volkswagen Beetle GSR, 2013

 

 

•  Volkswagen Beetle GSR, 2013

Volkswagen launches a Beetle designed solely with dynamics in mind: the new GSR. The exclusive, powerful 155 kW / 210 PS model will take centre stage at its world premiere at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Limited edition: 3,500 cars; worldwide. GSR - a quaint abbreviation with a legendary predecessor: the "Yellow/Black Racer" based on the Beetle 1303 S. And only 3,500 cars of the earlier model were produced as well. Exactly 40 years ago, the sportiest series production Beetle of all time made its debut. Its yellow/black body made it instantly recognisable. In 2013, Volkswagen is writing a further chapter in the history of the iconic car with the new Volkswagen Beetle GSR. Just like its predecessor, the current version is also being launched as a two-colour model. Orders for the VW Beetle GSR can be made from May onwards; the cars will be delivered from the autumn. Price in Germany: € 30,300.

With respect to the look of the Beetle GSR, Volkswagen has systematically re-interpreted the concept of the 1970s GSR for the modern era. Just like the GSR from days gone by, the body of the new version is yellow. The bonnet and the boot lid of the 1973 Beetle were painted in matt black, as were the bumpers. Black trim strips underneath the side windows and black/yellow side stripes above the doorsills rounded off the look. Now, yellow and black are the link between old and new - the bonnet and the boot lid of the new Volkswagen Beetle GSR are black once again, however the roof and the exterior mirror trims are also black on the new model. Black/yellow stripes with "GSR" lettering ensure a unique silhouette above the side sills. Yellow painted bumpers in new R-Line design and a yellow/black rear spoiler complete the GSR look. As opposed to the older Beetle, the Beetle GSR can also be ordered in "Platinum Grey / Black" as an alternative.

The 15-inch steel wheels (with 175 size tyres) which were commonly used 40 years ago, even for sporty cars, and the "Tornado" 19-inch alloy wheels (painted black) with 235/40 tyres on the VW Beetle GSR are worlds apart.

The black/yellow interior of the GSR from days gone by featured a leather sports steering wheel and sports seats for an extra-dynamic Beetle performance.

Four decades later, it is the ergonomically sophisticated, R-Line racing track sports seats (with fabric covers and contrasting yellow stitching; US version in black leather), a high-grip leather sports steering wheel (again with contrasting yellow stitching) with R-Line logo and a limited edition badge with the special edition number (1 to 3,500) which give the GSR its special character. The car also boasts an R-Line dash pad (designer panel for the dashboard), GSR gear stick, leather handbrake lever and black floor mats with contrasting yellow embroidery.

40 years ago, the yellow/black Beetle needed precisely 50 PS to turn the world of compact cars on its head. But this world has long been turning much faster. The new Volkswagen Beetle GSR with its 210 PS engine needs just 7.3 seconds to accelerate to 100 km/h (0-60 mph in 6.6 s). It has a top speed of 229 km/h (130 mph). The torque characteristic of the VW Beetle GSR is even more impressive than the pure road performance. From as low as 1,700 rpm, the turbo engine achieves its maximum torque of 280 Nm; the value remains at this high level up to 5,200 rpm. However, despite this, the car records an average consumption of 7.3 l/100 km which is low in view of its dynamic performance. As an option, the new Beetle GSR can also be ordered anywhere in the world with an automatic 6-speed, dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) as an alternative to the 6-speed manual gearbox.

The combination of performance, design, equipment and the limited number of cars ensure that the Volkswagen Beetle GSR will quickly become a collector's item. The same was also true of the Beetle 1303 S - today it is one of the most expensive and most sought-after 1970s versions of what was then the most successful car in the world. It will therefore be interesting to see what the VW Beetle GSR will be valued at in the year 2053.