Volkswagen Unveils Golf GTI Pirelli & Passat CC in Sydney

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/October/2008

Sydney, Australia — Volkswagen recently took the wraps off what is the most powerful factory-built Golf GTI to date, the the limited edition Pirelli model.

Priced from $47,490, the new car takes the GTI name to the next level, with more power and more grip.

Unveiled at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney alongside the new Passat CC (see below), the new model is driven by the most powerful 4-cylinder engine in Volkswagen's arsenal. 

The 2.0-litre, direct injected petrol engine features a turbocharger and intercooler much like the normal VW Golf GTI, but hikes the standard 147kW of power to 169kW.

Peak torque also rises from 280Nm to 300Nm, and the vital statistics on the Golf GTI Pirelli are as follows:

Engine: 1984cc Turbo Petrol
Power: 169kW @ 5500rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 2200rpm

Combined with a 6-speed twin-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG) and the uprated engine power, acceleration has improved and what used to take 7.2 seconds now takes 6.6 seconds. As well as the zero to 100km/h sprint time looking better, the vehicle's top speed rises 10km/h to 245km/h.

But as Pirelli says, "Power is nothing without control," and this is where the larger wheels come in. Sitting on 18-inch x 7.5-inch Pirelli alloy rims, this special edition Golf GTI is shod withthe latest generation of Pirelli P-Zero tyres measuring 225/40 that were designed to benefit handling, braking, ride comfort.

As well as the engine and chassis changes, Volkswagen has given the car a more aggressive look. As well as the 18-inch wheels, the VW Golf GTI Pirelli comes with body-coloured bumpers and side skirts, subtle Pirelli badging and tinted windows.

Inside the high performance hatch, upgrades such as leather lateral supports, seatbacks, head restraints and centre armrests are finished in an anthracite-colour, while yellow seams on the steering wheel, gear shifter and other areas add a sporty look and feel. 

Furthermore, the GTI logos are replaced by Pirelli logos on the front seat head restraints.

Volkswagen says that the real highlight is the centre seat panels which are made from "a breathable and very luxurious anthracite micro fibre with a tyre tread pattern embedded in the micro fibres".

Standard features on the new Golf GTI Pirelli includes heated seats, electrically adjustable lumbar supports in front, a leather centre armrest in the rear and leather sports steering wheel for the driver.

Priced at $47,490 for the 3-door and $48,990 for the 5-door model, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli is on sale in Australia now.

Passat CC

The other major reveal for Volkswagen at the AIMS in Sydney was the Passat CC, which didn't disappoint.

By now most of our regular readers would be well versed in all things VW Passat CC, but seeing it in the flesh is another thing altogether. 

It looks much sportier than the photos suggest and with a lower roofline than the normal Passat and sitting 15mm lower to the ground, it has an attractive profile.

Not small, the VW 4-door coupe measures 4.79m long, 1.85m wide and has a low height of 1.42m.

Recording big sales in Europe already after its May 2008 launch, and expected to be on sale in Australia in early in 2009, the German 4-door coupe will be powered by a 220kW petrol V6 or a 125kW diesel engine. 

Automatic 6-speed twin-clutch DSG transmissions will be offered initially, and 7-speed auto gearboxes are expected down the track.

Volkswagen is touting the Passat CC as a highly sophisticated, premium 4-door coupe and if early indications are anything to go by, it could be a big hit for the car maker.

Volkswagen Australia told the Motoring Channel that some customers have already placed orders for the new car, which will feature boot-loads of cutting-edge technology including the following:

 Park Assist: This high-end technology automatically guides the Passat CC into a parking space at the push of a button, not unlike the Lexus LS 460L. The driver no longer needs to steer in this case, but instead just controls the throttle and brakes.

Adaptive Chassis Control: The car's new Adaptive Chassis Control system combines can alter the vehicle's suspension damping characteristic on the run. It has three programs "Normal", "Sport" and "Comfort".

Adaptive Cruise Control: Think of this as radar-based cruise control. When "ACC" is activated, the Passat CC automatically brakes and accelerates within a speed range input by the car driver beforehand. Thanks to a feature called "Front Scan", the system also avoids frontal collisions. It uses a radar sensor to monitor the distance to other vehicles in traffic in front of the Passat CC. In advance of certain situations, "Front Scan" preventively places the brakes in a preconditioned state, thereby performing a stopping distance reduction function.

 Climate Control: Climate control is nothing new, but the VW Passat CC is expected to feature active climate seats, which cools occupants via tiny vents in the leather seats. Until now this feature was reserved for Volkswagen's Phaeton luxury sedan.

It's not yet known if Volkswagen Australia intends to add the 'lane assist' function which is available in Europe and works by automatically counter-steering as soon as the Passat CC leaves its lane unintentionally.

The vehicle has plenty of luxurious fittings, such as 4 individual sports seats upholstered in Napa leather plus a leather steering wheel with multi-function buttons and gearshift paddles, brushed aluminium interior trim and 12-way power adjustable front seats.

Set to launch around February 2009, the Passat CC is shaping up to be a real head-turner in the premium market, and is likely to be priced from around $60,000.

Related Links:
- Volkswagen Passat CC (2008)
- Volkswagen Golf GTI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Eos (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Passat R36 (2008)
- Volkswagen Golf (2009)
- Volkswagen Passat TDI Wagon (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Touareg R50 (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (First Drive)
- Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf GT - TSI (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Golf R32 (Road Test)
- Volkswagen Scirocco (2008)
- Volkswagen Polo TDI (Road Test)