Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) earlier in the evening held a special viewing for some of the models that they plan to introduce to the Malaysian market sometime next year. Models like the all-new Passat B8, the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE and the all electric e-Up! were specially flown in for the event.
The Passat you see here features the German carmaker’s new and most powerful 2.0-litre four pot twin turbodiesel mill that makes 236 hp and 500 Nm of torque and is paired to the seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, permanently driving all four wheels. We’re certain that the new Passat will make its way here, but it’s very unlikely for VGM to introduce this exact variant.
Next up is the Golf GTE – the model’s first plug-in hybrid variant which Volkswagen claims to be a fusion of sportiness and sustainability. Under the hood rests the familiar 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine belting 148 hp and 250 Nm of torque, coupled to a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor outputting 101 hp and 330 Nm of torque. Combined output is 201 hp and 350 Nm of torque.
According to Volkswagen, the Golf GTE’s top speed is 222 km/h, its century sprint laps at 7.6 seconds, while consuming as little as 1.5 litres of fuel per 100km traveled. This one’s likely to be introduced here because it doesn’t require any special charging infrastructure, yet can be fully charged under four hours at any normal charging socket. In full hybrid mode, the Golf GTE has a range of 939km.
Last up is the all-electric e-Up!; Volkswagen’s interpretation of an ideal environmental protection mission on four wheels. It emits zero emissions, zero fuel consumption and is virtually noiseless. It gets the 18.7 kWh lithium ion battery pack that weighs about 230kg and is placed underneath the car. The motor punches 81 hp and 210 Nm of torque, while offering a continued cruise of up to 157km. If you must know, the e-Up! sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.4 seconds.
Transformative Sales & Aftersales Services
At the event, VGM also announced several key strategies that will improve their sales and aftersales experience, after having previously launched the Mobility Guarantee programme. Some of the transformative actions include:
i) Investment in local talent – Training about 100 newly recruited Malaysian technicians
ii) Establishment of three Technical Competence Centre facility by 2016 (one in 2014, two in 2015)
iii) Volkswagen Brand Store – Unique sales showroom and dealer training centre
iv) Opening of a dedicated Volkswagen Parts Centre
v) Service Concierge – Ensuring professional delivery and expert concierge services to customers
VGM’s Managing Director, Mr Armin Keller said, “Malaysia is an important market for our business and as the brand progresses, our continued investment in improving our customer service will remain as a cornerstone in our activities; be it sales or aftersales. We have embarked on a journey to bring this change and these initiatives will help us earn the trust of our Malaysian customers.”
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IMAGE GALLERY
Event
Volkswagen Golf GTE
Volkswagen Passat B8
Volkswagen e-Up!
