Prior production, the car was shown as the Concept C concept car at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The production Volkswagen Eos was presented in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with the North American introduction at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, 2006. Unlike the Cabrio, which was a convertible version of the Golf hatchback, the Volkswagen Eos is a standalone model with all-new body panels, although it shares the platform and components from the Volkswagen Passat (Mark 6 (B6 now PQ46 platform) (2005-present)). The wheelbase matches the Golf Mk5 and Volkswagen Jetta. The Volkswagen Eos is produced in Volkswagen’s Autoeuropa factory in Palmela, Portugal. Although production started in late 2005, first deliveries were delayed due to a wind noise problem. The Volkswagen Eos was finally released in Europe in the first quarter of 2006, and in North America in the third quarter of 2006. Right-hand drive market Japan began sales in October 2006 followed by New Zealand and Australia in January 2007. Volkswagen Eos was released in South Africa in the second quarter of 2007.
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The Volkswagen Sharan is a large MPV. In 2006 Volkswagen launched the Sharan with a 2.0 L 85 kW (114 hp) flexible fuel engine, which could work with either petrol or autogas (liquefied petroleum gas), providing an additional 450 km (280 miles) range over the regular 2.0L petrol engine. Both fuel tanks, the 70L (18 US gallon) petrol tank and the 60L liquid gas tank combined, give the Volkswagen Sharan enough fuel to cover 730 km (454 miles) between refuels at an average fuel consumption of 9.6 L/100 km. The liquid gas tank is built into the spare wheel well so it does not compromise on passenger and loading space of the Volkswagen Sharan’s interior, although it does eliminate the spare tire. The Volkswagen Sharan is not sold in the United States and Canada. Originally this was due to an agreement between Ford and Volkswagen, leaving the market free from competition for Ford’s Aerostar minivan. More recently Volkswagen again decided against introducing the Volkswagen Sharan in North America, and instead contracted with Chrysler to build the larger Routan minivan.
The Volkswagen Crafter is available in three wheelbase options; 3250 mm (128 in), 3665 mm (144.3 in) and 4325 mm (170.3 in). It is equipped with front airbags as standard and side and curtain airbags as options, along with anti-lock brakes (ABS), ESC or ESP, anti slip regulation (ASR) & electronic differential lock (EDL). The electronic differential lock (EDL) employed by Volkswagen is not as the name suggests a differential lock at all. Sensors monitor wheel speeds, and if one is rotating substantially faster than the other (i.e. slipping) the EDL system momentarily brakes it. This effectively transfers all the power to the other wheel. All engines are based upon Volkswagen’s reengineered 2.5 liter common rail turbo diesel with piezo direct fuel injection.
The fifth generation of the VW Transporter hit the market in Europe late in 2003. It’s a direct successor to the T4 in its looks and utility value, unlike the Microbus concept car that VW had been showing around several years prior to the T5′s introduction. The Microbus concept was almost produced, but Volkswagen scuttled plans for building it due to cost problems. The entry level people mover in the Transporter range is the Kombi. It is available with every engine in the T5 range and is available in all roof heights and wheelbases. It can seat four to nine people. The Kombi is equipped with very basic features such as rubber flooring, heater for driver’s compartment, and side panel trim and headlining in the driver’s compartment. Optional features include central locking, air conditioning for front and rear compartments, electrically controlled & heated mirrors, sliding windows, ESP, side and curtain airbags, cruise control, electric windows, sunroof, and an electric sliding door.
The Volkswagen Touareg is a mid-size luxury SUV. It was the second Sport Utility Vehicle from Volkswagen, after the much older Volkswagen Thing. The Touareg’s first facelift was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and debuted in North America as a 2008 model. It now features the shield grille from other Volkswagen vehicles. The updated Volkswagen Touareg has more than 2300 redesigned parts and boasts some new technological features:
The Volkswagen Touran is a compact MPV based on a vertically-stretched fifth generation Volkswagen Golf and sold in Europe and other select markets. It was launched in 2003 to fill a perceived gap in Volkswagen’s model lineup below the Sharan large MPV. The vehicle was originally delivered in five or seven-seat versions, but the five seat version is no longer available in some markets.
The latest Passat was first displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005 and launched in Europe in the summer of 2005. The new PQ46 Passat features a return to the transversely mounted engine and, unlike its predecessor, no longer shares its platform with the Audi A4. Styling-wise, the car follows the latest design language first introduced on the Volkswagen Phaeton luxury car, and is a dramatic departure from the styling of the B5.5 Passat. Although the new design is somewhat controversial, sales have improved over the old model. Fuel Stratified Injection is used in nearly every petrol version of the Passat, ranging from 1.6 to 3.2 L (the 1.6L DOHC can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.5sec., and 193 km/h (120 mph) for MT), but the multivalve 2.0 L TDI is the most sought-out version in Europe (available in both 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) and 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) variants). In the US market, it features a 200 hp (147 kW) 2.0 L turbocharged I4 as the base engine, or a 280 hp (206 kW) 3.6 L VR6 engine as the upgrade, with six-speed manual (only available on the base 2.0T model) and automatic transmissions.
The Volkswagen Eos is a coupe convertible from Volkswagen produced starting in 2006. It is the successor of the Volkswagen Cabrio, and also Volkswagen’s first production sports or coupe car since the Corrado, which ceased production in 1995. The model name is derived from Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn and wind.
Between 2001 and 2003 Volkswagen produced 250 limited edition New Beetles with the designation RSi in Mexico for the rest of the World. The RSi was powered by a 225 hp 3.2 liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed gearbox and Volkswagen’s all-wheel drive system 4motion. It had a Remus twin-pipe exhaust. The suspension was tuned by Porsche, featuring a severely altered rear suspension geometry more geared to the race track and a rear cross member behind the rear seats. Visually, the RSi differed in its 80 mm (3.1 in) wider fenders, unique front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, large rear wing, and 18×9 OZ Superturismo wheels with 235/40ZR-18 tires. Inside, it was trimmed in carbon fiber, billet aluminum, and bright orange leather. The front seats were Recaro racing shells. Notable disadvantages found were loud cabin noise and low rear tire life.
The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car introduced by Volkswagen in 1998, drawing heavily on the design cues of the original Beetle. Based on a Volkswagen Golf, the retro design proved to be more successful in some markets than in others. The car was a relatively slow seller in Europe, but it was a success in the United States. There, marketing campaigns enhanced the continued goodwill towards the original, and helped the new model to inherit it. The Volkswagen New Beetle was Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year for 1999. A convertible version of New Beetle started production two years after launch, after many buyers had aftermarket conversions. In the United States the engines were the 2.0 liter inline-4, for the base model, and the 1.8 liter turbo inline-4, for the Sport Model which included a sport suspension, and bigger wheels and tires.
