Wolfsburg / Paris, 28 September 2006

Trade fair premiere: Iroc sports car concept débuts to large audience

World premiere I: New CrossGolf combines the SUV and MPV worlds

World premiere II: Touareg gets a strong start technically and visually

World premiere III: Touran features a new look and refined interior

• With three world premieres and the Iroc sports car concept that has already garnered international attention, Volkswagen will be in the public eye at the Paris Motor Show 2006. Débuting as world premieres in Paris are the new CrossGolf – a crossover of SUV and MPV – and the bestselling Touran and Touareg that have been greatly modified both technically and visually. An overview of VW innovations:

• Volkswagen is celebrating the world premiere of the new CrossGolf at the Paris Motor Show. It merges the can-do qualities of a compact SUV with the versatility of a small MPV into a new crossover model.
  
  
• SUV means “Sports Utility Vehicle”, denoting a more “civilian” take on the “tough” cross-country vehicle. In terms of body the CrossGolf shares the same can-do spirit with this vehicle. Approx. 480,000 compact SUVs were sold in Europe in 2005. MPV means “Multi Purpose Vehicle”, referring to a van. With its versatile and spacious interior the CrossGolf also bridges this segment. Just under 1.4 m compact SUVs were sold in Europe in 2005. SUV and MPV – the new CrossGolf is positioned between these poles.
  
  
• The front-wheel drive only CrossGolf is based on the Golf Plus. And that’s why the CrossGolf also features practical details such as a folding back seat that can be moved lengthwise, folding tables on the backs of the front seats and pigeonholes below, an elevated seating position and the basic four doors and large hatchback. The new kid on the block features parallels to the SUV world on the outside. Characterizing the CrossGolf here are special side coverings, independent bumpers and 20 mm higher ground clearance, including 17” wheels and much more.
  
  
• For the European market launch in November the Volkswagen featuring an air-conditioning system as standard equipment will be available with two gasoline-powered engines (1.6 + 1.4 TSI) and two turbodiesel engines (1.9 TDI + 2.0 TDI) with output ranging from 75 kW / 102 PS to 103 kW / 140 PS. Like all Golfs, the new model will have the ESP stabilization system including counter-steering feature and trailer stabilization, ABS along with brake assistant and six airbags as standard equipment.

World premiere II: Touareg

• Volkswagen is also presenting in Paris the world premiere of a new generation of the Touareg luxury class SUV. The market launch of the new version of the top-seller will take place at the end of November 2006. The Touareg, equipped with over 2,300 redesigned parts, looks different from its predecessor with a completely modified front section with crest radiator grill in chrome look, distinctive headlights, new wheel rims, new colors and much more. The interior was also both ergonomically and visually enhanced by two redesigned seating systems. In addition, a substantial amount of new and sometimes unique technical developments are being used.
  
  
• V8 FSI. The Touareg will be available as the first Volkswagen with an eight cylinder direct injection gasoline-powered engine (V8 FSI, 257 kW / 350 PS).
  
  
• ABSplus. ABSplus, developed and patented by Volkswagen, is a world first: The standard equipment system shortens the braking distance of the Touareg by up to 20% on loose driving surfaces. A significant increase in safety.
  
  
• Front Scan. No less innovative is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with a new follow-to-stop feature: in this combination the system is referred to as Front Scan. The distance control automatically slows down and accelerates the car within a previously defined range of speed. The system now employed in the Touareg slows the car down to a complete stop in emergency situations: a novelty in the SUV segment. Also new: integrated stopping distance control. Ahead of certain situations it “arms” the brakes as a preventative measure.
  
  
• Side Scan. Another assistant system in the new Touareg generation, being offered for the first time in a Volkswagen, is the lane changing assistant (Side Scan). This system monitors the area next to and behind the Touareg and a control lamp in the exterior mirrors warns of a possible risk of collision when changing lanes.
  
  
• Brembo brakes / Tire pressure monitoring / ESP. Beyond this, a new 18 inch Brembo brake for engines over 230 kW, an optional second-generation tire pressure monitoring system and numerous new ESP features have been added to the Touareg technologies for crash avoidance and active safety.
  
  
• Driving dynamics package with dynamic response. The models with pneumatic shock absorption can for the first time be equipped with an innovative chassis. “Driving dynamics package with dynamic response” reduces vehicle inclination in curves and adds a harder spring rate to the already existing “Sport” mode of the manually and automatically controllable pneumatic shock absorption system.
  
  
• Dynaudio sound system. High-end in the entertainment area, too: The Touareg is the first SUV in the world that can be equipped with a 620 Watt sound system from Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio.
  
  
• Instruments. A new multimeter for the multifunctional display enables a detailed and now multicolor presentation of information.

World premiere III: Touran

• The Touran is débuting in Paris with a new look, new technologies and a new top of the line TSI engine. The market launch will be taking place in the middle of November. The van will be the first Volkswagen available with “Park Assist”, unique in its technical design; the parking system that makes parking a snap, even in tight quarters.
  
  
• Design. At first glance the new Touran is recognizable from the front by its Volkswagen crest radiator grill in chrome design, a new bumper and precisely cut headlights; the optional lights available as bi-xenon adaptive headlights follow the stylistic design of the Eos. At the back the new rear lights and the bumper modified along the lines of the front section allude to the second Touran generation. Numerous interior modifications and expanded standard equipment top off the extensive package of features.
  
  
• 170 PS TSI. Starting in spring 2007, the highest performance gasoline direct injection engine, a twincharger with 125 kW / 170 PS, will be employed in the Touran for the first time. The gears of this sporty as well as thrifty 1.4 TSI are changed via the standard DSG direct shift gearbox. The 103 kW / 140 PS strong Touran 1.4 TSI, whose Twincharger is also optionally available with DSG, will get started right at market launch.
  
  
• Park Assist. An absolute technology highlight of the Touran is the optional parking guidance assistant (including ParkPilot/ distance warning front and back). Developed by Volkswagen, “Park Assist” enables automatic parking. “Park Assist” is activated at the push of a button. While driving by at speeds of up to 30 kph an ultrasonic sensor system detects all parking spaces on the right and left that are parallel to the driving lane; a control unit calculates the ideal path for parking. “Park Assist” notifies the driver about the starting position via the instrument display. After engaging reverse gear the van maneuvers into the parking space in under 15 seconds. During the entire parking process the driver only has to accelerate and brake – the Touran does the steering.

Trade fair premiere: Iroc

• 33 years ago Volkswagen presented a sensational coupé. It was compact, distinctive, agile, spacious and affordable. Volkswagen called it the Scirocco. The car struck the nerve of the times: Worldwide over 500,000 first generation Sciroccos were produced. In a show premiere Volkswagen will be showing in Paris the reinterpretation of the successful Scirocco idea – the Iroc concept. The provocatively designed concept combines a high degree of suitability for everyday use, pure driving fun and expressive design in a Volkswagen that has a good chance of going into series production. (See separate press folder for more information about the Iroc).