Inspired by 40 years of the Golf: Volkswagen apprentices unveil their Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition at Wörthersee

Debuts for further pilot studies Golf Variant Youngster 5000 (Zwickau) and ŠKODA CitiJet (Mladá Boleslav)

They have achieved their goal: 12 apprentices from Wolfsburg today presented their 380 PS (279 kW) Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition at the 33rd Wörthersee GTI meeting. Their sporty two-door model is painted in Absolute red with decor strips in Negro Magico black. Many other optical and technical details also reflect the ideas for their dream GTI developed by budding skilled workers from Volkswagen and Sitech Sitztechnik. In the implementation of the project and in choosing the name for their car, the young people, aged between 18 and 23, were inspired by the 40th anniversary of the Golf. The first standard Golf rolled off the production line at Wolfsburg in 1974, followed by the first Golf GTI in 1976.

The Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition is a visible result of high-quality practical training at Volkswagen. From the collection of initial ideas through to today's world premiere before more than 200,000 car fans in Reifnitz am Wörthersee, budding automotive mechatronics technicians, vehicle paint technicians, vehicle interior fitters and process technicians specializing in plastics and rubber engineering invested many hours in the project. The four young women and eight men planned, tested and implemented almost everything themselves. In doing so, they gained considerable specialist expertise. They also developed to form a strong team of which project manager and instructor Holger Schülke is especially proud.

Over the past nine months, the four women and eight men reshaped a standard Golf GTI Performance1 in line with their own ideas, both technically and in terms of appearance. The modified 2.0-l TSI engine from the Golf R2 has an output 380 PS (279 kW). The unique GTI is fitted with a carbon air box and a hand-welded stainless steel exhaust system with vacuum valve control allowing the volume of the engine sound to be regulated.

For the optical design of their car, the apprentices decided on a red and black interior and exterior color scheme that gives the Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition an expressive note. The car is entirely hand-painted and was ground and polished several times to ensure a seamless paint finish.

The exterior is dominated by absolute red uni paintwork. Black (Negro Magico Pearl) decor strips and hand-crafted high-gloss black attachments give the vehicle a sporty note: the one-off parts include spoilers and claw-type inserts on the front bumper, door sills, and a rear spoiler with additional flaps and a rear diffuser. Wide triple stripes run over the centre of the bonnet, roof and roof edge spoiler. The side stripes fading to the rear are reminiscent of the first-generation Golf GTI. The apprentices have positioned a special eyecatcher in this stripes on the doors; the Wolfsburg Skyline in absolute red, featuring eight Wolfsburg landmarks, Schloss Wolfsburg, Planetarium, the Car Towers at Autostadt, Phaeno, Autostadt Customer Center, Volkswagen Arena (the VfL Wolfsburg soccer stadium), the Volkswagen power plant and headquarters building. The hand-made lasered Wolfsburg emblems on the horn button and the hubcaps also honor the "cradle" of the Golf.

The interior continues the color scheme with considerable attention to detail: two Recaro bucket seats at the front and a rear seat bench with black leather upholstery, red stripes over the headrests and inverted side bolsters covered in GTI tartan (Clark). The black leather multi-function steering wheel features decorative seams and painted absolute red spokes. The high-gloss black trim strips on the door trims have sprayed GTI logos. Another feature that called for extremely precise working was the hand-crafted center console with an integrated, stowable iPhone Docking Station.

The apprentices also put new technologies to use: for example, the charge air pressure display is a one-off part produced using a 3-D printer in the research department. The additional instruments (charge air pressure gauge, stopwatch and oil temperature gauge) were integrated into the central console above the infotainment display. The Wolfsburg skyline was also applied to the interior door trims using a special embossing technique, which means that the skyline emerges from the leather.

For the power festival at Wörthersee, a really extravagant audio system is also important. This is why the Golf GTI Wörthersee features a high-and sound system with an output of 2,170 W and 11 on-board speakers. In the boot, a monobloc amplifier with integrated LED lighting, a powerful subwoofer in the left module and a PlayStation with 24-inch LED-LCD TV set optical and acoustic highlights.

Since 2008, Volkswagen has offered its best apprentices the opportunity to expand their specialist knowledge and to demonstrate their creativity and teamwork capabilities on special vehicle projects like the Wörthersee GTI. The Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition is the seventh apprentice GTI to make its world debut in Reifnitz. Its predecessors were also attractions at major events such as the IdeenExpo in Hanover.

Opinions on the Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition:

Sarah Till (22), apprentice vehicle paint technician from Helmstedt: "My personal highlight is the absolute red Wolfsburg Skyline. It really looks great in combination with the black side stripes."

Sebastian Wagner (21), apprentice automotive mechatronics technician from Süpplingen, Helmstedt Rural District: "I like the hand-welded stainless steel exhaust system with vacuum valve control. It allows you to turn the engine volume up and down. Normally, you can only do that with a Porsche."

Nathalie Magnus (23), apprentice automotive mechatronics technician from Rühen, Gifhorn Rural District: "I demonstrated performance and perseverance in my training and it was an honor for me to work on the Wörthersee GTI. I am proud to be in Austria with my colleagues."

Sina Golkowski (19), apprentice process technician specializing in plastics and rubber engineering from Tülau, Gifhorn Rural District: "We worked hard on our dream GTI. I think it looks fantastic and will be very popular with the crowd at Wörthersee."

Holger Schülke, project manager and instructor: "The Wörthersee GTI is a real highlight and an important project for vocational training at Volkswagen."

Prof. Heiko Gintz, Head of Vocational Training with Volkswagen in Wolfsburg: "By working on the Wörthersee GTI project, our apprentices learn about the complexity of automobile production. During the creation of their vehicle, our budding skilled workers cooperate with experts from a variety of different professional families – from initial sketches through to approval by the Board of Management. This vehicle project offers our apprentices the best opportunity to benefit from the knowledge of their experienced colleagues from the entire company."

Klaus Mohrs, Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg: "I am excited about the Volkswagen apprentices' new GTI. The landmarks of Wolfsburg are really well presented. The apprentices' GTI will be an ambassador of our city at the Wörthersee meeting."

GTI creations of apprentices for the Wörthersee meeting:

2008: Golf GTI Performance
2009: Golf GTI Street
2010: Golf GTI Yellow Pearl
2011: Golf GTI Reifnitz
2012: Golf GTI Black Dynamic
2013: Golf GTI Cabrio Austria
2014: Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition

Other pilot studies making their debuts at the Wörthersee

For the first time, apprentices from the Volkswagen plant at Zwickau (Germany, Saxony) and the Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) plant of Group brand ŠKODA will also be presenting pilot studies at the 33rd GTI meeting. These studies demonstrate the inventiveness, performance and hand-crafting skills of apprentices from the Volkswagen Group.

The Golf Variant Youngster 5000 from Zwickau

For the first time, a Golf Variant is being presented at the Wörthersee meeting. This Volkswagen model is only produced at the vehicle plant in Saxony. The "Youngster 5000" show car was developed at Zwickau as part of a talent program together with six apprentices. The unique model is painted in Arancio argos pearl and is powered by a modified 320 PS (235 kW) four-cylinder GTI engine with Performance1 package. The integrated Bilstein suspension can be controlled via an iPhone. The bumpers, the door sill package and the seat system are taken from the range of Volkswagen R GmbH. The "Youngster 5000" takes its name from the sound system with an output of about 5000 W mounted on skids in the rear of the vehicle, which can be controlled using a special iPad.

The ŠKODA CitiJet from Mladá Boleslav

The ŠKODA CitiJet, a city cabriolet with styling that is sporty, dynamic and expressive, is the ŠKODA apprentices' dream car. The study based on the ŠKODA Citigo3 is the result of the "Apprentices' Car" project. For six months, 16 ŠKODA apprentices worked on the vehicle, which is making its public debut at Wörthersee. The exterior features distinctive blue and white metallic paintwork and 16-inch alloy sports wheels, painted blue. Other features include a hand-crafted rear spoiler and a powerful exhaust with twin tailpipes. The sporty interior is based on the ŠKODA Citigo Sport special model. In addition, a special 300-Watt audio system is installed. The blue LED interior lighting reacts to music.


1 Golf GTI Performance: fuel consumption figures in l/km: 8.1 – 7.5 (urban) / 5.3 – 5.1 (extra urban) / 6.4 - 6 (combined); CO2 emissions in g/km: 149 - 148 (combined), efficiency class: C, D.

2 Golf R: fuel consumption figures in l/100 km: 9.4 – 8.8 (urban) / 5.9 (extra urban) / 7.1 – 6.9 (combined); CO2 emissions in g/km: 165 - 159 (combined), efficiency class: D.

3 Citigo: fuel consumption figures in l/100 km (premium gasoline): 5.9 – 5.1 (urban) /4 – 3.6 (extra urban) /4.7 – 4.1 (combined); fuel consumption figures in kg/100 l (natural gas – CNG): 3.6 (urban), 2.5 (extra urban), 2.9 (combined); CO2 emissions in g/km: 108 – 79 (combined), CO2 efficiency class C – A+.

Volkswagen sells an Alltrack version of its Passat wagon overseas, and now the vehicle is getting a little brother in the form of the 2015 Golf Alltrack, which debuts next week at the 2014 Paris Auto Show. It’s essentially a soft-roader version of the latest Golf SportWagen, and will be hitting European showrooms next summer.

While VW has confirmed the latest Golf SportWagen for the U.S. market (it arrives in showrooms early next year), there are no present plans to bring the Alltrack version. Instead, VW fans here looking for a compact vehicle with some off-road capability will have to settle for the Tiguan.

The Golf Alltrack has a slightly taller ride height than the Golf SportWagen on which it’s based, and comes standard with 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The vehicle also benefits from VW’s EDS and XDS electronic differentials, and when it comes to towing it can handle loads of up to 4,400 pounds.

Chunky wheel arch moldings and side sills work together with skid plates integrated with the bumpers to offer body protection, and additional off-road prowess comes from the vehicle’s selectable Offroad driving mode. This activates a hill descent function as well as adjusting the throttle and ABS for increased sensitivity.

As for the engines, shoppers will have four options to choose from: one TSI gasoline unit and three TDI diesels. The most powerful unit is a 2.0-liter TDI good for 182 horsepower. Transmissions include the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual-clutch ‘box.

The 2015 Golf Alltrack makes its debut at the Paris Auto Show on October 2. To see what else will be present at the show, head to our dedicated hub.

A couple of months ago, we brought you spy shots of a Volkswagen Golf R that had been stretched into a proper wagon shape. And now, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen has officially taken the wraps off what it calls the Golf R Variant – a proper longroof version of the oh-so-potent Golf R.

That's right, Volkswagen has taken everything we already love about the Golf R and stretched it into a more functional package. The R Variant uses the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four as the standard Golf R, rated at 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Combined with 4Motion all-wheel drive, this engine has enough oomph to propel the wagon to 62 miles per hour in a scant 5.1 seconds, on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Mechanically, everything we love about the MkVII Golf R has carried over, including the ESC Sport stability control system, as well as the Driving Profile Selector, with Eco, Normal, Individual, and Race modes (part of the DCC adaptive damping system). Beyond that, it's the same Golf R we've enjoyed previously, but with a more functional shape, able to carry up to 57.2 cubic feet of cargo. Form and function, indeed.

That said, the Golf R Variant is currently slated for European market sales in the spring of 2015, and Volkswagen mentions nothing about US availability as of this writing. Consider our fingers crossed, though. This is certainly a Golf variant we could easily get behind.

VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES PRICING OF 2015 GOLF R

- Well-equipped Golf R starts at $36,595 with DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Technology-rich Golf R with DCC and Nav starts at $39,090 with DSG transmission
- With 292 horsepower, the Golf is the most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the U.S. market
- New Golf R has 36 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque more than previous generation model
- First 500 Golf R models can be pre-ordered
- Standard Bi-Xenon headlights with LED turn signals and U-shaped LED DRLs

Herndon, VA - Volkswagen of America, Inc., today, announced pricing for its 2015 Golf R, the fastest and most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the U.S. market . Joining Volkswagen's extensive Golf family of versatile, sporty hatchbacks, the Golf R starts at $36,595 (plus $820 destination) when equipped with the DSG® six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

With 292 horsepower from its turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 TSI® engine, the all-new Golf R has 36 horsepower and 37 pound-feet torque more than the previous model.

Despite the additional power and torque, the new R model is considerably more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, with an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 30 mpg with the six-speed DSG transmission, up from 27 mpg for the previous, manual -transmission model.

The six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission offers a launch control feature, enabling the car to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds. The top track speed is 155 mph.

Like all previous Golf R models, the new model transfers its power to the road via a permanent all-wheel-drive system; in this case, the latest version of the 4MOTION® system with a fifth-generation Haldex® coupling. To help ensure great chassis dynamics, there's a new sport suspension, progressive variable-ratio steering, and a stability control system ("ESC Sport") which can be deactivated for track driving. Other highlights include the optional DCC® adaptive damping system.

The all-new Golf R is equipped with an extensive package of exclusive features. Along with specially designed bumpers, side skirts, and the option of 18- or 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the Golf R can also be visually distinguished from the GTI by details such as standard Bi-Xenon headlights with newly designed LED daytime running lights (in a dual-U design) and a two-branch exhaust system that has four chrome tips. Inside, the Golf R underlines its position as the flagship of the model range with sport seats with leather seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel, ambient lighting, and R-specific instrumentation.

The Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2015 in four-door form only, initially with the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. There will be two models: the well-equipped Golf R and the technology-rich Golf R with DCC and Nav, with prices starting from $36,595 and $39,090 for DSG models.

The Golf R is comprehensively equipped. The base Golf R includes Driving Mode Selection, 5.8-inch touchscreen radio with SiriusXM® Satellite radio, heatable front seats, LED reading lights, ambient lighting, a Media Device Interface (MDI) with iPhone® connectivity, Bluetooth® connectivity, VW Car-Net® connected services, Keyless access with push-button start, a rearview camera, 12-way power driver's seat, and Climatronic® dual-zone automatic air conditioning. The Golf R with DCC and Nav adds: the DCC adaptive damping system; 19- inch wheels; a navigation system; the Fender® Premium Audio System; and front and rear Park Distance Control.

Potential Golf R customers can pre-order their vehicle via the vw.com website. The first 500 Golf R models-all top-trim vehicles-will be available with an exclusive numbered R Accessories Kit.

Volkswagen has added its sporty R-Line upgrade for its Golf hatchback over in Europe, and with any luck we’ll see it offered at dealerships here in the U.S. The R-Line upgrade adds some minor performance mods and offers buyers on a budget the ability to add a little sport to their Golfs without having to upgrade to one of the GTI or R dedicated performance models.

Some of the mods include a rear spoiler, a sporty rear bumper with diffuser insert, new side skirts, a new grille, and new intakes with integrated fog lights mounted in the front bumper. There’s also a set of 17-inch alloys in VW’s ‘Singapore’ pattern, plus a suspension lowering kit that drops the ride height by 10 millimeters.

In keeping with the sporty theme, the interior receives stainless steel pedals, new door sills, black and gray accents around the dash, sporty bucket seats up front, black headliner, a multifunction sports steering wheel, and a leather gear knob for either the six-speed manual or available six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

Some of VW's models sold in the U.S. currently available with the R-Line upgrade include the CC, Tiguan and Touareg. Hopefully we’ll be able to add the Golf to that list in the near future.

The Volkswagen TDI Sportwagen due to hit US showrooms sometime soon has everything a car enthusiast could want in a wagon package: manual, diesel, available AWD (although not all three together). The problem is it's not really a "performance" car. Here's the solution.

The Golf GTD Variant (fancy word for wagon) is due to be revealed at the Geneva Auto Show. It will have everything you like about the MK7 Sportwagen, but instead of having only 150 hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque, the two-liter TDI motor is boosted to 181 hp and 280 ft/ lbs. That should be good for a 7.9 second sprint to 60. Keep in mind that VW claims a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds for the GTI and most of the tests are putting the hot-hatch under 6 seconds, so the GTD wagon could be a bit quicker than advertised.

The GTD will also be outfitted with a 15 mm lowered "sports" suspension, progressive steering, GTD specific bumpers and radiator grille with honeycomb structure, smoked taillights and sill extensions, 17-inch "Curitiba" alloys, black roof rails and chrome-plated twin tailpipes. Inside you will find: "Clark" cloth upholstery, illuminated door sills, black headliner and black pillar trim, "Checkered Black" decorative inserts, multi-function leather steering wheel with aluminum trim, gear knob in the shape of a golf ball and aluminum pedals.

The one downside to the Variant is that the extra size and weight make it slightly less fuel efficient, but just look at it! Pricing for the GTD Variant would put it about $36,124, or about the same as a Golf R. As of now, VW has no plans to bring the GTD Sportwagen to America, but considering that the uber-expensive Golf R400 is still on the table for US sale we may have a small chance in getting the GTD.

The updated Golf R also benefits from a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the current 6-speed. The DCT in combination with the extra power and torque sees the 0-62 mph acceleration time drop to 4.6 seconds, down from a current 4.9 seconds. A 6-speed manual remains standard. VW is yet to reveal how quick this option is but expect it to be a few tenths of a second slower than the DCT.