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The latest engine efficiency technology from Volkswagen is a ground-breaking cylinder shut-off system, which will debut in a new 1.4-litre TSI powerplant in early 2012. With the primary goal of reducing fuel consumption, the engine temporarily shuts off two of the four cylinders under low to medium loads. Cylinder shut-off reduces fuel consumption of the 1.4-litre TSI by 0.4 litres per 100 km in the NEDC driving cycle, and when the company’s Start/Stop functionality is integrated – deactivating the engine in neutral gear – the savings adds up to 0.6 litres per 100 km.

The greatest benefits of the cutting-edge technology are realised while driving at constant moderate speeds. At 50km/h (31mph), in third or fourth gear, the savings amount to nearly one litre per 100 km. This new fuel efficient TSI will therefore also fulfil the forthcoming EU6 emissions standard. High efficiency does not exclude driving comfort: even when running on just two cylinders, the 1.4-litre TSI – with its excellent engine balance – is still very quiet and low in vibration.

Cylinder shut-off is active whenever the engine speed of the 1.4-litre TSI is between 1,400 and 4,000rpm and its torque is between 25 and 75Nm (18-55lb ft). This applies to nearly 70% of the driving distance in the EU fuel economy driving cycle. As soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal sufficiently hard, cylinders 2 and 3 are reactivated imperceptibly. The system takes its information from the accelerator pedal sensor to detect the mode of driving. If the driving exhibits a non-uniform pattern – for example, while driving in roundabout traffic or in a sporty style on a country road – the shut-off functionality is automatically suppressed.

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Volkswagen UK have today confirmed pricing and specification details of the celebratory Golf GTI Edition 35, celebrating 35 years of its iconic hot hatchback. First announced back in May (see here for our previous story), the most powerful Golf GTI to date features a 1984cc turbocharged engine, producing 232bhp (235PS) – 23bhp more than the standard car – at 5500rpm. Maximum torque of 221lb ft (300Nm) is produced at 2200rpm. The GTI Edition 35 posts a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds, while top speed is 153mph, and CO2 emissions are 189g/km (185g/km on DSG cars).

Special exterior identifiers include a more sports-orientated bodykit which includes new side skirts and front bumper, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, 18-inch ‘Watkins Glen’ alloy wheels finished in ‘Dark Steel’ or silver, an ‘Edition 35’ front wing badge, gloss back door mirrors, darkened rear windows and darker LED rear lights. ‘Edition 35’ badges also feature on the front seats, door sills and floor mats, while the seatbelts feature a red stripe and the legendary ‘golf ball’ Golf GTI gearknob (fitted to both manual and DSG-equipped cars).

Prices for the Golf GTI Edition 35 start at £27,525 (RRP OTR, £2220 over the standard car) for the six-speed manual three-door model. There is a £1,295 premium for the DSG gearbox and £585 for five doors. Volkswagen Retailers will begin taking orders from today with first customer deliveries due next month. For more information contact your nearest Volkswagen Retailer or visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 35 UK prices
2.0-litre TSI, 235PS, 6-speed manual 3-door, 189g/km: £27,525
2.0-litre TSI 235 PS, 6speed auto DSG, 3-door, 185g/km: £28,820
2.0-litre TSI, 235PS, 6-speed manual 5-door, 189g/km: £28,110
2.0-litre TSI 235 PS, 6speed auto DSG, 5-door, 185g/km: £29,405

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Traditionally an impressive home motor show for German car manufacturers, Volkswagen is pulling out all the stops at 2011’s IAA in Frankfurt. With 54 show cars on it 8893m² Hall 3 exhibition stand, the company’s largest (not literally) launch is its all-new up! city car. The new Golf Cabriolet and Tiguan will also be Volkswagen’s stars of the show. In addition, there will also be a fleet of 74 test vehicles – the largest at the event – including nine electric-powered Golf blue e-motions. 1000 workers are on site turning the vision of 14 architects into reality, while 2870m² of carpeting will be laid along with 6400m² of glass flooring. Four hundred lamps and a similar number of moving lights will illuminate the two-floor stand, and 80 Volkswagen employees and 228 hosts and hostesses will welcome visitors. The 2011 IAA Frankfurt opens it doors on 15 September. Read more for the full official Volkswagen press release.

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Typical. We go on holiday and one of the autumn’s biggest potential stars is unveiled to the world. After months, no, years of speculation, and ahead of its Frankfurt motor show later this month, Volkswagen has released the first official images of the up! – its much promised city car. Errant exclamation mark and trim level names (‘take up!’, ‘move up!’ and the range-topping ‘high up!’) notwithstanding, we like the idea and the car itself, and it should prove popular. A monobox in silhouette, the up! is an all-new design and according to Volkswagen, ‘offers maximum space on a minimal footprint.’

New 59bhp and 74bhp three-cylinder petrol engines make their debut in the tiny tot, while an electric version is in the pipeline. Technology also features heavily to lure in city dwellers, with VW’s new Personal Infotainment Device making its debut. The system has been developed to organise navigation, telephone, information and entertainment, and was designed in cooperation with Navigon. The up! goes on sale in continental Europe in December; UK prices and specifications will be released nearer the diminuative car’s on sale date here. Read more for the first official VW details.

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Wondering which Volkswagen might suit your fleet needs? Wonder no more, as Volkswagen Fleet Services has launched two new CO2 emissions price lists, making it simple and quick to find a car that suits a fleet manager’s or driver’s needs. First launched in 2009, the fleet price guide details all the car’s in the Vokswagen range with a CO2 output of 160g/km or less. Including information on P11D values, Benefit in Kind tax implications and individual CO2 emissions listings, it is joined by a booklet containing all the vehicles in the Volkswagen range with CO2 emissions under 120g/km.

Volkswagen Fleet Services’ Communications Manager, Tracey Rossetti, commented: ‘We had a very positive response to the first emissions guide we published in 2009 and so have decided to develop it further and introduce the new version with sub-120 g/km vehicles. Although all our fleet price lists contain this information, we believe this makes people’s lives and vehicle selections easier – as all the data is contained in one easy to use guide – and that’s important to both busy fleet managers and drivers.’

The sub-160 g/km booklet contains 16 model ranges, from the Fox city car to the Sharan people carrier, and includes the recently introduced Polo Match and new Touran, while the sub-120 g/km price list offers a choice of nine model ranges including the highly acclaimed new Golf Cabriolet and the Golf BlueMotion which emits just 99g/km of carbon dioxide and is exempt from the London Congestion Charge. To download electronic versions of the price guides, go to www.volkswagen.co.uk/fleet. Printed copies are available by calling the Volkswagen Fleet Business Centre on 0800 38 989 38.

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