At a recent automotive media event in Virginia, Volkswagen presented its full lineup of vehicles for 2015. From the frisky little Beetle to the large luxury Touareg, some are all-new, some are revised, and one will be saying auf Wiedersehen. Here’s a look at what’s new in Volkswagens for the coming model year.
Beetle Coupe and Beetle Convertible
A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI Clean Diesel engine replaces the 2014 TDI engine for both models. Its 150 horsepower rating is a boost of 10 over the previous engine, yet highway fuel economy improves to 40 mpg (an increase of 3 mpg) and emissions are reduced by up to 40 percent. The new TDI can be paired with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Also for both models, a limited-edition Classic trim has been added to the lineup. It’s dressed with a model-exclusive seat fabric, Volkswagen’s RNS 315 navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and 17-inch Circle wheels in black or white, depending on exterior color. The Classic trim level’s base price is $25,995.
In a good defense against sudden showers, the convertible’s soft top can be raised or lowered in a zippy 9.5 seconds, and can be orchestrated while under way, at speeds of up to 31 mph. The convertible’s ride is also enhanced by a 20-percent increase in torsional rigidity and other structural improvements.
CC
Volkswagen’s exceptionally stylish midsize sedan, whose initials stand for “Comfort Coupe” because of its coupe-like design, holds its own for 2015 but with the addition of optional 18-inch St. Louis wheels for the Sport model and 18-inch Shanghai wheels for the Executive model.
The CC offers a choice between two engines: a 200-horsepower four-cylinder or a 280-horsepower VR6. With the four-cylinder engine, there’s also a choice between a six-speed manual and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. VR6 models come standard with the automatic. Fuel economy numbers for the smaller engine with a manual gearbox are 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway; the VR6 comes in at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
The 2015 CC is available in Sport, R-Line, 2.0T Executive and VR6 4Motion Executive trims, with pricing beginning at $32,685.
Eos
Model year 2015 marks the end of the road for VW’s four-passenger hardtop convertible, the only one of its kind in North America to offer a power sunroof integrated into the metal convertible top. For the final year of production, the Eos Sport model is replaced by a Final Edition version featuring 18-inch Vicenza wheels, a rearview camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, model-exclusive Cornsilk Beige and Black two-tone Vienna leather seats with contrast stitching, and silver net interior trim.
The 2015 Eos is available in Komfort, Final Edition, and Executive trim levels, all powered by a 200-horsepower four-cylinder TSI engine teamed with a six-speed DSG automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Pricing starts at $35,795.
Golf
Volkswagen’s hugely popular hatchback enters its 40th year in the U.S. market with a spanking new seventh-generation version for 2015. The Golf is a bit bigger now, but has lost some weight and gained in fuel economy. All trim levels receive more features as standard equipment, and an infotainment system with 5.8-inch touchscreen is standard on all models. Golf is available in two-door or four-door configuration. Plus the hatch, of course.
The 2015 Golf is the first application in the U.S. market of VW’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform, which VW says allows for a more cab-backward design resulting in a more upscale appearance, without giving up the classic Golf look.
In another first, every car in the Golf lineup now has a turbocharged engine: either a 1.8-liter, 170-horsepower four-cylinder TSI, or a new 2.0-liter, 150-horsepower TDI Clean Diesel. The former can be matched with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; the latter with a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic.
Fuel economy ratings for the TSI engine with manual transmission are 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway; with an automatic the numbers are 25/36 mpg. The TDI Clean Diesel engine is rated 31/45 mpg with a manual, and 31/43 mpg with an automatic. Base pricing for the new Golf starts at $17,995.
Golf GTI
VW’s hot hatch is all-new for 2015, too, with the same physical transformations as its Golf stablemate, the addition of more standard features across the board, and the inclusion of the touchscreen infotainment system on all versions. The passenger cabin has been redesigned with a stronger emphasis on comfort, and there’s now more cargo space when rear seats are folded.
Horsepower and torque are boosted to 210 and 258 lb-ft, respectively – an increase of 10 horsepower and 51 lb-ft over the outgoing model. Highway fuel economy when equipped with a manual transmission has been improved by 3 mpg. Look for a Performance Package later in the model year, enabling the car’s TSI turbo engine to deliver 220 horsepower. Pricing starts at $24,395.
e-Golf
The zero-emissions electric Golf, Volkswagen’s first all-electric vehicle in the U.S., arrives next month at select dealerships in select states. Alas, Washington is not one of them at this time. But Oregon is, if that’s any consolation. The e-Golf is built on the same MQB platform as the other Golfs, and is available in one trim level: a generously equipped SEL Premium priced at $35,445.
With a full charge, e-Golf’s range is from 70 to 90 miles. Plugged into any 110/120-volt outlet, it can be fully charged in approximately 20 hours. Using a 240-volt outlet, full charging takes place in less than four hours. A Combined Charging System (CCS) is standard equipment with the car and enables the use of the SAE standard DC fast charging stations capable of up to 80-percent charging in about 30 minutes.
Jetta
Volkswagen’s current best-selling sedan saw an all-new version for 2011 and is freshened for 2015 with interior and exterior styling revisions. Driver assistance systems such as blind spot monitoring, park assist and impending collision warnings are now available.
It also gets a new turbo TDI Clean Diesel engine, delivering up to 46 mpg on the highway when equipped with a manual transmission, and there’s a new limited-edition 1.8T Sport trim priced at $20,895. It includes sport suspension, navigation, a rearview camera and a rear spoiler.
In addition to Jetta’s 12 different equipment levels, a gas-electric hybrid model is also available.
Passat
The Passat midsize sedan is powered by the new 2.0-liter, 150-horsepower turbocharged TDI Clean Diesel engine for 2015. The only car in its market segment to offer Clean Diesel, it’s capable of an estimated 44 mpg during highway driving (33 mpg around town) and a range of more than 800 miles.
Other changes include equipment upgrades and a new available Technology Package.
Tiguan
This sporty compact SUV with five trim levels and a starting price of $25,995 is basically unchanged for 2015, but new connectivity and infotainment features have been added as standard equipment, and the R-Line model has a spiffy new rear bumper.
Touareg
VW’s larger, luxury SUV is modified for 2015 with some interior and exterior restyling (with upgraded materials in the cabin) and additional safety features including adaptive cruise control. The lineup includes three different engines: a 280-horsepower VR6, a 240-horsepower TDI V6, and a 380-horsepower gas-electric hybrid with a supercharged V6. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard. City/highway fuel economy ratings are 17/23 mpg for the VR6, 20/29 mpg for the TDI V6, and 20/24 mpg for the hybrid. Pricing starts just shy of $45,000.
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who has been reviewing cars for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association.
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