Just when we were about to concede that the Beetle has become matter-of-fact, along come five younger cousins, tailor-made for the Asian market, with a chic new look that commands protracted second glances.
The oohs and aahs flowed abundantly when Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president and CEO of Ayala Corporation, Volkswagen AG’s sole importer and distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in the Philippines since 2013, led the launch of five car models at the Shangri-la at the Fort on Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The Tiguan, Lamando, Lavida, Santana GTS, and the Santana models, all sporting the unmistakable Volkswagen effect, will be difficult to resist.
With the recent introduction of these Volkswagen car models, memories of the lovable Beetle came roaring back with a promise to open a new chapter in the company’s automotive history as the next scene-stealers on any road. Volkswagen, best known for thinking ahead more than its competitors when it comes to avant-garde design and structure (think Beetle and Karmann Ghia) has done it again with its latest car models reliving the same soul plus a more advanced auto technology pushed to the edge.
A resume of the new car models is as conclusive as the Volkswagen family tree, with a reputation built on distinctive and timeless automobile architecture and reliability. Take a look inside these cars and feel your breath taken away. The interiors have been upgraded and refined. The space is maximized to provide a generous leg and shoulder room and more stuff to load. The seats in leather material have been particularly custom-made to allow remarkable comfort and fun while on the road. On one car model, the rear seat bench can safely accommodate two-child seats using anchorage point fixtures.
Listen how the engine sings. Its driver-conformable ergonomics have all the beautiful technology for excellent acceleration and handling. Even the most defying hairpin curves and long straightaways become leisurely challenges, as it likewise melt away urban street humps as easily as a kitchen sponge sop up ketchup stains off the floor.
Has your interest not pricked up yet? The Santana, last year’s one of ten best-selling cars in China, is powered by a 1.4-liter Multi-Point Injection 4-cylinder engine on 5-speed manual transmission and torque of l32Nm at 3,800 rpm, anti-lock braking system, and immobilizer. Santana models are available in colors of Polar White, Reflex Silver, Deep Black, and Pepper Grey Metallic. SRP starts at Php686,000.
The Lavida, the best-selling sedan on the China market, has a 1.4-liter Turbocharged Stratified Injection 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox transmission, 225Nm of torque at 1,400 to 3,000 rpm. It has cruise control, air conditioning, and sunroof among other features. This car model is available in colors of Polar White, Reflex Silver, Deep Black, Limestone Grey, Sunset Red, and Opal silver Metallic at an SRP of P1,171,000.
The Tiguan, with 330,000 units already sold in China alone, has a 1.4-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 6-speed DSG transmission, maximum torque of 250Nm at 1,750 to 3,000 rpm. It also features air conditioning, sunroof, 8 speakers, and driver power 12-way seat adjustment. This model is available in colors of Polar White, Titanium Beige, Hunting Brown, and Deep Black with an SRP of P1,648,000.
The Santana GTS is powered by 1.5-liter 4-cylinder in-line MPI gasoline engine on a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Lamando, on the other hand, is equipped with a 1.4-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 7-speed DSG transmission.
The warranty coverage for all five car models is for 3years or 100,000-km, whichever comes first. A 3-year warranty for paint and another 3-year warranty for through-corrosion on the main steel body structure is also offered.
Volkswagen’s newest offsprings will, beyond doubt, spark a lot of I-gotta-have-one instincts.