VOLKSWAGEN has this week introduced three key adjustments to its mannequin yr 2024 (MY24) vary anticipated in native dealerships late this yr.
Though the German importer has but to advise pricing of its up to date portfolio, the introduced adjustments see vital expertise and security revisions have an effect on a number of fashions within the Australian line-up, together with Golf, Polo and T-Roc.
Importantly, the Golf small hatch line will now begin with the dearer Life grade from the tip of this yr, with Volkswagen Australia noting a desire for extra extremely specified variants inside the vary.
Volkswagen says it’s eradicating the Golf 110TSi from its line-up as a result of gradual gross sales, the mannequin accounting for fewer than 5 per cent of all variants bought.
“The overwhelming majority of Golf clients choose the Life, R-Line, GTI or – when out there – R mannequin grades,” mentioned a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson.
“Reflecting these buyer preferences, this now means every mannequin line within the Volkswagen passenger car vary will begin with the well-equipped Life mannequin grade or increased.”
The importer will delete the present entry level Golf 110TSI mannequin when the up to date MY24 Golf vary arrives ushering in a possible worth enhance of $2300 or extra.
Presently, the Golf Life is priced from $38,590 plus on-road prices, effectively above rivals together with the Hyundai i30 (from $24,000 +ORC) and Mazda 3 G20 Pure (from $30,320 +ORC).
From the tip of this yr, the present eighth era Golf (which arrived in Australia in the course of 2021) will likely be virtually $10,000 extra to buy than it was two years in the past. At launch, the Golf was out there from $29,350 plus on-road prices.
Following semi-conductor associated shortages, Volkswagen Australia is ready to return key collision avoidance applied sciences to its Polo Model variant after a one-year absence.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert – which re-join the mannequin’s complete Proactive Occupant Safety suite of security applied sciences – will once more be provided as customary on the up to date Polo Model, the mannequin due in Australia dealerships later this yr.
Whereas associated worth adjustments are but to be suggested, it’s anticipated the mannequin’s listing worth will enhance by no less than $550 – the identical worth discounted from the Polo Model when the aforementioned expertise was minimize final yr.
The Volkswagen Polo Model present retails from $31,490 plus on-road prices.
“The additions to Polo Model imply that key Polo, Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan and Tiguan Allspace mannequin grades now embody options similar to Facet Help with Rear Site visitors Alert,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Additional, Volkswagen has mentioned this week that it’s going to transfer away from its controversial steering wheel capacitive contact controls on Polo GTI and T-Roc R-Line fashions, returning to bodily switches after almost 5 years available in the market.
The maligned touch-sensitive controls have been launched on a variety of VW fashions in 2019, controlling HVAC, cruise management, infotainment, and different methods. Polo GTI and T-Roc R-Line would be the first to return to conventional buttons and dials when the mannequin yr replace arrives later this yr.
Volkswagen Australia has not said which fashions will likely be subsequent to ditch touch-sensitive steering wheel controls.
GoAuto notes that Golf GTI, R and R-Line, Polo GTI, T-Roc R and R-Line, Tiguan R and R-Line, and Tiguan Allspace R-Line, variants are provided as customary with the expertise, as are the Arteon and Touareg mannequin ranges.
Volkswagen Australia mentioned it has sturdy inventory ranges throughout the vary within the lead as much as the arrival of its MY24 vary, with drive-away pricing persevering with to be provided on chosen fashions.
“There stays sturdy MY23 inventory in Volkswagen dealerships, and this may proceed via 2023. The Polo GTI, Golf Life, Golf R-Line and Golf GTI stay with particular drive-away pricing,” mentioned the VW Australian spokesperson.
Extra data is obtainable on Volkswagen’s public web site.
