By Bill C.
"Someday" is Coming
VW Golf & GTI – We’re still seeing pictures of the new Golf/GTI that we will be receiving in the U.S. … someday. It looks like it may be the end of this calendar year (2004) for the GTI version and then the first part of calendar 2005 for the Golf.
Rumors of engine options are a 5-cylinder with 150 hp, a 2-liter tubo-4 200hp engine, and a mystery engine pumping out 240 hp. Smoke and mirrors? We will see.
However, VW is delaying the rollout here in the States to be sure they have all the bugs (pun) ironed out of whatever we will see.
For Sure!
VW Phaeton Engines – While in Germany, some writers got a chance to drive the Turbocharged V10 Diesel version of VW’s luxury car. With ONLY 313 hp, it does not compare to the Viper’s 500 hp. However it does crank out 553 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the Viper.
Reportedly, there is about a half-second lag before the turbo kicks in. But, there is no diesel clatter; and no problem cruising at 155 mph on the Autobahn.
Since
we Americans are more receptive to a diesel in a truck, the Toureg
SUVwill be the first vdub in the states to receive this V10. The first
batch of Phaetons, therefore, will be V8 (4.2 liter) & W12 (6.0 liter)
gasoline burners. Still a question of whether diesel Phaetons will be
imported at all, VW does not expect that number to be more than about 5%
max.
The 4.2 V8 5-valve is the same used in the Audi A8. 0-60 time is 6.7 seconds for this option.
The W12 (420 hp and 400 lb-ft) is promised to get to 60 in 5.9 seconds.
Both engines are limited to 130 mph in U.S. versions and also come with 4motion all wheel drive.