Latest news with #VW
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
13 killed, scores injured in Mpumalanga and KZN accidents
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accidents. At least 13 people have been killed and several others injured in separate accidents in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Mpumalanga In Mpumalanga, a head-on collision on Friday night involving a BMW and VW sedans claimed six people's lives. The crash happened on the R23 road between Greylingstad and Val. Mpumalanga department of community safety spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said each vehicle had three occupants, a driver and two passengers who all died on the scene. 'Five of the victims were males and one female was a passenger in the VW sedan. ' Mmusi said the cause of the crash is not yet known. 'Based on the scene's situational analysis, it is suspected that contraventions of the rules, excessive speeding and dangerous overtaking may have caused the collision. The investigation into the crash commenced last night. Mpumalanga MEC for community safety, Jackie Macie, has sent his condolences to the bereaved families. ALSO READ: Three teachers dead, two injured in horror Eastern Cape crash Taxi crash In the first accident in KZN, one passenger was killed and 11 others injured in a serious taxi crash on the N3 Durban-bound highway before the Lion Park. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said the accident happened just before 6am on Saturday morning. 'Paramedics arrived on the scene to find chaos and carnage as they found that a taxi with 12 occupants had somehow lost control and collided into the centre concrete barrier ejecting some of its occupants,' Jamieson said 'One person, a female believed to be in her 30s, was found to have sustained major injuries and unfortunately there was nothing paramedics could do for her. She was declared deceased on the scene. Injured 'The remaining 11 patients had sustained various injuries and once stabilised on the scene they were transported to various Cato Ridge and Pietermaritzburg hospitals for the further care that they required,' he said. Jamieson added that the events leading up to the crash are unknown. However, police and other officials were on the scene for further investigation. Head-on collision In a second separate accident, a man believed to be in his 30s was killed in a head-on collision on the M7 Durban-bound near the Winston Churchill offramp in the Pinetown area on Friday evening. Jamieson said paramedics arrived on the scene to find the badly damaged vehicles on the busy roadway. 'It is alleged that the one vehicle crossed the centre medium and collided head on into the bakkie. The bakkie then rolled coming to rest on its side. 'Paramedics quickly assessed the scene and found that the light motor vehicle driver was entrapped in the wreckage. Paramedics assessed the man, but he showed no signs of life and was declared deceased on the scene. The two occupants from the bakkie had left for the hospital before the paramedics' arrival,' Jamieson said. Jamieson said the cause of the accident is being investigated. Gas truck crash In the third KZN accident, three people were killed and three others injured in an accident on the N2 near Amatikulu River (Bridge 10) where a gas truck collided with a light motor vehicle and overturned. IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Kelsey Jae-Meyrick said the truck was carrying LPG gas and the area is currently unsafe. 'The road is currently closed in both directions and the scene is extremely unsafe. Motorists are urged to please avoid the area until the spill has been cleaned up. 'The road will be closed for the next six hours for clean up. Traffic heading northbound is being diverted off the N2 at the Mandeni offramp'. Meyrick said the cause of the accident is being investigated. ALSO READ: 15 killed, five injured in head-on crash in Eastern Cape
Local Germany
a day ago
- Automotive
- Local Germany
'Gute Fahrt': The essential vocab you need for driving in Germany
1. Acronyms Auto (car) and Fahrzeug (vehicle) are clear enough, but Germans also like to throw in the term "PKW" from time to time for good measure. A short form of Personenkraftwagen , which distinguishes a passenger car from a lorry, or "LKW" ( Lastkraftwagen ). People in Germany tend to take their acronyms seriously, so it's generally a good idea to try and pronounce the letters like a native -- "pe ka vay" and "el ka vay" respectively. The same rule applies to makes of car. A beamer is an overhead projector in Germany, never a car and certainly not a sacred BMW. BMW should always be pronounced "be em vay". Germans can be quite sniffy about this, so bear in mind that a VW is a "Fow Vay" in Germany if you want to avoid giving offence. 2. Road rage (Wut am Steuer) Of course, there are times when you might want to give offence. Instances of tailgating (drängeln), Sunday driving (Sonntagsfahren) and double parking (parken in der zweiten Reihe) are enough to make anyone's blood boil over. By far the most common word shouted from car window to car window in Germany is Arschloch , which hopefully needs no translation. If you make the mistake of shouting before looking, and the object of your anger turns out to be a lunatic spoiling for a fight, then you might want to gib Gas (step on it). The second most common expression shouted by drivers in Germany (very often at newcomers to the country unfamiliar with the rule) is rechts vor links (right before left). Advertisement You will hear this whenever you inadvertantly carry straight on at an intersection, rather than stopping to let the cars on your right turn into the road. The rule -- which seems to be an example of the triumph of regulation over reason -- is rendered void whenever you see a yellow diamond-shaped street sign at the intersection. 3. Trouble with the law In common with many other countries around the world, the German authorities take particular delight in setting up speed cameras ( Blitzer ) wherever drivers least expect them -- on a bend, for example, or where the speed limit ( Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung ) is inexplicably lowered for a few hundred metres. If you do get blitzed , you'll probably receive a letter from the police a few days or weeks later, featuring a black and white mugshot of you behind the wheel of your car. If it's not your first offence, or you were driving wildly over the Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung , you may get points on your licence. READ ALSO: Everything you need to carry in your car while driving in Germany In German, this is known as Punkte in Flensburg (points in Flensburg) -- a reference to the location of Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority or Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt. A parking ticket is known as a Straffzettel or Knöllschen. Advertisement 4. Breaking down People tend not to break down in the cars anymore ( habe eine Panne ) or suffer from punctures ( Platten ) all that often. If you do have trouble with your car, there's a chance you may have bought a lemon, or a Montagsauto in German (a car that was built on a Monday, when the workers were still tired and hungover from their weekend's exertions. Alternatively, you may just have run out of petrol: " I have run out of petrol." Mir is das Benzin ausgegangen. READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Why it's illegal to run out of fuel on the German Autobahn Here's the list in full: Auto - car Fahrzeug - vehicle PKW - passenger vehicle LKW - lorry He is tailgating me - Er drängelt mich I can't stand Sunday drivers - Ich kann Sonntagsfahrer nicht ausstehen Hurry up. I'm double parked - Bitte beeilen Sie sich. Ich habe in zweiter Reihe geparkt Step on it! - Gib Gas! Right before left - Rechts vor links I was caught twice by speed cameras - Ich wurde zweimal von einem Blitzer erwischt I have six points on my licence - Ich habe sechs Punkte in Flensburg A parking ticket - Ein Knöllschen I have broken down - Ich habe eine Panne. A lemon - Ein Montagsauto I've run out of petrol - Mir is das Benzin ausgegangen READ ALSO: German word of the day: Knöllchen
Car and Driver
a day ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Volkswagen Golf R Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview A practical sports car, the Golf R is what you get when you add more power and all-wheel drive to the already entertaining GTI hatchback. There's 328 horsepower on tap—87 more than in its sibling—and reactions are further sharpened through various chassis tweaks. This car's low-volume status means VW now only imports it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (go back a couple years if you want a manual), and it comes in one very loaded but pricey trim. All but the speed-freakiest would likely be satisfied with a cheap-by-comparison GTI instead, but there's no denying the R's performance cred. What's New for 2026? The Black Edition trim offered in 2025 goes away, leaving just the standard model for this year. A new exterior hue called Graphite Gray Metallic joins the roster. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R is expected to start around $49,000. Golf R $49,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k For 2026, the Golf R is sold in just one fully loaded trim level, making the decision rather easy. The only major choice is whether to go for the enticing Euro Style package that VW says saves around 80 pounds: it gets rid of the sunroof, swaps in manually adjustable front seats, and includes a meaner-sounding Akrapovic exhaust system that's lighter than the standard setup. Engine, Transmission, and Performance As of 2025, the Golf R's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is rated at 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque; a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is the sole gearbox offered. The standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive system features a rear differential that can actively distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels for improved handling. When we drove the 2025 Golf R, we found it to be just as responsive and eager as before, and the boosted turbo-four feels equally great on either twisty roads or the racetrack. 0–60-MPH Times Volkswagen claims the latest Golf R is capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Based on our previous testing, however, we feel that number may be a tad conservative. For instance, a 2022 Golf R with the seven-speed automatic transmission hit 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds in our hands. We also tested a 2023 Volkswagen Golf R as part of a 0-to-150-to-0 speed test where it sprinted to 150 mph and returned to a stop in just 40.2 seconds—well before its rivals, the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai Elantra N, which were also part of the same test. View Exterior Photos Volkswagen Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel-economy information for the 2026 Golf R yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. In our 75-mph highway fuel-economy testing, part of our extensive testing regimen, the automatic Golf R averaged an impressive 34 mpg. For more information about the Golf R's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The standard Golf R interior comes with nicely bolstered high-back sport seats rendered in black leather. Opting for the Euro Style package replaces the front thrones with lighter pieces wearing fake suede with cloth inserts that go without ventilation and offer power adjustment only for recline. There are R logos and blue accents in several spots, including the stitched-leather steering wheel. Unlike the GTI, the Golf R retains frustrating touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls, which include an R button to expedite access to the drive-mode menu. The Golf's interior materials and design have been updated over the years, but the basic five-passenger-and-cargo format has remained set in stone for decades because it works. View Interior Photos Volkswagen Infotainment and Connectivity A 12.9-inch infotainment screen dominates the middle of the dashboard. A revised menu structure teams with updated software to streamline operation, including more user-defined widgets in the home screen, and a static, full-time lower control bar keeps certain commands in view 24/7. HVAC controls are reimagined into more intuitive illuminated sliders like in other new VW products. Instrumentation is displayed in a 10.2-inch digital driver's screen; a configurable head-up display keeps critical data visible. The system includes a GPS lap timer that learns the circuit before activation and allows the user to set three waypoints to allow for comparing times over certain sections, as well as compare the fastest and slowest laps and display them concurrently. The G-meter offers three modes to zoom in on reactions and hone your performance. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Golf R offers an array of driver-assistance technology, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Golf R's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature Warranty and Maintenance Coverage It's unlikely that Volkswagen will alter its warranty schedule for 2026. We expect it to carry on with the existing coverage that provides an average powertrain warranty but some of the best limited warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance programs currently available in the segment. Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback PRICE Base: Golf R, $48,325; Black Edition, $49,640 ENGINE turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 121 in3, 1984 cm3 Power: 328 hp @ 6500 rpm Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed dual-clutch automatic DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 103.5 in Length: 169.1 in Width: 70.4 in Height: 57.8 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 51/41 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 35/20 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 3400 lb PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 4.0 sec 100 mph: 10.2 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.5 sec Top Speed: 155 mph EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 25/22/31 mpg More Features and Specs
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
I Drove the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan. Here's My Brutally Honest Review
VW's best seller finally comes into its own The $30,920 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan marks the third generation of VW's best-selling model, but the once two-row, then three-row, and now two-row again compact crossover has had its fair share of growing pains. It couldn't exactly determine what dimensions and row count suited it best, and it has been hindered by quirky in-car tech that made user-unfriendliness its calling card. Its 'Tiger' and 'Iguana' portmanteau name managed to escape the awkwardness of the larger and now defunct Touareg SUV, and the Tiguan has thrived even when it wasn't the best model in the segment. For 2025, a lot has changed for the better, but the Tiguan is far from perfect. We drove the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line and got to experience all of the model's changes first-hand. The new sheetmetal ups its game but still looks like a Tiguan 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon The first thing you notice about the new Tiguan is that it just plain looks better. Eliminating the almost pointless third row allowed VW to shorten the front and rear overhangs, which makes for better proportions. Together with slimmed-down headlights, a bolder grille, a unified taillight bar, a steeper C-pillar slope, and more dramatic body creases, the new Tiguan is both sportier and more refined in its appearance. The new MQB Evo platform, which underpins the Tiguan, allows for efficient use of space and is the brand's most widely used platform to date. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon The front fascia of the last Tiguan wasn't bad-looking, but it wasn't especially memorable. The new one is more vertical and more SUV-like. It features a thinner, single-bar upper grille paired with a larger lower grille, whose shape varies based on the trim level. The headlight clusters are slimmer, similar to those of the Golf and Golf R. The new daytime running lights (DRLs) form a single, unified bar across the full width of the front. It's a cleaner look that's evolutionary but noticeable. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon The body is what changes the look of the Tiguan the most. The curved creases over the front and rear haunches contribute to the tidier profile, adding muscularity and character. From the back, the Tiguan's new full-width taillights have a more complex pattern and give the Tiguan a wider stance. The blackened bumper trim and longer roof spoiler add sportiness to the look. Did we mention how much we love the new Sandstone Grey paint on our SEL R-Line tester? It's a subtle color that pairs nicely with the sporty black trim. Power returns, still hamstrung off the line 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon The last Tiguan's engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that made 184 horsepower, which wasn't exactly potent compared to many of its competitors. It lost horsepower from the first generation's 201, but now the revised mill is back to 201 horsepower. While that's not exactly big news, VW will bring a 268-hp turbocharged four to the Tiguan Turbo SEL R-Line trim, replacing the current SEL R-Line. That should shake things up a bit as the power bump has been severely lacking for Tiguan fans. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon As much as we applaud the return of power, we were disappointed by the Tiguan's response off the line. Similar to its predecessor, the 2025 Tiguan pauses on takeoff with a lagging torque response that hamstrings the get-up-'n'-go quotient enough to sully the experience. It reminds us of the last Tiguan, unfortunately. The good news is that the eight-speed automatic transmission is responsive, and it appropriately holds the gears noticeably longer in Sport mode. We dialed that in as often as we could, but it didn't seem to help the lag. Steering is sharp with a bit more effort, and body control is very good. The brakes don't take hold when you first press the pedal, so it's a tad alarming at first. Progression is good once they bite, though, and you get acclimated to their responsiveness after a short while. The interior goes three steps forward and one back 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon So much has changed in the cabin that the Tiguan looks like it went to etiquette school. The overall look and feel are significantly better than the previous generation's. Our SEL R-Line tester had rich Amber Brown quilted leather and open-pore wood trim, which looked better than some of its pricier Audi siblings. Materials quality is improved significantly, and the aesthetics are cleaner and more upscale. The first thing you notice is the huge infotainment screen. Our tester came with the upgraded 15-inch touchscreen for higher trims, but the standard screen is still a sizeable 12.9-inch touchscreen. Thankfully, both are much larger than the last generation's 8 and 10.3-inch versions. They're vivid and attractive, but making virtually all controls operate through the screen is frustrating and distracting. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon The shift knob has moved from the center console to the steering column. While this provides more room for storage, we dislike the lack of intuitiveness of the shifting exercise. Climate controls now exist as sliders below the infotainment screen and as a menu selection. We didn't like the old climate control panel, and the change hasn't improved matters at all. We dislike it even more than the old one because using sliders while driving is imprecise and much harder than just tapping. Neither is better than using a physical knob, which we hope VW returns to when a refresh is due. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon The Tiguan's new center console rotary dial is a mixed bag. It's technically a third screen that can switch between the audio system's volume control and the Tiguan's drive mode selector by pressing the dial. Oddly, you can also swipe to choose 'Atmospheres' like Nature, Joy, and Energetic. It alters ambient lighting and audio depending on your choice, and R-Line models get 30 customizable colors and extended lighting locations in the dash and front doors. It's a fancy feature but putting additional controls on the knob screen is an unnecessary distraction when controls for this amenity are already on the center touchscreen. Sometimes, less is more, VW. 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan — Source: Amos Kwon An important note about the interior is the increase in the Tiguan's second-row legroom from 36.5 inches to 40.2 inches, which transforms comfort for rear passengers by adding a whopping 3.7 inches. No longer outdone by the Taos, the Tiguan's second row increase means six-footers can easily sit behind themselves with room to spare. The deletion of the third row and the new platform can take credit for the change, and the Tiguan is far better as a result. Final thoughts The redesigned Tiguan is worth a look for shoppers who want a head-turning compact SUV that won't break the bank. The marginal price increase of $615 provides you with a significant upgrade in terms of style, space, and power. Especially in higher trim levels, the Tiguan looks and feels like a premium product that can nip at the heels of a Lexus NX or a BMW X1, and is quite a bit bigger inside. The issues arise when you have to wait after mashing the gas from a traffic light, when you want to make a simple temperature adjustment, or find an operation buried in the menu. VW needs to get these issues sorted out to make the Tiguan truly great. For now, it's just much better than it ever has been, and that could very well be enough for most. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda City Sport vs Volkswagen Virtus GT Line: Which stylish sedan offers better value
Both sedans borrow a familiar shape but toughen their attitude with blacked-out details Check Offers In a segment that's long thrived on practicality, automakers are now adding a dose of style and sportiness to the humble sedan. The latest to join this trend is Honda with the City Sport Edition, a cosmetic twist on its best-selling nameplate. But parked across the showroom floor is a strong contender from Germany—Volkswagen's Virtus GT Line, a similarly styled sedan that brings darkened design cues and a youthful appeal to the 1.0 TSI package. So how do these two style-forward sedans stack up? Here's a closer look across design, features, performance, and value. Honda City Sport vs Volkswagen Virtus GT Line: Design Both sedans borrow a familiar shape but toughen their attitude with blacked-out details. The Honda City Sport receives darker detailing to its front and rear bumpers, ORVMs, and a new pair of grey-finished alloy wheels. It comes in three exterior shades—Radiant Red, Platinum White, and Lunar Silver—offering a little visual diversity. Also Read : Honda City Sport vs Skoda Slavia Sportline: Which sedan will you pick The Virtus GT Line, on the other hand, leans deeper into the dark theme. It wears gloss-black badging, black ORVMs, darkened 16-inch alloys, and even a blacked-out spoiler. The grille, boot lid garnish, and door handles follow suit, creating a far more aggressive profile. While Honda offers limited tweaks for a limited time, VW's execution feels more thorough and embedded. Honda City Sport vs Volkswagen Virtus GT Line: Interior and features Step inside and both sedans adopt a darker theme to match their exteriors. The City Sport retains its premium layout, with dark upholstery and red accents, alongside conveniences like wireless charging, rear AC vents, ambient lighting, and paddle shifters (with the CVT). The Virtus GT Line offers an all-black cabin with contrast grey stitching, a digital instrument cluster, and VW's excellent 10.1-inch infotainment system. Segment staples like auto climate control, TPMS, and six airbags are present on both, but the City pulls ahead in safety with the inclusion of Level 2 ADAS, making it one of the few cars in the segment to offer active driver aids. Honda City Sport vs Volkswagen Virtus GT Line: Specs Under the hood, the City Sport Edition stays loyal to its tried-and-tested 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine, making 118 bhp and 145 Nm, mated to a CVT. It's a smooth, no-surprise package that prioritises daily drivability. The Virtus GT Line, though visually GT-esque, doesn't pack the 1.5 TSI engine. Instead, it uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine putting out 114 bhp and 178 Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter. It's the more energetic engine in urban conditions, with improved mid-range punch and a peppier nature. Fuel efficiency numbers are on par, but the Virtus pips the opposition on torque delivery and overall fun-to-drive factor. Also Read : Honda City Sport starts arriving at dealerships Honda City Sport vs Volkswagen Virtus GT Line: Price The Sport Edition Honda City costs ₹ 14.89 lakh (ex-showroom), and being a limited edition, it has an exclusive aura surrounding it. The Virtus GT Line, on the other hand, is a regular variant and is priced at ₹ 14.8 lakh, ex-showroom, a little lower based on the variant. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 26 Jun 2025, 13:45 PM IST
