In At an impressive show at the eve of the 80. edition of the International Geneva Motor Show, VW unveiled four world debuts, last but not least an all-new Sharan...

After the world debuts of the New Compact Coupe in Detroit (January) and the new Touareg in Munich (February), VW is presenting four more world premieres at the Geneva Motor Show. The new cars were presented to us in an impressive Pre-Show Event at the eve of the Geneva show opening, dubbed “The Geneva Spring Debut”

Dr. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand with responsibility for Development, presented the Volkswagen Sharan, with on the left the charming moderator Nazan Eckes

Volkswagen is presenting - for the first time - the entirely redesigned Sharan. The car has practical rear sliding doors, the ingeniously practical “EasyFold” seating concept and a range of active and passive safety features. With a Diesel TDI engine developing 140 PS, the Sharan is according to the factory the world’s most fuel-efficient vehicle in its segment – consuming just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres…

Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg on the right here with on the left Christian Klingler, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for Sales, presenting the Touareg Hybrid...   

The second show highlight in Geneva is of course the new Touareg, and we suggest you read our report on this site. As said, The Touareg will be the first Volkswagen to be offered in a hybrid form (V6 TSI plus E-motor with 279 kW / 380 PS combined power). Its combined fuel consumption: 8.2 litres. In “pure” Diesel version, the Touareg V6 TDI (176 kW / 240 PS) with 7.4 litre fuel economy will now post the best value in the segment of genuine off-road vehicles.

New Golf and Polo variants…

VW is also holding world premieres for the new Polo GTI, the new CrossPolo and the new CrossGolf.

The new CrossPolo was a pleasing eye catcher at the evening event...  

The Polo GTI, with standard 7-speed direct shift gearbox, shows – with its combined fuel consumption of 5.92 litres – just how efficient 132 kW / 180 PS can be used, thanks to uncompromising downsizing.

The new CrossGolf... and here below the Polo GTI...

A frugal “big” pickup…

The European versions of the new Amarok from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles made also its debut in Geneva.

The Amarok being presented on the pre-show evening by - as can be seen on the screen above the car - by Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, Speaker for the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, with presenter Nazan Eckes on the right.

An American version of this model was presented In February to the international press in Argentina. The Amarok sets new standards in the heavy pickup segment with a combined fuel consumption values of up to 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the version. With this economy, It will certainly find its way on our roads!

Needless to say that we will be very keen to gather some driving impressions and road tests of these new VW's when they become available, so keep looking at our site...  

Hans Knol ten Bensel