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Volkswagen: New Cars 2012

Volkswagen's storm up the popularity charts in Australia continues, led by the irrepressible Golf range. A seventh generation of the famous, classy hatchback is due in 2013 but before then the German car making giant has a raft of all-new models for 2012, starting early in the year with the sporty, Golf-based Scirocco.


SCIROCCO R

Vehicle type: Hot-hatch. Timing: Late January

It's taken a while but VW Australia is at last introducing what some might call a Golf coupe - the Scirocco. There are a number of variants overseas but just one is coming to the local market - the Scirocco R. Despite the R badge, and unlike the Golf R, the Scirocco R is front-wheel drive, powered by a 188kW 2.0-litre direct injection turbo four-cylinder. Starts at $47,490 for a manual version or $49,990 if you want a dual-clutch auto.

Click to read more about the VW Scirocco R.

AMAROK (SINGLE-CAB, PETROL ENGINES AND AUTO)

Vehicle type: Utility. Timing: Various

The rare German ute (most commercial pick-ups are from Japanese or US brands) gets much-needed back-up in 2012 in its fight against the likes of the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50. Not only is there a new single-cab variant and a petrol engine option (as well as additional diesel) to join the dual-cab diesel that launched in 2011 but arguably more crucially there will the availability of an (eight-speed) automatic gearbox.

CC

Vehicle type: Luxury car. Timing: Mid-year

The latest-generation Passat sedan and wagon range went on sale in 2011 and 2012 is the turn of the sloping-roofed, Mercedes CLS-influenced CC variant. This time it ditches the Passat name, however. New LED lights front and rear are accompanied by sharper crease lines for the CC's new look, though like its sedan/wagon siblings the interior isn't dramatically different to its predecessor's cabin.

Click to read more about the 2012 Volkswagen CC.

ALLTRACK

Vehicle type: Luxury car. Timing: Mid-year

Volkswagen does a Subaru Outback with another variant of the Passat - with raised suspension and off-roader design cues such as plastic body cladding and underbody scuff plates. There will be a choice of two four-cylinder turbo diesel engines sending power to all four wheels. Also includes an Off-road mode. Pricing is yet to be announced.

Click to read more about the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack.

UP!

Vehicle type: City car. Timing: Quarter 4

The Volkswagen Up! - yes, it comes with an exclamation mark - will become the German brand's new entry-level model, positioned below the Polo that makes room by losing its three-door variant. Expect a three-door Up! to start somewhere below $15,000, with a five-door version also likely.

BEETLE

Vehicle type: Small car. Timing: Late 2012

'The Bug' is back, and this time the modern-day iteration adopts a maturer look and ditches the plastic dashtop flower. There's no 'New' in the nameplate, either, so it's just Beetle for VW's latest-generation, Golf-based retro-mobile. The new model is longer and wider than the New Beetle that launched in 1998, providing more interior space. Expect the usual mix of petrol and diesel engines.

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