Volkswagen new model blitz ahead

VOLKSWAGEN Australia is about to dramatically change the look of its showrooms, with a massive model rollout confirmed for the next 12 months across its passenger and commercial product ranges.

Not only will the brand finally launch its first electric models, but there will also actually be a couple of new EVs in the mix, some of which had not been confirmed until the recent announcement from the brand at the launch of the updated T-Cross small SUV.

The brand will introduce its first full-EV models in the form of the ID. 4 Pro, a 210kW/545Nm single-motor SUV variant expected to be priced around $65,000, while the ID. 5 GTX with dual-motor AWD (250kW/679Nm) will have more sporting intent, a swoopier body and a higher price.

VW Australia has confirmed that production is underway for these models, and that the ID.4 Pro will have longer EV driving range than many of its rivals, with a WLTP rated range for the specification to be offered here of “up to 544km”.

The importer says it add the alternate versions of both – a high-spec ID. 4 GTX and a base grade ID. 5 Pro – around the middle of next year.

Volkswagen Australia public relations manager Daniel DeGasperi said that the brand sees the opportunity for its customers to cross-shop these new EV models against the equivalent outgoing Tiguan petrol versions.

“Almost 550 kilometres of range from a medium SUV will certainly appeal to those Tiguan buyers who may step over to battery-electric-vehicle motoring in their medium SUV,” he said.

“I say that because Volkswagen is in somewhat of a unique position in the medium SUV segment, where the vast majority of our buyers in the Tiguan class buy a 162TSI or an R – so that high-end level.

“So, the step across to an ID. 4, an ID. 5 – and rest assured, the pricing is very close to being announced – will certainly be cross comparable, which is really great.”

Also due in December alongside those models is the VW ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo range, which has been confirmed to be offered in several styles – though final specs are still to be confirmed.

The ID. Buzz Cargo commercial vehicle will be offered in two- and three-seat specification, while the ID. Buzz people-mover will be sold here in short-wheelbase five-seat spec, or as a seven-seater long-wheelbase version.

Following the ‘standard’ rear-wheel drive single-motor models with 210kW/545Nm, there will be the fastest take on the Kombi theme to date – the ID. Buzz GTX.

That long-wheelbase model with dual-motor all-wheel drive and 250kW offering a sprint time of just 6.5 seconds from 0-100km/h. It will make its way into showrooms in the second quarter of 2025, with the brand’s local executives suggesting the model will appeal to existing high-spec Multivan owners.

On the topic of the Multivan, the new-generation version of that people-mover will also finally be sold in Australia after several years wait. It will arrive in the first quarter of next year, having launched in Europe in 2022.

The new model is not produced from the Transporter commercial vehicle underpinnings anymore, having switched to the modular MQB architecture this time around.

VW Australia has confirmed a seven-seat Life grade is the first to arrive, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with peak torque of 360Nm.

Another variant of the Mutlivan, the more highly specified Style grade, is set to follow later in 2025.

The most mass-market important addition to the VW range in 2025, though, will be the new-generation Tiguan, which is due in the second quarter of the year.

The brand has confirmed it will be offered in 110TSI (1.4-litre turbo-petrol), 150TSI (2.0-litre turbo-petrol) and 195TSI (2.0-litre turbo-petrol), the latter of which is to be sold in sporty high-end R-Line trim only.

VW Australia says they expect that model to be “a real hit”, but that the business has been in deep conversations with the factory to ensure that the entry-level model with the least powerful engine will this time have “a higher level of standard spec than ever before” despite having “traditionally been a base model”.

The business says that customers have been asking for more standard gear, and that many customers want all the best stuff they can get, but do not necessarily want or need a higher-output powertrain.

Also in the second quarter, the updated Golf hatchback range, including the new 195kW Golf GTI, will arrive. There will also be a Golf R Black Edition hatch launching around the same time.

And wrapping up the next 12 months of launch product is the new-generation T7 Transporter commercial van range, which is a product codeveloped alongside the new-gen Ford Transit Custom.

This time around, though, VW Australia has confirmed it will offer more than just diesel powertrains, as has been the case for the current T6.1 model for some time now.

Indeed, the brand has stated it will have ICE (turbo-diesel), battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models in the mix when the new Transporter range launches in the third quarter of 2025.

Volkswagen Australia’s new product roadmap: