VGA model rollout for 2012

Volkswagen Group Australia has announced plans for another big sales year with its ongoing passenger, commercial and Skoda passenger model rollout to set a cracking pace.

Australia’s number eight seller, VGA moved 48,242 units across its three streams last year, most recently the Skoda Yeti and Fabia models -- which incidentally grew the Czech brand’s coverage from 21 to 52 per cent of the available car market -- in Q4 last year.

Skoda's own model onslaught will continue in 2012 with the Yeti 112TSI 4X4, to fit between the current 77TSI and 103TDI 4X4 models, due for release in Q1. It will be followed in Q2 (May) by the Fabia Monte Carlo DSG, the model previously offered exclusively with a manual transmission.

The Fabia range will be further expanded mid-year by hotter RS 132TSI hatch and wagon variants, with regular 77TSI-powered models to follow shortly thereafter.

The quirky Roomster will be re-introduced early in Q3, the model powered exclusively by a 77TSI 1.2-litre four-cylinder.

All Fabia and Roomster models will be available with the choice of manual or seven-speed DSG transmissions, though Skoda says it has no plans for a diesel offering at this stage, due to the fact it is a manual-only proposition.

For parent company, Volkswagen, half-a-dozen new models will see vee-dub fans spoilt for choice in 2012. The hot Scirocco R hatch (pictured) lands later this month (January) ahead of the all-new entry-level Polo Trendline five-door in February. This model will feature 15-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth telephony, upgraded MDI interface and the seemingly obligatory Daytime Running Lamps.

To keep other Polo models in check, including Polo GTI, further equipment additions will also keep these models throughout the year, high grade audio systems and optional Comfort Packages finding their way into both Comfortline and GTI models. Pricing will be announced on February 1.

Joining the range mid-year, the new Volkswagen CC drops its Passat nomenclature to now position it between the Passat sedan and full-size Phaeton models in Europe.

Passat Alltrack will follow a short time later (early Q3); the model debuted at Tokyo’s international motor show only a few months ago.

Finally for passenger vehicles, new up! three and five-door models and the new New Beetle will arrive late in Q4.

Volkswagen’s commercial range will also receive a further bolstering with the introduction of single cab and automatic Amarok versions in Q3. A raft of Amarok models will join the existing Dual-Cab line-up, including a Dual-Cab Cab-Chassis and Single-Cab variants. Four new models will arrive simultaneously, the TSI300 (118kW 4X2), TDI340 (90kW 4X2), and a pair of TDI400 (120kW 4X4) models, one with selectable four-wheel drive and the other permanent 4MOTION.

The all-new eight-speed automatic transmission will be offered in Dual-Cab models at the same time with the Dual-Cab range also expanding to include all four of the aforementioned variants. The automatic transmission is available exclusively on a new 132kW/420Nm variant, likely named TDI420.

As Australia’s number eight vehicle seller, VGA said the model expansion should see it exceed more than 50,000 vehicle sales locally in 2012. Last year Volkswagen sold 36,834 passenger vehicles, 7907 commercial vehicles and 3501 Skoda passenger vehicles Down Under, representing a 13, 45 and 112 per cent increase respectively on its 2011 figures.

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