Volkswagen announces MY16 model range

Volkswagen Australia has announced a far-reaching range of specification upgrades as it enters the 2015-16 financial year… but some come at a price.

Available to order now, several MY16 models stand to benefit, including Polo, Golf, Jetta and Tiguan models which all gain rear-view cameras as standard across the range.

VW’s USB interface, known as App-Connect, will also be included on standard equipment lists across the range for the first time, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink capabilities. This is offered in conjunction with a new 6.5-inch Composition Media high-resolution touch screen.

Criticism regarding the local release of the MY15 Polo GTI without the Sport Select adjustable suspension damping system has been addressed with the adoption of this system as standard for the 2016 model year. In addition to the electronic damper tuning, the ‘Sport’ mode will also effect steering response, sound actuator tuning and throttle response.

Plumping for the Polo Comfortline ‘driving package’ now includes the top-spec Discover Media satellite navigation/infotainment system, with the rear-view camera removed from the package due to its standard fitment.

The standard-setting Golf benefits from further mechanical refinements, the entry-level 90TSI variant now knows as 92TSI to reflect a 2kW increase in power output (now 92kW) for the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol powerplant. The slow-selling entry-spec Golf wagon and 90TSI Comfortline manual have been discontinued.

The 92TSI Trendline gains four 15-inch alloy wheels as standard, as well as front and rear parking sensors with optical parking system. Rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights and auto-dimming mirrors are also included.

Moving up to the Golf ladder, the 103TSI is now the 110TSI, with a 110kW variant of the same 1.4-litre base engine to match the 110TDI diesel for power output. Vienna leather-accented upholstery, heated front seats and keyless entry and start are also included on Highline 110TSI and 110TDI variants.

Golf GTI gains bi-xenon lights with LED DRLs and the keyless system, the latter also being applied to the GTI Performance variant, while the range-topping Golf R upgrades to Vienna leather appointed seats with front heating for MY2016.

In addition to App-Connect Beetle buyers benefit from a rear-view camera that uses static guidelines. A new shade of metallic blue joins the optional colour palette, and Discover Media sat-nav is also optionally available.

Scirocco R also gains App-Connect and Discover Media as standard.

Jetta owners gain the upgraded Composition Media and App-Connect as standard, though Comfortline, Highline and Highline Sport models house Discover Media as standard. Ruby Red metallic paint has been added to the options list.

Finally, the Tiguan benefits from the broad application of Composition Media interface and App-Connect, with Discover Media optionally available for 132TSI and 130TDI variants. The top-line 155TSI R-Line gains the latter infotainment system as standard.

Although no specifics have been offered on pricing, Volkswagen says the Polo range changes for MY16 range from a $100 reduction to a $500 increase.

Golf hatch and wagon variants will vary from a $200 reduction to a $700 increase, however the Golf GTI hot hatch will be at least $1000 cheaper, with up to $2000 in savings on offer.

An increase of $600 is applied to MY16 Beetle, and the Jetta Trendline’s price rises $200.

“Volkswagen has always stood for quality, innovation and value, and never has this been more true in the company’s history in Australia than with the arrival of our new model year vehicles,” said Volkswagen Group Australia Managing Director, John White.

“It’s great to be able to offer our customers the best of German engineering, and in the coming weeks and months, our customers will be able to get even more bang for their bucks,” he concluded.