As the country prepares itself for a “Japanese invasion” of performance cars with Honda leading the way with the Type R and Subaru gearing up for the rollout of a more powerful Impreza STi, Volkswagen Ph is not about to take things sitting down without putting up a resistance.
In an exclusive gathering of customers, would-be customers and select members of the motoring media, Volkswagen Ph presented an upgraded version of the Golf GTi.
Dubbed as the “hottest hatch” in the Volkswagen line-up, the souped up GTi comes with a wraparound ABT Body Kit and a Power-Up module which are imported from Germany. “This GTi is a more aesthetically pleasing to the eye, more aerodynamic and packs more punch compared to the standard GTi,” adds Bob Palanca, GM of Volkswagen QC. ABT Sportsline is one of the World’s largest aftermarket tuners and has been VW’s exclusive partner for the past 120 years.
“We are confident that this car can challenge the Civic Type R or the Impreza STi any day and any time,” says Palanca. Guests were treated to a test drive the German pocket rocket to experience and feel the Golf GTI’s 2.0-liter turbocharged stratified injection (TSI) engine mated to a 6-speed dual shift gear (DSG) transmission, generating 220 Ps of power and 350 Nm. The Golf GTI with ABT Power-Up Module goes for an even more exhilarating 32% increase in power and 20% increase in torque (290 Ps and 420 Nm, respectively).
The occasion also marked the opening of Volkswagen Quezon Avenue’s Golf GTI Lifestyle Center, a first of its kind among Volkswagen dealerships in the Philippines. Guests were treated to video presentations, product highlight talks from Focal Audio of France. “We are delighted that Focal was given this opportunity to showcase its products,” says Johann Tiu of Focal Ph.
A byword in the home and automotive audio industry, Focal showcased the features of its latest line of audio systems staring with the Focal Sphear, Spirit One S, Spirit Classic and the Sound bar home audio system.
Apart from thevarious Golf GTI units on display, the Golf GTI Lifestyle Center was also launched which offered model-specific accessories and lifestyle collection items such as shirts, jackets, collectible miniature cars, cups and mugs, bags, among others, which are for sale at special prices.
Customers also found the financing deals hard to resist, as BPI Family Savings Bank offered the 0% interest, 20% downpayment at 12 monthly payments for purchases or reservations made during the occasion, or the option of getting the ABT Power-Up Module for free. These offers, were indeed, timely, especially with the impending imposition of the government excise tax come 2018.
This special event organized by Volkswagen Quezon Avenue, in cooperation with Volkswagen Philippines, is among the many customer-centric events by the country’s leading European car brand to extend its world-class motoring lifestyle even closer to more Filipinos’ doorsteps. It’s more than just a weekend re-acquaintance with the Golf GTI. For Volkswagen, It’s More Than Just a Car.
