Volkswagen Australia announces new model onslaught
At more than one model launch every two months, Volkswagen's Australian arm has a plan to shake-up its line-up over the next year – with new electric, plug-in hybrid, and high-performance cars set to arrive in local showrooms.
Volkswagen Australia has confirmed it will launch eight new models over the next 12 months – including several electric vehicles and performance cars.
At the launch of the updated T-Cross – the first to be counted of the eight – senior Volkswagen executives announced to a media roundtable the company had locked in the new product line-up until August 2025.
However, the German car maker pegged the total number of new models at 10 – when including variants within the same model family.
A spokesperson for Volkswagen's Australian arm told Drive the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard – the Federal Government's forthcoming new-car regulations to reduce tailpipe emissions and improve fuel consumption – had helped to lock in several models.
In March 2021, the company warned Australia was at risk of becoming an "automotive third world" given its lack of efficiency standards – and claimed other markets were being prioritised ahead of Australia for new models.
"We can now go to our head office and say 'this is now a part of our reality' like it is in most civilised countries," the Volkswagen spokesperson said.
The significant shake-up will see the introduction of several electric vehicles, as well as plug-in hybrid options, while the brand continues to offer a range of petrol-powered models.
Here's how the planned product roll-out looks at Volkswagen Australia over the coming 12 months.
Volkswagen ID.4
The first electric model from the company, the SUV will debut with ID.4 Pro – with the model expected to bridge the (albeit small) gap between the Tiguan and Touareg.
As previously reported by Drive in February 2024, the ID.4 Pro features a single electric motor, sending 210kW and 545Nm to the rear wheels, with a WLTP claimed driving range of 544 kilometres.
Volkswagen says Australian-delivered ID.4 Pro variants are currently in production and will arrive in local showrooms from December 2024.
Volkswagen ID.5
The coupe version of the ID.4, the ID.5, will launch alongside the ID.4 in December 2024.
However, as per Drive's February 2024 report, the ID.5 GTX – the high-performance variant – will lead the model's introduction.
The dual-motor ID.5 GTX is said to have the same 544-kilometre driving range, but has 250kW/679Nm sent to all four wheels.
Australian-delivered ID.5 GTX models are currently in production and are expected in local showrooms from December 2024.
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen's latest Golf is set to launch in Australia in early 2025.
Buyers will be able to choose from traditional Golf variants at launch, or the Golf GTI hot hatch – offering up to 195kW of power, as reported by Drive in January 2024.
Also announced was the high-performance Volkswagen Golf R, launching with a Black Edition from the second quarter of 2025 (April to June inclusive) – alongside the rest of the Golf range.
Volkswagen Tiguan
An all-new Tiguan has been announced for the Australian market.
Buyers will be able to choose from 110TSI, 150TSI, and 195TSI engines when the new model launches.
However, Volkswagen Australia says after consultation with customers, buyers will now be able to choose the smaller 110TSI engine with the range-topping variant – providing a full range of features without needing to specify a larger engine.
The new-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is expected to arrive here in the second quarter of 2025 (April to June).
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
The retro electric van with echoes of the Kombi is also coming, with both the ID.Buzz people-mover and the ID.Buzz Cargo commercial van confirmed for Australia.
Buyers will be able to choose from two-, three-, five-, and seven-seater variations.
Both the people-mover and commercial van ID.Buzz models will launch in Australia in December 2024.
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX – the high-performance electric van – has also been confirmed for a local launch, but will follow in the second quarter of 2025 (April to June).
As reported in March 2024, the ID.Buzz GTX combines dual electric motors, sending a total of 250kW to all four wheels for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.5 seconds – or one tenth slower than a Golf GTI hot hatch.
MORE: Volkswagen ID. Buzz expressions of interest open in Australia in October, first deliveries next year
Volkswagagen Multivan
For those needing extra seats but can't yet commit to electric, Volkswagen has confirmed the new-generation Multivan will launch in the first quarter of 2025 (January to March).
The seven-seater Multivan Life will lead the new model range, with Volkswagen all but confirming the engine will be a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 110kW and 360Nm.
Volkswagen Transporter
A new-generation Volkswagen Transporter is also set to arrive in Australia next year.
The company says the Transporter will be available with a choice of electric or plug-in hybrid – while also offering internal-combustion engines.
More details are expected closer to the Transporter's launch in the third quarter of 2025 (July to September).
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