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Volkwagen adds AWD to its small-car platform

 
5 2,596 views May 6, 2008

Volkwagen adds AWD to its small-car platform

Volkwagen adds AWD to its small-car platform

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The Volkswagen Group's small car platform forms the base for the VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza, all of which are currently only available in front-wheel drive. The next generation of the platform will get an AWD option, although not all VW Group cars will employ AWD in their cars.

Seat's Ibiza won't get AWD, for example, though it will be the first car to use the platform. VW's Polo will get the AWD treatment, in the form of the Cross variant (pictured). Audi's next-generation A1 could also get the new drivetrain option, reports Automotive News Europe.

Such a move would make sense with Audi's history of quattro all-wheel drive. There seems to be no concern that the small-car platform's AWD system will meet Audi's exacting specifications for its quattro-branded models.

The new platform, called PQ25, will also continue to offer the option for standard FWD variants of all of the cars built on it as well.



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Comments (5)

  1. By Gunnar Posted: 5/6/2008 1:01pm PDT

    The orange (hot color) and the front air dam treatment are what seem to visually "make" that V-dub.
     
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  2. By Roy Posted: 5/6/2008 1:28pm PDT

    It's a real shame that Seat doesn't sell their cars outside the EU. For those lamenting the late, great VW Scirocco and VW Corrado, their latest Leon is really pretty cool .. and a lot prettier than the latest Scirocco (although I've never seen one in the flesh). These AWD small VWs spell trouble for Subaru's Impreza.
     
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  3. By rnsaza Posted: 5/6/2008 1:47pm PDT

    WE get SEAT's here in South Africa... they are lower spec but higher price than equivelent golf! I think they sold 13 last month!

    Why buy a SEAT when you can have a REAL Golf for less?
     
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  4. By Dave Posted: 6/22/2008 9:45pm PDT

    in other news, the volkswagen group is slowly turning their ENTIRE lineup into all wheel drive. it started with audis, then supercars, now subcompacts, next thing you know any car made by any of the VW brands is going to have power going to all fours. not saying its a bad thing, but volkswagen seems to have an obsession with it.
     
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  5. By Dave Posted: 6/22/2008 9:51pm PDT

    also, i have family in argentina, and the last time i visited i saw a lot of older model SEAT cars lining the streets. namely the SEAT cordoba, although i did see one ibiza hatchback on the way out of the airport. i'm not sure if they're spanish made SEATS or brazilian re-makes (argentina's import taxes exclude some other south american countries, and brazil has a huge automaking industry, so most cars sold in argentina are made in brazilian factories, during which all the opels are re-badged as chevys) but they are there.

    also, it's unfair that the scirocco isn't coming to the united states. i love my mini and i'm never giving it up, but i was hoping a friend could pick up a scirocco and swap cars with me every once in a while, most good hatchback cars don't make it to US shores. i mean we have the mini, astra, BMW Z4, VW rabbit and....well, not much else.
     
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