News.

Dubai, 15 December 2009 – Volkswagen Middle East is showcasing its Motorsport models at the 10th Dubai International Motor Show 2009, along with its local long-term partner Al Nabooda Automobiles, with the Race Touareg and Scirocco GT24 being at the centre stage of the stand in Hall 2.

Stefan Mecha, Managing Director Volkswagen Middle East said: “At the tenth Dubai International Motor Show we are focusing on our impressive sportier models to highlight the racing offering from Volkswagen. Amongst these will be the latest R-line vehicles including the eagerly awaited new Touareg R-line.”

At the Volkswagen stand will be the infamous Volkswagen Race Touareg. The purpose-built sport utility vehicle has taken part in the Dakar Rally for the past seven years, coming first in the 2009 race. Accompanying the vehicle will be Qatari rally driver and sixth time FIA Middle East champion, Nasser Al Attiya, who will be driving the Race Touareg in the 2010 Dakar Rally. In the run up to the motor show, Nasser visited Dubai Men’s College, part of Higher Colleges of Technology to talk to the students about off-road driving tips and the importance of being responsible when driving in the desert.

Nasser Al Attiya said: “As I am extremely passionate about rally driving, the Dubai International Motor Show 2009 is a special event to me as I will be meeting like-minded driving enthusiasts and seeing the latest technology innovations from Volkswagen.”

Complimenting the Race Touareg will be the Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 model with its sleek blue-white finish making its first appearance in the region also. The 325 hp Scirocco GT24 competed in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring last year.

The complete Volkswagen model line up will feature the iconic sixth generation Golf, the new sporty Golf GTI, and the Golf R-line along side the thrilling Scirocco and the four door coupe Passat CC. In addition, Volkswagen will also showcase the latest Touareg, Touareg R-line, Tiguan R-line, Passat R36, Eos, and Jetta.

Focusing on the sporty side of Volkswagen, there will be three R-line models on display, the Touareg R-line with automatic headlight activation, “Aluminium Engine Spin Dark” and stainless steel pedals with R-design; the Tiguan R-line which is even more dynamic, refreshed with the typical features of the R-line such as 19 inch “Omanyt” wheels, newly designed and finished bumpers as well as sporty interior details; and also the Golf R-line, which can now be ordered with exclusive interior and exterior features including distinctive 17-inch "Mallory" alloy wheels, R-designed bumpers, sport seats in new design "Kyalami" with R-Line logo in the headrests and a sport steering wheel.

Two other Golf models will also be present, the new sixth generation of the iconic Golf, with high-end design, dynamic properties, premium comfort and groundbreaking technologies in its full diversity and glory which marks the car’s leadership position in the “Golf class”. Along side is the new Golf GTI, launched in the Middle East in September this year, is even sharper and more confident than all of the others before it. A 240 kmh fast GTI that is more fun to drive with its powerful 155 kW / 210 hp turbo engine and yet only consumes 7.3 litres super unleaded (0.7 l/100 km improvement).

One of the most popular cars in the region, the Touareg V6, will be displayed on the stand, which unites the world of off-road vehicles with the comfortable dimensions of a luxury sedan and the dynamic attributes of a sports car.

The third generation of the Scirocco is the legendary two-door sports car which wrote history as the most successful Volkswagen coupé of all time. The new Scirocco extends the tradition of its predecessors with its pure driving pleasure, a new powerful design, high-end technologies such as DCC adaptive chassis control and the new 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.

Also displayed will be the powerful Passat R36 which is powered by a 220 kW / 300 hp 3.6 litre six cylinder direct injection gasoline engine. The Passat R36 is a unique demonstration of the hallmarks of German innovation and engineering and outstrips every other Volkswagen by accelerating from 0 to 100 kmh in just 5.6 seconds.