VW NZ to focus on performance push when chips are down.

REVISED launch scheduling and content revisions for impending product appear to remind that even Volkswagen’s fastest products cannot outrun the semiconductor shortage.

 The global shortage of computer chips caused by coronavirus pandemic disruption has this year wreaked havoc on the automotive sector.

 Volkswagen Group has been a significant casualty. It has had to slow and rejig production and being among carmakers blaming the crisis for disappointing financial results for the most recent quarter.

 Though there are now signs of improvement, VW chief executive Herbert Diess has expressed opinion that computer chip supply constraints will continue in 2022.

 The duration of time it takes to build, ship then locally deliver meant New Zealand was one of the last markets to feel the impact – but that same factor also means it might be one of the last to be exposed to any improvement, too.

 Reminder of this appeared to come with yesterday’s announcement of local market launch timings for a quartet of special performance cars.

 Presenting with the R-rating VW applies to its extreme hotshots are another generation of the Golf, the model that has until now been the sole choice for this application, plus new sub-clan inductees the T-Roc crossover and the Tiguan and Touareg sports utilities.

 Only the T-Roc – basically, a Golf R on stilts - is the surprise turn; intent to deliver the others was announced in March, when VW NZ held a media event for the Golf 8.

 The release indications have been a long time coming, and even now none are absolutely firm – those closest to being cemented are for the only products that have also been priced, the Golf R and Tiguan R.

 Configured with a common 235k/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the first models here to feature the new 4Motion all-wheel drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring, these are cited as being available in ‘quarter one and quarter two’ – so, basically, within the first half of the year.

 That’s because each seems to kick off with a limited-count special edition to be followed by versions with kit that’ll be market standard. However, those specifications are still to be reconciled, VW NZ has indicated.

 This situation reminds how challenging it is for distributors just now. Their world has been one of consistent change, primarily because of Covid.

 As is well known, when assembly lines resumed after last year’s initial coronavirus assault, brands found they could not source the computer chips they’d briefly cancelled during the furlough.

 That situation has had huge impact; modern cars are hugely dependent on the tiny components, vital in a myriad of ways.

 The situation has delayed production and forced some plants to shut down – though often just for a matter of weeks.

 VW NZ has admitted that it is no longer it the situation when it could order any kind of vehicle, in basically any count, with confidence it could achieve them. Now it has had to be more selective; some products are easier to achieve than others. None are in endless supply. It has chosen to focus on the performance cars, which avail in lower volume and have have a more focused audience, but also are high profile and probably deliver better profit.

 Even with these though, it is not plain sailing. The higher-end a product is, the more chips it needs. And that’s been a challenge. Some brands have also ‘decontented’ certain products, removing clever-clogs features and adjusting the prices according.

 The Golf R, Tiguan R and Touareg R appear to be all affected in this way.

 First, all three were initially expected to be on sale by now. The hardest hit by the delay is the Touareg R; once signalled as a mid-2021 local addition, it’s now indicated as a late 2022 arrival. To remind, this is a model that made its international debut in February of 2020. Like the T-Roc R, it has not been priced.

 Golf R, meantime, also appears hit by decontenting.

 When released internationally and when spoken about subsequently by VW NZ, much was made about this car having Drift and Nurburgring modes.

 The first operates by virtue of the all-wheel-drive having the elasticity to send all of the rort to the rear – by dis-engaging drive to the front. The second sharpens the throttle and steering, puts the engine and transmission into uber aggressive forms, but softens the suspension to a degree.

 Back then, it was indicated Drift mode was going to be standard fare; whereas Nurburgring was not expected. VW then was saying it would only be in Europe market product.

 Now, it looks like we win and lose on that.

 Golf R is coming here with both, but these features – which, as you might have guessed, required additional computer wizardry, will only be on a First Edition launch special that, at $81,990, costs $5000 more than the general issue Golf R that will follow.

 The First Editions also get a sunroof and a premium Harman Kardon audio system.

 What chance of achieving a First Edition? Hard to know. VW NZ has not said how many are consigned. But it does say more than 70 percent of the first shipment of Golf Rs have been pre-sold. More cars are expected in April, but indication is these won’t be the specials.

 The Tiguan R does not have those special modes, but it does achieve a snappy Akrapovic exhaust as an option.

 The Touareg R not only stands out as being the most powerful R model ever sold here. It stands to be the first plug-in hybrid VW be sold locally.

 The model has a drivetrain developed for the Porsche Cayenne. Specifically, it has a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6, mated to 100kW electric motor for combined outputs of 340kW and 700Nm – ahead on power but behind on torque versus the diesel Touareg V8, which packs 310kW/900Nm. Zero to 100kmh in 5.1 seconds is claimed.

 A 14.3kWh lithium-ion battery enables a 47km electric range according to Europe's WLTP (real world) test cycle, with a full charge completed in 2.5 hours on a 7.2kW AC home wallbox.

 Unfortunately, Touareg R is especially loaded with semiconductors and specialist media overseas have cited its production as being particularly hurt by the shortages.

 Detail about the T-Roc R has yet to confirmed, but when initially unveiled – ahead of the 2019 Geneva motor show – it was cited as having the Golf R engine, but tuned to make 221kW and 400Nm. Back then VW claimed 0-100kmh in 4.9s and an electronically-controlled top speed of 250kmh. It has all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed DSG.