R you ready for the hottest SEAT Leon Cupra ever? Auto Express has learned that the Spanish company is planning a high-performance R version of its flagship hatchback!

Power will come from a 265bhp 2.0-litre TSI turbo unit – the same as in Volkswagen’s Scirocco R and imminent Golf R.

The Cupra R promises to pick up where the previous-generation range-topper left off, with sizzling pace. While the standard 237bhp Leon Cupra covers 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds – faster than the VW Golf GTI – the newcomer is expected to achieve a time of less than six seconds.

Hinting at its potential will be a racy bodykit and sports seats, while under the skin it’s likely to get uprated brakes and retuned suspension. The XDS electronic differential system from the Scirocco and Golf GTI is also set to feature. Sales start before the end of the year.

A production version of the Seat Bocanegra has reportedly been cleared for landing. The black-mouthed concept was an Ibiza Cupra with futuristic lights, a super-black grille treatment front and rear, and a concept car interior, so you can probably expect the production version to keep the special front end and perhaps an interior touch like diamond stitching. Potentially sold as a style pack to go on the Ibiza Cupra options list, Autocar is reporting that Bocanegra will get the same 178 horsepower 1.4-liter engine and appear some time after July of this year.

Visually, the sporty Cupra differentiates itself with a newly-designed front bumper with integrated spoiler and large air intakes, black honeycomb grille, 17 inch alloy wheels, larger brake discs with 4-piston callipers painted red, black mirror housings, and of course, “CUPRA” badges.

Inside, the Cupra features black upholstery sport seats with “CUPRA” logo on the backrest, shiny black trim, tri-spoke steering wheel with flattened bottom and DSG paddles. The instrument cluster has two newly-designed dials and includes a screen between the two containing Bluetooth telephone functions. Calls are handled by controls on the steering column.

Source: World Car Fans

Volkswagen of South Africa to cease new SEAT vehicle sales operations by the end of 2008 

Volkswagen of South Africa, owners of the SEAT Franchise in South Africa, will start a process to cease the SEAT new vehicle sales operations in South Africa.

“Current and expected circumstances make the ongoing importation of a niche brand in the South African market non-viable,” explained Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, VW of SA.

“Volkswagen of South Africa will continue to provide comprehensive after sales support for the 2 600 SEAT models sold since launch in June 2006. SEAT customers are currently being informed that continued after sales service will be offered by a dedicated group of Volkswagen dealerships in South Africa. These dealerships currently service SEAT vehicles. All warranties, service plans and roadside assistance relevant to the SEAT Brand in South Africa will be honoured.”

“Of paramount importance to us is the continued after sales care of our existing SEAT customer base. We will offer all existing SEAT customers a preferential deal, on the purchase of a new Volkswagen,” committed Mr Glendinning.

 Q & A that covers any issues which might require clarity.

SEAT Exit from South Africa – Q & A

1. What was the key reason for Volkswagen of South Africa to
withdraw SEAT from the domestic market?

Current and expected circumstances in the volume segments of the passenger car market in South Africa are not conducive to the ongoing importation of a niche brand.

2. How many customers have been affected by this decision?

We have sold approximately 2600 SEAT models since
launch in June 2006. All SEAT customers are currently being informed. Continued after sales service will be offered by a dedicated group of Volkswagen Dealerships in South Africa. These are the same Volkswagen Dealerships that currently service SEAT vehicles – 10 dealerships in total. All warranties, service plans and roadside assistance relevant to the SEAT Brand in South Africa will be honoured.

3. What about the impact on the customer’s investment in a
SEAT product?

Volkswagen of South Africa will offer all existing SEAT
customers a preferential deal on the purchase of a new Volkswagen.

4. Will there be any loss of jobs as a result of this decision?

There will be no significant loss of jobs, as it is the intention of Volkswagen of SA to absorb all the SEAT South Africa staff into their existing Sales and Marketing structure. In addition, the 10 SEAT Dealerships are all owned by existing Volkswagen Franchise owners. Every attempt will be made to absorb the SEAT sales staff into the existing Volkswagen Franchise structures.

5. How long will it take to liquidate all the existing new SEAT vehicle stock in South Africa?

It is our intention to cease new SEAT vehicle sales
operations in South Africa by the end of 2008. We anticipate
by this time to have sold all existing stock in the country.

6. What about after sales parts availability for SEAT?

This will not be a problem as Volkswagen of South Africa will
continue to import parts as per the SEAT customer promise
to take care of the SEAT customer for the lifespan of their
vehicle.

7. The SEAT Motorsport programme has been successful.

The Brand is currently leading the 2008 Production Car
Championship. What now?

The Privateer SEAT Racing Team of Graham Nathan and
Phillip Kekana will continue to race the two Leon Cupra’s and complete the 2008 Production Car Championships in
November 2008. SEAT will not participate in the local Production Car Championships after 2008.

8. The Johannesburg International Motor Show
opens its doors on Thursday, October 30th, we
believe SEAT will be exhibiting the Brand at the show.

Discussions are in progress with the show organisers to find
an amicable resolution to SEAT’s commitment to the
Johannesburg International Motor Show. Whilst SEAT will
not exhibit at the show, all obligations to the show organisers
will be met.

9. The decision to withdraw SEAT from South Africa comes at a
time when the Motor Industry Development Programme has
been reviewed. The review process has taken a lot
longer than originally anticipated. Has this process and the
outcome of the MIDP review got anything to do with the
decision to withdraw SEAT from South Africa?

The circumstances surrounding the Motor Industry
Development Programme and the outcome of the
current review process had absolutely nothing to do with
the decision to withdraw SEAT from the market in South
Africa. The decision to withdraw SEAT from South Africa
has been taken based on many circumstances – some of
which are unique to Volkswagen of South Africa and some
generic to current and anticipated future market
circumstances.

10. The parent Company of SEAT in Spain – have they been
supportive of the Brand in South Africa and do they support
the decision to withdraw SEAT from South Africa?

SEAT is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group
with it’s headquarters in Spain. It is a Brand with a proud
heritage and an excellent track record in key European
markets – particularly Spain. SEAT of Spain have been
100% supportive since the Brand was launched in South
Africa in June 2006. SEAT of Spain have assisted
Volkswagen of South Africa and the SEAT Dealer network in
South Africa significantly in terms of expertise and required
resources. Regarding their support to the decision to
withdraw SEAT from South Africa, SEAT of Spain fully
understand the circumstances and resultant reasons to
withdraw the Brand from South Africa. SEAT of Spain have
been fully engaged in the process.

The SEAT Brand internationally has plans to exceed sales of
800.000 units in 2008. The launch earlier this year of the
new Ibiza has been extremely successful in key European
markets.

11. Why did SEAT South Africa not introduce the new Ibiza?

Had the decision been to continue selling the SEAT Brand in
South Africa, the new Ibiza would have been imported during
the latter part of 2008.

12. What is Volkswagen of South Africa’s future product strategy
in the volume segments in South Africa.?

Current Polo is surely near the end of its life cycle and we
believe that the Citi cannot continue for ever.

Whilst the current Polo is coming towards the end of its
product life cycle, it continues to dominate the A0 segment in
South Africa. It is the leading Brand in the A0 segment in
terms of sales volume. Polo continues to offer the private
buyer, our rental customers and our major fleet owners an
outstanding solution to compact motoring without
compromise in key areas such as safety, reliability, comfort ,
specification and driving enjoyment.

Volkswagen of South Africa will build the new Polo in its
factory in Uitenhage. The new Polo is likely to continue to
dominate the A0 segment and in addition, will present
Volkswagen of South Africa with outstanding export
potential. But this is still some way off.

Regarding Citi , when Citi does come to the end of
its illustrious innings, it will be replaced by a highly
competitive product in the entry level/affordable car
segments. This territory is historically Volkswagen’s strong
point in the South African market and it is the Company’s
intention to continue to offer the South Africa motorist
affordable, fun motoring. However, it is far too early to talk
specifics regarding a Citi replacement.

13. Volkswagen of South Africa is withdrawing SEAT at a time
when the domestic market is 22% down on the same period
2007. It is likely that the market will remain in its current
slump for some time to come. Was this a key reason to
withdraw SEAT?

No – the reason to withdraw SEAT is a far more strategic
one which has taken into account many other circumstances
beyond purely the cyclical downturn in South Africa. Volkswagen of South Africa remains highly optimistic about
the future of the manufacturing industry in South Africa and
the future of the domestic passenger and commercial vehicle
markets. It is our stated intention to continue to dominate the
passenger car market and at the same time, to widen our
Commercial Vehicle footprint in South Africa. In this regard,
there will be significant announcements in the not too distant
future.

B Stephens
5th September 2008

Source: Volkswagen Club of SA

Revo Technik is proud to announce that it is the first company worldwide to offer OBD port flashed and switchable performance software for the MED17 engine control units in the new VAG model range.

This is the latest generation of Engine Control Units from Bosch for Direct Injection petrol engines. These ECUs use the more advanced TriCore processor from Infineon. MED17 is a new architecture, and the latest in technology.

 Revo Technik has been working with MED17 for over a year now and everyone at Revo Technik is thrilled with the results from the fine tuning of their 1.4TSi (140 bhp) turbocharged and supercharged VW Golf and 1.8TFSi turbocharged Audi A3 that has been completed over recent months.

As Revo Technik’s Director of Engineering, Todd Williams, explains; “This is a fantastic achievement and it exemplifies the talents and abilities of the Revo Technik team. Unlike many other performance software companies, Revo Technik has the ability to develop its own tools and technology in-house. This allows us to provide the very best performance products on the most recent VAG vehicles. The new Revo Technik performance software for the MED17 ECU has initially been developed for these two new engines, with outstanding results!”

The new Revo Technik performance software for the MED17 ECU’s works with all of the standard features of the factory ECU including OBD port reflashing and Digital Signature code protection. The ECU is not removed from the vehicle, opened, or physically modified in any way. “We are particularly pleased that the new software is fully switchable between stock and performance modes, working with both our Select and Select Plus switches” adds Williams.
“With its supercharger and turbo, the 1.4TSi engine provided a greater challenge to achieve the ultimate blend of performance and drivability from the software. As with all Revo Technik performance software, the tuning has been focussed on smoothness and driveability. The supercharger responds instantly in the bottom half of the rev range, and above 4000 rpm, its all turbo, it just keeps going, pulling hard to red line. With its close ratio 6 speed gear box the car just flies, it feels very fast.”

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 The 1.4 TSi is now running over 205 bhp with Revo Technik software, it’s a massive gain. The car is flexible and eager, with a responsive mid range and a lot of power over 4,500 rpm, it really shines in the top rev ranges and feels very strong. Also, this 1.4 TSi (140) now has as much torque as the stock 1.8TFSi!

The new 1.8TFSi engine (sister engine to the new ’08  2.0TSi/TFSi) is nothing like the old 1.8T. It’s a new engine with the new engine management system, MED17. Yet again, the Revo Technik performance software has taken a VAG engine to a new dimension. The torque at 3-4000rpm is incredible, very similar to the 2.0TDi with Revo Technik software! Peak power is at 5,700 rpm and its still over 200 bhp at 6,800 rpm; in fact it’s over 200bhp from 4000rpm to red line.

“It’s so smooth, and really driveable, you can do what you want, in any gear you want. It’s as good as a torquey Diesel below 4K, and every bit a performance turbocharged petrol above 4K.” adds Williams.

 Both of these Revo Technik development cars have been transformed. The team has been striving for the ultimate in tuning and the hours they have spent working with these cars on the dyno and on the road has delivered an excellence in performance that is unrivalled for this latest generation of engines. “We’re excited, this is fantastic performance that we have delivered out of these cars and we’re already onto the new 2.0TSi/2.0TFSi and starting to see great results.”

 “We have achieved two significant milestones, which has taken a huge effort from the Revo Technik team. Our focus now is to make available all the ECU variants for the 1.4TSi, the 1.8TFSi and the new 2.0TSi/2.0TFSi.”

 So if we’ve sparked your interest, contact your local Revo Technik dealer and they will determine your ECU number, and it won’t be long before you too can … go play …

 For further information please refer to the dynographs for the two vehicles or our website www.revotechnik.com or contact your local Revo Technik Dealer.
Revo Technik
Sales & Support

UK, EMEA, ASIA, OCEANIA 
+44 (0) 1327 301901
sales@revotechnik.com

Americas
+1 770-271-4726  
ussales@revotechnik.com

Today is the day we present to you the reason behind the awesome Bocanegra Concept, today we present to you the first images and details of the Ibiza CUPRA model. It is powered by a brand new 1.4 TSI twin-turbo engine that generates 180 horsepower and it is mated to the 7 speed DSC gearbox which similarly features in its Sport-Coupe sibling.

The “Arrow Design” concept seen throughout the Ibiza range continues to inspire the model, the designers have remodelled the front bumper to incorporate the extra air intakes that surround the grille and clearly contributes to its added aggression. The rear end bumper also fails to escape the wrath of the engineers with a centrally mounted exhaust pipe that is surrounded by a wind controlling rear diffuser. The look is completed with a set of 17 inch alloy wheel and twin chrome headlights. Inside the vehicle but hidden from us in these initial pictures are CUPRA sports seats, aluminium pedals and an “easy entry” system on the passenger seat.

The brand new 1.4 TSI twin-turbo engine continues Seat’s tradition to care for the environment with reduced CO2 emissions, its low displacement is testament to this fact. A bunch of upgraded systems add to the overall driving experience, these include TCS (Traction Control System), EBA (Emergency Brake Assistance), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a CUPRA Suspension system

No further details have been released yet, but expect to hear more closer to the models debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.