New group models in 2018

The Volkswagen Group launched a large number of attractive new models on the market in fiscal year 2018. The current product portfolio comprises 365 models. It covers almost all key segments and body types, with offerings from small cars to super sports cars in the passenger car segment, and from pickups to heavy trucks and buses in the commercial vehicles segment, as well as motorcycles.

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand continued its global product initiative in the past year. The new Touareg plays a leading role in the premium SUV segment with its expressive design, its equipment and the high-quality mate-rials and craftsmanship. The rollout of the new Polo GTI and the up! GTI put two models on the market that are distinguished in particular by their driving dynamics and sportiness. In China, a total of four new SUV models were launched, including the compact, sporty T-Roc. Further successors to important volume models were also introduced: the Lavida, Bora and Passat NMS. Added to these were other plug-in hybrid models brought out to meet the growing demand for new energy vehicles in China. In the USA, the new Jetta came on the market. The latest generation of the US bestseller, which is now also based on the Modular Transverse Toolkit, is quite different from its predecessor, both visually and from a technological perspective. South America celebrated the rollout of the Virtus, a notchback saloon based on the Polo; the further rejuvenation and expansion of the product range is an important element of the brand’s realignment in this region.

The Audi brand launched a successor model in each of its A6 and A7 premium series. Since 2018, the sporty Q8 SUV has been the top model in the Q family. The second model generations of the compact A1 and Q3 model series each celebrated their premieres. All vehicles are winning over customers in their respective segments with a brand-new virtual cockpit architecture, a large number of innovative driver assistance systems and Audi’s characteristic dynamism.

ŠKODA launched its revamped compact Fabia model in the reporting period, which impresses in particular with a more modern exterior. In China, the brand rolled out its third SUV, the Kamiq. It features a spacious interior, emotional design and connectivity solutions. With the Kodiaq GT, the dynamic coupé version of the popular SUV, ŠKODA is presenting its new flagship, which will be offered exclusively in the Chinese market.

The SEAT brand continued its SUV product initiative in 2018 and unveiled the seven-seater Tarraco. The model fits perfectly into the Spanish brand’s SUV model range alongside the smaller Arona and Ateca models. In addition, SEAT established the new sporty CUPRA line and included the dynamic CUPRA Ateca in its range at the end of the year.

After rolling out the new Cayenne in the European market in 2017, Porsche launched this model in the United States, China and other countries during the reporting period. In addition, the product range was supplemented by the Cayenne E-Hybrid. The GTS models of the 718 Boxster and Cayman were also delivered to overseas markets in 2018 for the first time. The 911 GT3 RS, which was likewise launched in 2018, impressed customers with its dynamics. The new Macan came on the Chinese market in the fall and subsequently on the European market at the end of the year. Furthermore, the Panamera model range was expanded by the addition of the GTS models.

In 2018, Bentley again set standards in the luxury grand tourer segment with the third generation of the Continental GT. Moreover, the brand expanded its successful Bentayga series by adding the powerful Bentayga V8.

Lamborghini established a third series with the Urus super-SUV, significantly expanding its customer base. The Huracán Performante Spyder was also introduced to the market.

Bugatti offered additional options for its super sports car, the Chiron, including the Sky View glass roof.

Since 2018, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has been offering the Amarok with a new top-of-the-range V6 TDI engine. The battery-electric e-Crafter is the brand’s first zero-emission van and has been specially designed for couriers, express and parcel delivery services.

In the reporting period, Scania presented a plug-in hybrid drive that allows fuel savings of up to 15% for its latest generation of trucks. Furthermore, the first long-distance truck with an efficient LNG drive and a range of up to 1,000 km was unveiled.

MAN celebrated the rollout of its fully electric eTGE in 2018. The van has a range of around 160 km, which makes it particularly suitable for inner-city distribution logistics. With the XLION special edition, MAN introduced special equipment packages for long-distance, distribution and traction trucks. In the bus sector, MAN presented the new Lion’s City G city bus with a newly developed CNG gas-powered engine.

In 2018, Ducati launched numerous new models on the market, including the Scrambler 1100, the Monster 821, the Multistrada 1260, the 959 Panigale Corse and the Panigale V4.