Volkswagen Area 41 at Dave Matthews Band Concert at The Gorge

It's not the miles, it's how you live them

Volkswagen presents greenest Golf of all time

• Group rejects Greenpeace accusations
• Golf is genuine three-liter car
• Climate-friendly fuel-saving technology is standard
• 31 Group model variants emit less than 100 g CO2

Wolfsburg/Paris, 27 September 2012 - Today, Volkswagen presented the seventh generation of Europe’s most popular car in Paris – it is the greenest Golf of all time. In view of criticism by some environmental activists, the car maker renewed its claim that the new series with its optimized fuel consumption also includes a three-liter version and significantly raises the bar when it comes to environmental compatibility. Allegations that Volkswagen does not make any progress with regard to becoming more environment-friendly, are unfounded and made up out of thin air.

Volkswagen is thus demonstrating that the Golf not only embodies the brand claim of “Das Auto” (The Car), but is in fact “The Green Car” – without compromising on safety and ride comfort. With the market launch of the new Golf, the Group is asserting its leading technological role in all relevant power output and fuel consumption categories in the compact class. The vehicle’s weight has been reduced by up to 100 kilos, and fuel consumption – and thus CO2 emissions – have been reduced by up to 23 percent. An environmental commendation certified by the TÜV technical inspection authority confirms a significant improvement in the eco-balance over the entire life cycle compared with the predecessor model. The most fuel-efficient engines offered at launch consume 3.8 liters of diesel, corresponding to 99 g/km CO2 (1.6 l TDI with 105 PS) or 4.8 liters of petrol, equivalent to 112 g/km CO2 (1.4 l TSI with 140 PS). The BlueMotion variant will consume only 3.2 liters and emit 85 g/km CO2. Fuel-saving technology such as the Stop/Start system and brake energy recovery come as standard, so they do not generate additional cost.

The Group’s program now already includes 31 model variants with emissions of less than 100 grams CO2 per kilometer. Volkswagen stressed that it remains willing to hold an open dialogue with critics, but that it had to be objective and fair. Loud PR actions and false pretences do not help anyone – least of all the environment.

Volkswagen has set its sights on becoming the world’s most ecological automaker by 2018. To that end, over two-thirds of investment totaling €62.4 billion for the period to 2016 will be spent on ever more efficient vehicles, powertrains, technologies and environmentally-compatible production. The Group has voluntarily committed to a CO2 target of less than 120 grams per kilometer by 2015. Each model generation will be 10 to 15 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor. Production will be ecologically restructured by 2018, with energy and water consumption lowered by 25 percent each, and waste and emissions also reduced by one quarter each. Greenhouse gas emissions in production are to be reduced by 40 percent by 2020.

5 money-saving DIY tips for car owners!

As cars have become more advanced over time, it has been increasingly difficult for enterprising owners to perform basic maintenance and repairs. While some jobs do require professional expertise and pricey tools, there are still many things that a handy owner can do to keep a car running in top shape and save money in the process.

Below are a few tips from our automotive experts.

1) Treating hazy headlight lenses. Modern headlight assemblies usually have clear plastic covers that can grow hazy over the years from exposure to the elements. To save the expense of changing the whole headlight reflector assembly, you can use a restoration kit, usually consisting of abrasive cloths and a special finishing liquid. Some kits are applied with elbow grease, while others call for an electric drill.

2) Windshield wipers. You can extend the life of wiper blades by keeping them clean. Wipe off the rubber edge with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner, or water and a little dish soap. Wiper blades don't last long. In our tests we've found that six months is about the best you can expect a set of wiper blades to stay in top form.

3) Wash and wax your car. Giving your car a good cleaning helps preserve the paint by removing road grime and residues that can eat through the finish. The time spent hand washing a car gives you a close-up view of every body panel, so you can spot scratches, chips, and dings you may not have otherwise noticed. To maintain a quality shine, periodically apply car wax. A spray wax is best suited to weekly or special-occasion applications. Other waxes can be used less frequently, every 2-3 months.

4) Light bulbs. Changing a light bulb isn't difficult—most these days have a twist-and-pull bayonet base or they simply pull out and push in. Bulb specifications are usually found in the owner's manual. However, accessing a bulb (usually called a lamp in industry parlance) can be a real chore. Consult a service manual or look online if access to the bulb isn't obvious. Auto-parts stores and your franchised dealer carry good selections of replacement bulbs. If you're replacing a halogen headlight bulb take care not to touch the glass with your bare fingers. Skin oils on the quartz glass are said to shorten its life.

5) Touch-up paint. Touching up paint flaws early can save a heap of money down the road. You can touch up small scratches and chips with touch-up paint, available for a few dollars at your car dealership and at some auto-parts stores. Make sure you get an exact color match. Touch-up paint usually comes in a small bottle with an applicator brush in the lid. Otherwise, use a small, pointed artist's brush and cover the scratch by going over it in tiny dabs. Let this paint dry for at least a day or two before polishing the car.

Copyright © 2006-2012 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid sets a land speed record at Bonneville

Volkswagen has announced a Jetta Hybrid has set a new land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Using a specially modified car, Volkswagen was able to average 186.313 mph (299.842 km/h) over the course two runs. This earned the model a Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) H/PS land speed record for "production cars with engines of less than 1.5 liters that use forced induction." The car also beat its previous top speed record by averaging 187.147 mph (301.184 km/h) during the last mile of its second run.

In a statement, Volkswagen America CEO Jonathan Browning said "We're very proud that the Jetta Hybrid has not only posted the fastest speed for a hybrid at Bonneville, but that it has gone out and broken an SCTA land speed record as well. Achieving this record at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class, offering excellent fuel economy while retaining the fun-to-drive nature expected from a Volkswagen."

Check out the press release for additional information

Source: Volkswagen US

Top Tips for Walking Safely

Tips for Walkers

• Developmentally, most kids can't judge speeds and distances until at least age 10, so younger kids need to cross with an adult

• Did you know most walking injuries happen mid-block or someplace other than intersections? Whenever possible, cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks

• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and keep looking and listening while crossing

• Walk, don't run, when crossing the street

• It's always best to walk on sidewalks or paths, but if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible

• Remove headphones when crossing the street

• If you need to use your phone, stop walking

• Distraction among drivers is at an all-time high today, so try to make eye contact with the driver before you step into the road

Tips For Drivers

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones, before and after school hours

• Most walkers are injured mid-block, not at intersections, so watch out for kids who may dart into traffic or cross where they shouldn't

• Give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk

• Using cell phones, even hands-free, makes it harder for drivers to be alert to walkers who may also be distracted on cell phones.

VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE

Volkswagen reveals images of the latest version of its iconic convertible ahead of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show

Herndon, VA -  Today, Volkswagen unveils the latest Beetle Convertible, the third-generation of the iconic VW ragtop. Like its predecessors—the type 15 from 1949 and the 2003 New Beetle Convertible—the curvaceous convertible offers the perfect combination of practicality and fun for four.

In creating the latest version of the Beetle Convertible, Volkswagen has reinterpreted the Beetle Convertible’s timeless design with a sportier and more dynamic silhouette, just as it did with the latest Beetle coupe. The combination of a flatter roofline and a more upright windshield gives the car a shape that’s more closely aligned with the first generation of Beetle convertibles.

Volkswagen decided to stick with a traditional soft-top rather than incorporate a folding hardtop on the car. When the top is down, it lies flat, giving good rear visibility. Although the top looks compact when furled, it’s actually wide and long when in place, an action that takes a little over 10 seconds at the touch of a button.

Inside, the Beetle Convertible retains the design cues that have made the latest Beetle such a hit with consumers, such as the body-color dashboard and the stylish gauges and trim. The spacious cabin has space for four full-size adults and is able to carry plenty of luggage: a fold-down split rear bench seat increases the practicality even further.

In any Volkswagen, safety is paramount and to that end, the company has developed an Automatic Rollover Support System. Two roll-over bars are concealed behind the back of the rear bench seat, activated by the computer that deploys the airbags in the case of a crash.

Along with the fixed A-pillars, they provide effective protection for the occupants of all four seats within milliseconds. Driver and front passenger combined head-thorax airbags are also among the standard equipment.

The new Beetle Convertible will be available in the United States with three engine options. The entry-level powerplant is the familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Volkswagen’s fuel-efficient 2.0-liter TDI® Clean Diesel four-cylinder engine makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft, but just as importantly delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy figure of 41 mpg on the highway with the six-speed manual transmission. (A six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic is also available with this engine.) Finally, the 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI® four-cylinder, which makes 200 hp and 207 lb-ft, can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or DSG automatic.

Beetle Convertible pricing for the U.S. will be announced closer to launch, which occurs in the last quarter of 2012.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, Golf R, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

Notes:
This press release and images of the Beetle Convertible are available at media.vw.com.

“DSG”, “TDI”, “TSI”, “VW”, “Volkswagen”, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG.

Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.

Where stated, fuel economy values (mpg) are EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary.

Volkswagen sales could near U.S. record set in 1970

Volkswagen Group of America’s chief said today the company could near its all-time sales record this year.

"We may get close" to the 569,696 car sales the VW group achieved in the U.S. in 1970, Chief Executive Jonathan Browning told Reuters at the Paris car show today.

Browning also said he was still discussing with group management the possibility of introducing a midsize SUV in the U.S., although he could not yet confirm the project would go ahead.

Industry observers have said such an SUV could be produced at the Chattanooga auto assembly plant where the midsize Passat is assembled.

Just last week, VW reported Passat sales have set an new U.S. sales mark with more than three months remaining in the year.

Passat sales hit 77,524 last week. The old full-year record was set in 2001, according to VW.

5 Money Saving Car Tips!

As cars have become more advanced over time, it has been increasingly difficult for enterprising owners to perform basic maintenance and repairs. While some jobs do require professional expertise and pricey tools, there are still many things that a handy owner can do to keep a car running in top shape and save money in the process.

Below are a few tips from our automotive experts.

 

 

1) Treating hazy headlight lenses. Modern headlight assemblies usually have clear plastic covers that can grow hazy over the years from exposure to the elements. To save the expense of changing the whole headlight reflector assembly, you can use a restoration kit, usually consisting of abrasive cloths and a special finishing liquid. Some kits are applied with elbow grease, while others call for an electric drill.

2) Windshield wipers. You can extend the life of wiper blades by keeping them clean. Wipe off the rubber edge with a paper towel moistened with glass cleaner, or water and a little dish soap. Wiper blades don't last long. In our tests we've found that six months is about the best you can expect a set of wiper blades to stay in top form.

3) Wash and wax your car. Giving your car a good cleaning helps preserve the paint by removing road grime and residues that can eat through the finish. The time spent hand washing a car gives you a close-up view of every body panel, so you can spot scratches, chips, and dings you may not have otherwise noticed. To maintain a quality shine, periodically apply car wax. A spray wax is best suited to weekly or special-occasion applications. Other waxes can be used less frequently, every 2-3 months.

4) Light bulbs. Changing a light bulb isn't difficult—most these days have a twist-and-pull bayonet base or they simply pull out and push in. Bulb specifications are usually found in the owner's manual. However, accessing a bulb (usually called a lamp in industry parlance) can be a real chore. Consult a service manual or look online if access to the bulb isn't obvious. Auto-parts stores and your franchised dealer carry good selections of replacement bulbs. If you're replacing a halogen headlight bulb take care not to touch the glass with your bare fingers. Skin oils on the quartz glass are said to shorten its life.

5) Touch-up paint. Touching up paint flaws early can save a heap of money down the road. You can touch up small scratches and chips with touch-up paint, available for a few dollars at your car dealership and at some auto-parts stores. Make sure you get an exact color match. Touch-up paint usually comes in a small bottle with an applicator brush in the lid. Otherwise, use a small, pointed artist's brush and cover the scratch by going over it in tiny dabs. Let this paint dry for at least a day or two before polishing the car.

Copyright © 2006-2012 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.