Archive for the ‘Volkswagen’ Category

Planning a fun and enjoyable road trip starts with choosing the right vehicle to travel in. Performance Auto offers a variety of vehicles perfect for your summer adventure, including these top picks*:

Fiat 500, starting at $15,500

With a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Fiat 500 offers drivers 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The interior offers ample room for two and iPod input to keep you entertained on your journey.

Scion xB, starting at $16,000

The Scion xB’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine gives drivers 22 city and 28 highway miles per gallon. Its spacious interior lets families travel in style without feeling like everyone’s on top of each other.

Ford Mustang, starting at $22,310

A 3.7-liter V6 engine gives the Ford Mustang the power you crave on your road trip and up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Excellent handling gives you the performance and power you need on your trip.

Toyota Sienna, starting at $25,060

Drivers are treated to a performance-driven ride and 19 city/24 highway miles per gallon in the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder Toyota Sienna. With spacious seating for up to eight passengers, the Sienna’s a vehicle the whole family can enjoy!

Honda Element, starting at $20,825

Easy cargo loading makes the Honda Element a great pick before you even hit the road. Offering 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the Element is equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and plenty of interior space.

Volkswagen Touareg, starting at $44,450

Offering 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, the VW Touareg’s 3.6-liter V6 engine gives you plenty of get up and go on the highway. Its roomy interior lets you travel in comfort, while the navigation system ensures you arrive at your correct destination every time!

Once you’ve chosen the right road trip vehicle for you, the following tips** can also make your road trip more enjoyable:

• Get your vehicle’s oil changed and all fluids checked before beginning your trip.  Few things ruin a vacation faster than mechanical problems that could have been avoided with routine maintenance.
• If possible, take turns driving. Taking turns driving means that everyone gets a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery without watching the road, which can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
• Bring your own music. Searching for a radio station can be tricky when you’re on the road. Bringing your own music ensures you’ll actually enjoy what you’re listening to on your whole journey.
• Bring your own food and drinks. Bringing some snacks along with you will save you both money and time because you’ll be able to stop less and spend less at pricey gas station convenience stores.
• Plan for unexpected stops. If there’s a certain time you need to arrive at your destination, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
• Get gas before your gas gauge is on empty. Sometimes the distance between gas stations can be hundreds of miles when you’re traveling in remote areas. Plan your fill-up destinations ahead of time to avoid being stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly, though, drive safe and have fun. With these great road trip vehicles and tips, your summer vacation can be a blast!

*Based on a list from www.money.cnn.com

**Tips from www.uptake.com

Saving money while going green just got a little easier with the recent release of Forbes’ Best Green Cars for the Buck list. We make your going green efforts even easier by offering four of these great value green vehicles at your favorite Performance Auto dealerships.

The Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Volkswagen Golf TDI all made the Best Green Cars for the Buck list based on their total cost of ownership over five years. The total cost of ownership was determined based on the following factors:

• Manufacturer suggested retail price
• Depreciation
• Taxes and fees
• Fuel costs
• Insurance
• Interest
• Maintenance and repairs

Toyota Prius:

The Toyota Prius hybrid sedan, which starts at $26,850, offers drivers:

• 51 city/48 highway miles per gallon
• $36,564 total cost of ownership over five years*

Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

The hybrid model of the popular Toyota Highlander starts at $37,490 and features:

• 28 city/28 highway miles per gallon
• Low fuel costs compared to other SUVs on the market
• $46,541 total cost of ownership over five years*

Mercedes-Benz M-Class:

Starting at $55,790 this premium hybrid SUV offers:

• 21 city/24 highway miles per gallon
• $65,499 total cost of ownership over five years*

Volkswagen Golf TDI:

With a starting price of $24,535, the VW Golf TDI features:

• 30 city/41 highway miles per gallon
• Clean diesel technology
• 36,224 total cost of ownership over five years*

If you’re ready to save money and go green at the same time, check out our lineup of green vehicles in person at your local Performance Auto dealership or online at www.PerformanceAuto.com!

*Data from www.Forbes.com

If you loved the original 1950 Volkswagen Microbus, you’re in for a treat! Volkswagen is showing off a brand new VW Microbus at the Geneva Motor Show this month.

While staying true to the original VW Microbus with two-tone paint and a front bench seat, the new Microbus is bursting with new technology. Seating for nine has been replaced with roomier seating for six and the sliding doors have been replaced with conventional hinged doors. Other changes include:

• 85 kW electric engine
• Front-wheel drive
• iPad-controlled entertainment system
• Climate control

1950 VW Bus

Volkswagen hasn’t released any production plans for the new VW Microbus, but VW bus enthusiasts can hope, can’t they?

Originally built in 1949 to haul cargo, the Volkswagen Microbus became popular in 1950 after transforming to a passenger vehicle with a two-tone paint scheme and higher-quality upholstery. Well-known for its unique styling and space, this VW Microbus had a unique split-pane windshield and enough seating for nine people.

Westfalia Camper

In 1951, the Volkswagen Westfalia Camper made its way onto the market, giving people the option of camping in their VW Microbus. A big hit with young people, the Westfalia Camper was another version of the Microbus. It offered comfortable living on the go with sleeping space for four people, a sink, a two-burner stove, a small fridge and ample storage space.

1963 VW Bus

The Volkswagen Microbus made its way to the US in 1952 and underwent several minor makeovers over the next 20 years. In 1967, the split windshield was replaced by a solid piece of glass, a larger engine was added and electrical systems and handling were greatly improved. In 1972, the Type-4 motor was introduced, giving the VW Microbus even more power.

1968 VW Bus

Volkswagen discontinued the VW Microbus in 1979, much to the dismay of Microbus enthusiasts. At that point, the Microbus was one of the most popular vehicle models in the world.

Today the Volkswagen Microbus is still one of the most popular vehicle models ever sold. With its bright colors and fun styling, it’s hard not to love the VW Microbus.

Electric cars are making their way to Nebraska… are you ready? By 2013, you’ll be able to purchase electric cars from your favorite Performance Auto dealerships. Before you purchase an electric vehicle, though, you need to make sure your home is ready to support one.

Some of the vehicles that will be available from Performance Auto in the coming months include:

• Ford Focus Electric
• Smart Electric
• Mercedes-Benz Electric SLS AMG
• Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
• Toyota RAV4-EV
• Volkswagen E-Up
• Volkswagen Golf Electric
• Honda small plug-in electric commuter car (not yet named)
• Honda mid-sized plug-in vehicle (not yet named)

When you decide to begin your search for an electric vehicle in Omaha, you should contact Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) and engage them in the process. They will be able to provide you with information on getting your home plug-in ready and make you aware of your charging options.

When looking for an electric vehicle, consider the following:

• How often will you use your electric vehicle? This will affect how often it needs charged, which will affect the wiring your will need in your home.
• Are you buying a plug-in hybrid or a battery electric car? Both types of vehicles have different charging times and different driving ranges.
• What type of charging is right for you: Level One or Level Two?

Level One Charging:  Level One charging is done on a standard 120-volt outlet and typically will not require a system upgrade. A full charge for a battery electric vehicle takes 12-24 hours.

Level Two Charging: Level Two charging is done on a 240-volt outlet and requires changes to your electric panel and adding a new circuit.

Once you’ve decided what electric vehicle options are best for you, make sure your home is prepared to charge your new vehicle. To prepare your home, follow these tips:

• Research and obtain any city permits needed for electrical work.
• Hire an electrical contractor to ensure any electrical work is done safely and properly.
• Contact OPPD and to estimate how much an electric car will impact your electric bill.
• Complete the electric vehicle readiness checklist at www.oppd.com/ev.

Follow these steps on you’ll be ready to take home your own electric vehicle when they hit our showroom floors!

If you’ve ever wondered what the car of the future looks like, you don’t need to look any further than Volkswagen’s newest concept car, the VW XL 1. Giving drivers something to look forward to, the VW XL 1 concept will achieve 260 miles per gallon.

With its exceptional fuel economy, the Volkswagen XL 1 will be the first in VW’s 1-liter cars, a series of concept cars created to travel 100 kilometers (62 miles) or more on just one liter (1/4 gallon) of oil. Volkswagen says the XL 1 will be their most fuel-efficient car yet.

The hybrid VW XL 1 will be equipped with a 2-cylinder 47 horsepower turbodiesel engine and a 27 horsepower electric motor. Its lithium-ion battery will allow the XL 1 to drive up to 22 miles on battery power alone. After battery power gets too low, the engine will automatically change over to hybrid mode, switching between its seven gears to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. The battery will be able to be recharged by a household outlet.

Performance-driven and always giving drivers the best fuel economy possible, the Volkswagen XL 1 will have a top speed of 99 miles per hour. With a respectable acceleration rate of 0-60 in 11.9 seconds, the XL 1 will offer drivers the speed they need for everyday driving.

Aside from its extraordinary gas mileage, the VW XL 1 has many features that make it look just like what you always imagined the car of the future would look like. Exterior features include:

• Wing doors
• Fully-covered rear wheels
• Sleek LED headlights
• Digital cameras in place of door mirrors send images to two displays inside the vehicle

Volkswagen hasn’t announced any immediate plans for production of the VW XL 1, but the concept of a 260 mpg vehicle in the future is very exciting. Are you ready to embrace the future with Volkswagen?