Archive for the ‘Volkswagen’ Category

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?

If safety is on the top of your list when looking for a new vehicle, a 2011 Volkswagen could be just right! With a commitment to make their performance-driven vehicles the safest they can be, Volkswagen earned six Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Awards.

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Golf (four-door), GTI (four-door), Tiguan and Touareg were selected as 2011 IIHS Top Safety Picks after receiving good ratings on all four IIHS tests. Volkswagen was the only automaker to earn six of these prestigious awards this year, setting them apart from the crowd.

To earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick Award, vehicles must offer electronic stability control and must have good ratings in all four institute tests, which include High-speed front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear-impact crashes.  The 2011 Volkswagen IIHS Top Safety Picks include these features:

• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Rear center three-point belt
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Post-collision safety system
• Tire pressure monitoring system

With so many standard safety features, Volkswagen’s commitment to safety is clear. Their current excellence in this area gives you the peace-of-mind you’re looking for when you get behind the wheel.

Volkswagen and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation have joined forces to bring the Premium Audio System to Volkswagen vehicles in 2012.  The partnership will combine the live music performance with the superior Volkswagen driving experience.

“The best seat in the house is now behind the wheel of a Volkswagen,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America.  “Our two iconic companies – one with a passion for driving, one with a passion for music – are joining forces to bring the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience.”

Fender is the top guitar and amplifier brand in the U.S.  Fender has touched music of nearly every genre worldwide since its start in 1946.  Artists and performers of all levels use Fender instruments and equipment, and the company has become an American icon.

“By partnering with Volkswagen on the Fender Premium Audio System, we are creating a unique partnership with a truly innovative company allowing us to deliver a product that is as unique, expressive and dynamic as the customers who use it,” said Mark Van Vleet, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs for Fender.

The Fender Premium Audio System is the product of over three years of research, development and tuning in a state-of-the-art sound lab.  The Premium Audio System features nine speakers that deliver uncompromised clarity with a unique sound.

The new Jetta GLI will be the first VW model to feature the Fender Premium Audio System, and all other Jetta’s will get the system as well.  The new 2012 VW midsize sedan (still unnamed) and the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will receive the Fender System also.

The collaboration between Fender and Volkswagen fits so well, as both are brands known for quality engineering and innovation.  We’re excited to rock out at Performance Volkswagen!

Does the thought of your teen being behind the wheel for the first time send shivers down your spine? If so, you’re not alone. Putting your teen in their first vehicle can be stressful, but the right vehicle can put some of your worries to rest.

When choosing a car for your teen, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

• Safety: Make sure the vehicle has excellent standard safety features, such as airbags and stability control.
• Security: Features such as anti-theft systems or automatically locking doors keep your teen and the car protected.
• Reliability: You should choose a car that has low maintenance costs and a good warranty.
• Gas mileage: Choosing a vehicle with excellent gas mileage is important for teens since many parents choose to leave the responsibility of paying for gas to their teen.
• Ease of driving: The car you choose should be easy to operate. For example, choosing an automatic transmission over a manual may be a good idea while your teen is learning to drive so they can concentrate on the road without having to worry about shifting gears.

Here are a few cars you might want to take a look at if your teen is in the market for a new car:

Ford Fiesta — $13,320 starting price
• 32 combined mpg
• IIHS Top Safety Pick award
• Ford SYNC voice commands keep drivers focused on the road instead of phones or iPods.
• Long list of standard safety equipment, including Electronic Stability Control and knee airbags.

Smart Fortwo — $11,990 starting price
• 36 combined mpg
• Two person capacity eliminates the possibility of many distracting passengers.
• Easy to park

Toyota Corolla — $15,450 starting price
• 30 combined mpg
• IIHS Top Safety Pick award
• Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer

Volkswagen Jetta — $14,995 starting prices
• 28 combined mpg
• Simple control layout
• Minimal blindspots
• Predictable handling

These cars can offer peace of mind while letting your teen enjoy their new freedom in a trendy ride.

Few things are more frustrating than starting your vehicle and seeing your empty gas tank light come on. Trips to the gas station are a thing of the past for electric vehicles, which get their energy anywhere an outlet is available.

Electric vehicles are ideal for people who live and work within city limits, such as those who live in Omaha or Lincoln. Because the majority of people living and working within city limits drive a short distance between their home and work, they would be within the range limits of most electric vehicles.

Most electric vehicles have a range of around 100 miles per full charge. Like gas vehicles, this range varies depending on driving styles, road conditions and weather conditions. You can easily charge your vehicle by plugging it in at home or at a public charging station. Public charging stations aren’t wide-spread yet, but they are expected to become more easily available as electric vehicles become more popular. Charging takes anywhere between 30 minutes and 8 hours, depending on the type of charging system you use.

In addition to freedom from high gas prices, electric vehicles offer excellent performance. Unlike gas-powered vehicles, 100 percent of the electric vehicle engine’s torque is instantly available when you start the vehicle. This means you get more power right away. The electric engine is also considerably quieter than a gas engine, which can offer you a quieter and more comfortable ride.

Electric vehicles also require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles because:
• The battery, motor and associated electronics require no regular maintenance
• Electric vehicles don’t have any fluids to change other than brake fluid
• The brake wear is significantly reduced due to regenerative braking
• The electric engine has fewer moving parts than a conventional gas engine

Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Dodge will all have electric vehicles on the market in the next three years with the Toyota RAV4 EV, Ford Focus Electric, Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion, Mercedes Electric A-Class and Dodge EV. All of these vehicles will qualify for a federal tax credit and could qualify for state incentives, making these vehicles both affordable and environmentally-friendly.

If want a performance-driven environmentally-friendly vehicle, an electric vehicle could be the right choice for you.