VW Passat ranked "most appealing midsize car" in J.D. Power & Associates study!

Herndon, VA - Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announces that the Passat has been awarded the most appealing midsize car in a tie in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. Volkswagen also received high marks for the GTI (second in the Compact Sporty Car class); Tiguan (second in Compact Crossover SUV); Touareg (second in Midsize Premium Crossover SUV); and Golf (second in Compact Car). The Beetle and the Jetta placed fourth and tied for fifth respectively in the Compact Car class, giving VW three cars in the top five in this highly competitive segment.

Year-on-year, Volkswagen improved its mean index score by 14 points, continuing to outpace the non-premium average, and rose one place to 13th place overall in the Study. Volkswagen customers cited fuel economy, reliability, and quality of workmanship as key strengths for the brand’s vehicles. Other top purchase drivers included interior comfort, exterior styling, performance, safety, and advanced technology.

“The Passat has been a tremendous success out of the gate for Volkswagen,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen of America, “and it’s incredibly gratifying for everyone in the company that buyers of the Passat are so thrilled with their cars. It further validates our decision to produce a German Engineered car that’s tailored to American tastes, built right here in our state-of-the-art U.S. plant.”

The APEAL study examines how rewarding a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes. The 2012 APEAL study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2012 from more than 74,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2012 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.

Courtesy of: Volkswagen Media

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Shark Week 2012: VW Beetle Shark Cage Teaser - Chassis

Volkswagen kicks off its sponsorship of Discovery Channel's 25th Shark Week with an exclusive teaser showing the chassis of the Beetle Shark Observation Cage. Shark Week begins August 12th, in the meantime check out the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: http://bit.ly/Nz78LK

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Fast vs. Fast - Volkswagen Jetta GLI vs. Speed Guitarist

This video highlights the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI on a closed course as a driver competes against one of the world's top speed guitarists, John Taylor. The VW driver of the Jetta GLI sedan has to complete one lap around track before John Taylor plays Flight of the Bumblebee.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta: What's Changed

Most significant changes: Interior updates, backup camera and launch control on GLI models 

Price change: TBA 

On sale: TBA 

Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? Buy a 2012 unless you're considering a top-level trim

For the 2013 model year, the Volkswagen Jetta sedan receives an extensive revision, including updated interior appointments and new features on some trims such as a backup camera and LED daytime running lights.

A hybrid joins the Jetta's lineup for 2013; VW says it will get close to 45 mpg on the highway. More details on the hybrid will be announced closer to the model's on-sale date later this fall.

Like last year's model, the 2013 Jetta sedan will be available in S, SE, SEL, TDI and GLI trims. Models from the S trim with a sunroof and up get an adjustable front center armrest standard. SE and TDI trims get power-reclining driver and front-passenger seats, new metallic trim on the dash and door panels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, all standard. Both trims also get more exterior chrome on the grille and window seal trim.

All SEL trims will have a "soft-touch dash," VW says. It should clear up our complaints about the Jetta's hard, hollow-sounding dashboard. The soft-touch dash is probably the same one added to the SEL Premium trim in the previous model and the one found on the GLI trim. SEL models with navigation now come with a Fender Premium stereo; so far, we've liked the stereo on other models.

The TDI Premium with Navigation trim gets a six-way power driver's seat and new 17-inch alloy wheels (last year's had 16s) standard. The performance-oriented GLI trim now comes standard with launch control, which helps tame wheelspin on models equipped with an automatic transmission. GLI models with navigation also get a backup camera and LED daytime running lights, something that can't be had on any other model.

The 2013 Jetta sedan isn't on sale yet, though the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (still based off a fifth-generation Jetta) is available now starting at $21,170, including destination. The Jetta Hybrid will be introduced later this year.

While all the updates are an added benefit to the Jetta sedan, we won't know anything about the value you will get until Volkswagen announces pricing for the updated trims. No doubt the bare-bones S trim, which receives no real updates, will retain an attractive price.

Checkered Flag Volkswagen Oil Change Special!

2012 Volkswagen Golf R: After a 4-year hiatus, VW's boy-racer returns

It's baaaack. And it's both different and the same.

Last seen stateside in 2008 as the R32, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R retains the expected R performance pedigree but delivers on that promise in a different way.

While the '08 featured a 3.2-liter V-6 managed exclusively by a six-speed automatic transmission, this new R opts for a 2.0-liter, turbo four, borrowed from corporate cousin Audi TTS, with power distributed to all four wheels (the only Golf that can make that claim) exclusively through a six-speed manual gear box.

Also — and this should interest performance enthusiasts who must factor in the responsibilities of parenthood in any buying decision — the hatchback-only R, for the first time ever in the U.S., can be had with four passenger doors.

We drove the more familiar two-door and still marveled at its practicality — not frequently a strong suit in the hot-hatch segment.

Room is fine up front, but it's the back seat that really impresses. Rear head room is spectacular while cheap-seat leg room, with just the slightest break from folks in front, is fine. That rear bench officially seats three, but only two can actually get comfortable.

Also, rear access was surprisingly easy, considering our car was a compact coupe. The front doors open nearly 90 degrees and the front seats tilt and scoot almost to dash, making rear ingress in this two-door much easier than you have a right to expect. Even as a two-door, R is livable as a daily driver.

On the road, R demonstrates why VW expects a roughly 10 grand premium over a base Golf GTI. A snarly exhaust note complements enthusiastic acceleration from the 256-hp turbo four while its 243 lb.-ft. of torque become fully accessible at a low 2,400 rpm. And there's no torque steer under full throttle, thanks in large part to R's four-corner traction. The upshot: you'll greet 60 mph in about 6 seconds.

The short-throw stick in this boy-racer is as smooth as you might expect from a manual shifter in a luxury tourer, with none of the mechanical 'snick" lesser compacts might provide. It's a pleasure to shake hands with R. Also, the hill-hold feature, which prevents this manual-transmission car from rolling backward on an incline, is much appreciated. (Man, I must be getting old!)

At speed, the ride is firm but never harsh while steering is sharp and braking is urgent. The cabin is reasonably quiet, but road and wind noise were evident to some extent. It's the nature of the beast.

Our car was not equipped with R's only option — a $1,500 package that, along with a sun roof and keyless entry, includes navigation and a fancier stereo — so the centerstack touch-screen and button display were fairly straight forward and easy to use.

The only real downside here, other than remarkably invisible styling for a hot hatch, is the price: nearly 35 grand to start. Never mind such direct competitors as the Subaru Impreza WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evo. That kind of dough will buy you everything from a Cadillac ATS to a Volvo S60.

But if boy-racer driving fun is top priority, the nice Volkswagen man would like a word with you. Just don't wait too long. VW is making only 5,000 copies of the 2012 R for stateside consumption.

Fast vs. Fast - Volkswagen Golf R vs. Speed Rubik's Cuber

This video highlights the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R on a closed course as a driver competes against speed Rubik's cube specialist, Anthony Brooks. The VW driver of the Golf R has to complete one lap around track before Anthony Brooks solves his Rubik's cube one-handed.

Blam! Turning an old Volkswagen Beetle into a fighter

Paul Murphy of Yorba Linda, Calif., has a knack for novelty conversions, the kind of vehicles that are guaranteed to make you the star at every stoplight.

He knows he got it right from all the looks he gets. "It's like being famous without being a celebrity," says Murphy, who was at a car gathering in Irvine, Calif., over the weekend with son Paul III.

In the case of this Beetle, it's all the details. Murphy, for instance, added fake machine guns and ammo belts sticking out from the front end. There's an ammunition shell as the shifter in the sparse interior.

It's not the kind of vehicle that gets lost in traffic. "Being in California, you've got to be unique," he says.

Volkswagen Could See Record Sales in 2012

A few years back, Volkswagen decided to change directions. Instead of being priced higher than the competition, with an emphasis on engineering and design, VW would chase the mainstream. That meant a focus on North American buying tastes, rather than a “one size fits all” approach.

Interestingly enough, this is the opposite of what the rest of the industry is doing.Anyhow, the result is cars like the 2012 VW Jetta and Passat. The Jetta has been tepidly received by the automotive press, but the Passat won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award.

U.S buyers have taken a liking to the redesigned models. So much so, in fact, that VW is on track for a 35.4 percent year-over-year increase, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Of course, we’re halfway into the year. But, if sales hold up, VW could be on track to surpass its previous sales high-water mark. That was set in 1973, thanks to the success of the Beetle. This time around, the Jetta and Passat are powering sales. The VW brand has a positive image; most consumers have come to regard it as a cut above the rest, thanks to years of messaging along those lines.

The Passat has had a few months over the critical 10,000 unit mark. One model we’ve pointed out as having a lot of potential is the diesel-powered Passat TDI. According to Frank Trivieri, vice president of sales for VW of America, sales are of are supply-constrained. Last month, the TDI accounted for 21 percent of the Passat’s overall total. Overall, VW’s year-end total in the United States could stand at around 400,000 units. That would be the halfway point for the company’s goal of 800,000 units by 2018. VW sales will need to continue at a brisk pace in order for that goal to be within reach. Given VW’s relentless pursuit of Number One status, we wouldn’t be surprised.

Fast vs. Fast - Volkswagen Jetta GLI vs. Speed Talker

This video highlights the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI on a closed course as a driver competes against the world's fastest female speed talker, Fran Capo. The VW driver of the Jetta GLI sedan has to complete one lap around track before Fran Capo completely reads the Gettysburg Address.

Volkswagen brings back 'Think Blue Challenge' eco-driving contest

Volkswagen is bringing back its eco-contest for another year in the hopes of creating more environmental consciousness among drivers.

The Think Blue Challenge, which calls for adapting a car's speed and braking to lower CO2 emissions by up to 25 percent, is accepting participants via iPhone, iPad or Facebook apps. Winners will be invited to the international final that will be held in California from November 24-28.

The app, which looks like a racing simulation, helps raise awareness about eco-driving and records your in-game performance behind the wheel. The best virtual drivers can also qualify, through September 16, for the international final, on a real road from San Francisco to Los Angeles. 

The driver who will have used the least amount of fuel to complete the course and who will have best put into practice the environmental tips in the app will be hailed as the eco-driving world champion.