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The Bugs start to fly: New range of Beetle models now on sale

Entomologists in the UK are set for an exciting day, and not just because the ants are flying.  There’s another kind of flying bug about: the Volkswagen Beetle with either a 2.0-litre 140 PS TDI turbodiesel engine, or a 2.0-litre 200 PS TSI turbocharged petrol engine. 

 

The latter is enough to propel this bug from zero to 62 mph in just 7.5 seconds and on to 139 mph, while the TDI takes a far from sluggish 9.5 seconds and can reach 123 mph.  Of equal interest, however, will be its 57.6 mpg combined economy, and 129 g/km of CO2 rating.

 

Both new versions are available with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearboxes. The TDI comes in either mid-level Design or top-line Sport trim.  The 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS model is available in Sport or special-edition Turbo Black and Turbo Silver specification, complete with ‘Turbo’ decals in either silver or black along the side, door mirrors in silver or black, the door rubbing strip in body colour (rather than black, as it is on standard Sport models), and 19-inch ‘Tornado’ alloys. 

 

Specification levels are high.  Design trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels in a choice of two styles, Bluetooth telephone preparation, an RCD 510 DAB CD/radio with MDI multi-device interface (for connecting an iPod or similar), front fog lights, rear Isofix preparation, an alarm, manual air conditioning, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel and body-coloured door and dashboard panels.

 

The range-topping Sport specification adds 18-inch alloys in a choice of styles, tinted glass, cruise control, sports seats, parking sensors, gloss black door mirrors (silver or black on ‘Turbo’ special editions), gloss black dashboard and door panel and 2Zone electronic climate control.

 

The 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS Sport model uniquely comes with certain specification highlights over and above all other models.  These include: four-link rear suspension, twin chromed exhaust pipes, red brake calipers and a body-coloured rear diffuser. 

 

A wide range of optional equipment is also available on all Beetle models, including Keyless Access, satellite navigation systems, bi-xenon headlights and a selection of different alloy wheel designs.

 

The option that will make the biggest impact, however, is the Fender sound pack.  Developed in conjunction with the eponymous electric guitar firm, this audiophile’s delight offers a 400W output and a subwoofer, along with switchable three-colour illumination surrounding the front loudspeakers, all for just £500.

The Beetle is also available with a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS engine with seven-speed DSG gearbox and a 1.4-litre 160 PS TSI with a six-speed manual gearbox.  These models were restricted by supply at launch but are all now available, many with attractive low-rate finance offers.  The new 2.0-litre models are also available to order now, with some models in stock ready for delivery.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Digital showroom makes buying a Volkswagen virtually effortless

With the vast majority of car shoppers now starting their research on the internet, it’s no surprise that Volkswagen has been developing its online presence and increasing functionality for buyers. Via the award-winning www.volkswagen.co.uk website, it is bringing together the digital world and the real world to make the online experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for customers.

 

The company’s latest development is the ‘digital showroom’. By equipping showrooms and staff with iPads and a range of advanced web tools, this closes the gap between the on- and off-line worlds, offering buyers the same experience in a Retailer as they would find on the Volkswagen website, and allows the manufacturer to showcase more models, specs and equipment than would be possible in even the largest outlet. 

 

Volkswagen UK’s Head of Marketing, Rod McLeod, comments: ‘We have an incredibly large and diverse model range, from the up! city car to the Phaeton saloon, and it’s simply not possible to display all these vehicles – even in a large showroom.  Using new technology allows our staff to bring the range to life, giving great representations of colours, interior trims and alloy wheels for example, and this is a really useful tool in the buying process – for customers and sales people alike.’

 

The digital showroom not only gives customers the opportunity to create their perfect car from the manufacturer’s comprehensive range; it also allows them to watch video clips that bring new technologies to life, for example, and use the iPads in the showroom to explore what’s available either on their own or with a sales executive.

 

McLeod adds: ‘Digital advances are taking place at an incredible rate and we need to keep up.  But we don’t want to do this at the expense of personal interactions, which is why we’re not only developing our online presence but also trying to bring the digital and real worlds closer together. 

 

‘As soon as people come into our showrooms we want them to feel that they’re in familiar surroundings.  We’re trying to make the experience as seamless, easy and enjoyable as possible and we’re looking forward to making more changes in future.’

Following a successful pilot, the digital showroom is now live at Volkswagen Retailers across the UK.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Next Green Car announces winners of Awards 2012

Next Green Car announced the winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2012, the most scientifically-based Green Car Awards in the UK.

Next Green Car has made awards across eight vehicle categories including the 'Next Generation? Award, which includes new technology models close to market launch. An overall winner is also awarded the title of Next Green Car 'Gold Award' 2012.

The nine winners are selected from shortlists of 26 of the UK?s greenest new cars of 2012/13, all selected for their environmental Green Car Rating (GCR), level of innovation, value, drive experience and design. The winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2012 are as follows:

 

City-car Award 2012

Volkswagen up! BlueMotion – CO2: 96 g/km – GCR1: 29

Supermini Award 2012

Renault ZOE Z.E. – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26

Small Family Award 2012

Volvo V40 D2 – CO2: 94 g/km – GCR: 29

Large Family Award 2012

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid – CO2: 49 g/km – GCR: 32

Family Estate Award 2012

Ford Focus 1.0T EcoBoost Estate – CO2: 109 g/km – GCR: 31 (est)

Executive Award 2012 

BMW 3 Series 320d EfficientDynamics – CO2: 109 g/km – GCR: 31

MPV Award 2012

Ford B-MAX 1.6 TDCi – CO2: 104 g/km – GCR: 31

Next Generation Award 2012

BMW i3 – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26 (est)

Gold Award 2012

Renault ZOE Z.E. – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26

City-car 2012 WINNER: Volkswagen up! BlueMotion – CO2: 96 g/km – GCR: 29 "A high quality but affordable city car, the all new up! offers compact comfort with low emissions. The up! also comes with „city emergency braking?; a first in this segment." Commended: smart ed (electric drive) – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 24

Several manufacturers have already responded to receiving their 2012 Awards:

City-car Winner: Volkswagen up! Kevin Rendell, Volkswagen Product Marketing Manager, said: „This award from Next Green Car recognises the achievements and qualities of the up!, which combines Volkswagen values and maximum space in a compact package. The really great news for our customers is that the 96g/km Move up! BlueMotion Technology is just the beginning of the up?s eco-friendly story: next year it will be joined by an all-electric model, making going green even easier.?

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk

Volkswagen introduces standard DAB radio from Polo to Touareg

Volkswagen is tuning in to customer demand and fitting DAB radios as standard on all models from the Polo to the Touareg, giving buyers not only a wider choice of radio stations but also a higher quality of sound.

The change means all 2013 model-year Volkswagens, from the Polo to the Touareg, will be ready for the UK’s switch to digital radio.  Digital radio not only offers listeners clear, crackle-free sound, but it also gives them a bigger choice of radio stations than is available through conventional FM or AM broadcasts alone.  Listening options range from specialist music stations to comedy, current affairs and, of course, the all-important cricket coverage.

Naturally, all of Volkswagen’s audio systems will still be able to pick up conventional FM or AM analogue radio signals, as well as play audio CDs (including MP3 files), while every model in the Volkswagen range comes with an aux-in socket, to allow the connection of external audio devices such as an iPod or MP3 player.

To make the most of the higher quality of digital audio, every model from the Polo S upwards now comes with at least six speakers (the majority of models have eight speakers), connected to a standard RCD 310 audio unit or better.

Upgrade options include the MDI multi-device interface, which allows easy connection of iPods or USB sticks, which can then be controlled via the car’s audio system; Bluetooth connection of compatible telephones; Bluetooth music playback; audiophile-pleasing speakers and amplifiers from Danish specialist Dynaudio; higher-power audio systems with colour touchscreen controls and an SD memory card slot; and touchscreen satellite navigation systems, including with built-in HD memory.  Beetle models may also be optionally ordered with an audio system developed in conjunction with legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer, Fender.

The 2013 model-year vehicles can be ordered from your Volkswagen retailer now. To find your nearest Volkswagen retailer please visit http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/find-a-retailer.

 

 

Volkswagen honoured as Germany's greenest brand

 

Volkswagen is one of the world's most eco-friendly brands.  This is the result of the global sustainability ranking ‘Best Global Green Brands 2012’.  Among the front-running brands, Volkswagen climbed from sixth to fourth place, making it the most environmentally compatible German automaker as well as Germany's ‘greenest’ company.

The rankings of the Interbrand consultancy, which also publishes the renowned Best Global Brands Report, have appeared annually since 2011.  Interbrand analyses the efforts of leading brands in the fields of environmental protection and sustainability as well as the perception of ‘green’ activities by a total of more than 10,000 consumers in the world's 10 major industrialised countries.

In 2012, Volkswagen moved up two places in the rankings on the basis of performance data analysed by consultants Deloitte using 82 criteria, as well as consumers' assessment of the credibility of ‘green’ measures.  In fourth place, Volkswagen is the highest-ranking German automaker as well as the highest-placed German company.

Luca de Meo, Head of Group Marketing and Head of Marketing, Volkswagen Passenger Cars said: ‘This is a very good result for us. The improvement compared with the previous year shows that we are on the right track.  We will continue to pool all the environmental sustainability efforts of the brand under the ‘Think Blue.’ umbrella.  We are committed to achieving the Group objective of becoming the world's most sustainable automaker by 2018.’

In comparison with some of its competitors, Volkswagen also has the edge in reality.  The study shows that the brand is already greener than consumers' perceptions on the basis of specific performance data. Interbrand explains the improved result of Volkswagen by stating that the brand is oriented towards the ‘ambitious’ Group goal of becoming the world's most sustainable automobile company by 2018.  The study states that this goal is being ‘constantly substantiated’ and has ‘measurable proof points’.

The Volkswagen Group has firmly incorporated sustainability into its entire value stream.  In March 2012, the group set itself new sustainability targets.  The efficiency of each new vehicle generation is to be improved by 10 to 15 per cent, the emissions of the European new vehicle fleet are to be reduced to less than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2015 and production at the Group's plants is to become 25 per cent greener by 2018.

Interbrand also praises the fact that the Volkswagen Group has invested about €600 million in the expansion of renewable energy, including solar, wind and hydroelectric power, and has appointed a Group Chief Officer for the Environment, Energy and New Business.  The Volkswagen brand is also characterised by ‘Think Blue.’, a holistic approach to environmental protection and the efficient use of resources that Volkswagen has launched internationally.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk