Ah, the life of an automotive journalist. The job certainly does have its perks, and being selected to participate in the Volkswagen Full-Line Dynamic Drive is one of them. More than100 lucky journalists were invited to VW’s US headquarters in Herndon, VA for the opportunity of a lifetime: to test drive all the new 2012 … Read more
We know you like the all-new Volkswagen Beetle, and frankly, we’re flattered. But does everyone know you like it? We can’t think of a better way to get the word out than broadcasting your lovely mug on a large screen in a high-traffic area—say, a billboard in Times Square in New York City. You might … Read more
Fact: everyone hates refueling. That’s why racecar drivers refer to it as “the pits.” [Editor’s note: citation needed.] Matt Welch, owner and general manager of Auburn Volkswagen near Seattle, couldn’t agree more. So when his dealership got one of the first 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI models to roll off the production line in Chattanooga, he … Read more
Berlin, MD — Rainy weather and a new location for the first time in 10 years did little to dampen enthusiasm for this year’s H2O International event, as thousands of modified VWs made their annual pilgrimage to the Ocean City area for two days of contests, events and fellowship. Despite soggy grass, parking frustration and … Read more
Being a car designer is one of the coolest jobs around. You get to use French curves and computers and fancy drawing pads any time you want, and when your project is done, you can drive it down the street and—quite literally—toot your own horn. But sometimes, car designers just want to stretch their wings—think … Read more
The all-new Beetle, set to hit the US market any day now, has Bug fans on the edge of their driver’s seats. But because we love to dream—and inspire you to do so as well—we thought it would be fun to spend some time creating an even sportier model. If the sound of jaws hitting … Read more
You never forget your first, and we’re sure that Matt Duchesne of San Jose, CA will always remember this as the day he bought the very first American-made 2012 Volkswagen Passat. At the Stevens Creek Volkswagen Dealership in San Jose, Matt selected a 2012 Passat TDI SEL model, a clean diesel vehicle that delivers an … Read more
You know what they say: safety first makes safety last, and the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Passat made a lasting impression on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) judges, who awarded it with their Top Safety Pick rating for 2011, the highest possible rating from the non-profit safety research organization. The Institute rewards vehicles that … Read more
We considered getting a cake to celebrate the 10,000th Passat built in Volkswagen’s new Chattanooga facility, but then we realized that it would be really hard to find that many candles. Instead, we gathered around Passat number 10,000, a white TDI clean diesel with a premium chrome package, for the photo you see below. This … Read more
Ever heard of the Volkswagen Beetle? Of course you have—it’s the world’s most famous car. Ever heard of Boris Grell, Susanne Gerken and Christian Lesmana? Well, now you have. They’re the three designers who were tasked with bringing the beloved Volkswagen Beetle into the 21st Century. No small feat, to be sure, but the trio … Read more