Introducing the Spektrum Program for Golf R Enthusiasts

Los Angeles (November 2018) - Volkswagen sure made its presence known at the LA Auto Show this year, bringing along the Final Edition Beetle, the I.D. BUZZ CARGO van, as well as a concept electric bike, Cargo e-Bike. The I.D. BUZZ van was first released as a concept at the Detroit Auto Show last year, and this year VW released a sibling, the I.D. BUZZ CARGO van. VW says it could be launched in Europe as a production vehicle as early as 2022. A little longer than the I.D. BUZZ, it features a few other features: a variety of battery pack options, and depending on the chosen pack it can range 200-340 miles, a solar roof that can extend the range by up to 9.3 miles a day, fully autonomous driving, a digital cargo system, a 201-horsepower electric motor, single-speed transmission, and rear-wheel drive. An all-wheel drive system is said to be available in the future, adding an additional motor to the front of the vehicle. In addition, VW introduced their first electric bike - the Cargo e-Bike. The thought here is for use where trucks or standard sized vehicles cannot fit, making it ideal for deliveries in obscure places.  It features a 250-watt motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. It is equipped with two wheels on the front with a load platform placed between them. The e-Bike can carry a total of 463 lbs and tilt-compensating technology keeps the load platform horizontal while turning. Market introduction is expected in 2019. As VW is looking towards the future, they also paid tribute to their past with the Final Edition of the Beetle, which made its auto show debut during this time. As we covered in another post, VW is discontinuing the Beetle going forward, but not without paying tribute to its icon by releasing limited edition models - of which we are already starting to receive in our inventory so be sure to check them out before they're gone for good!

The Volkswagen Beetle: the people's car since 1945. After three generations and 7 decades Volkswagen announces the end of production for the iconic Bug. In celebration, Volkswagen is producing two special Final Edition models; the Final Edition SE and the Final Edition SEL. No immediate replacement is in the works, but Volkswagen says, "Never say never."  The Final Editions will be available as a coupe and as a convertible. Standard they are equipped with a 2.0 liter TSI® engine (174 hp & 184 lb-ft of torque), six-speed automatic transmission, body-matched side mirrors and special chrome treatments, heated washer nozzles, and the coupe models come standard with a sunroof. The "Turbo" badging will be replaced with a special-edition "Beetle" badge. The SE model will come with 17-inch 15-spoke aluminum wheels, while the SEL will feature 18-inch wheels with a disc design to replicate the classic salad-spinner wheels. All Final Edition models will feature KESSY® keyless access/push-start button ignition, leather wrapped multi-function steering wheel, Climatronic® automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a 6.3-inch touchscreen radio with Bluetooth, USB port, SiriusXM® radio, Car-Net® App-Connect, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert system. Some of the upgrades in the SEL model include diamond-stitched leather seats vs. the cloth rhombus-pattern seats the SE models have. The SEL also includes Car-Net® Security & Service, Guide & Inform, navigation, Fender® Premium Audio system, and front and rear park distance control. The Final Editions will feature two new colors: Safari Uni "a reinvention of Harvest Moon Beige, a color from the New Beetle—and Stonewashed Blue, a nod to the 1970 Jeans Bug and most recently seen on the 2016 Beetle Denim" They will also be available in Pure White, Deep Black Pearl, and Platinum Gray. The exception here is the convertible which will not be available in Safari Uni, but are available with a unique brown soft top. Pricing starts at $23,045 for SE coupes and $25,995 for SEL coupes. Convertible pricing starts at $27,295 for SE models and $29,995 for SEL models. We'll be sad to see them go - but you never know. They might be back  ;-)

Way back in 2015 Volkswagen introduced the concept model of the Arteon as a replacement for the ill-fated CC. Now, it's finally here. Volkswagen unveiled the production model of the Arteon at the Geneva International Motor Show in March of 2017 (It was debuted n the U.S. at the Chicago Auto Show in February of this year). Klaus Bischoff, the head designer of Volkswagen says, "The Arteon combines the design elements of a classic sports car with the elegance and space of a fastback. It's an avant-garde business-class Gran Turismo that speaks to the heart and head alike." The vehicle features a 111.9-inch wheelbase, and a 191.4-inch long body; it is 73.7 inches wide and is 56.2 inches tall. The front end was completely redone, featuring a hood that extends over both fenders and a grille that extends through the full width of the vehicle. It comes standard with chrome strips on the side windows, LED taillights, LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, alloy wheels, Keyless Go access, stainless steel door kickplates, composition media infotainment system (including eight loudspeakers, AUX-IN and USB), electronically controlled A/C system, leather multi-function steering wheel (with paddle shifters on DSG models), six-way power adjustable front seats, driver alert system, and a progressive steering system. The Elegance trim level includes chrome door mirror caps, LED taillights with dynamic indicator light function, 18-inch "Muscat" alloy wheels, continuous chrome trim strip on lower bodywork, heated windshield washer jets, contrast stitching on seat covers and floormats, aluminum-look pedal covers, Alcantara /"Vienna" leather seating surfaces, and heated front seats. The R-Line trim level includes high gloss black finish of the C-signature in the front air intakes, leather multi-function R-Line design sport steering wheel, 18-inch "Sebring" alloy wheels, heated windshield washer jets, special R-Line bumpers, continuous chrome trim strips on lower bodywork, chrome-plated exhaust tips, "Titan Black" headliner, stainless steel door kickplates front and rear (with R-Line logo on front plates), aluminum-look pedal covers, Alcantara/"Vienna" leather seating surfaces with R-Line logo, special R-Line steering wheel, and heated front seats. It's launching with six turbocharged direct-injection engine choices; all having four cylinders, gas AND diesel (!!!), ranging from 148 hp to 276 hp. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual for the base models (both gas and diesel!) and a 7-speed automatic DSG for all trim levels. Best of all for us in Vermont, it features a FWD option AND an AWD 4Motion option (unfortunately without the standard transmission, but we digress). Volkswagen was nice enough to grace us with it's presence this past Friday, September 14th and we can't wait to have them here on the lot. Be sure to come check it out when they come in, around November/December of this year! You don't want to miss it  :-)