American Made – Wait for It – Volkswagen

Volkswagen has recently announced that the German-based company plans on building a newly developed “midsized SUV” at their Chattanooga, TN facility. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaf in Wolfsburg, said, “The United States of America is and will remain one of the most important markets for Volkswagen. Over the past few years, we have achieved a lot there. We are now launching the second phase of the Volkswagen campaign in the US. With the midsize SUV, the expansion of the Chattanooga plant and the new development center, the focus is on the wishes of the U.S. customer. This is also a strong signal for the U.S. as an industrial and automobile production location. The Volkswagen brand is going on the attack again in America.”

Volkswagen has laid out a plan that includes investing approximately $900 million in the project to begin the development of a new midsize seven-passenger vehicle with production scheduled to begin at the end of 2016. The company also plans on establishing a new 538,000 square foot “National Research & Development and Planning Center” at the Tennessee-based campus. The expansion is also expected to create some 2,000 jobs.

So far, not many details have been released about this new SUV, however there is a bit of a preview with the CrossBlue Concept, a smaller three-row midsize crossover that was debuted at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. “The Chattanooga-built midsize SUV will allow us to fulfill the wishes of our dealer network, bringing new customers to our showrooms and additional growth for the brand,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO Volkswagen Group of America. “We are eager to be entering this growing vehicle segment with a world-class, seven-passenger SUV from Volkswagen.”

Street VW of Amarillo

For all your Volkswagen needs, come to Street VW right here in Amarillo, TX. We have the top of the line Volkswagen SUVs such as the 2014 Touareg and the 2014 Tiguan. However, if you are in the market for something a bit smaller, we offer the newest 2014 Jettas and Passats. We also have a large selection of used and certified used cars, trucks and SUVs to choose from. So stop by! We are located at 2725 SE. 45^th Avenue in Amarillo, TX.

 

Slug Bug Success!

Street VW would like to thank all of you who participated in our 2^nd annual Calling All Slug Bugs event. We had such a great turn out this year at Wonderland and are looking forward to many more years of community get-together’s to come.

For all of your Volkswagen needs, don’t forget to stop by our temporary location at 2725 SW. 45^th Avenue in Amarillo, TX 79110. If you are in need of a new 2014 Beetle Coupe or Convertible we have a large selection to choose from, as well as a great selection of used and certified used cars, trucks and SUVs in stock. Thank you for all your support in the last year and we look forward to working with you.

Happy 4th of July!

This Independence Day, when you are cooking your hotdogs and hamburgers and celebrating with fireworks make sure you remember the real reason for the celebration. Our Independence Day is all thanks to the brave men and women who fought for our country’s independence from an oppressive government, so that we may enjoy all the freedoms we have today.

We at Street VW would like to wish everyone a safe and fun 4^th of July. Keep an eye out for special Independence Day savings on all our new and used inventory or come by the store, located at 2725 SE. 45^th Avenue and take a new 2014 Beetle Convertible for a test drive. Happy Independence Day from all of us at Street VW!

1969 Volkswagen Bug vs. 1974 Chevy Pickup?

Recently Motor Trend’s Roadkill series took a 1974 Chevrolet pickup and a 1969 VW Bug and put them to the ultimate test against each other. Who tackles the sand dunes better, the Chevrolet with the upgraded Chevy LS6 V8 or the VW Baja Bug? Watch to find out, but I will give you a hint. SPOILER ALERT, it’s the Bug!!!

When you live in an area like the Texas Panhandle, we have a lot of dried up river and lake beds that translate to serious off-roading fun. And when you a have a VW dealer as close as Street VW, you have no excuse forgetting out and enjoying the beautiful panhandle scenery. Come by Street VW in Amarillo, and choose from a large selection of 2014 convertible or coupe style Beetles. Or if you want a bug that’s a little older to really get dirty in, no worries because we have those too.  So come by Street VW temporarily located at 2725 SW. 45^th Avenue in Amarillo, TX but keep an eye out for our new location to be completed in spring of 2015. We look forward to meeting you and helping you find your perfect VW.

Take a ride down the Volkswagen conveyer belt

Have you ever wondered what it’s like when a car is being made? Going up and down conveyer belts, getting assembled, and finally painted before hitting showroom floors. Check out this Volkswagen Experience and you will see what it’s like from start to finish, with a little different perspective. For all your Volkswagen needs come by Street VW in Amarillo. We have a large selection of new 2014 Golf’s and other Volkswagen models as well as used and certified used cars, trucks and SUV’s to choose from.

VW unveiled the new NMC concept car at Auto China 2014

For the first time, making its grand debut at the Auto China 2014 show, it’s the Volkswagen New Midsize Coupe (NMC) concept car, in the flesh so to speak.

This new sedan gets some style attributes from a few of its siblings, however it will be shorter, lighter, and lower than the Jetta and wider than a Passat.  It sports a three-bar grill, with a high-gloss black top bar and chrome bottom bars giving the illusion that the NMC is lower than it appears. It also sports a high-gloss black roof panel and Dragon Red paint which is complemented by the 20-inch wheels and 3D LED taillights.

New styling isn’t the only impressive aspect of this concept model, the New Midsize Coupe will be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo providing 217-horsepower, meaning that the spunky sedan can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just under 7 seconds. This car has speed, style, and when paired with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, VW says the NMC can get fuel economy of about 37 mpg.

Check out the video below for the full world premiere of the VW New Midsize Coupe concept in Beijing.

The NMC is not available yet, but you can still hit the road in style with a new 2014 Passat or Jetta, so come by Street VW in Amarillo and let us help you get behind the wheel. We also have a large selection of Used and Certified Used cars, trucks and SUVs for you to choose from. Do not miss any of the great things going on at Street Volkswagen of Amarillo! LIKE US on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter!

 

Volkswagen Rocks the 2014 Geneva Auto Show with the Introduction of the T-ROC Concept

Take a glance in to the future of Volkswagen crossovers with the introduction of the T-ROC Concept.

While this stylish concept crossover is still but a mere concept, Street Volkswagen has a variety of other crossovers to choose from. We have a large selection of new 2014 Tiguan and Touareg’s to choose from, as well as a great variety of used cars, SUV’s and Trucks. Do not miss any of the great things going on at Street Volkswagen of Amarillo! LIKE US on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter!

Volkswagen introduces the new Golf GTE plug-in hybrid at the Geneva International Auto Show.

Volkswagen recently introduced the newest model to the Golf family, the all new Plug-in Hybrid Golf GTE edition. The newest installment to the VW lineup makes Volkswagen the first automaker to offer a full range of conventional and alternative powertrains. The spunky little hot hatch has quite a few new features that its siblings don’t, aside from the combined fuel economy of 157 mpg. Let’s dive on in and see what the newest member of the Volkswagen family has to offer.

The Golf goes electric…and blue.

For the first time ever the Golf GTE will come with two engines: a 1.4-liter 148 horsepower turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine and a 101 horsepower electric motor. Add that all up and this little green machine can put out up to 201 combined horsepower. What does that mean? Simple, through the combined power of both engines this sporty little compact can hang with the big boys on the autobahn, reaching a top speed of 135 mph. Wow! If speed isn’t what you’re looking for, but efficiency is, then look no further. The Golf GTE is capable of reaching a top speed of 81 mph when just running off the electric motor, and when driving in town on electricity alone it can run for days, weeks, even months between charges depending on the amount you drive.  But speed and efficiency certainly aren’t the only things the GTE is capable of, what really makes it stand out from other plug-in hybrids is its pulling power. That’s right, this little car can pull its own weight and more, with a maximum torque of 258 lb-ft. Move over plug-ins and hybrids alike, there is a new kid on the block and his name is Golf GTE.

Why so blue? To distinguish the GTE from its other siblings in the Golf family, Volkswagen’s lead designers decided to change out all the red accent that is familiar with the Golf GTI, GTD and others and replaced it with a nice, cooling blue color. Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen’s Head Designer, says: “Volkswagen’s e-mobility color of blue creates attractive contrasts in the car’s seating, decorative seams, and material design. Moreover, the blue ambience lighting builds a visual bridge to the world of e-mobility.” Other interior features include a high-resolution 6.5-inch radio system and the “Discover Pro” radio-navigation system, as well as a driving range monitor, energy flow display, zero emissions statistics, e-manager and the optional navigation system.

Are you ready to join the Golf family?

Look no further than Street VW. While the plug-in Hybrid Golf GTE is not currently available, we here at Street VW have a great selection of other Golf models to choose from. We also have a variety of used and certified used cars, trucks and SUV’s if you prefer “pre-loved” vehicle options. Do not miss any of the great things going on at Street Volkswagen of Amarillo! LIKE US on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter!

Volkswagen Stars in “Summer of (Family) Love”

With each passing generation we are noticing that more and more people are becoming more conscious of their very surroundings and the world that we live in. The phrase, “Waste Not, Want Not” comes to mind, and we happen to think this is pretty accurate. As this sentence is being written, America has wasted 15,175,696,742 pounds of food since 2014 began and you can see that number growing here. A statistic like that is what many would refer to as an epidemic. There is a major movement evolving within our culture that promotes the ideas of living simplistically. Essentially, those who are involved believe that we are too adjusted to consuming more than we need on a regular basis.  This idea could be directed at a number of factors in our lives including food consumption, water waste, fossil-fuel dependency, clothing and other shopping addictions just to name a few. Nicolas Boullosa and Kirsten Driksen are a living testament of the value of putting simplistic lifestyle into practice.

Living in a 1981 VW Westfalia Van

Co-founders of the simple living website www.faircompanies.com, Nicolas Boullosa and Kirsten Dirksen have used their site to explore and highlight the lives of those who have chosen a simple lifestyle for themselves or their families. Recently, the couple and their children were able to put what they had learned into practice. Essentially, these determined folks turned a 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia van into a simple living experiment by taking a road trip with the whole family across the Pacific Northwest. They turned their experiences into a fun documentary that they have shared online titled Summer of (Family) Love. They limited themselves to only one backpack of belongings per person to take on their journey. They also prepared all meals themselves, prepared on a propane stove when they would post up near a new RV park every night. They also have some great opportunities to meet some of the very people they had featured on their website. “With no advanced reservations and only interviews to guide us, we visited the homes of regulars in the tiny house world. With each stop we picked up some new piece of wisdom about life’s essentials. Tiny house builder Dee Williams (Olympia, WA) asked us to consider: “What do you want to hold in your arms when you die?” Boeing engineer and Seattle micro-apartment designer Steve Sauer explained he is less interested in simplicity and more focused on having control over the things in his life. Oregon Coast surfboard-maker Lanny Shuler thinks you can be happy anywhere as long as you give your mind time to heal through meditation.”

The Westfalia Story

The VW Westfalia camper could easily be pegged as one of the most popular conversion campers in history. They were built by Volkswagen based on their popular VW Bus from 1951 through 1999. There were several different types and models offered, and that was the real beauty of the Westfalia, they were so unique and different but remained practical. If you are planning a summer road trip for the family this year and you are lucky enough to find a VW Westfalia for the journey, why not try something simple and create your own “Summer of (Family) Love”?

Do not miss any of the great things going on at Street Volkswagen of Amarillo! LIKE US on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter!

The Beetle Celebrates 65 Years of Being a US Citizen

If you have not noticed by now, Street VW takes immense pride in being a part of the Volkswagen family. VW has built an iconic presence as well as an amazing fan and customer base that many other automakers are deeply envious of. The only thing we love more than being a part of VW is working with those that love Volkswagen just as much, if not more, than we do. The Beetle has long been an icon of the VW brand, and is the vehicle to be thanked for attracting a large portion of VW’s devoted fans. The VW Beetle has been a cornerstone of the VW empire and will continue to do so into the future. From playing ‘slug bug’ with annoying siblings to watching Herbie the Love Bug for the first time, more often than not, when we think of Volkswagen, the Beetle is one of the first thoughts that probably comes to mind. This January, Volkswagen began its celebration of 65 years of availability in the United States.

65 years of the Bug 

January marked the start of an important year for Volkswagen, as we celebrate the awesome 65 years that we have known the Beetle here in America. The beginnings of the Beetle itself actually can be traced back to Germany in 1934, when Adolph Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche to help him design a cheap, simple economy car. Volkswagen translated into English literally means “car for the people”. Four years later in 1938, the Beetle was officially born. However, it was not until after World War II, in 1949, that it would first touch land in the United States of America. Since its arrival, over 5.5 million Beetle models have been sold in the states. This number is especially impressive when you consider that in its first year only two were sold. In 1968, there were over 420,000 models sold to a generation for which it would become a cultural icon. The Beetle had it all, affordability, practicality and efficient size, uniqueness and fuel economy. “Since its arrival in the United States 65 years ago, the Volkswagen Beetle has preserved its reputation of being more than just a car, but a symbol of uniqueness and freedom. The Beetle has become part of the cultural fabric in America and we are proud that its rich heritage continues to live with fans around the States,” according to Michael Horn, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America.

A Brief History of the Beetle

As we mentioned, the Beetle, also known as the Volkswagen Type 1, was born in 1938 in response to a need for an efficient, affordable automobile. It was one of the first rear-engine cars of its time, during a point in history when there was a demand in Germany for vehicles that were both functional and affordable.  In the 1950s, the Volkswagen brand was introduced to numerous countries that surround Germany and its production was expanded to many of these areas. Today, due to popularity and demand, the Beetle is built in over a dozen countries across the world and grown its international love and respect from the automotive industry and consumers alike. The Beetle overcame its rocky start in the US to become an icon with millions of devoted followers all over the world. We hope the next 65 years and beyond offer the same success the Beetle has enjoyed for past six and a half decades.

Do not miss any of the great things going on at Street Volkswagen of Amarillo! LIKE US on Facebook and FOLLOW US on Twitter!