2015 VW Golf GTI Wins First Cars.com/USA Today/Motorweek “Cheap Speed Challenge!”

Last month, just one month after hitting dealership lots across the United States, the all-new 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI was named the winner of the Cars.com’s first ever “Cheap Speed Challenge!” The challenge focused on compact coupes, sedans, and hatchbacks that cost less than $30,000 and features the different tech and convenience features that drivers expect out of a car these days! Keep reading to learn more!

Panelists included experts from Cars.com, USA Today, and MotorWeek, as well as a driver in the market for a new car. They tested eight different vehicles in a handful of categories to determine who would emerge victorious! Tests included zero-to-60 mph times, 60 mph to zero braking distances, 200 miles of driving on various road surfaces to test real-world fuel economy, professional road course testing on a closed track, and performance testing on a racetrack. Joe Wiesenfelder, Executive Editor of Cars.com, had this to say about the winning 2015 VW Golf GTI:

"Not only does the all-new 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI offer the best performance bang for the buck, it is also one of the most comfortable. The GTI outperformed most cars in just about every test we conducted. Also, unlike some of the other Cheap Speed competitors, the GTI offers an impressively roomy and high-quality interior in addition to being seriously fun-to-drive!"

To learn more about the 2015 VW Golf GTI and all other new Volkswagen inventory, stop on in to your Chicagoland VW dealership, Jennings Volkswagen, to speak to a member of our team and get set up with a test drive today!

New Midsize VW SUV to Be Produced in Chattanooga!

Earlier this summer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) was really excited to announce the production of an all-new midsize SUV that will be produced at the Chattanooga VW plant in Tennessee. VWoA plans to invest around $900 million in the production of this newly developed, seven-passenger SUV. Not only will the production of this new SUV broaden and increase VW production in the United States, it will create approximately 2,000 new jobs. Keep reading to learn more!

The all-new midsize SUV will be the second VW model to be produced at the Chattanooga based plant, in addition to the U.S.-built Passat, and will hit the production line starting at the end of 2016. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkom, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, in Wolfsburg, had this to say about the U.S. based production:

"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 Volkswagen campaign in the U.S. 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."

Michael Horn, President and CEO VWofA, had this to say about the midsize SUV and its production being located in Tennessee:

"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. We are eager to be entering this growing vehicle segment with a world-class seven-passenger SUV from Volkswagen."

To learn more about the Volkswagen brand’s expansion in the U.S., and to check out the new Volkswagen vehicles currently on the market, stop on in to your Glenview Volkswagen dealership, Jennings Volkswagen, to speak to a member of our team today!

Volkswagen Teams Up With Discovery Channel For Shark Week!

For the third consecutive year, Volkswagen of America (VWofA) has teamed up with Discovery Channel to be the presenting sponsor of the network’s immensely popular summer feature: SHARK WEEK! SHARK WEEK kicked off a few days ago on Sunday and lasts through the end of the week. Keep reading to learn more about how VW helps sponsor this wonderful event!

After last year’s successful sponsorship integration with the 2013 Beetle Convertible Shark Cage, Volkswagen has taken an even bigger bite into the 2014 campaign! Televised elements of the campaign include three new 60-second shorts that features 2015 VW Golf TDI Clean Diesel and the cast of the popular Discovery Channel series, “DUDE, YOU’RE SCREWED.” As the 2015 VW Golf TDI Clean Diesel can achieve up to 567 highway miles with one tank of fuel (when paired with the automatic transmission), making it one of the only cars that can match a shark’s non-stop way of life!

In addition to the Beetle Shark Cage, last year VWoA gave viewers the chance to go for a drive on the ocean floor. This year, fans can take the challenge to prove that they have what it takes to swim with the sharks! Three “Non-Stop Shark Week Challenges” are being hosted on the Discovery Channel’s official non-stop SHARK WEEK website: www.vwsharkweek.com. The “Non-Stop Drive” will dare surfers to scroll through a 567-mile long website and keep their eyes peeled for sharks in the process!

To learn more about how act like a shark on land, stop in to your local Chicagoland VW dealers, Jennings Volkswagen, to check out the 2015 VW Golf TDI and go on a test drive today!

2015 VW Golf TDI Named 2014 Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year!

Last month, Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) was pleased to announce that the all-new 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI was named the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year for 2014 and that it won the Alternative Fuel category by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) during the second annual Drive Revolution event in Portland, Oregon! Top automotive journalists from the Pacific Northwest evaluated the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient vehicles on the market, and selected winners in four categories.

The 2015 VW Golf TDI comes powered by an EA288 TDI Clean Diesel Engine that combines performance, fuel efficiency, and value. The 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder TDI Clean Diesel engine can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. It should produce 150 horsepower and 236 pound-foot of torque. Upon receiving the award, Mark McNabb, Chief Operations Officer, VWoA, had this to say:

The all-new 2015 Golf TDI combines class-leading fuel economy, more power, advanced technology, reduced emissions, all while offering a tremendous value starting $3,000 less than the outgoing model. The Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year honor validates the benefits of the Golf TDI and highlights the leadership position the Pacific Northwest has taken in embracing alternative fuel technologies like TDI Clean Diesel.

To learn more about the 2015 VW Golf TDI and the Volkswagen brand’s Clean Diesel and eco-friendly technologies, stop in to your local Glenview VW dealership, Jennings Volkswagen, to speak to a member of our team today!