SOWO Recap!!!!

So we're back from the Southern Worthersee tour in Helen, Georgia! It's a car enthusiasts dream, a show focusing primarily on German cars (VW/Audi mainly). What an experience! A great show put on by a great organization. Thanks to all the vendors, manufacturers, and Dubbers for coming out and showing everybody your stuff. Let's see some pics! Send them in!

 

Passat Performance Concept

Let's all take a step back and remember that old 1.8T. It was fun, it was powerful, it hummed to the tune of about 180 horsepower..... Ahhhh.... Well that was nice. It's back. It's been changed around a bit, though, and should be pumping out something closer to about 250 horsepower. Whoa, that puts it awfully close to the bigger 3.6 VR6. Another nice touch is that this will be mounted in the Passat for it's new Performance Concept idea. We smell a DSG coming into the mix also, but VW hasn't officially announced anything.

Taking a look at the car, you'll notice that it sits on a massive set of 19-inch wheels, bolted up to a lowered sport-suspension. It will also feature Bi-Xenon headlights, LED taillights, and carbon-fiber mirror caps on the outside. The carbon-fiber continues into the interior, as well as unique two-toned seats with carbon-look inserts. NIIIIIICCCCEEEEEE!

Let's Do the Electric Slide!

VW has recently announced a few new engine designs and concept vehicles at the 2013 Detroit Auto show. The best of which will be a new hybrid powertrain, designed to fit on the MQB chassis. The best part about this is that the MQB chassis is now going to be used to build every vehicle except the Touareg! That means this drivetrain could potentially be thrown into any car in the fleet!

What are the first vehicles VW plans on updating first? The Passat and the Golf. Nice. Starting next year, VW will now have 4 hybrid vehicles available; the Touareg, the Jetta, the Passat, and the Golf. This new drivetrain will use innovative technology called the eDSG transmission, a Direct Shift Gearbox that now incorporates an electric motor within. This is a radical new spin on hybrid technology, and much different from the Jetta's separate electric motor and DSG systems. Expect to see fuel efficiency numbers up in the mid 40 mpg range, just like the Jetta Hybrid. Great news following the announce of the CrossBlue Concept TDI Hybrid, punching in at a massive 89 mpg. Keep it up guys!!!

The 1.4 TSI Hybrid

That Chattanooga Sun!

As most of you know (and some of you are about to find out), the Volkswagen automobile factory in Chattanooga Tennessee produces the North American version of the Passat, and is the cleanest car production facility in the world. In December it was officially LEED Platinum certified (the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the US Green Building Council) for it's revolutionary painting process and it's clever use of waste water to cool machinery, among other innovative eco-friendly tricks. But, VW isn't finished yet! There's still another surprise jumping out of the Cattanooga plant that you've yet to see!

VW has always been an eco-friendly company, and vowed to become more so back in 2005. They made the promise that they would make their factories 25% more efficient, and lower CO2 emissions across the line-up by 30%! That's a bold statement to make; but then they went further and vowed to have it done by 2015! VW enthusiasts and skeptics alike had a hard time grasping the concept of how the company could make such a drastic change in such a short period of time, but the final piece of the puzzle may have just come onto the table.

Starting in January of 2013, Volkswagen has officially activated it's new 65-acre solar park, featuring 33 acres of photovoltaic solar panels. These solar panels will generate enough electricity to power a little over 350 average American households, which will represent approximately 13% of the factory's total energy needs. It features over 33,000 solar panels, which makes it the largest solar array at any automobile facility, and the largest in the state of Tennessee, pumping out a whopping 9.6 MW of raw power! This is just another example of how Volkswagen is one of the cleanest and greenest car manufacturer's in the world. The sun is always shining on Volkswagen!

Full View of the 65-Acre Solar Park

Getting Ready to "Flip the Switch"

Warning!: You're No Longer Invisible in a Mid-Sized Sedan!

Passat Model Changes!!!

So we've all been looking at the 2013 line-up to see what changes have been made. The 2013 Passat gets no exterior changes (it's a brand new car), but it does get a few changes in the interior and technology departments. Unfortunately, the new model will no longer come standard with Climatronic (Dual Zone Climate Control), this will be a feature reserved for the SEL trim levels. Don't get too sad, though. To make up for it, Volkswagen is now offering a re-designed center console with AC vents in the rear for the SE trim levels and up. They are also adding a new trunk hinge cover over all trim levels. It looks much nicer with this cover on. Also, SEL models equipped with navigation will get an added bonus to their trial subscription of satellite radio. Instead of just 3 months of music, the car will now also come with 4 years of traffic pre-paid! They'll also be getting a back-up camera! Nice!

300k miles.......

Hydraulics are Standard!!!

But not the kind that make your car jump, lol. The new VW lineup, including the Passat, comes up with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist). This is an incredible feature that helps you stop faster, and better.

Ever been driving and had a car jump out in front of you? Most of us have. In that situation, we usually slam on the brakes, or hesitate and then slam on the brakes. We may even slam on the brakes, and then check up accidentally. Well HBA helps to make sure we stop on time. The system can detect, through the way you press the pedal, whether or not you are in an emergency stopping situation. It does this by measuring the pressure in the brake pedal, and by measuring the pressure gradient (change in pressure over a time interval) to detect an emergency braking situation.

Basically, if the driver doesn't brake hard enough, the HBA system kicks in and adjusts brake pressure to maximum. This will help you stop faster and in a shorter distance! Hydraulics!!!

Check out the next safety tip in the Golf R Blog next time.

Is that the new Passat?

I Dare You to Cross this Line! R-Line, that is.

That's right. Volkswagen has released the 2012 Passat R-Line for many parts of the world (yes, we're still waiting). The car will be offered with more aggressively styled bumpers, sporting air diffusers on both the front and rear. The car will also feature VW's characteristic R-Line badging on the door sills and aluminum pedals. Attached to the rear, you will find a cleverly integrated rear spoiler to help stabilize the car at higher speeds. Offered in both sedan and wagon trims, this Passat is sure to turn heads.

2013 Passat Alltrack

What if you could have the comfort, luxury, and space of a Passat; with the ease and capability of a Tiguan or Touareg. Well, now some of us can. Check out what the European fans will be able to purchase later this year. Theres only one thing wrong with it, ITS NOT COMING TO THE US!!!! ;(

Spy Shots!!!

Check out these photos of the all-new 2012 Passat Dubbed Out. Volkswagen customized a base model SE passat with an H&R suspension, OZ Racing wheels with carbon fiber center caps, a mean aero package, and some nice vinyl to back it up. This car was done for a VW photo shoot, maybe a hint at whats coming for the aftermarket side? Oh, one more thing. The car had parking distance sensors installed, something not currently offered on the Passat. Hmmmm.... We love upgrades......



Habla Espanol? LOL, Want to Learn?

TDI. The cure for gas pains.

Volkswagen's Newest Factory

Efficiency Doesn't Have to Mean Slow!

With the all-new 2012 Passat TDI, Volkswagen has found a way to couple fuel efficiency exceeding that of a hybrids, with the performance that Volkswagen owners have come to expect of their cars. Many people associate a gain of fuel efficiency with a loss of performance, but with the new Passat, you don't have to trade one for the other. Why sacrifice?!

Passat Performance

Volkswagen's all-new 2012 Passat is finally here! We finally received shipments of the redesigned Passat , and what a car! Not only is it loaded with luxury and safety features, but most people will be surprised with the available performance features in this year's vehicle.


The 2012 Passat has a heartbeat that beats to the tune of three different engine options. Most vehicles will be equipped with our famous 2.5 liter, 5 cylinder engine, producing 170 hp and 177 ft-lbs of torque. For our fuel efficient customers, the record-setting 2.0 TDI engine option is available, with an EPA estimated 40 mpg (on a cold engine with 0 miles, you may see better)! By the way, did I mention that this engine still makes 236 lb-ft of torque? Thats a lot of zip for an eco-friendly vehicle. And last, but certainly not least, is our 3.6 liter FSI VR6, pumping out a whopping 280 hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque! That should satisfy Volkswagen's heavy-footed customers.

The performance of the transmission in these cars is no joke either, with a 5-speed manual, or optional 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic for all vehicles fitted with the 2.5 liter engine. TDI vehicles will have a 6-speed manual standard, but the option to upgrade to the famous DSG gearbox exists. This DSG gearbox will be fitted to the VR6 as a standard feature, and features paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The dual clutch DSG gearbox not only gives you the same drive, and economy as a manual transmission, but also shifts gears in less than 1/10 of a second! That's faster than any human being can possibly shift a manual transmission! Oh, and did I mention that it works like an automatic for the driver?

Check out what its like living in the express lane with VW's new Passat commercial:
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End of Summer Event!!!

Esserman International Acura Volkswagen Kia 10455 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33172 General Phone: 866-376-8984 | Visit our Website: Volkswagen I Acura I Kia

End Summer in style at Esserman International Volkswagen's End of Summer Special Event. Stop by on Saturday, September 24th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and enjoy plenty of good food, meet latin signing sensation Albita, preview the 2012 Volkswagen New New Beetle and test drive a 2012 Passat for your chance to win a Big Green Egg BBQ! What are you waiting for? Schedule your test drive today! Saturday, September 24th 1:00pm - 4:00pm • Chow down some of Miami's best street food • Meet latin singing sensation Albita • Preview the 2012 New New Beetle • Test drive the new 2012 Passat and you could win a Big Green Egg BBQ Plus, take advantage of End of Summer specials on the new 2012 VW Passat or pre-order your 2012 New New Beetle today! View Inventory 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5L S $219/month 36-month lease. $1,999.00 due at signing. (Excludes title, tax, options and dealer fees. Excludes TDI models.) Stock #V29268 Get Financing | Test Drive | View Inventory 2012 Volkswagen New New Beetle $19,795 MSRP Available for pre-order only. Get Financing | Test Drive | View Inventory 1. *Based on MSRP of $23,460.00 (including destination charges) for a 2012 Passat 2.5L S with Appearance Package with automatic transmission, excluding title, tax, options and dealer fees. Excludes TDI models. Monthly payments total $7,884.00. Requires dealer contribution of $1,419.00, which could affect final negotiated transaction. Purchase option at lease end for $13,722.20. At lease end lessees responsible for $0.25/mile over 36,000 miles and excessive wear and tear. Dealer sets actual prices. Lessee responsible for insurance. Closed-end lease offered on approved credit by Volkswagen Credit through participating dealers. Supplies limited. U.S. cars only. Additional charges may apply at lease end. Initial vehicle availability may vary by dealer and location. See your Volkswagen dealer for financing details or for general product information call 1-800-Drive-VW. Offer expires 9/30/11. 2. Prices listed are the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. All prices exclude transportation, taxes, title, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price. Request a test drive or inquire about purchasing a new vehicle. If you have any questions, please contact our Business & Lease Termination Manager at 866-376-8984. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Sincerely, Mike Schantz Business & Lease Termination Manager AND COME CHECK OUT THE 2012 BEETLE!!!! NOW AVAILABLE FOR TEST DRIVE!!!

Test Drive the All-New 2012 Passat at Esserman International this month for your chance to win the ultimate summer BBQ grill

2012 VW Passat: All-new for 2012, the VW Passat offers a more spacious cabin but keeps the luxurious interior and affordable German engineering that car shoppers expect from Volkswagen. New features include a TDI Clean Diesel engine option, an Integrated Crash Response System (ICRS), available remote start and, on certain models, the available Fender Premium Audio System – a nine-speaker sound system that gives you the power to share your favorite song with just about everyone in the neighborhood. Or at the stop light.

Visit www.inernationalvw.com for more information and complete contest rules.

“The import car built right here in America”: Motor Trend test drives the 2012 Passat

August 5, 2011

2012 Passat

Think of it as a German-American: the 2012 Volkswagen Passat features the German Engineering we’re known for, but is being built at a new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Because we know the folks at Motor Trend love nothing more than a driving date, we put on our finest new car fragrance and invited automotive journalist Michael Febbo to test drive the new Passat TDI, fresh off the assembly line.
We put a lot of effort into getting ready for our date, so we were glad to hear Michael say, “Many of the competitors in this class feel like a well-equipped affordable car; the Passat feels more like an affordable version of a higher-end car.” He went on to state, “While pricing has decreased compared with the outgoing Passat, standard equipment hasn’t. In short, there is now more of it.” Thanks for noticing!
Since we’ve gotten to know our new Tennessee home so well, we knew just the spot for our outing: the freeway from Chattanooga to Nashville via Lynchburg. Michael was not disappointed in our choice, writing, “The back roads on the way to Lynchburg are twisty, scenic, and ideal to test out the North American-specific platform.“ And the appeal of the TDI was not lost on him, either: “The car settles in at speed, feels confident, and hates the 65-mph limit as much as the driver does,” adding, “The engine is smooth and silent, the opposite of diesels of the past.”
But we don’t wanna give away all the details—check out the full story for yourself.

All-new 2012 Passat starting under $20,000

May 26, 2011

Passat lovers, rejoice: Volkswagen announced that the 2012 Passat will have a starting MSRP of only $19,995. The all-new Passat offers exceptional features and premium options, at competitive pricing. What’s more, the 2012 Passat will be produced at Volkswagen’s brand new energy-efficient facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The environmentally responsible facility will produce 150,000 vehicles a year and has created more than 12,000 jobs for Americans.
The 2012 Passat is not only made in America—it’s made with Americans in mind. It provides premium features offered only in the U.S., including leather seats, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, wood decor, ambiance lighting, memory driver’s seat, keyless access with push button start and more. The Passat will also offer the new Fender Premium Audio System, designed exclusively for Volkswagen.