Volkswagen sheds light where others don't

Volkswagen Group Research staff members work together with the Development departments from the Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda brands as well as scientists from the Institute of Computer Graphics at the TU Braunschweig. Determining the psychological effect of light on the driver is part of the basic research. This knowledge is incorporated in the development of a simulation tool for virtual night driving, which is able to portray realistically how, among other things, oncoming traffic is blinded by headlights. New light functions are then implemented in test vehicles as a prototype for the road tests.

Prof. Dr Jürgen Leohold, Head of Volkswagen Group Research, commented that “the vision behind these activities is to fully achieve adaptive light distribution, which will in future automatically adjust to all driving situations and eventualities, thus continually ensuring optimum vision and visibility in the vehicle. Our aim is to further sharpen the Volkswagen Group’s competitive edge in the area of innovative lighting technologies. We are currently developing our skills in this important and strategic field of research in order to allow the coming years to deliver more surprises”.

The lighting technology known as “headlight range control”, as well as the “dynamic light assist” which has been introduced in the Volkswagen Touareg, originated in Volkswagen Group Research.

By using the “dynamic light assist” around the world in the new Touareg and Phaeton vehicle models, Volkswagen features innovative lighting technology’s high-end solution. The “dynamic light assist” is an entirely new dynamic main beam control system. It makes it possible to drive with the main beam left on without blinding oncoming traffic or drivers ahead of you. A camera on the interior mirror detects the exact position of the other road users; the masking function in each headlight is then separately activated electronically and the headlight main beams are slightly dimmed for the relevant area. As a result, the road illumination in general is improved. The “dynamic light assist” provides the means for a completely new feel for light, always optimally matched to the traffic situation.

Isn't science grand?

VW Donates 4 Jetta Sport Wagons to Law Enforcement

With the County Commission’s blessing and appreciation, Volkswagen of America has added a double case of “fahrvergneugen” (German for the joy of driving) to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. It is reported that during Thursday morning’s commission meeting the commissioners voted unanimously to authorize County Mayor Claude Ramsey to accept two Jetta station wagons from the one of the county’s newest residents. The vehicles will be assigned to traffic enforcement and, according to Mayor Ramsey, should maintain a high profile on the roads throughout the area.

Volkswagen also donated two of the vehicles to the Chattanooga Police Department, which are valued at $28,000 each.

World Volkswagen in Monmouth County announces HUGE savings!

World Volkswagen is pleased to announce very aggressive finance and lease choices in Monmouth and ocean Counties in New Jersey!! 

Shoppers can also take advantage of lease specials on all Volkswagen models in August. All leases are 36 months long, Just a few: For less than $200 a month, the 2010 Jetta Limited Edition with automatic transmission is $199 a month with $1,999 due at signing. The 2010 Golf is $199 a month with $2299 due at singing.

The 2010 GTI can be leased for $279 a month with $2,299 at lease signing. The 2010 Tiguan is $229 a month with $2499 due at lease signing. Lessees can get a CC for $339 a month with 0 Down, 0 Security Deposit and 0 Acquisition fee.

All gas 2010 Volkwagens have a 0% APR available, some models are even up to 72 months!! TDI rates 1.9% up to 60 models on 2010 Jetta TDI Sedan, 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the rugged Touareg TDI!! 

Volkswagen's new 2011 GTI's, Golfs, CC's, and 2011 Jetta Sportwagen's are here now and ready for immediate delivery!

August is an exciting month here at World VW!!  Come by and see us at 4075 Route 33 in Neptune New Jersey, just west of the Parkway at exit 100!!  Or visit us on the web at www.worldvw.com .

Volkswagen to Debut Hybrid Beetle

Recently there's been some buzz around the Beetle that runs on poo, or "Dung Beetle" as some have dubbed it. Nifty idea, but hardly something the general public would get into as far as a greener vehicle option. No worries, Volkswagen has been stirring it's environmentally friendly pot and came up with a more sterile solution: a hybrid Beetle!!

Autocar reports that VW is planning a "radical design" for the next-generation bug, set to debut at next year's Detroit auto show. The redesign will include a hybrid Beetle with a drivetrain resembling what was seen on the New Compact Coupe concept at this year's Detroit show--a lithium-ion battery pack, 20 kilowatt electric motor with a li-ion battery pack, 177 horsepower, 110 pound-feet of torque, and an average of 45 miles per gallon. The hybrid Beetle may not match those numbers exactly, but chances are it will come close.

The Beetle isn't the only upcoming electric option from VW. Aside from the already-unveiled hybrid Touareg, VW plans to release a hybrid Jetta in 2012 as well as an all-electric Golf in 2013. For the most part, though, VW is sticking with the clean diesel vehicles that it knows best.

Waterfest 2010 Great Pictures Great Time

Waterfest 2010 was one of the best ever!!  Click on the picture to view the gallery!!  From the super-tuned cars to the drag racing GTI's (One car in the outlaw division had a 9.785 second run!!)  The crowd was strong and not deterred by the heat.

Waterfest is held at Raceway Park in Englishtown NJ, usually in July, and draws V-DUBBERS from as far away as Canada and Florida.  It features all kinds of clothing, parts, and tuning accessories for your car.  Behind the displays folks were getting the ECU chips tuned and replaced for optimum speed!  
I cant wait to go next year and hope to see you all there!!

Grand Reopening World VW!!

On July 9th through the 12th World Volkswagen in Neptune NJ. will be celebrating their grand reopening with free gifts, free food, and free fun.  They will be also offering some of the best prices of the year on New 2010 Volkswagens and Preowned Certified VW's and other used cars in Monmouth County, Ocean County, and Mercer Counties in NJ.  Hope to see you there!!

Report: Volkswagen Gives the Green Light to a BlueSport Roadster

The Eos isn't Volkswagen's most popular model, but a meaner, performance-oriented droptop may be just what its consumers are looking for. A new report suggests the BlueSport roadster has been given the ok for production.


First seen at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, the BlueSport was depicted by VW as the comeback of the compact roadster. Sources at Auto Express have received confirmation from VW that the two-door sportster is indeed in the final stages of development and has been given the go-ahead for production. According to the source, designers haven't strayed from the concept's muscular look.

As it name suggests, the BlueSport will follow VW's trend of offering eco-friendly technologies. The car will likely feature stop/start technology along with regenerative braking. VW installed its 180-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine in the rear-drive roadster concept; its combination of frugality (55 mpg) and rapidity (0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds) dispelled myths that diesels have to be slow. When the production convertible premieres, we expect a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 gasoline engine, followed shortly after by a 1.4-liter twin-charged I-4.

Similar to what we saw some 18 months ago, the BlueSport borrows some styling trends from other VW offerings, namely the Scirocco and Golf, but a set of LED foglights and wide stance remind us of the Audi R8. To keep the car light, VW is poised to offer a manually operated folding cloth roof. In addition, an ultralight aluminum chassis will be used to help keep weight to near 2600 pounds.

We expect to see the BlueSport on our lot sometime between 2012 and 2013, with pricing presumed to start around $30,000.

The New Volkswagen Jetta Revealed!

Katy Perry and Volkswagen cause a stir in the Heart of Times Square

The closing of New York City's Times Square to traffic on Broadway took a new high yesterday (6/16) as Volkswagen launched the new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Transforming Duffy Square into an ‘urban oasis’. The TKTS booth was remade into a lawn and beach area, while further down cars were surrounded by water.

Several of the large video displays in Times Square were used to full advantage as the unveiling was followed by a free performance from Katy Perry. Excited teens were thrilled as were those who are gourmet aficionados as Chef Mario Batali preformed a cooking demonstration.

This was great PR for Katy Perry’s new video for "California Gurls." Performing a handful of tunes Katy Perry, hopped on top of the vehicle's hood in the middle of her short set. The performance was highlighted by her run through "California Gurls," the first single from her forthcoming album Teenage Dream (due in stores on August 24).

The new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta follows VW’s trend of offering high quality design and function at an affordable price. Sporty, fuel-efficient all for the base price of $16,000.

Volkswagen Launches Teaser Website for 2011 VW Jetta

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 2:42PM - By Chris Weiss

Wow, today must be the day for marginally interesting Web-launch teasers. I don’t think anyone outside of Volkswagen’s factories and offices are counting down to the new Jetta, but in case you’re wondering, you can check in with VW’s teaser website, which offers a countdown clock. At post time, there was just under five days and 22 hours left. The car will make its first official appearance next Tuesday at 11:25 a.m. EST.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Summer from ASE

Getting started -- The best planning guide is your owner's manual. Read it; and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. Air Conditioning - A marginally operating system will fail in hot weather. Have the system examined by a qualified technician. Cooling System - The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. The cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled as recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. (A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is usually recommended.) IMPORTANT!, never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a pro. Oil - Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual --more often (every 3,000 miles or so) if you make frequent short jaunts, extended trips with lots of luggage, or tow a trailer. Engine Performance - Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended-more often in dusty conditions. Get engine driveability problems (hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good shop -- you'll get better gas mileage, too!. Windshield Wipers - A dirty windshield causes eye fatigue and can pose a safety hazard. Replace worn blades and get plenty of windshield washer solvent. Tires - Have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles. Check tire pressures once a month; let the tires "cool down" first. Examine tires for tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. An alignment is warranted if there's uneven tread wear or if your vehicle pulls to one side. Don't forget your spare, and be sure the jack is in good condition. Transmission - Prevent major repairs by having this important component serviced periodically. Brakes - Brakes should be inspected as recommended in your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises, or longer stopping distance. Minor brake problems should be corrected promptly. Battery - Batteries can fail any time of year. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. Routine care: Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections. If battery caps are removable, check the fluid level monthly. Removal of cable can cause damage or loss of data/codes on some newer vehicles. Check your manual. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves. Lights - Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean dirt and insects from all lenses. To prevent scratching, never use a dry rag. Emergencies - Carry some basic tools-ask a technician for suggestions. Also include a first aid kit, flares, a flashlight, and a cell phone.

A Word About ASE Perhaps years ago, a shady-tree mechanic whose only credentials were a tool box and busted knuckles was enough. But today's high-tech vehicles need more... and today's quality-conscious consumers demand more. The independent, non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) conducts the only industry-wide, national certification program for automotive technicians. Consumers benefit from ASE's certification program since it takes much of the guess-work out of finding a competent technician. ASE certifies the competency of individual technicians through a series of standardized specialty exams (brakes, transmissions, engine repair, etc.) Certified technicians are issued pocket credentials listing their area(s) of expertise and usually wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia, while their employers often post the ASE sign on the premises. There are more than 400,000 ASE-certified professionals at work in every type of repair facility. ASE: Certifying the Automotive Professional

Google Street View Cars Spied On Users' Wi-Fi

If you felt violated when the Google Street View car took a photo of your front lawn and posted it on Google Maps, you'd probably rather not know what it saw when it was intercepting data on your Wi-Fi network.

In a post Friday afternoon on its public policy blog, the company admitted that it had "mistakenly" collected not just the location and address data from public Wi-Fi networks, but also unsecured content flowing across those networks--information like what Web sites a user was visiting, what files he or she downloaded, or what videos the user watched.

Google has long collected Wi-Fi network location information to better triangulate the location of mobile users who don't have GPS enabled on their phones, instead using information about Wi-Fi signals the user is receiving. But the search giant admits that since 2007, it has also been collecting content data from unsecured networks, a result, it says, of accidentally implementing experimental code that a developer created in 2006.
Google says it only discovered that its cars were snooping on actual Wi-fi network content when it responded to a German privacy agency's request to audit the Wi-Fi data its cars had collected. It had previously responded to criticism in April with claims that it collected only location and address data, not actual content.

According to Google, those cars were "grounded" as soon as it discovered the problem and isolated their data to prevent its employees or outsiders from accessing it. "We want to delete this data as soon as possible, and are currently reaching out to regulators in the relevant countries about how to quickly dispose of it," Alan Eustace, a senior Google engineer, writes on Google's blog. The company says it's also working with a third party firm to review the software and the company's internal procedures to ensure similar violations don't occur in the future.

The admission, along with Google's earlier denials of the privacy violation, will likely send a shockwave through the movement of consumer advocates who already suspect that Google collects more information than it publicly admits. It may be used as fodder in the discussions around the controversial online advertising bill that was introduced earlier this month for public commentary.

"We are acutely aware that we failed badly here," Eustace adds. "We are profoundly sorry for this error and are determined to learn all the lessons we can from our mistake."

One lesson that we can all take from this still-unfolding scandal: Keep your Wi-Fi network password protected. Especially when a Volkswagen with an enormous camera rolls around the corner.