More Volkswagen Cars Earn IIHS Safety Honors

Last week the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released its list of the 2011 models that earned top marks in its safety tests. In all, the IIHS named 66 vehicles Top Safety Picks, including 40 cars, 25 SUVs and a minivan. That number is up considerably from last year's list, which was smaller than usual because of tougher IIHS test criteria, including a more stringent standard for crashworthiness in a rollover:
At the beginning of the 2010 model year, only 27 vehicles qualified for the award, but the number grew to 58 as auto manufacturers reworked existing designs and introduced new models. Now another 10 vehicles join the winners' list for 2011. Two discontinued models drop off.
"In just a year, automakers have more than doubled the number of vehicles that meet the criteria for Top Safety Pick," says Adrian Lund, the Institute's president. "That gives consumers shopping for a safer new car or SUV -- from economy to luxury models -- plenty of choices to consider in most dealer showrooms. In fact, every major automaker has at least one winning model this year."
The two automakers with the most qualifying models were Volkswagen and Hyundai, each of whom had nine Top Safety Picks.
But they were far from the only standouts. In fact, the number of qualifying models more than doubling between the 2010 and 2011 model year is a testament to the vibrancy of the global automotive industry, which has shown a remarkable capacity to adapt to some really difficult challenges within one or two model years on a pretty consistent basis.
That's in part, why I think high fuel economy standards are such a no-brainer -- the expertise and ingenuity within the industry are such that even the toughest mileage standards have little chance of getting between auto companies and their profits, thanks to the efforts of thousands of brilliant automotive engineers worldwide.
Another thing that stands out is the number of really affordable cars that got the nod. It wasn't so long ago that if you wanted a car that was really safe, you'd need to shop in the luxury car class. Now, entry-level cars like the Ford Fiesta and the Chevrolet Cruze are among the safest sold.

Here's the full list of winners, in case you're car shopping right now:
Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
BMW 5 series (except four-wheel drive and V-8)
Cadillac CTS sedan
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x four-wheel drive)
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E class coupe
Mercedes E class sedan
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Audi A4 sedan
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 4-door
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta Sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Volvo C30

Small cars

Chevrolet Cruze
Honda Civic, four-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Forte sedan
Kia Soul
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (except four-wheel drive)
Nissan Cube
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback (except WRX)
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf, four-door
Volkswagen GTI, four-door

Minicar
Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback built after July 2010

Minivan
Toyota Sienna
Large SUV
Volkswagen Touareg
Midsize SUVs
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Journey
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento built after March 2010
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes GLK
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso air bags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

Buying a Volkswagen from an old lady... Great Stuff

Volkswagen unveiled the seventh generation of the Passat at the Paris Motor Show

FOLLOWING over 15 million sales in 37 years across 100 countries around the world, Volkswagen unveiled the seventh generation of the Passat at the Paris Motor Show.

More infomation to follow!

LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos Convertible

2012 Volkswagen EOS

We knew this was coming. Just a few weeks ago, Volkswagen of Australia let loose a bunch of details and images of the next Eos hardtop convertible. At the time, we said we'd wait for confirmation from VW of America, but of course we knew the new model would eventually be announced for the States as it is the largest market for the German droptop, and it's getting its official debut right here in the U.S. at the LA Auto Show.

Upgraded Interior

And so here we are with all the details and two full high-res images of a U.S.-spec Volkswagen Eos, which VW claims has been "perfected." Sharp-eyed readers will notice refined front and rear fascias, which are a bit more in keeping with VW's most recent vehicular debuts. We think it's a pretty comprehensive improvement over the outgoing model, which always looked a bit too feminine to our eyes. We especially think the optional xenon headlamps with their 14 integrated LEDs help move the car a bit upscale.
Also as expected, VW will fit the next-gen Eos with the latest version of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant, mated up to the well-known six-speed DSG transmission. Fuel mileage is estimated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. The interior sees a few updates as well, mostly with the addition of some new trim options and fabrics.
Expect the new Eos to hit a World VW Dealership near you sometime in March.

Volkswagen testing to "break the ice"

Tired of scraping ice off your windshield in the winter months? So too are the engineers at Volkswagen. Although automakers have tried a number of devices, including heated windshield water fluid, to remove frozen water from windscreens, VW’s new idea could prevent it from forming in the first place.

The solution may lie with a coating for the windshield itself. Developed in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Technology, VW is testing a number of windshields treated with a thin layer of indium tin oxide. In theory, the coating reportedly prevents heat from radiating upwards, subsequently slowing or preventing the glass from cooling.



Does it work? Volkswagen claims the coating has prevented both fogging and ice formation at temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit -- but the system isn’t exactly perfected. Thomas Drescher, an engineer within VW’s Development wing, notes there are a number of variables -- including cloudiness, relative humidity, and wind -- can affect the effectiveness of the tin treatment.



“The Low-E (low thermal emissivity) [may not] prevent ice formation or condensation entirely,” Drescher notes, “but it can significantly reduce the likelihood of it happening.”

While this research might change how we view winter driving, don’t expect to see this technology applied to vehicles within the next year or two. VW reports the metallic film is currently interfering with radio reception and other electronic devices, which would severely limit the design’s viability in a gadget-driven world. Still, VW pledges to tinker with the idea, and once it’s ready for prime time, the company plans on offering it to each of its group brands (i.e. VW, Seat, Audi, Porsche, Skoda, etc.)

2011 CC packs powerful yet polite punch!

The 2011 CC embodies the idea that function and form can successfully exist together in a car's design without sacrificing on practicality. With a starting price of $28,200, and available in six trim levels, the CC forges the comfort and capability of a sedan with the styling and driving experience that are normally only reserved for a coupe.

The CC touches ground on sculpted alloy wheels mated to Continental ContiSealTM allseason puncture-resistant tires. The Sport model employs the 17-inch ‘Phoenix' wheel design, while Lux models are equipped with 18-inch ‘Daytona' or ‘Interlagos' designs. The VR6 4MOTION model stands out with polished 18-inch ‘Interlagos' wheels. All wheel and tire combinations include a tire pressure monitoring system that alerts drivers to any potential low pressure conditions.
Those seeking a more aggressive appearance can opt for the R-Line package, which includes lower body side trim, darkened tail lamps, standard fog lamps, stainless door sill plates, and head-turning 18-inch ‘Mallory' wheels. The R-Line package can be ordered with either 6- speed manual or automatic transmissions on the Sport trim level.

The CC Luxury and VR6 variants are built standard with Volkswagen's navigation systems that have a high resolution touch-screen displays, an SD memory card slot, an auxiliary input connection, and complimentary Sirius Real-Time Traffic programming.

Two engine options are available to power the CC wherever its driver commands: The 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder gasoline engine, or the 3.6-liter narrow angle V6 gasoline engine. The 2.0T in the CC Sport and Luxury models is sporty when called upon, but equally efficient, and combines four valves per cylinder, variable timing, dual overhead camshafts, and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters. Electronic TSI direct fuel injection and driveby- wire throttle control let the engine create 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm, and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm, while also offering great fuel economy.

Volkswagen's choice to include ESC standard on the CC and all other 2011 Volkswagen models, comes ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mandate that by the 2012 model year, all vehicles produced will need to include some form of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). According to NHTSA, having ESC in a vehicle results in 35 percent fewer single vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars. Volkswagen's ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual direction. If a discrepancy is detected, ESC automatically brakes individual wheels and reduces engine power to help maintain directional control.

Pet Awareness Event

 

World Volkswagen and World Jeep Subaru have teamed up with the NJSPCA to host the most
pet-friendly events of the year in Monmouth County! They will host on site pet adoptions, pet ID tagging, and more! Pet ID tagging is the easiest way of ensuring your pet’s safe return. If your pet runs away or is somehow lost the tag is the go-to for people to get that pet back where it belongs.  Without proper tagging the animals have a much lower chance of being returned to their rightful owners.   While ID tagging is very quick and easy to do it is often overlooked.  It’s not every day a person’s pet runs away or gets lost, so pet owners don’t think about the repercussions of improper ID tagging.Pet adoptions will be made possible through the Associated Humane Society on Shafto Road in Tinton Falls.  The AHS, founded in 1906, is the largest animal sheltering system in New Jersey.   The Society prides itself on their devotion to the thousands of animals they care for
annually and the chance for a better life they offer them.  By hosting on-site pet adoptions World Volkswagen and World Jeep Subaru are hoping to find some of these great animals the loving homes they deserve.

These events would not be possible without the help of the good people at the NJSPCA.
The NJSPCA was created in 1868 and is the second oldest SPCA in the country.  Agents were established as Law Enforcement Officers in charge of
investigating and prosecuting all persons involved in animal abuse and neglect. In addition, today, they are committed to educating the public on responsible pet ownership.  It is a great honor to have uniformed NJSPCA officers on premises answering questions and providing information. World Volkswagen will host it’s Pet Awareness Event on Saturday, November 13^th, from 9am to 6pm. World Jeep Subaru will host it’s event the following  Saturday, November 20^th, from 9am to 6pm.

Contact
the NJSPCA via www.NJSPCA.org and the Associated Humane Society via www.ahscares.org
.

All-New 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Available Now at World VW

 Whether in the market to buy or lease a 2011 Jetta in New Jersey, a NJ VW dealer is giving customers a great way to upgrade now. The all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is available now at World Volkswagen.

The new Volkswagen Jetta was completely redesigned for the 2011 model year and is ready to take on its competition. With a more attractive price and a more spacious interior, the VW Jetta is ready to compete with the likes of Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and Honda Civic.

The new VW Jetta features a curved roofline and softer angles, as well as dramatically flared sides that update its look. Drivers and passengers will be pleasantly surprised with how spacious the 2011 Jetta is as the cargo space resembles the space of a midsize sedan rather than a compact sedan. The body is 2.9 inches longer, allowing the Jetta to offer 15.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a back seat with more than three feet of legroom. Available 17-inch wheels add presence and upscale charm.

The value-priced S model has a 115-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, available with a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. SE Jetta and SEL Jetta models carry a more robust 170-horsepower, 5-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Fuel efficiency is strong for both gas engines, topping out at 24 city mpg and 34 highway mpg for the 4-cylinder with the manual transmission and 23 city mpg and 33 highway mpg for the 5-cylinder also with a manual transmission.

New Jersey Volkswagen Jetta owners will also be prepared for humid New Jersey summers, with air conditioning and a pollen filter standard on all S, SE and SEL models. Music lovers will need to look at the SE convenience package, which adds Sirius satellite radio as well as iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. A higher-end SEL convenience package is also available and offers SE features in addition to a touchscreen navigation system, while keeping the price very resonable

 

Volkswagen has combined the best of the Jetta’s past with a new focus on function and value. Every Jetta comes with a 3 year or 36,000 Limited Bumper to Bumper Warranty, Roadside Assistance, and 3 years or 36k of scheduled maintenance.

 

World Volkswagen to be an Official Drop off for the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 29, 2010 – For the second year in a row , you can drop off your non-perishable food items at World Volkswagen in Neptune , New Jersey. Located at 4075 Route 33, just west of the Garden State Parkway, the seller of Jettas and CC's and others, recognizes the needs of others in these tough times. Gino Dellomo, General Sales Manager of the dealership and a long-time resident in the area says, " at no time is it more important than now to help those less fortunate than ourselves. World Volkswagen is committed to this community and its people."


The FoodBank began in 1984 when three people saw hunger at the Jersey shore and decided to make a difference. They purchased a small, dilapidated warehouse in Spring Lake. Carpenters, masons and other members of the community donated work, office furniture and supplies. Food streamed in from hundreds of donors. After one year, the FoodBank was serving 25 charities with 100,000 pounds of food.

Ten years later, nearly two million pounds of food was being distributed annually from the same small warehouse. Bursting at the seams, the FoodBank undertook a capital campaign in 1998 to construct a new facility in Neptune. Three years later, the current 40,000 sq. ft facility became a reality.

Today, the FoodBank serves over 270 pantries, soup kitchens and other feeding programs with over 5 million pounds of food annually.

Does Volkswagen have the right forumula for F1 racing?

According to the latest, Volkswagen motorsport chief Hans-Joachim Stuck - a former grand prix driver and Le Mans winner himself - has indicated that the growing automotive empire will make a decision by the end of the year (likely in November) on whether it will enter the Formula One World Championship in 2013.

If and when it does, VW AG could label its program under any of its brands. Audi was initially tipped to be the favorite, but with its Le Mans program already dominating, recent reports indicate that Porsche could get the nod for a come-back, having supplied TAG-branded engines to McLaren in the '80s. Volkswagen's own roundel could alternatively be tasked, but other group subsidiaries seem unlikely.

The decision will likely be linked to the direction that the series will take in terms of future engine development. The company could, meanwhile, opt to buy out an existing team - Sauber, HRT and Toro Rosso are said to be on the market - or team up with an existing one (like Williams) to enter the sport.

Rapleaf is selling your identity

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Rapleaf knows your name, your age and where you live. It knows your e-mail address, your income and what social networks you use. It knows your likes and dislikes. And it makes money by selling much of that personal information to advertisers.

Of course, Rapleaf is far from the only company that does this. Acxiom, ChoicePoint, Quantcast, and BluKai also collect and sell your data, as do many others. Google (GOOG, Fortune 500), Facebook and other Web companies also gather data about you in an attempt to target very personal ads.

More on the story from CNN

Computers will be your designated driver!

How do you get any cooler than an autonomous car? Try an autonomous car controlled by an iPad.



Developed by the AutoNOMOS Labs project at Germany’s Freire University, this project combines a modified Volkswagen Passat, equipped with sensors, GPS, radar and scanners, with an iPad app that dictates coordinates and other user information to the car.


Check out this video to see the first autonomous German taxi ride, all controlled using an iPad.


Remote control cars are cool but an iPad-controlled Volkswagen? That's a toy anyone can get into!