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Going Golf means Going Green

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2015 has already been a great year for Volkswagen’s Golf family of vehicles. They were named as Motor Trend’s car of the year to start the year. Now, the Golf GTE has won a Techie award in the Green category. In their praise of the GTE, the folks at BusinessCar emphasized how Volkswagen is “normalizing” the hybrid, which suggests that going Golf means going green. The “Techies” are BusinessCar Magazine’s fleet awards. They have been around for seven years and are the only industry awards that reward the use of technology to make fleet operations cleaner, safer and easier. The “Techies” are judged, not only by BusinessCar’s editorial panel, but they get help from According to BusinessCar’s website, the Volkswagen GTE was given the Green Development award because of the “normalcy” of the car. While other hybrids are struggling to keep up performance-wise, the Golf GTE excels. From their website: With a 148hp turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine under the bonnet allied with an electric motor - which brings total power up to 201hp - performance is sprightly enough for Volkswagen to brand it as "like a GTI but greener". Meanwhile, owners won't have to worry about running out of charge thanks to the pairing of petrol and electric power, which also lets the GTE travel up to 31 miles on electric power alone at speeds of up to 81mph. The company continues: "It's this utter normality that makes the Golf GTE stand out from the crowd of other eco-friendly and electric products. In terms of appearance, it's a Golf. In terms of practicality, it's a Golf. In terms of driveability and servicing, it's a normal Golf." Paul Barker, BusinessCar’s editor, and one of the judges on the panel said, “Volkswagen has taken a huge step towards normalising ultra-low emission vehicles with the introduction of the GTE, a Golf that sits alongside its siblings in practicality, price and performance terms.” While the Volkswagen GTE was released in the UK earlier this year, its ability to apply green technology without sacrificing performance is emblematic of the Volkswagen name. In fact, Volkswagen’s Head of Fleet, Michael O’Shea told the VWVortex blog, “The Golf GTE represents a significant milestone in Volkswagen technology and I’m delighted that this has been recognised with this award. We know that buyers want to combine exceptional economy and emissions with the performance and proven quality that Volkswagen delivers – the Golf GTE proves that you really can have the best of both worlds.”

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Volkswagen Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge Volkswagen Atlas Dealer: What’s New in 2018?

The Volkswagen Atlas had one of the most anticipated debuts of last year.  This is VW’s newest SUV model and its first three of the three-row variety.  So what can we expect now that 2018 has arrived and the new Atlas is on the road? more The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas plenty of space.  Seven seats are standard, with a second-row bench, and a two-place third row.  However later this year, for an additional $625, you’ll have the option to have 2 captain’s chairs in the middle row.  With 21 cubic feet of space, there is also plenty of room for cargo. The Atlas also features a 3.6 liter, narrow-angle V6.  This engine provides 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque.  This larger engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.  Later this year a smaller, 2.0 liter, turbocharged option will be available as well. The top trim package for the new Atlas has some luxurious features, including: Adaptive cruise control 360-degree camera system Remote start 3 zone climate control Fender-branded audio system 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Play Visit the experts at Southpoint Volkswagen in Baton Rouge and test drive the all-new Atlas.

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Baton Rouge VW Beetle Dealer: What’s New for 2018?

Every year the calendar returns with things we’ve enjoyed from the past, just with a new twist.  Whether it’s the sequel to a movie, the new season of your favorite show, or your favorite annual event; it will be familiar, yet new, and likely improved.  The 2018 VW Beetle i s the same way.  This iconic car from Volkswagen is a favorite and never fails to reinvent and refresh itself every year.  So what exactly is new for the Beetle in 2018? more New Engine This year’s Beetle features a new 2.0 liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection TSI® engine, providing even more horsepower, up to 174hp.  Volkswagen’s automatic Tiptronic® transmission also comes standard. Trim Line Updates Beetle S:  The VW Beetle S offers the option of the new Style and Comfort Package, which includes: 6.3” Composition Media touchscreen infotainment display, keyless access and push-button start, heated seats, and more. Beetle SE:  This year the Beetle SE has some added standard features, such as Climatronic® dual-zone automatic climate control, exterior chrome trim, panoramic sunroof, and blind spot monitoring. Beetle Coast:  This brand new model is stylistically inspired by the ocean.  Based on the S, the Beetle Coast comes standard with a surfboard wood-look dash pad and has an exclusive new color option, Deep Sea Teal.  The Coast also features scuff plates, blind spot monitoring, a sunroof, and Rear Traffic Alert. Beetle Dune: The Beetle Dune is the heritage-inspired icon that has some new additions.  Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and more. Volkswagen’s People First Warranty This is a new six-year, or 72,000 miles, bumper-to-bumper warranty that can be transferred to subsequent owners. So whether you’re considering a VW Beetle for the first time, or looking to upgrade to the newest model, the experts at Southpoint Volkswagen are ready to answer questions and get you on the road.

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Increased Fuel Efficiency: Get Your Volkswagen around Baton Rouge with Less Gas

Stopping for fuel is one of the necessary evils driving.  It can be a hassle, especially when you’re traveling.  You have to find an exit with a gas station, navigate your way off of the interstate, through service roads, and negotiate crowded pumps in foreign places.  Then after the pain in the neck to get there comes the pain in the wallet.  Wouldn’t it be great if your gas station visits were few and far between?  Well with Volkswagen’s line of fuel-efficient vehicles and few driving tips you can avoid the gas pump for quite a while. more VW’s most efficient model is the Jetta, specifically the 2017 5-speed.  This car boasts a 40 mpg rating on the highway, and 33 mpg combined.  The Volkswagen Golf also offers a combined rating of 29 mpg, 36 mpg on the highway.  Here’s a closer look at the combined fuel efficiency of VW’s other models: Beetle: 28 mpg CC: 25 mpg GTI: 28 mpg Passat: 27 mpg Tiguan: 22 mpg Now that we’ve seen the benefits that VW offers from a fuel efficiency standpoint, what are some other ways you can enhance the life of your gas tank? Properly inflate tires: When your tires are underinflated it can hurt your fuel economy.  It also compromises your handling and braking which can also shorten the life of your tires. Drive with a warm engine: When your engine is warm it works much more efficiently. Use cruise control: Cruise control helps your engine maintain a steady, efficient pace. Make smooth starts and stops: Fast acceleration and hard braking all take their toll on your gas mileage.  These actions make your engine work harder, thus using more fuel. So whether you are making a long trip this holiday season, or looking to pass the gas station more often, these tips can help, and driving an efficient vehicle like a Volkswagen makes it even easier.  The experts at Southpoint Volkswagen are ready to answer questions and get you on the road.