We got excited when we heard that Edmunds Inside Line was going to compare the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI and the 2012 Toyota Prius V. After all, we love a little good-natured competition. We got even more excited when we read the article and saw that they described the Jetta SportWagen as “peppy.” (We love that word.)

The folks at Inside Line got big kick out of the Jetta’s big torque, provided courtesy of its 2.0-liter TDI engine that cranks out 236 pound-feet of torque at only 1,750 rpm. The article goes on to praise the Jetta’s six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), which features an automated double-clutch manual transmission for excellent responsiveness and a closer connection to the road. They were also a bit surprised that a car with such a sporty profile has such a roomy interior. In fact, they say lots of pretty things about us, but we don’t want to spoil the ending—read the entire article for yourself at InsideLine.com.

Tell us: what do you like best about the Jetta SportWagen?

Contact VW of Downtown LA today for more information.

• Call: 1-888-647-7576
• Click: www.dtlamotorsvw.com
• Visit: 1900 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

The German-engineered 21st Century Beetle and New Passat spearhead VW’s 2012 product offensive. New GLI model will build on Jetta’s sales momentum.

• More muscular, sportier Beetle starts at $18,995, offered initially in 2.5L and 2.0L TSI forms.
• Passat is right sized and right priced for the mid-sized market, offering class-leading rear-seat legroom and a base MSRP of $19,995.
• New GLI rounds out Jetta range with sport-tuned suspension, interior enhancements, and the award-winning 2.0L TSI® engine.
• 2012 Tiguan features freshened interior and exterior, available sport suspension, and improved gas mileage.
• 2012 Eos features refreshed styling and standard DSG® dual-clutch transmission.
• Preview: In early 2012, VW will introduce its most powerful-ever Golf model, the Golf R.

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The Frankfurt Motor Show — happening this week in Germany — is a showcase of the auto industry's future, and after looking at Volkswagen's 2012 NILS concept, the future looks stylish and somewhat minimalist. The NILS seats just one, but its modest passenger load is matched by an equally small footprint, and a curb weight of under 1,000lbs. The all-electric concept is designed for city use, and its lightweight aluminum frame and 34 horsepower electric motor give it a 40-mile driving range on a single charge.

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Volkswagen of America, Inc. today delivered the first, customer-purchased 2012 Passat TDI® Clean Diesel to Matt Duchesne of San Jose, CA. The 2012 Passat met its first owner after months of anticipation, beginning with the widely popular “The Force” ad that aired earlier this year and culminating today with this special delivery.

Designed specifically for the North American market, the 2012 Passat is the only midsize sedan that offers German engineering at an accessible price. Duchesne’s 2012 Passat was built at the all-new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TN, one of the newest, most advanced, and environmentally responsible auto assembly plants in the world.

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Today the all-new 2012 Passat was awarded the coveted Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) top safety pick, which is the highest rating possible from the non-profit safety research organization!

The annual rating recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute’s front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only awards top safety pick ratings to vehicles that are fitted with electronic stability control and head protection airbags.

Volkswagen now has eight 2011 IIHS top safety picks. Other Volkswagen models to receive this rating are: CC 2.0T TSI, Jetta, SportWagen, Tiguan, Touareg and four-door Golf and GTI models.

Contact VW of Downtown LA today for more information.

• Call: 1-888-647-7576
• Click: www.dtlamotorsvw.com
• Visit: 1900 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

As the largest car maker in the world, Volkswagen wanted something to show off its capabilities at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

So they came up with this huge stand covering an area of 8,893 square metre and shaped like cloud. It will accommodate over 50 vehicles, but cars are not the only attraction here. It also features a 30 metre interactive wall which will give visitors a taste of mobility in the future, as well as presenting details on innovations and alternative technologies.

The stand is designed to showcase the new up! city car which is making its public debut along with the recently unveiled new generation Beetle, new Tiguan and Golf Cabriolet.  The NILS single-seat electric commuting vehicle concept will also be making its world premiere.

As we speak over 1000 people are busy finishing the work, including installing 2,100 lamps and roughly 80 kilometres of cables, on the site, so when the doors of the show opened everything will be ready.

Volkswagen’s stand is located in Hall 3. Not that you can miss it!

Contact VW of Downtown LA today for more information.

• Call: 1-888-647-7576
• Click: www.dtlamotorsvw.com
• Visit: 1900 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

The repowered Routan continues to be the only minivan with the soul of a Volkswagen

• Volkswagen’s most family-friendly model
• Flexible seating for seven in three rows and up to 144 cu ft of storage space
• New 3.6-liter V6 with six-speed automatic delivers class-leading 283-hp and 25 mpg fuel economy
• Volkswagen-tuned suspension and steering provides precise handling and heightened road feel
• An impressive list of 40 active and passive safety features – from standard Electronic Stability Control, to Blind Spot Monitoring, and new Rear Cross Path Detection
• Entertainment options run from touchscreen radio with hard drive, to nine-speaker, 506-watt audio system, to drop-down nine-inch LCD screens
• Outstanding value with well-equipped Routan S priced from $27,020

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Volkswagen isn’t afraid to dream big. In fact, one of our dreams just won an award. VW is proud to announce that the Bulli, an updated version of the world’s original van and our iconic Bus, was named 2011 Concept Truck of the Year at the tenth annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. Check out the full story for more information on the award.

The Bulli caused quite a stir earlier this year at auto shows in Geneva and New York City, and it’s easy to see why. Powered by a silent electric motor that can drive up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge—all with zero emissions— it can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 11.5 seconds. That’s cool, but when you climb into the Bulli’s roomy six-seat interior and realize that the infotainment system is controlled via iPad…well, that’s very cool.

Remember: the Bulli is just a concept vehicle, so for now, you’ll have to drive it in your dreams (where the skies are always blue and the lights are always green).

Contact VW of Downtown LA today for more information.

• Call: 1-888-647-7576
• Click: www.dtlamotorsvw.com
• Visit: 1900 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007

In a bid to provide more competition in the US market and to increase overall sales, Volkswagen is reportedly planning a new seven-seat SUV, said to be larger than the current Volkswagen Touareg.

Volkswagen is aiming to be the biggest global car manufacturer by 2018, and to help make that happen, Volkswagen is aiming to provide cars for each segment in the market, and particularly the US. At a recent press conference, Volkswagen US CEO Jonathon Browning said,

“The most important thing is to have the right vehicles, priced correctly. Our focus is to penetrate deeper into those segments.”

According to a report by The Detriot News, Browning said a new seven-seat Volkswagen SUV would be larger than the Volkswagen Touareg but it would enter the market at a cheaper price than the current flagship SUV.

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With fuel costs likely to remain high, so is customer interest in today’s new generation of small cars, and that’s good news for Volkswagen customers. After all, it was the only automaker to have two of its vehicles—the VW Golf TDI and the VW GTI—rated among the “Best Reviewed Economy Cars” in a recent study by ConsumerSearch.com, one of the country’s leading resources for customer-oriented product-quality information.

The site takes a unique approach to consumer advocacy, gathering reviews from across the country, from both experts and buyers, and using that information to develop its own lists of the “Best Reviewed” products in a wide range of industries. For example, in the automotive sector, the Golf TDI garnered recognition among the “Best Reviewed Economy Cars” for having the best non-hybrid fuel economy—an impressively hybrid-like 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway. In addition, ConsumerSearch.com reported strong praise from reviewers for the car’s diesel-derived torque—some 236 lb.-ft. of which is on tap in the Golf TDI—as well as its solid, refined feel and ample cargo room.

The website also called out the GTI as its best-reviewed sporty compact car, acknowledging its status as the original “hot hatch” that continues its “tradition of delivering the most fun per dollar.” Boasting VW’s powerful and proven 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine, which “delivers a smooth 200 horsepower,” the GTI finished above its rivals because of “its sophisticated ride, impressive comfort and unmatched interior quality.”

Contact VW of Downtown LA today for more information. Both the 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI and GTI are on sale at VW of Downtown L.A. now.

• Call: 1-888-647-7576
• Click: www.dtlamotorsvw.com
• Visit: 1900 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007