Larry H. Miller Volkswagen of Tucson | Fastest VW Beetle Ever!

Volkswagen Beetle LSR (Land-speed Record) hits whopping 205.122 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on September 12, 2016.

Volkswagen recently announced it had created what has become the fastest VW Beetle in recorded history. The claim held up September 12th in Wendover, Utah as the VW Beetle LSR (which stands for land-speed record) hit speeds touching more than 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats, a place known for conditions optimal for speed.

“We are completely thrilled with the Beetle LSR’s performance at Bonneville,” said Dr. Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The Beetle is not the most aerodynamic car in our portfolio, so running 205 mph is a testament to the power that can be made from the EA888 TSI four-cylinder engine. This feat truly underscores the sporty and pugnacious spirit of the Beetle.”

The VW Beetle LSR includes a specially-tuned 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® gasoline engine and specially modified powertrain by THR Manufacturing based out of California. The engine produced more than 600 hp and nearly 500 lb-ft.

“Exceeding 200 miles per hour in the Beetle LSR was a serious thrill,” said driver Preston Lerner, a contributing Editor at Automobile Magazine. “We had enough power to go even faster if the salt hadn’t been so sketchy. But seeing 208 miles per hour briefly on the digital readout was an experience I’ll never forget.”

Learn more about the record right here!

 

 

Larry H. Miller Volkswagen of Tucson | Arizona Keys to Car Seat Safety Campaign!

Larry H Miller Volkswagen of Tucson partners with other Arizona dealerships, local organizations in hosting the Keys to Car Seat Safety Campaign, a campaign to help parents know the ins-and-outs of car seat usage and safety.

Throughout the month of September, Larry H. Miller Volkswagen of Tucson will join other LHM Dealerships in Arizona in partnering with Safe Kids Arizona for the Driven for Good Keys To Car Seat Safety Campaign. The campaign teaches parents how to properly install and use car seats to ensure optimal safety standards for children passengers.

“We were thrilled to see such a positive response from the community last year, and we are very excited to provide these free safety checks once again in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Month,” said Pat Kroneberger, senior vice president of operations for Larry H. Miller Dealerships.

Did you know proper car seat use reduces an infant’s death risk in a car accident by 71 percent? Perhaps more shocking is the fact that 73 percent of car seats aren’t installed correctly!

“It’s a staggering statistic,” Kroneberger said. “We are intent on doing our part to keep kids safe in the communities we serve, and we hope to provide an outlet for education on proper installation techniques. Our children’s safety is of the utmost importance.”

Each Saturday in September, a different Larry H. Miller Dealership will become the hub for car seat safety in Arizona by hosting a total of six car seat safety check events. Those in Tucson are encouraged to visit Larry H. Miller Volkswagen of Tucson on Saturday, September 3^rd between 8 AM and 11 AM.

These Saturday events will include car seat experts from Safe Kids and local fire/police departments to help those in attendance learn all the ins-and-outs of car seat safety and how to make sure everyone in your car arrives alive.

Safe Kids Arizona will also receive a $10,000 donation from Larry H. Miller Charities. The donation will go toward purchasing safe car seats for those in need. Larry H. Miller Dealerships is proud to help these organizations in Arizona raise car seat safety awareness, and enrich lives of our surrounding communities.

For more information on the campaign, visit KeysToCarSafety.com.

Volkswagen of Tucson | VW Announces Vision for the Next Decade

(Photo: Volkswagen)

Volkswagen of Tucson | VW CEO Matthias Müller Announces “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025.”

The 56th Annual General Meeting in Hanover in Hall 3 of Messe Hannover took place recently, and Volkswagen had quite a bit to say after a tumultuous year in the automotive industry. In an attempt to help negate recent allegations and slowing sales, VW’s CEO announced to around 3,000 shareholders the company’s vision for the next decade, entitled “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025.”

“We expect that by (2025) we will be selling about 2 (million) to 3 million pure-electric automobiles a year,” Matthias Müller, the CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft,told investors. “This will account for a significant share – an estimated 25% – of our total sales volume. We are stepping up our efforts accordingly and will launch a multibillion-euro investment program.ˮ

VW Electric Engine

Volkswagen of Tucson | Fully Electric Fleet of VW

If this plan comes to fruition, Volkswagen would lay hold to one of the world’s most advanced fleet of fully-electric cars, a statistic many automotive brands hope to accomplish some day. But the head of VW didn’t stop there…

“We are also continuing our intensive efforts to enhance the environmental compatibility of our diesel and gasoline models,” Müller said before then announcing another milestone related to the internal combustion engine. “We will successively equip the Group’s new TSI and TFSI engines with gasoline particulate filters. This initiative will begin with the 1.4 liter TSI engine in the new VW Tiguan and the Audi A5 in June 2017. This will reduce particulate emissions by up to 90 percent. Up to 7 million Volkswagen vehicles could be equipped with this technology each year by 2022.”

VW Intelligent Charge

 

Volkswagen of Tucson | Better VW Batteries On The Way

The recently-announced decade-long strategy focuses a lot on improving batteries and how power is currently being stored. Battery-life and dependability makes up for between 30 and 40 percent of an Electric Vehicle’s value.

 

‟As far as the development of fuel cells is concerned, we intend to stay on the ball in this area too,” Müller told shareholders. “And we will be ready when the time is ripe. We will need 150 gigawatt hours of battery capacity by 2025 for our own e-fleet alone, which would make for a massive procurement volume.”

Volkswagen of Tucson | Fully-Autonomous VW

Interestingly, Volkswagen also plans on getting into the fully-autonomous vehicle industry, as self-driving cars seem to make up a huge part of Volkswagen’s plans for the future.

“Fully autonomous vehicles with a self-driving system developed in-house will enter the market by the beginning of the next decade,ˮ Muller says. ‟Cumulative investment in new autonomous mobility solutions will amount to several billion euros.”

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AAA Green Car Guide Names Volkswagen e-Golf 2016 Best Compact

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced recently that its 2016 e-Golf was named Best Compact in the 2016 AAA Green Car Guide. The car guide is a yearly comprehensive report published by the Automobile Club of Southern California and its Automotive Research Center. The club is the largest member of the AAA federation.

“Our team is very proud to be named to the top of AAA’s list,” said Joerg Sommer, Vice President of Product Marketing for Volkswagen of America. “This award is a testament to the many strengths of the e-Golf—cutting-edge technology, versatility, efficiency and value along with the fun to drive element that is so characteristic of the Volkswagen brand.”

The report is based on tests ranging across 13 categories, which include emissions, fuel economy, braking, crash-worthiness, acceleration, handling, cargo-carrying capacity, ride quality, interior noise, ease of entry and exit, maneuverability, roominess and visibility. Each category rating is measured between 0 and 10, with each category score being combined for a final grade upon completion of the tests.

The 2016 VW e-Golf carries a synchronous permanent-magnet alternating current motor. The motor produces 199 lb-ft of torque and 115 horsepower without using any fuel whatsoever, and creating zero emissions. The EPA-estimated range for the e-Golf is 83 miles and a combined EPA-estimated 116 MPGe, leaving it at the top of its 2016 compact EV class.

Modern technology features can also be found throughout the e-Golf, including the ability to charge up to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. It also features some new connectivity features, including USB connectivity and VW Car-Net App-Connect technology. Other features include keyless access with push-button start, heated seats, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking.

“The VW e-Golf SEL Premium is well equipped and fun to drive, and the best part about it is that it’s a greener version of a traditional Golf,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automotive Research Center.

For more information, come in for a test drive or visit VolkswagenOfTucson.com!