What The Stohlman Boys Do On Their Snow Days - 4MOTION AWD!

During my Midseason Update, I talked about the upcoming 7th generation Golf R and how it will equipped with the newest version of VW's 4MOTION All Wheel Drive. I'm sure that the newest 4MOTION with its 5th generation Haldex coupling will be absolutely fantastic, however for those of us who already have it.. We seem to be enjoying it as is. This is definitely the case for some of the Stohlman VW sales guys, especially when the weather becomes inclement. 

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's start with the basics. What is 4MOTION? 4MOTION is Volkswagen's registered trademark for their 4 wheel drive systems. Throughout the years, 4MOTION has been used on a number of our models, from the extinct Passat GLX to our current day flagship model, the Touareg. 4MOTION is generally equipped in two ways, based on how the engine is mounted, Haldex and Torsen systems. 

(2004 R32 photo taken by Christopher Drinkuth, @PrimoLifestyle )

Haldex is used for vehicles with transverse engine mounting (East to West), and is an automatic "on-demand" all wheel drive system. In normal driving conditions, the power distribution when using Haldex is 90% to the front, and 10% to the back, almost mimicking a Front Wheel Drive system, primarily powering only one axle. Now when the system feels a wheel slipping, it engages the other axle, transferring torque to that axle. When the system feels that the differences between the axles have been eliminated, the system returns to it's 90/10% split. Vehicles that come equipped with our Haldex system include the CC, Tiguan, and R models.

Torsen is used for vehicles with longitudinal engine mounting (North to South). Torsen is a permanently engaged all wheel drive system where all the wheels are powered at all times. Full time all wheel drive systems have a center differential. This lets each wheel travel different distances while turning. The center differential can also be locked in more slippery situations either manually or automatically. With a Torsen differential, it's a mechanical self-locking center differential, regulating power between the axles as needed. This system is found in our Touareg, and some of our Audi Quattro family members.

Now that we understand how 4MOTION works, see below how some of the Stohlman VW Sales guys spent their snow days while the entire DC/Northern Virginia area shut down over a couple of inches. As a Midwest native, I have no sympathy for those of you who now have cabinets overflowing with non perishable food items that you impulsively bought in anticipation of the East Coast "Blizzard".

Looks fun, right? So next time you have a work snow day (In my day, I walked to school in SIX inches), don't stock up on bottled water and canned beans. Take out your AWD vehicle, and meet up with our Stohlman folks to do some donuts in empty parking lots - just not the dealership's.

Side note - Doing donuts in parking lots is probably not condoned behavior by Volkswagen AG or Stohlman Automotive Family, so neither party is liable for any ridiculous limits you decide to surpass after reading this post.

(2012 Golf R photo taken by Christopher Drinkuth, @PrimoLifestyle )

Tweet us @StohlmanAuto your snow day fun with your VW. Until next time!

Esther Cho

VW Product Specialist

@esther_ch5

Midseason Update - NAIAS 2014 and 7th Generation Golf R

Lots of updates were made last week during NAIAS Press Week by Volkswagen AG CEO, Martin Winterkorn. Winterkorn reaffirmed its commitment to the US market and shared its steady progress towards it's goal to be the #1 manufacturer by 2018 (Mach 18). Volkswagen is currently the 3rd largest manufacturer in the world, right behind Toyota and General Motors. 

Vehicles like the Passat and redesigned Beetle have created a spike in US sales over the past couple of years, but the Jetta is still an American favorite, being the most well sold Volkswagen in America. Although the Golf is the most sold VW in the world, it's not quite as popular in the US market. With production of the 7th generation Golf and GTI being relocated to Puebla, Mexico, hopes are this gap will be narrowed in the American market, further helping our Mach 18 goal. 

The Golf R is however confirmed to remain in Wolfsburg for production. It will sit on the new and lighter MQB platform and equipped with the updated 3rd generation 2.0L turbo engine, with an estimated 290 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. A massive update from the previous generation. It will also be equipped with the newest version of the 4Motion All Wheel Drive system with the 5th generation Haldex coupling. The R also will receive the "progressive" variable-ratio steering system and updated EDX+ system to create a better and more agile driving experience. For those who like to be more aggressive with their driving, the ESC Sport stability control system will now have the capability of being deactivated for track driving and parking lot donuts. An optional DCC dynamic chassis control system will also be available.

As expected, appearance wise the R will have distinctive badging, specially designed bumpers, side skirts, and 18 on alloy wheels. The R will have standard Bi-Xenon headlights with a newly designed LED daytime running lights, similarly seen in the eGolf. It will also have a two branch exhaust system with four chrome tips. With an expected US arrival in 2015 as a 2016 year model, the R is estimated to have a highway fuel economy rating of 31 mpg. That's a jump from the 27 mpg that the previous generation had. The Golf R is expected to be the best yet, combining both high performance and fuel economy.

Winterkorn has also promised a mid-sized 7 passenger SUV by 2016. We've seen teasers of what this could potentially be with the CrossBlue Concept that was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2013. It's unsure exactly what it will be equipped with, and whether the design will be what has been previewed. What we do know is that it will be another American market specific vehicle. 35% of Passats sold have been TDI models so far, with that market share only expected to grow. I anticipate that this future 7 passenger SUV will come with a diesel option, possibly even on the new hybrid powertrain that has been in development, shown recently at the LA Auto Show in the CrossBlue Coupe Concept. 

With sales steadily increasing in the North American market, Volkswagen AG plans to invest $7 Billion (insert Dr. Evil laugh here) to this side of the Atlantic. This is a major sign of commitment Winterkorn has made to our market. Volkswagen currently has the most cars out on the road than any other brand with over 100,000 miles on their odometers. Winterkorn even name dropped Mark Zuckerburg, stating that the creator of Facebook even drives a VW. With the major strides that VW is making, in my mind there's no doubt that Volkswagen AG will achieve its Mach 18 goal to be #1. I'm very excited to see the changes and developments that are to come in the next few years, and hope the anticipation doesn't kill me in the meantime.

Tweet us @StohlmanAuto with questions and comments. Until next time!



Esther Cho
Volkswagen Product Specialist
@esther_ch5

NAIAS Coverage - Passat BlueMotion Concept

The North American International Auto Show opened this week in Detroit, MI. NAIAS is one of the biggest auto shows in North America, where manufacturers like to do their big unveilings of concepts and what’s to come. This is no different for Volkswagen, who unveiled 3 vehicles this week to North America. This included the mk7 Golf R, Beetle Dune Concept, and the Passat BlueMotion Concept. Although the Golf R is the only vehicle of the three that’s a production model, both concepts have potential, especially the technology for the Passat BlueMotion Concept. 

What is the Passat BlueMotion Concept? Is it a hybrid? A diesel? Neither! The concept is a purely gasoline engined mid-size sedan that achieves similar fuel economy as a Passat TDI. This makes makes us wonder, “How is this possible?”

The Passat BlueMotion Concept comes equipped with a 1.4L TSI engine with turbocharging and direct injection. The 1.4L TSI engine delivers 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Along with this, Volkswagen used a technology called Active Cylinder Management (ACT). Seen in certain VW European models like the Polo, ACT deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three when drivers are using light throttle. This technology has also been seen in v8 engines, to make those bigger engines produce better fuel economy.

In addition to ACT, the Passat BlueMotion has a start/stop and coasting system, which can also be found in the Jetta Hybrid. With the start/stop system, when the vehicle comes to a temporary stop, the engine shuts off. The moment the driver releases the brake, the 1.4L engine starts back up again. When the driver releases the accelerator, the coasting system kicks in and decouples the engine, allowing the vehicle to roll with lowest possible drag. Combining all this technology results in a manufacturer estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg. The Passat TDI is estimated to achieve 40 mpg as a DSG, and 43 as a manual. Talk about incredible.

On the inside, the Passat BlueMotion has beautiful two toned seats. The darker and lighter leather are separated by a blue dividing line to distinguish itself as a member of the BlueMotion family. BlueMotion vehicles have been rolling off Volkswagen assembly lines since 2006. The vehicles that are included in this family are some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in Volkswagen’s global market. 

We don’t know for sure whether this will become a production model, or when the ACT technology will be carried on into other models in the U.S. market. What we do know is that the Reef Blue Metallic color that the Passat BlueMotion Concept debuted in will become a color option for other Passat models in the near future. Woo hoo!

Stay tuned for more NAIAS coverage. In the meantime, tweet us @stohlmanauto with any questions and comments!


Esther Cho
Volkwagen Product Specialist
@esther_ch5

Rugged LuXury - Ten Years of the Touareg

In the market for a new SUV? In particular, a certain German SUV? If the Touareg has been on your short wish list, now might be the time to pull the trigger with the special edition Touareg X. 

The Touareg X has been released to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Touareg’s debut. The Touareg happens to be a former whip of mine, and one of my favorite vehicles in our line up. The Touareg has a perfect mix of luxury, performance, and practicality with it’s available super efficient clean diesel engine. When I was driving my TDI Touareg, I achieved in the low 30’s on the New Jersey Turnpike traveling back and forth from NYC to Philadelphia. That’s unbelievable fuel economy for a 5,000 lb vehicle. 

The name Touareg originates from the name of a North African tribe called the Tuareg. They are traditionally a nomadic group that moves throughout the Saharan parts of Niger, Mali, and Algeria. The Touareg has an elegant beauty about it, yet is as strong as the Tuareg people, coming equipped with 4 motion AWD and a towing capacity of over 7,000 lb. That’s tough.

The Touareg is a love child of a joint effort by Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche. They wanted to create off-road SUVs that would still perform like a sports car. The result was the Volkswagen Group PL71 platform, which is shared by the Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q7. These vehicles are all currently built in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The Touareg has had some awesome engines available in the U.S. throughout the years, including the petrol W12 engine and the V10 TDI engine. Although these powerhouse engines were beyond awesome for its performance, they weren’t the best on the pocketbook. To accommodate the best of both worlds, the Touareg now is equipped with 3 different efficient engines - A petrol 3.6L VR6, a 3.0L V6 TDI, and a supercharged 3.0L V6 gas engine and electric motor combined Hybrid engine. 

In my opinion, the Touareg TDI is the best option all around. This luxury vehicle’s EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 city/29 highway, it has a range of 765 miles on one tank. That makes trips from DC to Chicago possible without stopping for fuel. And unlike most SUVs, it picks up speed quickly with smooth transitions because of it’s DSG transmission and it’s 406 lb-ft of torque. For a moment you forget that you’re driving a mid-size SUV! The Touareg is also outfitted with premium features like 12-way power-adjustable, heated front seats with driver’s seat memory, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and memory, and keyless access with remote start. 

Fortunately for you potential future Touareg owners, the special edition Touareg X will be equipped with a TDI engine, based on the Lux trim level. The Touareg X will be available only in a special Moonlight Blue exterior with a beautiful Truffle Brown leather interior. Special features also will include the following:

• 19-inch ‘Moab’ alloy wheels
• “Touareg X” badging and scuff plates
• Ambient lighting with illuminated doorsills
• LED taillights and LED license plate lightings
• Piano black interior trim inserts
• Ebony wood trim decor
• Alloy pedals

The Touareg X will be a limited production model with only 1000 units to be distributed. Luckily for you, there’s one available on Stohlman VW’s lot right now. Been itching to test drive a Touareg? I’d say there’s no better time than now. For more information about the Touareg X, tweet us @stohlmanauto. Until next time!

Esther Cho
Volkswagen Product Specialist
@esther_ch5