Gooolf! VW Loves the World Cup

(Photo from VWoA)

The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked off a little over a week ago and the excitement around Stohlman VW cannot be contained. Soccer,  known as football outside of the U.S., has a fan base of close to 3.5 billion people around the world. Other sports with a large fan base include basketball with around 2-3 billion, baseball with over 500 million, and American football with 390-410 million. It's safe to say that soccer is the most popular sport in the world, which makes sense on why the World Cup final game is the most watched sporting event, period.

If you've been watching the tournament, you've probably seen commercials for the new GTI featuring famous sportscaster Andres Cantor. Andres Cantor is famous for his signature "Gooooooooool!" after a score in soccer. And if you follow Volkswagen of America on Twitter, you'll see that they've been tweeting after every goal scored in the tournament. 

Why is VW taking part in the World Cup excitement? Well why wouldn't they? Volkswagen is the third largest manufacturer in the world, and with the global headquarters in Germany, there's a very good chance most VW drivers and employees are soccer fans. Not to mention, Volkswagen Group has factories in 12 of the 32 countries that had teams qualify for the World Cup, including the United States.

(Volkswagen's Plant in Chattanooga, TN)

(Photo from DC United)

Volkswagen also is actively involved in soccer programs outside of the World Cup. In the United States alone, Volkswagen is a major sponsor for Major League Soccer, and was formally a title sponsor for DC United, with the emblem on the DC United jerseys. With Major League Soccer, Volkswagen also sponsors several tournaments, to encourage physical activity and the game of soccer to drivers in the U.S. and all over the world. 

¡Futbolito! is a English/Spanish 4x4 tournament put together by MLS and sponsored by VW and Wells Fargo. This large tournament has an Adult Premier, Adult Recreational, and Youth division in 8 cities throughout the United States, with cash prizes. ¡Futbolito!'s local tournament will be through DC United, and played July 19th, at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD. Visit their website if you'd like more information and to register.

The Volkswagen Junior Masters is an international youth tournament that is played in over 22 countries. Junior Masters is the world's largest youth tournament for teams consisting of boys ages 10-12. Over 300 teams participate to qualify for the grand final, playing by FIFA tournament rules. The national champion of each country is invited to participate in the international Volkswagen Junior World Masters which occurs every two years, the next one taking place in 2016. The U.S. tournament has 10 regional tournaments for teams to qualify, then the qualifying teams compete at the National tournament, which is typically held at the same place and week of the MLS All Star Game. This year will be played on August 4-6th, in Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit Volkswagen Junior Masters website.

It's clear that Volkswagen loves soccer, and the Stohlman folks definitely share the passion. Don't be surprised if you see the game playing in the show room this week, or if the staff is constantly checking their phones for a score update. The big drama will be on Thursday when the United States play Germany on the 26th at 12pm EST. Do we root for Germany, the origin of our favorite vehicles, or do we root for Team USA, our beloved home? I'll personally be rooting for Team USA, but I'd be happy with a tie as well. Team USA needs at least a tie to secure advancement, or they will face the possibility of elimination.

Who will you be rooting for on Thursday? Tweet us your choice @stohlmanauto. Until next time, Go #USMNT!

Esther Cho

Volkswagen Product Specialist

@esther_ch5

Scott Speed Visits Stohlman and Definitive Beetle GRC Unveiled!

(Stohlman VW Management, Sales, and Service Staff with Scott Speed)

Yesterday was an exciting day at Stohlman VW, where Volkswagen Andretti GRC driver, Scott Speed stopped by to say hello. He took the time to sign autographs and meet fans who were excited for the upcoming race. If you missed meeting Scott Speed, luckily he left some tickets for Stohlman customers, so if you'd like to attend the Volkswagen Rallycross DC this weekend at RFK Stadium, swing by the dealership and grab some before they're all gone!

The big news however is that the Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross team has finally unveiled the definitive Beetle GRC rallycross car. After it's initial concept unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show, there has been much speculation on what this powerhouse would entail.

(Photo courtesy of vwvortex.com)

The rallycross Beetle features a sequential six-speed transmission, with a fixed ratio all wheel drive system with multi plate limited-slip differentials in the front and rear. The suspension is an all-around strut-type suspension with ZF dampers, giving the Beetle around 9.1 inches to handle the off-road portion of the rallycross course. The Beetle GRC has 14 inch diameter front and 11.8 inch rear vented disc brakes, four-piston aluminum calipers, and 17 inch wheels with 240/640-R17 Yokohama competition tires. In other words, it's ready to handle whatever a rallycross course is going to throw at it.

(Photo courtesy of vwvortex.com)

The Beetle GRC features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder TSI turbocharged and intercooled engine, producing 544 horsepower. 168.8 inches long and 71.7 inches wide, the Beetle GRC must weigh in at a series regulation minimum of 2668 lbs. That being said, with a combination of the high horsepower, slender figure, and AWD, the new rallycross Beetle GRC is predicted to have an incredible 0-60 mph time of 2.1 seconds. Sign me up for one of those bad boys!

(Photo courtesy of vwvortex.com)

The Beetle GRC will not be used at the race this weekend, but will be available for fans and attendees to see. Volkswagen Motorsport director, Jost Capito stated, "After Volkswagen of America’s impressive start on the rallycross scene with the Polo, the launch of the new Beetle GRC rallycross car represents the next major milestone. The Beetle boasts a unique appearance and state-of-the-art technology. It will sweep fans off their feet.” I'd have to agree with Capito. The new Beetle GRC rallycross car has definitely swept me off my feet.

Let us know what you think of the Beetle GRC and if you'll be attending this weekend @stohlmanauto. 

Esther Cho

VW Product Specialist

@esther_ch5

Meet Scott Speed and the VW 7up Beetle!

VW Enthusiasts, we have your chance to meet Scott Speed and see the VW 7up Beetle in person!

Stop by Stohlman VW in Tysons Corner on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 5PM to welcome  the 7up Rallycross Beetle! (more info)

Scott Speed will be at Stohlman VW on Thursday, June 19th from 12-1 PM, and the 7up Beetle will depart at 1:30 PM that day.

Bring your camera and don't miss this one-of-a-kind team of epic VW proportions!












Call us at (866)311-4735 for more information!

Volkwagen Andretti Rallycross and Scott Speed Killing It... X-Games 2014

(Scott Speed X-Games 2014 in Austin - photo by VWoA)

The 2014 Summer X-Games in Austin took place this weekend, and the Volkswagen/Andretti team definitely made some noise. Scott Speed of Volkswagen Andretti RallyCross claimed the top spot on the Redbull Global RallyCross podium again this year, winning the gold.

Speed not only won the final, but crushed all his races including both heats, and the quarterfinal. This would be his second X-Games victory, his being at the X-Games in Brazil last year. His teammate, Tanner Foust unfortunately was unable to finish his race in the quarterfinal, knocking him out of contention, although he won both his heats.

Volkswagen announced back in February at the Chicago International Auto Show that they were teaming up with Andretti Autosport to enter the Global RallyCross circuit. The team consists of Scott Speed and Tanner Foust, both very seasoned drivers. These drivers have been proving that they will be a force to reckon with this season, with Foust having 22 heat wins and Speed winning the first two races of the season, the first being at the Top Gear Festival Barbados. Both drivers have been racing in two European rallycross prepared Volkswagen Polos. The team will be switching soon to 560+ horsepower All Wheel Drive Beetles, which have been featured at multiple car shows this year.

(X-Games 2014 - Photo by VWoA)

So who are these hardcore drivers? Well Scott Speed is no stranger to motor sports. The 31 year old began carting at the age of 10, winning a handful of titles. He moved up the Formula Series in 2001, and began driving as a test driver for Red Bull Racing's Formula One team in 2005, the first American to participate in a Formula One event since Michael Andretti in 1993. In 2006, Speed joined Red Bull's Scuderia Toro Rosso team, the relationship lasting for two years. Speed then transitioned into the NASCAR scene, achieving 22 top ten finishes, and a win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2008. In 2013 Speed joined the GRC circuit, and has been dominating since. He currently is driving the #77 7Up car.

Tanner Foust may be a more recognizable name for most. Foust has been a professional driver since 2003, starting off as a Hollywood stunt car driver. His credits include Iron Man 2, Fast & Furious, a few Bourne movies, and the Dukes of Hazzard. He began hosting the U.S. version of the very popular BBC series, Top Gear in 2010, and just began shooting their fifth season. Besides the big and small screens, Foust is a real contender in the racing world. Foust was the first driver in Formula Drift history to win back-to-back series championships in 2007 and 2008. Foust won his first X-Game in 2007 winning the gold in the rally racing event, and is the most decorated X Games driver with 9 medals. He also raced in the European Rallycross series, being the first American to compete in the Championship. Foust currently drives the #34 Rockstar Energy Drink car for the Volkswagen Andretti team and is featured in a commercial for the all new 2015 GTI.

The next GRC race will be in our own backyard, the Volkswagen RallyCross DC, from June 21-22nd. The event will take place at DC United's RFK Stadium, near Capitol Hill. The city will be transformed to host the event, which is being produced by Andretti Sports Marketing. Tickets are on sale ranging from $20-$149, and will definitely be an event you won't want to miss.

Let us know if you'll be attending the Volkswagen RallyCross DC in a couple weeks by tweeting us @stohlmanauto. Until next time!


Esther Cho
VW Product Specialist
@esther_ch5