Checkered Blog by Checkered Flag is the automotive play place in Hampton Roads Virginia

VW Goes for Gold with Green Cars

The Beijing Olympics start this Friday, and as the exclusive Automobile partner for the 2008 games, Volkswagen has provided 5,000 vehicles to the Olympic Committee. Known as the "Volkswagen Green Fleet," this team of vehicles are low fuel consumers and low CO2 emitters, making them incredibly eco-friendly. They're also equipped with Volkswagen Group state-of-the-art powertrain technology, and feature advanced engines and gearboxes.

The Green Fleet roster includes the Magotan 2.0 TDI, Sagitar 1.4 TSI, Touran EcoFuel, Tiguan 2.0 TDI and Magotan BlueMotion models. We know the Magotan as the Passat and the Sagitar as the Jetta. They'll be used to shuttle organizers, athletes, media, and guests participating in the various Olympic events.

Each fleet vehicle sports a specially created design that incorporates the Olympic Games logo and brand concepts such as "mobility", "wind", and "road". Check out the photos below from Autoblog Green.

FYI: The Olympics Opening Ceremony is scheduled to air Friday, 7:30 PM on NBC. Special thanks to all the athletes that are representing our country at the Olympics. Best of luck!

VW Gives a Glimpse at Year 2028

Imagine it's the year 2028. What will the world of driving be like? That's the question Volkswagen engineers have been pondering. They've released their vision of how cars will look in 20 years. By the looks of these cars, the future is going to be a lot of fun!

VW's futuristic lineup includes: a sporty two-seater called the Ego; a roomy four seater appropriately named Room; and a single-seater named One. Oh, and all three cars are capable of driving themselves. So convenient, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. And best of all these cars are incredibly fuel efficient because they won't be running on gasoline! Visit the new interactive site, "Volkswagen2028" for more details. Happy Weekend, Checkered Blog readers.

Meet Checkered Flag VW Customer Sean Sullivan

The Checkered Blog spotted this dedicated VW fan. Sean drives a  R32, has owned a 2007 GTI, and he currently has his eye on a Jetta Sports Wagon. He lives in Virginia Beach and serves as a naval aviation electrician on the USS Enterprise. Sean, thanks for spending a few minutes of your Friday afternoon chatting with us.

CB: What are your hobbies?
Sean: Xbox Live. I play Call of Duty 4 and Battlefield Bad Company.

CB: What is your favorite restaurant?
Sean: Do I have to pick just one? Ruth's Chris and then Tijuana Flats. And Moe's. I like Mexican food...nachos especially.

CB: What do you have in your MP3 player or CD player right now?
Sean: Das EFX, the Carter III. I mostly listen to satellite radio. Oh, I also listen to Flo Bots.

CB: What is the last movie you have seen?
Sean: Well, it will be Hellboy 2 after I see it today. But I guess the last movie I saw was No Country for Old Men and that was fantastic.

CB: What about pets, do you have any?
Sean: Yep, I have one. A Jack Russell terrier named CJ.

CB: What is the one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?
Sean: I am a complete gaming geek! I probably play like 5 hours a day (laughs).

CB: Aside from your Xbox (haha), what is the one invention you could not live without?
Sean: Well...ELECTRICITY!!!

CB: What is the best thing about being a Checkered Flag customer?
Sean: The way I am treated here. From the very first time I came in, they were very professional and they call you by name. I have gotten two cars from here. Well, three including the car my wife drives.

CB: What are you plans this weekend?
Sean: My sister-in-law is coming into town. Her and my wife are gonna be doing some wedding stuff. You know, pick out tapestries, plates, and stuff like that, so what am I doing...play video games (laughs).

Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: VW Eos

I listen to a local radio station during my drive to work, and for the past few weeks now, they have had a contest where listeners can call in to play for FREE gas cards that are worth as much as $500. Needless to say, tons of callers from all over Hampton Roads phone in throughout the day yearning for these gas cards. Just the other day, a woman won a gas card worth $463! Who would not want to be her right now? I am sure all of us would love to get our hands on these gas cards. But for those of us who are not as lucky, we are still undoubtedly thinking about how to save at the gas pumps. So with that in thought, let us continue our fuel efficiency series with the Unsung Hero for today, the Volkswagen Eos.

With the gorgeous smoke-free weather we have today, I thought it was only appropriate to go outside to see the Eos. Jim Hanrahan, a sales consultant at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, was very kind to spend a few minutes showing me the Eos. If you are wondering about the peculiar name, Jim explains that Eos (pronounced E-Oh-ss and not the letters E-O-S) was the Greek goddess of the dawn who rode a horse-drawn chariot every morning to mark a new day. The name fits because the Eos is a four-seater hardtop convertible, and Jim says it is the only hardtop convertible with a sunroof. VW calls it the CSC (coupe-sunroof-convertible). Jim demonstrated the different Eos roof configurations. With the push of a button, the roof retracts in about 25 seconds. The whole roof-retracting process is definitely something to see. I was also particularly impressed by the size of the sunroof. It spans almost the entire width of the roof. The versatility of the Eos is a big plus. Most people associate convertibles with summer and warm weather, but the Eos hardtop makes it a vehicle for all seasons. 

While the hardtop is the obvious highlight of the Eos, it does have more to offer including great fuel efficiency. On its 15 gallon tank, the Eos gets can get 30 highway miles, and 21 city. That gives you about 450 highway miles per tank. There are two engine choices on the Eos: a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (the same engine on the Passat and Audi A3), or a 250-hp 3.2L V6.

The Eos is available in four trims: Turbo (starting at $28,990), Komfort, Lux, and VR6. Each trim offers a ton of great features, I listed a few that caught my attention. For the full list visit here. The base Turbo includes eight-speaker AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD player and Aux input; V-Tex leatherette comfort seats with Microtech; and 8-way adjustable front seats with lumbar support. Step up with the Komfort and it adds: Dual-zone Climatronic Climate Control; 12-way power driver seat with easy entry function, front heatable seats; multi-function trip computer; and center console with footwell ambient lighting. The Lux trim includes: leather comfort seats; automatic headlights; rain sensing windshield wipers; and a multifunction leather wrapped steering wheel. The VR6 has all the goodies found on the Lux plus: HomeLink; leather sport seats; Triptronic control paddles on steering wheel; and a Chrome front grille.

Overall, the Eos is an attractive vehicle that gets attention. Jim mentioned that he drove an Eos out to dinner with his wife, and people were so curious about the car, because it was something they had not ever seen before. Enjoy the weather outside (while the smoke is on vacation) by seeing the Eos at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, 3025 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

Meet the VW Tiguan...again

Not only is the Tiguan an Unsung Hero of Gas Mileage, an affordable Sport "Ute", but it is now famous because Christine Robertson (eMarketing Coordinator) has made it so - check it out:

Unsung Hero: Volkswagen Tiguan

Every morning, I get ready for work with the headline news playing in the background; and each day the anchor announces that there has been yet another price increase with...yes, you guessed it, gasoline. It seems that the entire nation has fuel on their minds, and obviously we here at the Checkered Blog have been thinking about it too. We spent all week featuring several vehicles that not only deliver exceptional fuel efficiency, but also performance and quality. The Unsung Hero for today, the Volkswagen Tiguan is a perfect addition to the group.

The Tiguan is the first compact SUV from Volkswagen. If you are wondering about the unique name, just think a cross between a Tiger and Iguana. The Tiguan just made its appearance at Checkered Flag Volkswagen about a month ago. I spoke with Dmitry Goulik, a sales consultant there, and he says prior to receiving them, the Tiguan had generated a ton of interest. The Tiguan carries a strong family resemblance to its older and bigger brother the VW Touareg. Dmitry says people who love the Touareg, but are looking for something smaller, will not be disappointed by its miniature sibling.

There is a lot to talk about on the Tiguan, but let us begin with what most of you are probably curious to know...gas mileage. The Tiguan has a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine. Direct injection allows for less waste and lag time, giving you better fuel efficiency. With the Tiguan you are looking at 25 miles on the highway, and 18 city. It will get you about 425 miles to a tank of gas (the tank size is 17 gallons).

Three trim choices are available on the Tiguan: S, SE, and SEL. Dmitry introduced me to the SE and honestly, I was tempted to drive off in one of my own. But with delusions set aside, I took a closer look at the Tiguan, and Volkswagen designers have done themselves proud. The body features an attractive front grille. Designers also gave the Tiguan an extended lower door sill, making the vehicle easier for drivers and passengers to get in and out. For someone of my short stature this is a big plus! Equally-impressive is the interior. I first noticed the cleanly tailored seats, which are incredibly comfy. To indulge us further, the driver and front passenger seats have adjustable lumbar support that contour to the shape of your back. Talk about comfort. Dmitry says the rear seats can be folded down or slid forward, to increase the cargo area or create more leg room.

Volkswagen offers what they call the Prevent and Preserve Safety System on the Tiguan. This includes: dual front and side airbags; side curtain protection; Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH); ASR and EBA (which helps improves handling and prevents skidding); and Electronic Stability Control (ESP). (FYI: The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration mandates electronic stability control on all vehicles by 2012; VW is ahead of the game on this one). 4MOTION® is an option on the Tiguan; it comes in handy with hazardous driving conditions by monitoring the traction of each individual wheel and adjusts when needed.

Several different accessories and options are available on the Tiguan including: Panoramic sunroof; electronic power steering system, LED Technology; Bi-Xenon headlamp system; Barracuda Bike Holder; ski/snowboard rack deluxe; and more. For a full list visit here. 

What a great way to end the week! The Tiguan has proven itself to be one of my favorite Unsung Heroes. Take some time this weekend to see the Tiguan in person at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, 3025 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111 to speak with the Volkswagen sales team. Have a wonderful weekend and to all the dads, the Checkered Blog would like to wish you all a very Happy Fathers Day!!!

Unsung Hero of Fuel-Efficiency: VW Passat

Welcome back from the weekend, Checkered Blog readers! Let us pick up right where we left off last week, and continue with the third Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency, the Volkswagen Passat.

The Passat is mid-size vehicle available either as sedan or wagon. On the Department of Energy website, the VW Passat is listed as the most efficient mid-size station wagon. The highway MPG estimate on the Passat is 31, and 22 for city. The Passat gets 558 highway miles with its 18.5 gallon tank. Stan Anders, a sales and leasing specialist at Checkered Flag Volkswagen (pictured here with the Passat), says the Passat is a great alternative to SUVs. With the Passat, drivers receive wonderful mileage plus a spacious interior and the ability to transport a surprising amount of stuff.

With both body styles you can chose from four trim levels. The base-trim for the Passat is called Turbo, and is the only trim out of the four where manual transmission is available. The other trims are Komfort, Lux, and VR6.

At a starting price of $23,990, the Turbo comes equipped with 16" Catalunya alloy wheels; power, heatable exterior mirrors with integrated blinkers; alarm system with immobilizer; tire pressure monitoring system; electro-mechanical speed sensitive steering system; and more. Moving up to the Komfort and Lux levels you will have your hands on an even larger array of standard features that are undoubtedly comfortable and luxurious. Take a step further with the VR6 and get all the features that come standard with the Lux trim plus leather sport seats; brushed aluminum interior trim; Dynaudio premium sound system, Bi-Xenon AFS headlights; heated washer nozzles; sport suspension; and 18" alloy "Samarkand" wheels. For a full list of features from each trim level click here.

The first three trim levels have 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engines with six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The VR6 has a 280-hp V6 and automatic transmission. On the VR6 you also have the choice of 4Motion, which is Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system. Last Friday we featured the Audi A3 and told you about its award winning engine. Well, during my conversation with Stan, I learned that the Passat is equipped with the same engine found in the A3. Newer Passat models have engines with what was formerly called the FSI (Fuel Straight Injection), and is now renamed TSI (Turbo Straight Injection). Stan says the name change is not just a semantics thing. The TSI has been reconfigured to increase the longevity of the vehicle and also allows for the use of regular gas instead of premium. Pictured showing the engine is Brian Korich, the Used Car Manager.   

Stan raved about the excelled safety features on the Passat. "Safety comes standard on this car." All level trims come with anti-intrusion side door beams; brake pad wear indicator; driver and passenger frontal airbags; crash optimized front end and pedals; Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD); Engine Braking Assist (ABA); and many more.

Safe, spacious, powerful, and efficient; The Passat has it all. See this Unsung Hero in person at Checkered Flag Volkswagen, 3025 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.

The "Bug" Turns Ten

For Volkswagen of America, Inc., it has been ten great years since the introduction of the New Beetle and that is reason to celebrate. The contemporary version of the legendary VW Beetle made its debut in 1998, and since then has continued to drive straight into American hearts. As of April 2008, New Beetle sales (including New Beetle Convertible) has exceeded 500,000 units in the U.S.

I wanted to learn a bit more about these cute and colorful "Bugs," so I made a stop at Checkered Flag Volkswagen today. Jim Hanrahan, a Sales Consultant there was more than helpful in sharing his take on why the New Beetle has captivated drivers for a decade now.

He even took me outside to get closer look at the Beetle, particularly the Triple White model, named for its white exterior, interior, and spoiler. Jim said, "It is a lot of car for the money. This model has features like heated seats, satellite radio..., and has great gas mileage."

When asked what first comes to mind when he thinks of the Beetle Jim replied with one word, "Icon." The Beetle is considered one of the most recognizable and beloved vehicles in the world. The original Beetle first made its appearance in the 1930s, and its distinctive design has not changed much since then. Compared to the original Beetle, Jim said the New Beetle is a lot safer, especially with the engine located in the front instead of the rear, and "it gets just as many smiles."

People of all ages easily identify the Beetle. "Kids recognize it as the ‘punch buggy’ and they will wave at you if you are driving in one." Jim went on to say that the reintroduction of the New Beetle has really had quite an impact on Volkswagen as a brand. "The Beetle is a main staple for us. It reinvigorated VW and when the concept first came out there was such a huge response!"

When asked if he has noticed any trends with customer preferences with the New Beetle, Jim said that a lot of people request Pink (which is not offered, sorry). You can however chose from several different colors including, Laser Blue, Gecko Green, Salsa Red, Harvest Moon, Platinum Gray, Black, Reflex Silver, and Sunflower Yellow. 

Jim also shared with me some of his memories concerning the Beetle. When he was younger, Jim had an uncle who restored older Beetles and would often read him Herbie the Love Bug stories. That childhood connection is what got Jim interested in becoming part of the Volkswagen staff, where he has been for a year now.

In the next ten years for the New Beetle, Jim hopes to see it become more guy oriented. "Probably 97% of Beetle drivers are women, so it would be cool to see maybe a more racer type version, or even a Herbie edition," Jim said. Regardless, "The Beetle as an icon will definitely continue in the future."

We at Checkered Blog would like to wish the Volkswagen New Beetle Congratulations and Happy 10^th Birthday!

VW Tiguan has arrived!

Look who decided to make a home at Checkered Flag Volkswagen:  the all new Tiguan!

This is the latest SUV in VW's lineup and is perfect for the city commute with occasional get-away's.  Let's call it an SUV for the daily commute that can get you anywhere else too.

Here are a few things Edmunds has to say about it:

Little brother to the Touareg, the new five-seater is aiming to lock horns with popular compact sport-utilities like the Acura RDX and Honda CR-V, while providing buyers with an affordable alternative to more prestigious entries such as the BMW X3 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK.

Styled under the leadership of Murat Gunak, Volkswagen's former design boss, the Tiguan boasts a number of cues first established on the Concept A, including its bold chrome grille and swoopy headlamp treatment. But while the Concept A received a rather sporting, coupelike silhouette with a roof line that plunged to the rear, the production version of Volkswagen's new SUV is far more upright toward the rear in a move clearly aimed at providing it with greater practicality.

Volkswagen will offer the Tiguan from the outset of sales with three different gasoline engines. For European markets, there will be updated 150-bhp and 170-bhp (DIN) versions of its award-winning 1.4-liter four-cylinder Twincharger engine, with its combination of supercharging and turbocharging. North America will get the 200-hp (SAE) turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the VW GTI.

Also planned to make its way into the Tiguan is the German carmaker's yet-to-be-revealed 2.0-liter four-cylinder common-rail diesel. It will feature low-emissions Bluetec technology when it comes to the U.S.

The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual, although North American buyers will also be able to option the Tiguan initially with a six-speed automatic and, later on, a VW dual-shift gearbox (DSG) offering both manual and automatic modes. Two versions of the DSG are planned: a new seven-speed in combination with the Twincharger engines and an updated version of today's six-speed with the turbo 2.0-liter four.

Channeling drive to all four wheels is a multiplate Haldex center differential, essentially the same VW 4Motion hardware found in the new VW R32. The European-market version of the Tiguan will also be equipped with an electronically controlled differential, plus altered throttle mapping, hill-descent control and an automatic hill holder. In addition, the ABS antilock braking system will change its threshold of intervention to accommodate off-road driving.

Although the Tiguan relies on the same basic mechanical setup as the Golf, with a transversely mounted engine, it has a unique 102.5-inch wheelbase and slightly wider 61.8-inch track front and rear. Other significant changes concern the steering, which features a new speed-sensitive electrohydraulic setup that is claimed to provide greater feel than the Golf's ZF system while filtering out steering kickback from off-road impacts.

For more, click here.

Checkered Flag VW Hosts May Friday Night Get-Together Tonight

Checkered Flag Volkswagen, never afraid to try something new, is inviting all Hampton Roads VW enthusiasts to get-together at their place on the first Friday of every month!  Bud Klemp, parts manager at Checkered Flag VW, borrowed the neighborly idea from a Las Vegas VW dealer.  "It's an opportunity for local VW enthusiasts to get together, show-off their cars, look at other people's cars and not get hassled for hanging around or loitering."  April was the inaugural month and 46 vehicles showed up! They expect an even bigger turnout tonight.

The get-togethers run from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. and are very low-key.  Bud tells me, "there is no pressure or anything, we are just doing this to help build a community."  There are several local VW enthusiast clubs and Bud admits that he is excited at the prospect that the Friday night get-togethers might unify them, if only temporarily.  "Tonight we'll have people here from all over Hampton Roads-Williamsburg, Hampton, Suffolk, just from all over."

If you have questions or want more information before you stop by, call Checkered Flag Volkswagen at (757) 490-1111.