Blog

At the Detroit Auto Show this week the VW Golf and Golf GTI were named the Car of the Year For the past few weeks, all of the national auto publications and blogs have been speculating as to which car would take home the title of Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show. An overwhelming majority was predicting that Ford would sweep the show, and they almost did after it was announced that the Ford F-150 would beat the Chevy Colorado and take the Truck of the Year honor. Then it was announced that The Volkswagen Golf is the Car of the Year. The Volkswagen Golf was selected above all other cars by a jury of almost 60 journalists. The categories by which all cars had to meet or beat the Golf were design, safety, performance, and value. No other car came close to surpassing the VW Golf. The Volkswagen Golf is a compact hatchback that seems to appeal to an incredible cross-section of drivers. Young families, college students, empty nesters, grandparents, young professionals and a variety of other demographics see incredible value in the Golf’s versatility and spunky handling. It is a fun car to drive, and it is practical in every sense of the word. Moreover, the cargo room and passenger space is greater than nearly any other compact on the market. It’s one of those cars that people don’t fall in love with until they slide behind the wheel. And then it’s really hard to get them to want to come out. The Volkswagen Golf and Golf GTI are likely to enjoy their time in the sun after earning the prestigious award. The Golf was also Motor Trend’s Car of the Year this year, making it currently one of the most awarded vehicles of all time. It’s one of those rare cars that achieves exceptional fuel efficiency, the highest safety standards, and surprisingly thrilling power all wrapped up in a package that costs less than many other vehicles on the market. The Car of the Year award is the most sought-after award in the automotive industry, and is announced annually at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This was the first time VW won the award since the VW Beetle won in 1999. If you would like to stop in to test drive the Car of the Year, we currently have quite a few in stock for you to choose from. Contact us to schedule a test drive, or feel free to just stop in.

The VW Golf R Touch is like something out of a science fiction movie, packed full of cutting-edge technology. There are a few technology advancements made each year that make us realize we really are living in the future. It seems the engineers at Volkswagen became inspired while re-watching that Tom Cruise movie, Minority Report, because it seems as though the new VW Golf R Touch Concept Car that was revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show this week is straight out of that futuristic film. The VW Golf R Touch Concept Car has three big touchscreens, and is void of any tangible buttons or knobs aside from those controls that are imbedded in the steering wheel. But it’s not simply a trio of touchscreens. Drivers and passengers can operate the controls without touching anything, and without saying anything. A simply swipe or gesture is recognized, with the goal being that it won’t require a lesson to use. The system is built to be as intuitive as possible. Golf R Touch Concept Car Volkswagen stated that this concept car was the ultimate technological challenge. It was an attempt to integrate unbelievably complex technology with as many functions as possible, while nearly eliminating driver distractions by making it the easiest to use, most personalized system. All of the controls are sensor-based, or operate via the touchscreen. The speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and other vehicle information is all integrated into a 12.3 inch Active Information Display. All the standard car instruments are represented digitally. The main high-res infotainment screen is nearly 13 inches, and the screen that operates media settings and climate control is 8 inches. It’s not magic, though. Along with the proximity sensors are a series of small interor cameras mounted within the vehicle that pick up hand movement. The idea of waving your hand or simply gesturing to interact with applications, media, and climate control really brings these interfaces into a whole new third dimension. For instance, simply raise your arm, and you can control the Golf’s moonroof without touching a thing, and without having to take your eyes off the road. While the R Touch Concept isn't here, yet, we do have the VW Golf in stock. It is the Car of the Year for very good reason. Come see why! As always, all of us here at Speedcraft VW are more than happy to answer any question you might have. You can view the entire Volkswagen Keynote Address from CES 2015 here.

2015 VW GTI & Golf R Providence RI The 2015 GTI is expected to arrive at Speedcraft VW later in 2014. After months of conjecture and more than a few sleepless nights, we can finally stop worrying--in some of the most exciting news of the year, the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit featured the reveal of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R, which comes on the heels of more news about the 2015 GTI Mark VII (7). As two of the most anticipated vehicles to jump off the VW draft boards in some time, this is of particular interest to us at Speedcraft VW, and it just didn’t feel right to keep the news to ourselves. The release of the 2015 GTI Mark VII (7), based on the seventh-generation Golf, has recently been a hot-button issue in the VW community, and rightfully so. The aggressive new design flourishes--the rear spoiler and front and rear fascia, to name a few--are bold complements to the agile and flashy GTI, which is driven by the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder known as the EA888. The solid, composed ride and impressive fuel efficiency will be familiar to GTI drivers; the punch of acceleration, however, will be a welcome surprise, courtesy of the available Performance package. Without a doubt, when the 2015 GTI Mark VII (7) arrives later this year, the wait will have been worth it. The two-year wait for the 2015 Golf R ends early next year. The news out of Detroit in regard to the 2015 Golf R comes with a similar air of anticipation. By the time of its release in early 2015, it will have been two years since the previous incarnation of the Golf R, and its pretty clear that Volkswagen didn’t waste the interim patting themselves on the back. The newest edition of the Golf R punches out 290 hp from its 2.0 EA888, good for one of the most powerful four-cylinder production engines available. This allows the DSG-equipped model to bolt from zero-to-sixty in just 4.9 seconds, and coupled with the famed 4-motion Permanent All-Wheel Drive, drivers of the Golf R will feel the grip of the road as never before. Naturally, the 2015 Golf R is a sight to behold as well. It’s sporty suspension creates a lower posture, and design elements such as the specially designed front and rear bumpers and two-branch exhaust will set the Golf R apart from any competitors. The 2015 GTI Mark VII (7) will arrive at Speedcraft VW in Wakefield, RI, later this year, while the Golf R is set to premiere in early 2015. For further details on these or any of our impressive models in the Volkswagen lineup, feel free to call or stop by our dealership. We take pride in our reputation as one of New England’s finest VW dealers, and look forward to many great years ahead in the Providence area. Would you like us to contact you when either the 2015 VW GTI or 2015 Golf R arrive for a test drive?  Fill out our Find It For Me form and we'll make a note to drop you a line when we receive our first run of inventory!