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Charging the e-Golf Electric Car just became effortless, and parking just became totally autonomous. Volkswagen really wanted to make a splash at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. So they dove head first into the deep end, and we are all still soaked. We already told you about the announcement of MirrorLink and Apple’s CarPlay, and we showed you the new futuristic Golf R Touch Concept Car that lets you operate nearly every car control with the wave of your hand or flick of your finger. And now, they announced some big advancements in their electric car technology. Volkswagen's Inductive Charging and Trained Parking are sure to shake up the industry. Volkswagen Trained Parking Volkswagen plans to advance autonomous parking by developing a series of systems that build upon the current semi-autonomous reverse parking features currently integrated in the e-Golf vehicles. These systems would allow the cars to learn from the repeated routes you take, such as the drive up your driveway and into your usual parking spot. A camera mounted behind the rearview mirror will recognize when you release control to the vehicle, and your regular parking maneuver will happen automatically. While drivers will be required to stay in their cars while they are parking themselves, the goal is to have a system in place within the next few years where the car will stop by your door to let you out, then carry on to its parking space and automatically recharge itself. These features would likely allow you to monitor everything from a smartphone or tablet to ensure all is well. The current e-Golf Electric car utilizes the Bosch 240V home charging system that lets you simply plug in your car at home and at work. It’s simple. And yet VW decided to make it even simpler to get customers ready for the inevitable future. So they developed a wireless inductive charging system which allows the e-Golf to locate and park itself over a charging plate in the floor. The implications of inductive charging are varied. It allows cars to eventually, precisely and autonomously park themselves. It opens up the possibility of taking your car to a parking structure with inductive charging, getting out where it is most convenient, and letting your car go charge itself while you work or shop. Being notified on your smartphone where the nearest available charging space is, is also just a couple years away. You can view the entire Volkswagen Keynote Address from CES 2015 here.

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.

Through their new MirrorLink infotainment system, VW plans to lead the pack with cutting-edge tech. You might remember when Apple first announced Apple CarPlay last year. One of the headlines that came out of that announcement was that Volkswagen was one of the largest auto manufacturers not yet partnered with Apple. Well all of that changed this week at the International Computer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Volkswagen is Adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to their cars this year. Volkswagen MirrorLink The release of Carplay and Android Auto will coincide with the release of VW’s next generation infotainment system, which they are calling MirrorLink. This new system is about to take Volkswagen to the top of the touchscreen game. MirrorLink is on the same level as Jaguar’s new system, just to give you a better idea about how advanced and high-end it will be. MirrorLink will add phone-mirroring protocols which will essentially turn your smartphone into a second, mirrored screen for the infotainment system. Adding apps, integrating Apple Carplay and Android Auto will all be simpler than on any other vehicle out there. It looks like it was very much worth the wait. Apps from Samsung, HTC, LG, Sony, and Apple will be supported, but initially MirrorLink will work with Think Blue, My Guide, Trainer, Shared Audio, and Sound Journey applications. More third party apps will be released after the initial launch. Volkswagen Apple CarPlay Release Date The release date for MirrorLink and CarPlay is still up in the air. However, Volkswagen did state that the launch would take place this year. Costs for adding Carplay or Android Auto were also not yet announced, but will likely be in line with the current prices set by other manufacturers. It appears 2015 is the year of technology for VW. You can view the entire Volkswagen Keynote Address from CES 2015 here.

2015 VW Golf named Motor Trend Car of the Year Well, even we didn’t see this coming. The votes have been tabulated, all 24 of the eligible cars have been exhaustively analyzed, and we now have winner of the 2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year: The 2015 VW Golf family of models, which includes the standard Golf 1.8T, the Golf TDI, the high-performance GTI, and the upcoming all-electric e-Golf. After staring down competition from the likes of the Ford Mustang, the BMW 2 Series, the Maserati Ghibli, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Golf stands alone. Pretty impressive, no? To hear Motor Trend’s Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh tell it, he was surprised by its impressive showing as we were. “VW floored our judges by reimagining the seventh generation Golf for nearly every need and want,” he explained. “From the value-laden Golf 1.8T and high-MPG Golf TDI to the legendary hot hatch GTI and all-electric e-Golf, there truly is a Golf for everyone.” In its seventh generation, the evolution of the Golf family is complete. Prior to announcing a winner of Car of the Year, competitors were judged by six key criteria: design advancement, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and performance of intended function. And, after nine full days of testing, the Golf family of vehicles came home with the top prize. Of course, none of this would require mentioning if it weren’t for the fact that Speedcraft VW just happens to be Rhode Island’s top-rated online Volkswagen dealer, and holds the specific distinction of keeping the area’s most versatile and accommodating inventory of the VW Golf. Whether you’re searching for iconic utility of the classic seventh-generation Golf or the all-out road-readiness of the athletic GTI, we’ll work with you to line up the options you desire and make sure that you drive away with the most desired vehicle of its kind in America today. After all, being named the 2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year lends a little weight to such a lofty claim. Visit Speedcraft VW today to receive further information, to schedule a test drive, or to receive financing details in regard to our resident Car of the Year. We’re excited to assist you, and look forward to seeing you at Speedcraft VW soon!

Volkswagen XL Sport With models like the Jetta and Passat routinely placing among the most popular cars on the road, much of our attention is justifiably centered around Volkswagen’s long list of production vehicles. However, for a brand with 106 factories in 27 countries, many lesser-known curiosities also stir our interest at Speedcraft VW. This is the case with the just-unveiled Volkswagen XL Sport, an absolutely stunning vehicle that very few of us will ever actually see with our own eyes. Still, that doesn’t stop us from doing a little dreaming, does it? The XL Sport received its debut at the recent 2014 Paris Motor Show, where the breathless anticipation could be felt all the way over here in Rhode Island. Volkswagen outfitted a vehicle that they have rightly described as a “firecracker” with a Ducati 1199cc Superlegerra V-Twin engine, which will offer 197 horsepower and a top speed of 168 mph. It is also the 200-millionth Volkswagen ever produced, which is a milestone in its own right. The stylish interior of the VW XL Sport features red-stitched faux-suede seating. The XL Sport is the racing-inspired sibling to the XL1, which made headlines last year when it was announced that an unprecedented 261 mpg were possible with it’s innovative powertrain and lightweight construction. While fuel-economy numbers haven’t been released for the XL Sport, it’s expected that it will still top 200 mpg, which is simply ridiculous. Also noteworthy for the stylish two-seater is its eclectic interior design, which features red-stitched faux-suede seats, a wood-trimmed shifter, and a carbon-colored minimalist design for the dashboard. We suppose the moral of the story is, We really want one. Unfortunately, we probably won’t get the chance. Volkswagen has announced that a mere 250 XL Sport models will see production, suggesting that only the industry’s elite will get their mitts on one. However, even at Speedcraft VW, we are allowed to daydream. Of course, the same spirit of innovation that’s found in the XL Sport can be experienced in VW’s fine production models, many of which are now available for the 2015 model year. Stop by today and test drive one for yourself!