The Volkswagen Golf Just Got Better

August 25, 2021 · 6 min read

Introducing the All New Golf GTI and Golf R

Car buyers have always had a soft spot for the VW Golf. Although this small hatchback is fairly understated compared to the likes of the towering Tiguan and Atlas, it’s one of those cars you can’t help but fall in love with when you finally drive one. It’s small in size, but big on speed and handling. There’s no corner it can’t take. It also knows a little something about how to be efficient. The Golf’s fuel economy (29 city/39 highway) make it equally equipped for daily commutes to the office and cross-country road trips. When people think of fun and affordable hatchbacks, they naturally think of the VW Golf. Whether you’re a longtime fan of this little speedster or hearing about it for the first time, there are some great things coming down the pipe from Volkswagen. The next generation of the VW Golf for sale will officially be on the market by Q4 of 2020. Buyers will have two options from the Mk8 line-up of Golf vehicles: the Type R and the GTI. We’ll break these down so you have a better idea of how they compare to prior iterations of the Golf and each other.

New Golf, New Look, New Attitude

Don’t think of the new Golf as a complete overhaul of this beloved vehicle. The Mk8 line-up definitely has some differences, but the new Type R and GTI still maintain that classic Golf spirit while making some notable improvements. What you’ll notice immediately with the Mk8 is the design is sleeker and sportier. The raked hood and other new design elements give off street racer vibes. However, some elements we’ve kept exactly the same, such as the distinctive C-pillar. Looking at the specs and build of the Mk8, we’re still using the same wheelbase dimensions at the Mk7 (103.6 inches). Comparing the GTI to the Type R, their physical dimensions are almost identical. The Golf GTI is 168.8 inches long and 57.6 inches in height. The Golf R is a shade bigger, clocking in at 168.9 inches long and 57.7 inches in height. Both cars are the same exact width at 70.4 inches. On the interior of both Mk8 versions, there is 91.9 cubic ft. of space for passengers and 19.9 cubic ft. of cargo space (34.5 cubic ft. with the seats folded down). Both the GTI and R Type feature a 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine that can be paired with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG dual clutch automatic transmission. As far as the Golf goes, the Mk8 is the most powerful version VW has ever released. The interior got some serious revamping. Whereas most auto makers try to add more buttons and levers, we streamlined the look and feel with a “less is more” approach. The instrument panel previously seen on the Mk7 has been upgraded to a 10.25-inch customizable touchscreen. This gives drivers a central control system for all their features, menu options, and infotainment. If you want to adjust the vibe in the car, change the interior lighting to an ambient or vibrant color of your choice (yes, you can do that now). As our customers have come to expect with prior iterations of the VW Golf, the Mk8 line-up comes standard with a full set of safety features. Our IQ.Drive offers enhanced driver-assistance and safety aids such as lane assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Expect the Mk8 Golf to raise the bar previously set by the Mk7 Golf. Drivers should see increased performance, better handling, and more standard equipment and improved tech features.

2022 Golf GTI

Considering that we made a vast number of improvements from the Mk7 to the Mk8 Golf models, one might expect to see those changes reflected in a hefty price increase. However, Volkswagen isn’t like other car manufacturers. We price our cars competitively to every other car out there on the market – including ourselves. The current Mk7 VW Golf GTI has a starting MSRP of $28,695. By comparison, the starting MSRP for the Mk8 VW Golf GTI S trim level will be $29,545 upon release. The GTI has two additional trim levels beyond the S level. The GTI SE has a starting MSRP of $34,295 and offers a full suite of standard and luxury features. The highest-level trim is the GTI Autobahn, which starts at $37,995 MSRP. As previously mentioned, the Golf GTI runs on a 2.0L turbocharged engine. It produces 241 horsepower (up 13 hp from the Mk7) and 273 Lb-ft. of torque. All the GTI’s power is sent directly to the front wheels via the paddle shifters. Managing the torque steer is an electronically-controlled torque sensing limited-slip VAQ differential. The Mk8 VW GTI allows drivers to customize their driving experience with the ability to adjust traction and stability control, a feature no previous iteration has had.

2022 Golf R

Don’t call it a comeback. Although the VW Golf R has been MIA from the Volkswagen line-up for the past three years, it’s returning with a fresh look and some major improvements under the hood. For those that are familiar with the prior iteration of the Golf R, expect a new and improved version with precise handling and brand-new cabin displays. The VW Golf R is available in one trim level and has a starting MSRP of $43,645. It’s a bit pricier than the GTI; however, we can say with no ego that this is by far and away the most advanced version of the Golf ever manufactured. The Golf R is fully-loaded in every sense of the word, right down to the heated steering wheel and Nappa leather-upholstered cabin. It’s got every feature imaginable, including the ever-popular Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro with 10.25-inch display. The Golf R can be outfitted with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission. Like the Golf GTI, the Golf R also has a 2.0L turbocharged engine under the hood. However, the Type R gives drivers 315 horsepower and 295 Lb-ft. of torque, solidifying it as the highest-performing Golf of the Mk8 line-up. It comes with an improved 4Motion all-wheel drive that applies the perfect amount of torque to each wheel, which yields superior cornering capabilities.

What’s Next for the New 2022 Golf?

There’s probably a lot of you out there who can’t wait to test drive the new Mk8 Golf. We’re pretty excited to test drive it ourselves. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to wait just a bit longer before the new Golf hits the showroom floor. It’s due to be released by the end of 2021. Our advice is to keep checking back with our site for news. Once the new Volkswagen Golf is for sale and ready for test driving, we’ll be sure to post about it on the homepage. If you’re eyeing something a little bigger than the Golf, we have a wide assortment of sedans, subcompact SUVs, and full-size SUVs. Volkswagen Lee’s Summit has both used and new cars for sale. No matter what your budget is, we can help find the perfect VW vehicle for you. We’re conveniently located at 2225 NE Independence Ave in Lee’s Summit. If that’s outside of your range, you can find the closest VW dealership by searching “VW dealership near me.” Our dealerships include a VW service center for those that need repair or routine maintenance. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, and be sure to check out our specials for great deals on VW vehicles.

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Jul 24, 2023 in Volkswagen News

Meet the In-Car VW App Store and See How It'll Elevate Your Ride

The myVW App Is About to Get a Welcome Addition in the Technology Department As experienced smartphone users know, the App Store is what provides access to a world of applications, including weather, streaming services, gaming, and much more. With the rollout of App-Connect - more commonly known as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto - it finally affords users the ability to integrate their smartphones with their vehicles. Owners of late model cars and SUVs can access their favorite third-party apps using Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; however, the technology is by no means perfect. First, select third-party apps are not accessible through the App-Connect software. Additionally, some apps have compatibility issues that result in poor display or functionality issues. Fortunately, Volkswagen is rolling out a solution – the in-car VW App Store, which will be featured on select VW vehicles in the near future. Let's get to know a little bit more about this upcoming technology upgrade and what drivers can expect. Afterwards, we’ll review the myVW app and its overall role in VW technology. Elevating from App-Connect to the VW App Store Every application within the VW App Store will be optimized to run on the touchscreen monitor included with Volkswagen vehicles, which means any compatibility issues users previously experienced will be ironed out. The other major pain point that the VW App Store addresses is the guessing game users play when adding apps using the App-Connect software. Since all apps will be available via the VW App Store, the manual addition process can officially be retired. So, what exactly will be included with the VW App Store upon roll-out? CARIAD – the software company overseeing the new app store’s creation – has gone on record stating that the VW App Store will include notable third-party favorites like Spotify, The Weather Channel, Webex, Yelp, and TikTok. However, it’s important to note that apps like TikTok can only be used for consuming content – not creating it. This ensures drivers exercise safe driving practices when behind the wheel. Creating TikTok videos must be done using the mobile version of the app. CARIAD also reports that the new app store will be available across all brands included in the Volkswagen Group of vehicles, starting with Audi in July 2023. The app store will eventually expand to Porsche, Bentley, and, of course, Volkswagen. In keeping with the original app store, the VW App Store will include numerous app categories, including: News Gaming Podcasts Music Weather Video conferencing Parking info EV charging station locations Currently, there has been no formal announcement about the exact Volkswagen models the VW App Store will appear in; however, we can safely estimate that it will be included in the all-electric ID. lineup of VW vehicles. Further, it’s possible that VW will roll out a software upgrade for current vehicles so that they can take advantage of the new technology. It will likely be handled in the same fashion as the VW ID.4’s recent software upgrade. Getting Reacquainted with the myVW App Drivers who purchased their VW vehicles within the past two years have probably noticed that VW Car-Net has transitioned to the myVW App. Although the name has changed, the core concept of the app has remained the same – providing a suite of remote and convenience features to VW owners. The main features of the myVW App include: Last parked location, which is a feature that shows drivers where they last parked on a map. Parkopedia parking assistance®. Remote lock/unlock, start, and cabin climate control. Amazon Alexa sync. Roadside assistance requests. Vehicle service reminders and history. Service appointment scheduling. Five years of access to the myVW App is included with all late model vehicle purchases as part of the Carefree Coverage warranty. Looking for New and Used Volkswagen Vehicles in Kansas City! Visit VW Lee’s Summit Today! Now that you’re officially up to date on what to expect from the VW App Store and the myVW app, your next step is to check out some of our VW vehicles in person by taking a test drive. As the leading Volkswagen dealer in the KC area, VW Lee’s Summit has plenty of new cars and SUVs made to suit any budget and driving style. Ready to finally go electric? We have the award-winning 2023 VW ID.4! How about a sedan with incredible gas mileage? The 2023 VW Jetta is the car for you! VW Lee’s Summit also carries a large variety of used cars and certified pre-owned vehicles that come with a limited warranty. Feel free to check out our specials for more great deals and limited-time offers on Volkswagen vehicles and services. Visit VW Lee’s Summit at 2225 NE Independence Ave, or call (816) 841-7252 for questions. You may also email us using the contact form on our website; a VW team member will get back with you shortly.

Feb 07, 2023 in Volkswagen News

Is the VW ID. Buzz Safe? Industry Experts Say Yes!

How This VW Electric Vehicle Protects its Passengers The all-electric VW ID.4 has been the resident heavy hitter for Volkswagen in the EV category. Its future-forward design combined with its ability to get 275 miles on a single charge (Pro model) has given longtime holdouts a reason to switch over to electric. The fact that the VW ID.4 won the 2021 World Car of the Year Award doesn’t hurt, either. Now that VW has established proof of concept that they can create a quality EV, everyone wants to know what Volkswagen electric car will be next to arrive on showroom floors. The answer is that it won’t be a car at all – it will be a van. Based on the Type 2 Microbus, the VW ID. Buzz fuses retro nostalgia with futuristic design to deliver a vehicle that’s primed to disrupt the electric vehicle market. Let’s get to know a little more about this future-forward family van and when you can expect to see a VW ID. Buzz near you at your local Volkswagen dealership, and discover just how safe it is. VW ID. Buzz – Vehicle Overview and Performance At a certain point, large capacity SUVs became the go-to option for van owners. For instance, the VW Atlas can seat up to seven people and delivers far more in terms of performance and style when compared to a van. When conceptualizing this VW electric vehicle, the designers and engineers at Volkswagen aimed to create an EV that’s practical in terms of storage and seating capacity, while keeping the aesthetics top of mind. The result is a van that nails the cosmetic details while delivering all the hallmarks of an advanced electric vehicle. The VW ID. Buzz can drive up to 264 miles on a single charge and provides drivers with up to 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, drivers will have up to 77.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down. Carsten Intra, CEO of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand says, “No other vehicle manufacturer has a comparable all-electric MPV and van duo in their portfolio. The avant-garde technology and design concept of the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo are globally unique.” The VW ID. Buzz will gladly play the part of the family van and road trip companion, but it appears that VW also has commercial applications in mind for the vehicle. That’s not a surprise considering the Type 2 Microbus was used for the same thing during its heyday. The First Electric Van from VW Ranks First in Safety Crash statistics are one of the major data points that all automakers keep an eye on. They are a key metric when determining the state of vehicle safety in the U.S. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were over 35,000 crashes in 2020 that resulted in fatalities in the United States. It’s that kind of statistic that lets automakers know there’s still plenty of work to be done in terms of vehicle safety. That’s why VW has redoubled their efforts to include features that help their drivers be more aware of their surroundings and intervene in situations that require it. The VW ID. Buzz is slated to have some of the most comprehensive safety feature packages yet, and will include: Lane assist Travel assist Front assist Emergency assist Forward collision warning Autonomous emergency braking Active blind spot monitor Adaptive cruise control The European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) – an authority on vehicles – gave the VW ID. Buzz high scores in the areas of collision testing, occupant protection, and accident-avoidance technology. For drivers that rank safety above all else, you can expect great things from the 2024 VW ID. Buzz, which will likely start showing up at Volkswagen dealerships in Q4 of this year. Looking for a Volkswagen Electric Vehicle? Visit VW Lee’s Summit Today! Although it will be some time before people can check out the VW ID. Buzz in person, the good news is that we have the award-winning VW ID.4 right here at VW Lee’s Summit. When it comes to gauging the quality and performance of an EV, nothing showcases the ID.4 quite like a test drive. Simply contact us to let us know you’re interested in checking out this all-electric SUV. Currently, you can take advantage of a $7,500 lease credit on the ID.4, which means there’s never been a better time to make the switch to electric. Not yet in the market for a Volkswagen electric vehicle? No problem! As the leading Volkswagen dealership in the Kansas City metro area, we carry a wide variety of new VW cars and SUVs made to suit any driving style and budget. Additionally, we have a large stock of used cars and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100+-point inspection. Visit VW Lee’s Summit today at 2225 NE Independence Ave. You can also reach out to us with questions or to set an appointment by calling (816) 841-7253 or via email using our contact form.

Jan 18, 2023 in Volkswagen News

Comparing the 2023 VW Atlas vs. 2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport

And Where to Find a Volkswagen Atlas for Sale Near Kansas City Volkswagen SUVs are designed and developed to meet the needs of the modern American family. However, each household is unique, so the perfect SUV for a family of seven is probably different compared to what a newlywed couple with a golden retriever wants. The Lee’s Summit Volkswagen dealership has established itself as the leading resource for SUV drivers because we offer incredible vehicles that are stylish, practical, and affordable. The VW ID.4, for instance, was the first EV offering from the automaker, which ultimately ended up winning the 2021 World Car of the Year Award. The all-new VW Taos proved to drivers that there are SUVs on the market that offer high-performance with low cost of ownership. However, there are two specific Volkswagen SUVs that give drivers pause because they look quite similar on paper. We’re talking, of course, about the 2023 VW Atlas and 2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport, and they’re both available at your local Volkswagen dealer. How the New VW Atlas Stacks Up Against the VW Atlas Cross Sport For the purposes of comparing apples to apples, we’ll only look at the base level SE trims for the new VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. The following items are what these VW SUVs have in common: They can both be outfitted with either a 2.0L Turbo 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic engine or a 2.0L Turbo 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic with 4MOTION®. Both are available in FWD and AWD Both offer up to 266 lb-ft of torque and 278 horsepower Both come with 18” alloy wheels and all-season tires Both come with a suite of driver assistance features known as IQ.DRIVE Both have a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs Both come with the main Volkswagen technologies such as VW Digital Cockpit, touchscreen media display, and the myVW app Both come with Carefree Coverage As you can see, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shares a lot in common with the standard VW Atlas. Now that you know what’s the same, let’s dive into what makes them different. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has two rows of seating that can accommodate five passengers. The standard VW Atlas offers three rows of seating that can accommodate up to seven passengers. The 2023 VW Atlas is 201″ length x 78″ width x 70″ height. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is slightly smaller, measuring 196″ length x 78″ width x 68″ height. The standard VW Atlas offers 20.6 cubic feet of storage and up to 96.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The VW Atlas Cross Sport offers 40.3 cubic feet of storage and up to 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The base level SE trim for the 2023 VW Atlas has a starting MSRP of $35,150. The base level SE trim for the VW Atlas Cross Sport is slightly less at $34,460. Test Drive the VW Atlas at Your Local Volkswagen Dealer Now that you know how the new VW Atlas and VW Atlas Cross Sport measure up against one another, your next step is to check them out in person with a test drive. You can do that by visiting the Lee’s Summit Volkswagen dealership, which is located at 2225 NE Independence Ave. Once you’ve had a chance to test drive both SUVs, you’ll have a much easier time deciding which one you like more. Regardless of which one you decide on, remember that both the VW Atlas and VW Atlas Cross Sport come with one of America’s leading warranties – Carefree Coverage. It includes the following: 2 yrs. Service - Scheduled Carefree Maintenance (2 years or 20,000 miles) 3 yrs. Help - Roadside Assistance (3 years or 36,000 miles) 4 yrs. Coverage - New Vehicle Limited Warranty (4 years or 50,000 miles) 5 yrs. Access - myVW Remote Access These services and coverages ensure that your VW Atlas or VW Atlas Cross Sport remain in exceptional condition. If you’re not currently in the market for the new VW Atlas, our Volkswagen dealership carries plenty of new cars, used cars, and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100+ point inspection. Our dealership has plenty of used SUVs for sale that are meant to suit any budget, storage needs, and driving style. Additionally, we’re always running great deals on VW products and services in our specials section. Have a question or would like to schedule an appointment? Contact us by calling (816) 841-7253, or you can reach out to us via email using our contact form.

Volkswagen Lee's Summit

Volkswagen Lee's Summit

The Volkswagen Golf Just Got Better