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Since 1938 the Volkswagen Beetle has been an iconic automobile.  From pop culture references to the German engineering that drivers have fallen in love with, the Beetle is in a class of its own.  And in spite of turning 80 years in only a couple of months, this car has some new tricks up sleeve.  Here are few things to look for in the updated 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. more New Engine All trim lines of the 2018 Beetle will feature a new 2.0-liter four cylinder, turbo-charged, direct-injection TSI ® engine.  This new engine will increase the Beetle’s horsepower from 170hp in the 2017 model to 174hp. Volkswagen’s People First Warranty This new warranty from Volkswagen will be available with the 2018 Beetle.  This is a six year or 72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty.  It can be transferred to subsequent owners until it expires. New Beetle Trim Lines Beetle Coast This is a brand new Beetle model that is inspired by the ocean.  The beachy features include a surfboard wood-look dashpad, houndstooth cloth seats, monster mats, sunroof, and scuff plates.  This line also has an exclusive color option, Deep Sea Teal. Beetle Dune This trim line includes the addition of bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED license plate lights, Fender® Premium Audio System, and as standard in all 2018 models, KESSY® keyless access with push-button start. Beetle S The Beetle S features the new Style & Comfort Package.  The package features: a 6.3” Composition Media touchscreen with Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect, heated leather seats, rain sensing wipers, KESSY® keyless access with push-button start, and more. Beetle SE The Beetle SE will offer many standard features that were once only options.  Climatronic® dual-zone automatic climate control, exterior chrome trim, panoramic sunroof, and blind spot monitoring are only a few that are now a part of the Beetle SE. While the Beetle continues to evolve, the same sophisticated engineering and dedication to safety and performance are still at the core of what makes a Volkswagen a Volkswagen.  To learn more, or to set up a test drive, visit the VW experts at Southwest Volkswagen in Lafayette.

There are many awards given out to vehicles of all types every year. Some are for design. Some are for innovative engineering. Some are for the best-selling vehicles. Then, there are some that are awarded to vehicles that respond to their drivers' needs. We at Southpoint Volkswagen are proud to announce that the Jetta has taken home one of the biggest awards in that last category as the Volkswagen Jetta wins the Ideal Vehicle Award for 2017. more The Ideal Vehicle Awards are given out by a research and consulting firm called AutoPacific, Incorporated. This award celebrates a vehicle in different model categories for "meeting owners’ expectations and desires." The 2017 awards are based on responses from more than 54,000 owners of new model year 2016 and 2017 vehicles across all major manufacturers. The Jetta won as the top vehicle in the compact car category. While winning any award is a point of pride, the Ideal Vehicle Award stands out because it is a nod directly from Jetta owners, meaning we are serving the needs of Jetta drivers to rave reviews. From the Volkswagen USA Press Release: " The Volkswagen Jetta has been a bestseller for the brand, and the AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Award is a testament of how much Jetta owners love their vehicles,” said Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing & Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Our planners, designers and engineers work hard to help ensure every detail in the Jetta delivers on what buyers want in a compact vehicle, so we are truly honored by this recognition.” AutoPacific’s 2017 Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on a survey of more than 54,000 owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2017. The survey asked owners what they would change about their new vehicle across key categories, including ride and handling, interior storage, safety features, power and acceleration and technology, among others. AutoPacific’s IVAs identify vehicles whose owners want the least amount of change, recognizing those products as ones designed most closely to meet the requirements of their buyers. It is worth noting that Volkswagen’s Beetle Golf swept up the second and third spots, respectively. If you would like to learn more about the Volkswagen Jetta, or would like to schedule a test drive, please contact our team at Southpoint Volkswagen, and we will be happy to assist you.

In its first year on the market, the Volkswagen Atlas is already living up to the reputation of safety that comes with the Volkswagen name. The Atlas, when equipped with available Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, debuts as a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS). It joins the Golf family, the Jetta, and the Passat on this year's IIHS list. more The 2017 top safety pick award is issued to vehicles that have earned “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests evaluated in five categories: frontal impact moderate overlap; frontal impact small overlap; side impact; roof strength; and head restraints. It must also offer an autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) that earns at least an advanced rating for front crash prevention. The 2018 Atlas earned a “Superior” rating on the AEB test. “Volkswagen’s commitment to safety and driver assistance technology is unwavering. We take great responsibility to ensure our driver assistance technologies get smarter,” said Hendrik Muth, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing and Strategy. “ The Atlas is an example of our ongoing commitment to offering these features, and we are proud it has been recognized as an IIHS 2017 top safety pick.” The Atlas is the only vehicle in its class to offer the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which is standard across all trims. This system builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System addresses this by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage. If you would like to get a closer look at the new Volkswagen Atlas, or schedule a test drive, please contact our team at Southwest Volkswagen and we will be happy to help assist you.

Summer time is upon us. That means vacations, road trips, and stepping away from it all. But, it also means relying on your car in different circumstances than your normal commute. The familiar routine of car pooling to school and work is replaced with the potential for adventure or escaping the stress of your busy schedule. That is why we recommend taking a few precautions before getting behind the wheel and exploring unfamiliar territory in your Volkswagen this Summer. The last thing you want is to have a vacation ruined by car trouble. To help you avoid that, here are five summer tips for maintaining your Volkswagen. more Check your tires Summer in South Louisiana means a lot of rain. Driving in the rain is difficult to begin with; and is even more so when you don’t have proper traction. Check to make sure you have enough tread on your tires. Most experts recommend “the penny test.” Hold a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing out. Place it in the tread of your tires. If there’s enough tread to cover Lincoln’s head, you don’t need new tires. Replace your windshield wipers With the rain we experience in South Louisiana, you want to make sure your wiper blades are functioning properly. Did they age or rot over the winter? When you turn them on, do they clearly wipe away all the water, or do they leave streaks that can impair your vision? If you see any streaks or water left behind after the blades pass, it is time to change your windshield wipers. Check your headlights Though the days are longer in the summer, you still want to make sure your headlights are working properly. Not just for night time, but this goes back to the rain as well. If your wipers are on, your headlights should be on as well, and having both headlights working helps make sure that other drivers can see you as well as you can see them. Along with making sure your headlights work, you also want to make sure the casing they are in is clean and unobstructed. If there is any condensation built up inside, you want to wipe that out to guarantee your headlights perform at their optimum level. Check your air conditioning We don’t have to tell you how hot and humid it gets around here. This, of course, means your air conditioner will be put to the test throughout the summer months. If you feel that it isn’t blowing out air that is cold enough, or if the fan isn’t blowing as hard as it should (or is making a noise), you want to have that serviced by a professional sooner rather than later. The last thing you want when heading out on vacation is to have the a/c go out as soon as you hit the road. Check your coolant Along with your air conditioner being tested, the cooling system for your engine is put to the test during the summer. Fortunately, we are coming out of a relatively mild winter, so you shouldn’t have experienced any problems, but you want to check your coolant levels to make sure there are no leaks, and everything is in working order. When you schedule regular maintenance through Southwest Volkswagen, we help you stay on top of these and many other items before they become a reason for concern. If you have not been serviced regularly, you can easily schedule an appointment and get your car ready for the summer in one easy visit to Southwest Volkswagen.

The Atlas has arrived and, Volkswagen drivers in Lafayette finally have the family SUV they’ve been waiting for. As Volkswagen drivers’ lives have changed, their needs have changed and the Atlas is Volkswagen’s response to those evolving needs. The new Atlas has been described as, “ the biggest and boldest Volkswagen ever built in the United States.” But, what exactly can drivers expect from the new Volkswagen Atlas? more The Atlas features a 3 rd row of seating. The first thing everyone will notice about the Atlas is the size. It measures in at 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.6 inches high while still maintaining the classic Volkswagen proportions. The difference in size shows up inside with a third row of seating, meaning it can comfortably seat seven adult passengers, with head room and leg room to spare. The third row can be reached by an innovative folding seat solution. With a growing family in mind, the folding seats work even with child seats installed in the second row. The Atlas offers the best bumper to bumper warranty available. Volkswagen is offering a six year, 72,000-mile bumper to bumper warranty on the new Atlas. That is double the usual three year, 36,000-mile warranty, and even exceeds the usual five year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty that most automotive manufacturers provide. Taking things a step further, the warranty on the Atlas is transferable. So, should you decide to sell you Atlas before the warranty expires, the new owner would inherit the remaining mileage. The Atlas offers all the safety and technology features you expect from Volkswagen. Safety is always at the forefront for Volkswagen, and the Atlas is no exception. Some of the features of the Atlas include: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane; and Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist). As for technology, the available Volkswagen Car-Net® system provides a full suite of connected vehicle services, including standard App-Connect technology that offers integration with the three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®. These three things are just a few examples of what is being offered with the new Atlas. When you look at every possible feature, it means getting more out of your daily commute and more out of your recreational time with your family. If you have any questions about pricing or the capabilities of the Atlas, please call our team at Southwest Volkswagen to learn more.

This is the time of the year that kind of leaves car buyers in limbo. Next year’s models are arriving on the lot, but this year’s models are still available. So which is the right choice when shopping for a new car? Well that depends on what you’re priorities are. There are plenty of reasons to opt for the next model year, but what about those current model year vehicles? We have 5 reasons why you should consider buying a model year end vehicle. more They’re still new vehicles. Sure a “newer” model may have arrived, but the very definition of a new vehicle is one that is not used. So, without a previous owner, this year’s car is just as new as next year’s. The model year end closeout sale. Model year end closeout sales offer favorable interest rates and a sale price or rebate as an incentive. When all the dealership commercials are saying, “we’ve got to make room for new inventory,” you can hold them to it with their model year end closeout. Seasonal incentives. If you miss the model year end closeout sale, there are often seasonal sales or incentives to make this year’s model that much more attractive. For example, the “Summer Sale Event” at Southwest Volkswagen offers $1500 and 0% interest for five years on remaining 2016 Jettas. The offer adds an additional $1000 Volkswagen bonus as well. Loyalty incentives. If you are the type of person that knows what you like and you replace your vehicle with a newer version of the same vehicle, you can often find trade-in incentives on your current vehicle. Financing incentives. This time of year, you can normally find great interest rates on outgoing new models. For example, with Southwest Volkswagen’s model year end closeout, highly qualified customers can be eligible for 0.0% APR, if they finance through Volkswagen credit. While the newest cars on the lot may be what immediately turns your head, it is important to remember that your car buying dollar could go further by sticking with a new car from the current model year.

There are two main reasons you will need to schedule service on your vehicle; either something has gone wrong, or you are sticking to a maintenance schedule to prevent something from going wrong. Either way, when it comes to servicing your car, you want expertise, convenience and affordability. That is why when it comes to scheduling service for your Volkswagen in Lafayette, Southwest Volkswagen should be your first choice. more Let’s start with times where something has gone wrong. Like it or not, these things happen to everyone. You may hear a noise in your vehicle, notice it isn’t getting the gas mileage it should, the air went out, or any other number of problems that need to be addressed over the life of any car. Lafayette has hundreds of qualified mechanics, so why should you come to the dealership to service your Volkswagen? There are two main reasons. First of all, we know Volkswagen, because we drive Volkswagen models. Our people are Volkswagen people. That means they actually know your car before you get here. The second reason is the parts. Original Volkswagen parts are an important part of maintaining your Volkswagen's optimum performance. We offer the same high-quality parts your vehicle was born with, and we keep a large inventory of these certified parts in stock. Too many mechanics opt for remanufactured parts or parts that “almost fit” in order to cut cost. By bringing your car to the Volkswagen dealership, you can rest assured that you are getting Volkswagen parts. What happens if your car needs a part that we don’t have in stock? Well, we have made it very easy to order it before you even come in. As for preventative maintenance, we highly recommend sticking to a schedule. Your vehicle is one of the largest investments you will make, and keeping up with service helps keep your Volkswagen running at its best. Not to mention, that we rely on our vehicles every day. Properly scheduled maintenance is the perfect application of the phrase, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” At Southwest Volkswagen, we do our best to keep that “ounce” as small as possible. By starting with our service scheduler, you will know when you are due for what service. This keeps us on the same page as you to make sure nothing gets missed when it comes to keeping up with your car. If you need a better idea of where you should be on your service schedule, we have a maintenance menu that gives you a better idea of what you can expect down the road once your schedule starts. While sticking to a schedule is recommended, we also understand that sometimes life gets in the way of that schedule. This is why we also offer Volkswagen Service Xpress. Don’t let the lack of an appointment be a reason to either fall too far off your schedule, or to visit a mechanic who may do a substandard job. Service Xpress offers the same high level of service from our expert technicians, plus Genuine Volkswagen Parts-all without an appointment. Service Xpress doesn’t cover everything we do, but if you need an oil and filter change, an exterior bulb replacement, an air filter replacement, tire rotation, cabin filter replacement, wiper blade replacement, or a battery diagnostic check and replacement you can just come on by.

You’ve scoured the web, checking and rechecking deals. You’ve driven every car on every lot in the greater Lafayette area. It’s a serious decision, but you also don’t like wasting your time. So now that you’ve finally decided on your perfect car, why wait any longer than necessary to get behind the wheel? Here’s all the paperwork you need to bring to drive off the lot in your new car in one go. more At the dealership, you’ll need Current driver’s license Insurance card: Give your agent a call to determine the cost of insurance for your new car and notify them of the purchase. Most insurance companies can fax a copy of your new insurance to the dealership to expedite the car-buying process. Trade documents: If you’re planning on trading in your current car, you’ll need the title, registration, keys, and owner’s manual. If you still owe money on your current car, you’ll need the loan account number or a recent loan payment stub In order to finance your purchase, you should bring Proof of employment: Your last two pay stubs should be sufficient—if you have multiple jobs, bring two pay stubs from each. Proof of residency List of references: Make sure your references don’t share an address with you! But at Southwest Volkswagen, financing is simple. The financing department offers a free on-line credit application and quick approval process, so you can get pre-approved for your vehicle today. The complimentary payment calculator lets you determine the best payment plan for you. And with the competitive rates straight from local Louisiana banks, you could set up your loan and avoid the headache of another bank’s approval process. Call or visit www.southwestvw.com today to see if we create a financing option that works for you.

Springtime brings with it a desire to get outside and enjoy the weather. After a few months of being cooped up inside through Winter, it’s only natural to want to stretch out, explore a bit, experience the nicer temperatures, and let the sun hit you. But, if all you’re doing is going from the inside of your home to the inside of your car, you aren’t really getting the full experience of being outdoors. If you’re just trading the air conditioner inside your house for the air conditioner in your car, you’re missing out on everything Spring time has to offer in South Louisiana. You’re missing out on having the wind in your hair. You’re missing out on that warmth you feel on the back of your neck from the sun when you’re stopped at a red light. You’re also missing out on the olfactory experience (that’s a fancy way of saying you’re missing all the smells). You miss out on the smell of sweet Southern air as dusk turns into night, the smell of someone lighting a BBQ pit, or the ultimate, the smell of a crawfish boil nearby. more There are a multitude of reasons why you start seeing convertibles on the road this time of year, and when it comes to convertibles, the Beetle is far and away one of the most iconic. It has a classic, instantly recognizable look. It features all the amenities and features you expect from a Volkswagen. It’s also affordable. So, we have put together a list of the 5 reasons to buy a convertible Beetle in Lafayette. A convertible eliminates blind spots. - How many times have you checked your rear view mirror and seen part of the frame around your rear windshield? How many times have you gone to change lanes, looked over your left shoulder, and caught a glimpse of the c-pillar (the column between the front and back seats that supports the vehicle’s structure) instead of the car in the next lane? When you put the top down on your convertible, all these obstructions are gone; leaving you with a full range of sight. Convertibles are fun. When is the last time you saw an unhappy person driving around with the top down? Seriously. Everything mentioned above; the wind in your air, the sun on your face, and the smells of Spring (or crawfish) make a person happier. And this isn’t just our opinion. This is science. So why do something like put a roof and windows in between you and what is sure to make you happy? Forces You to Keep a Clean Car. Admit it, we all keep a cleaner house when we know company is coming over. Well, when you have a convertible, you never know when that company will be popping in. By giving everyone a first-hand look at your level of cleanliness, most people will step up their efforts to keep things tidy. Plus, if you do have trash in your car, like papers, napkins, and such, you run the risk of littering if the wind catches them and they fly out while you’re driving. As a responsible citizen, you will likely do your best to minimize that. A convertible fosters an interest in science. With a convertible, you are pushing your children towards embracing the wonders of the world and the heavens above. Take your kids for a night drive with the top down and let them look at the stars. You will spark their curiosity in a way that you simply can’t when they look up and see a ceiling. During the day, explore some back roads with the top down and let them experience nature without having a rolled up window in their way and a movie to distract them. You just look cooler. Sonny Crockett from Miami Vice, The gang from Entourage, Austin Powers, and Cindy Mancini from Can’t Buy Me Love were all really cool. You know what they had in common? They all drove convertibles. Ferris Bueller didn’t have a car of his own, but when given the opportunity, he opted for a convertible. Conversely, we can’t cite one instance in film or TV where a person in a convertible was anything other than cool. While there are many other reasons to consider a convertible, and even more reasons to make a Beetle your convertible of choice, we wanted to share a few “outside the box” ideas. Because after all, the best way to get outside the box is to take the top off of the box. Click here to view our inventory of convertible Beetles.