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As the calendar rolls over from December into January, many people are making their New Year’s resolutions. That time honored tradition where we promise to be a better version of ourselves in the year to come. Usually the resolutions revolve around eliminating a bad habit like smoking, sending, or eating too much; but sometimes, they’re about adding something to life that can be beneficial. Regardless of what your new year’s resolutions may be, we know they are difficult to keep without a support system to cheer you on and keep you going. So, we thought we’d share how your Volkswagen can help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. more Save money Right at the top of just about everyone’s New Year’s resolution list is to save money. Who doesn’t want to be able to put aside a little something for later? Fortunately, Southwest Volkswagen offers numerous ways to help with that. One of the more popular, is our sign then drive event. By offering zero down, zero due at signing, zero security deposit, and zero first month’s payment to well qualified buyers, you have the opportunity to take what you were going to pay up front for a new car, and sock it away. Also, with our Passat getting thirty four miles per gallon on the highway and the Jetta getting thirty eight, you are saving money by not having to fill up at the pump so frequently. Making punctuality a priority No one likes it when someone else wastes their time, which is why no one likes it when someone is late. Whether it be to work, a personal meeting, or on a date, poor punctuality is a bad habit that a lot of people try to break with the New Year. Fortunately, the VW navigation system can help with this. No matter where you’re going, you can find the route that is the shortest, or the route with the least amount of traffic; helping you get to your destination on time. Spend more time with family This is another resolution that is high up on many people’s lists. Fortunately, just like being on time, that same navigation system will get you home and back to your family more efficiently as well. Slow down during the down time One of the best things about every Volkswagen model is that they are simply fun to drive. One of the best ways to slow things down when everything else in life seems wound up is to just go for a Sunday drive. If you want to load up the family and go for a road trip, or if you want to escape on your own, your Volkswagen can help you escape from the office by hitting the road. Get involved We often say that at Volkswagen, we have the right car for your lifestyle. Well that certainly applies to rolling up your sleeves and getting involved with a good cause. Whether you’re rolling up your sleeves to raise awareness for a cause, you’re helping increase pet adoption, or you’re planting trees in a local park, your Volkswagen offers both the passenger and cargo space to make yourself readily available to help out. So when it comes to making your New Year’s resolutions this year, think about the fun and versatility of the Volkswagen you currently drive, or the one you’ve got your eye on and it can help you make the most of the next 365 days. If you have any questions, or would like some further information, please give us a call at Southwest Volkswagen and we’ll be happy to help.

Of the many great things to do on a beautiful fall day in South Louisiana, taking the family for a Sunday drive has to rank near the top. We have unique scenery that is hard to match, and great hidden secrets waiting to be found with just a little exploration. But, while it’s the journey that’s important, it’s nice to have a destination in mind when setting out on a family excursion.  With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best Sunday drives around Lafayette. more Bayou Teche Scenic Byway As the name suggests, this byway follows Bayou Teche. You can teach your kids about vegetation and wild life as you follow the meandering path. Start by heading south on Highway 90. Then take a left on Highway 96 and head to St. Martinville, where you can stop off at the Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site or take in Lake Fausse Point State Park. From there,  continue south on Highway 31 towards New Iberia. If you choose to follow the map in the link, you can take the byway all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, or follow it to Morgan City. Either way, you’re sure to encounter a multitude of great sites along the drive. Avery Island Known worldwide for Tabasco Sauce, Avery Island is a must visit for every South Louisiana family. It takes about an hour to get there from Lafayette. You’ll take Highway 90 South to New Iberia. From there, turn left on Highway 14 and then right on Highway 329.  Highway 329 will take you the rest of the way. Once there, you can tour their museum and factory, or visit the wildlife preserve at Jungle Gardens and Bird City. While some road trips call for packing a lunch, Avery Island offers Restaurant 1868, which is as rich in flavor as the sauce they make. Candyland Cottage Located in Rayne, Louisiana, Candyland Cottage is a sugar rush that is frozen in time. You get there via the interstate, but this is about Sunday drives, so we recommend taking Highway 90 westbound (Cameron St.) all the way to Rayne. Once at the end of Highway 90, turn right on Highway 35. Candyland Cottage will be on your left just before I-10. They have ice cream, homemade fudge, and a candy shop that features variety that you won’t find at most stores!  One you’ve had your fill of candy, take a ride on their train or carousel.  Rayne is also known as the frog capital of the world. If you have time, it’s worth your while to drive the streets of Rayne to look for the frog inspired murals on different businesses. Abbeville Just south of Lafayette is Abbeville, Louisiana. Take Highway 167 South to get there.  Once there, you can tour Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum, the C.S. Steen Syrup Mill,  or you can even stretch your legs with a Downtown Abbeville Walking Tour. Overall, you’ll take in a lot of nature, great architecture, and Cajun culture at every turn. Cypress Island Preserve This Sunday drive is a little off the beaten path, but isn’t that the point of a Sunday drive? Start on Louisiana Avenue and head east on Highway 94. Turn right on Highway 353, also known as Prairie Highway. This will take you all the way to Lake Martin and the Cypress Island Preserve. To call this trip a nature overload would be an understatement. The preserve is only open during daylight hours. There is also walking trail along the Lake Martin Levee or stroll along the boardwalk to take in the views of the lake and the wildlife. This trip is virtually guaranteed to spark a love of nature in your kids. Of course, half the fun of a Sunday drive comes from the car you’re driving. If you’re in a Volkswagen, from the Golf all the way up to the Touareg, you will find a sporty ride that puts the safety and comfort of your family at the forefront. If you find that your current vehicle isn’t up to the challenge of hitting the back roads of South Louisiana over the weekend, please give us a call at Southwest Volkswagen and we can help you find a car more suited to your lifestyle and desire to explore.

Buying a new car is among the most exhilarating purchases you will make. Driving off the lot in your pristine new (or new to you) ride is a high that only comes, on average, 13 times in your entire life.  It’s a major decision, and one that you don’t want to go into blindly.  From fears of being hoodwinked by a salesman motivated solely by profit to the uncertainty that a better deal may be just around the corner, there are many factors that can certainly put a damper on your car-buying enthusiasm. It doesn’t need to be this way, however, and many of the most commonly accepted ideas about the car sales industry are actually based in myth rather than fact. more Car Dealerships are out to take advantage of you Although perhaps the most widespread of car-buying myths, the notion that dealerships are out to take advantage of their customers is actually the most bizarre. Car dealerships in general are regular businesses, governed, as all successful businesses are, by the triune pillars of customer service, consumer trust, and profit. If trustworthiness sinks and customer service is not up to par, profit and the opportunity to make profit also decrease. It’s therefore in the best interest of the dealership, as well as you as a customer, that car dealerships take your needs and trust very seriously. Good deals on cars are limited or one-time-only This one goes hand-in-hand with the above: once again, dealerships are businesses. It’s in their best interest to offer deals and incentives on cars to their customers all throughout the year. The particular offer that got your attention may expire or only be for a limited time, but there will always be another one. And upon closer examination, you’ll probably see that they add up to the same thing. Just showing up on the car lot is your best bet It may come as a surprise that not everyone in the market for a car has done their homework.  With such a plethora of possibilities available, some simply may not know where to start. It helps to take note of what you like and prioritize in a vehicle before you’re ready to buy.  Conduct your own, independent research using word-of-mouth referrals or one of the many websites for comparing cars before ever stepping foot on the lot.  Armed with knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to negotiate and insist upon the features that really matter to you, ensuring that you leave satisfied with your purchase. New cars are marked up by exorbitant margins Actually, and perhaps surprisingly, new cars are marked up by significantly lower margins than used cars are. This is true primarily because the dealership can only purchase a new car for so low a price, while a used one may be acquired for much lower than its market value. Additionally, car sales yield most profit from adding services and features, so marking up the vehicle is unnecessary. Buying a new car is a bad idea because depreciation happens so quickly Depreciation does happen, so gently used can be a good option for scoring extra features that may make a new car too pricey. However, the car continues to decrease in value throughout its life and use, and you only skip the first period of depreciation by purchasing a pre-owned vehicle.

Driver assistance features are rapidly becoming more important every day. They present a level of convenience for motorists like never before. But, more importantly, they provide an unprecedented level of safety for you and your family. Volkswagen has adopted and integrated many of these features. Here are 8 ways your Volkswagen makes driving a little easier. more FWD Collision Warning – Sensors in the front of your car warn you what’s ahead. Autonomous emergency braking – If those sensors detect that a crash is imminent, the autonomous braking system will take over to stop the vehicle. Adaptive cruise control – This takes cruise control to the next level. Not only does it maintain speed, but it does so while maintaining a preset distance from the car in front of you. Lane departure warning – Also called lane assist, your Volkswagen will correct itself and steer you back into your lane if it senses you drifting into the next lane without using your turn indicator. Blind spot monitor – The blind spot sensor sounds an alarm if you are trying to change lanes and there is another motorist in the lane you are changing to. Volkswagen has a long standing reputation for putting your safety above everything. Driver assistance features like these are just one example of how we try to live up to that reputation.

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.

Volkswagen is introducing a new model into the Golf family for 2017 with the Golf Alltrack. Less than two years after being named Motor Trend’s Car of the year, Golf takes the next step forward in bridging the gap between the hot hatchback and the compact SUV. From Church Point to New Iberia, the Alltrack is ready to impact your Lafayette commute. more Starting with the look, the Alltrack separates itself from the Golf family by taking on a more rugged appearance. While you may not immediately think Volkswagen when you think off-road, the Alltrack includes unique bumpers, wheel wells and side sills, gives off-road protection and the front fascia incorporates fog lights and a unique honeycomb grille. Inside, Alltrack mimics SportWagen in layout, but gets a more upscale feel. Leatherette seating surfaces are standard for example. Standard infotainment features include: a 6.5-inch capacitive color touchscreen with proximity sensor, rearview camera, and VW Car-Net App-Connect connectivity. It also has a number of driver assistance features including, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. The Alltrack has a spacious trunk, with more than 66 cubic feet of storage when the rear seats are folded. Under the hood, you’ll learn why the Alltrack is fun to drive. It features a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that puts out 170 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. At launch it will be mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; a six-speed manual transmission will be available at a later. The fun continues with the “Off-Road Mode.” This is accessed through the navigation menu and adds hill descent control and helps optimize traction control. Like the rest of the Golf line, the Alltrack provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. It has been engineered to meet or exceed all current crash regulations and features no fewer than six airbags as standard along with a number of electronic safety systems. Alltrack models are equipped with standard Electronic Stability Control, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and an Intelligent Crash Response System.

Volkswagen went to great lengths to improve their midsize sedan for 2016, and it looks like those efforts have paid off. Cars.com has given the Passat the nod as “best in class” this year. The Passat was not lacking by any stretch coming into the year, as in 2014 it ranked third among midsize sedans. But, with a few upgrades, it has climbed to the top of the mountain. more What’s new? First of all, there’s the styling. “We applied a progressive design strategy with the new Passat,” said Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design, Volkswagen. ”We have integrated several new design elements, including a sculpted, domed hood that significantly sets the car apart from its predecessor.” The result is a more sophisticated, bolder look. Secondly, slimmer, LED headlights, a more substantial fully chromed four-bar grille, and the muscular hood all work together to give the Passat a wider, more planted stance from the front. This is the first time that LED headlights have been offered on a VW sedan in the U.S. market. Available on every trim level, the LEDs help provide better lighting performance with reduced energy consumption. Inside, the Passat delivers plenty of space for five adults. There's also a new dashboard and center console, along with integrated two-tone decor panels. The top of the dashboard is structured with sharper contours and a sculpture line, acting to frame the elements underneath. Also, the driver’s seat adjusts eight ways, including lumbar, and eight-way power adjustable seats are available for R-Line models and up. Then there’s the info-tainment system. With touchscreens as standard equipment on all models, offering an impressive range of features. On most models, the display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) that enables gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming, as opposed to resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times.  USB and Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible devices are standard on all 2016 Passat models. Drivers who have two phones can connect them at the same time and are able to make and receive calls on each. The info-tainment system also serves as the foundation for Volkswagen’s available Car-Net®, one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry. Car-Net features include App-Connect technology which allows integration with three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®—allowing seamless integration for compatible smartphones. All of these elements were noticed by the judges at cars.com. What did cars.com say about the new Passat? There was no shortage of individual praise to accompany the overall ranking of best midsize sedan. "This one's fun," Ryan Small, an in-market shopper said. "The power is more accessible because you don't have to drop it into Sport mode or Manual to use it." "Outstanding driving performance," Aaron Bragman, Cars.com Detroit bureau chief raved. "Quick acceleration, solid steering, strong brakes and an utter lack of road or engine noise around town." When it comes to safety, the quote that really hit home with us was one that reflects the meaning behind the name Volkswagen (the people’s car). "The collision-avoidance system with emergency braking is standard on the Passat," Fred Meier, Cars.com Washington, D.C., bureau chief pointed out, "not an option or bundled into an expensive package." Meier also took note of the improvements to the info-tainment system saying, "The integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add features and help future-proof the multimedia technology.” Meier wasn’t the only one who noticed those upgrades. Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com assistant managing editor, made mention of the usability by all smart phone owners. "Many automakers keep saying that their cars will eventually be equipped with both CarPlay and Android Auto, but few have delivered," Geiger said. "The Passat works well with both integration systems." Brian Robinson, PBS' "MotorWeek" producer took note of the roominess throughout. "Even though you know it's very roomy inside, the amount of rear-seat space will still surprise you." Once the judging was complete, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat beat out the Hyundai Sonata, the Subaru Legacy, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Honda Accord, the Kia Optima, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry. If you’re in the market for a midsize sedan, you may want to learn more about what the Passat has to offer.

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.

Right off the bat, we know that when most people think of a Mother’s Day gift, they don’t think about getting a new car. Usually, the Mother’s Day starts off with the obligatory brunch, then the gift is something like a piece of jewelry, a gift certificate to a day spa, or that coupon book where you promise to give her foot rubs and do the laundry that she never bothers cashing in. Why not step completely out of the box this Mother’s Day? If you are in the market for a new car, or you know you are going to be in the market soon, we have 3 ways the Jetta will make you a Mother’s Day hero. more It fits your lifestyle. Moms are on the go all the time. Whether they’re squeezing a spin class in while the kid is at a play date, or they are darting from car pool to soccer practice, the life of a mom puts a ton of miles on a vehicle. At 40 miles per gallon on the highway, and 28 in the city, the Jetta is ideal for stretching the gas budget a little further. While we’re talking about being on the go, we know there is a lot of stop and go that comes with your lifestyle. The Jetta’s driver assistance features are there to help with everything from proximity awareness in heavy traffic to parallel parking. Volkswagen safety. The Jetta is a regular on the list of IIHS top safety picks. Volkswagen has always prided itself on the safety of our vehicles, and for a mother, that means the safety of the passengers in the back seat and car seats too. Cars.com recently gave the Jetta an “A” rating for car seat safety from infant to booster. You’re not old yet. This goes back to fitting your lifestyle, but the Jetta is perfect for the mom who enjoys mom’s night out, or date night. It has all the comfort of a sedan, while keeping a sporty, hip look to it. Also, VW CarNet allows you dashboard access to everything in your phone, which means you don’t have to take your eye off the road to stay connected. Like we said, we know a new car is not usually on the list of Mother’s Day gifts, but if you’re going to be in the market for a new car in the near future, why not go from Dad to Superdad by getting her something your family is going to need anyway?

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.

Our smartphones are an integral part of our lives. From holding our music, memories, and calendars to their original purpose of actually calling people, we rely on our phones now more than ever. But, when we are behind the wheel of our cars, our phones can prove to be a distraction that puts our safety at risk. This is why the engineers at Volkswagen have to integrate the technology we depend on with the vehicles we drive in the safest way possible. Midway through 2015, Volkswagen announced that most of their 2016 models would include their latest modular infotainment platform (MIBII), which not only integrates your smartphone, but does so much more. According to Volkswagen’s website, “The all-new infotainment system not only creates the foundation for the next generation of Volkswagen’s Car-Net connected vehicle services platform, but also offers one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry today. The new technology will provide consumers access to information, right at their fingertips, available across nearly the entire Volkswagen range.” more What can my Volkswagen infotainment system do? Under the VW Car-Net connected vehicle services umbrella, features are divided into three key areas, each offering a unique set of customer benefits—“Security & Service” includes connected car services and advanced telematics, “Guide & Inform” enhances the navigation and advanced infotainment systems, and “App-Connect” provides seamless smartphone integration through three interfaces: Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and MirrorLink®. Security and service Volkswagen has built a reputation over the years of putting their customers’ safety and security first. Volkswagen’s Car-Net technology offers many features that serve this need. Drivers have the ability to access the Car-Net Security & Service suite through the innovative online Customer Web Portal as well as an advanced app for smartphones, providing access to all the features available from virtually anywhere your mobile device is connected to wireless internet. Available security related features include automatic crash notification, manual emergency call, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle location assistance, which uses Car-Net Security & Service to assist law enforcement with locating your vehicle in the event that it is stolen, remote vehicle access, remote door lock and unlock, remote honk and flash (of lights), last parked location information, and remote status check (doors and windows). The Car-Net Security & Service also offers Family Guardian, a suite of features that help families. Features including speed alert, which notifies the owner of the vehicle when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded; and boundary alert, which lets you know when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary. Guide and inform Just about everyone has a navigation system now, so Volkswagen is bringing the experience to the next level by “incorporating several layers of information right onto the screen. MIB II-equipped Volkswagen models with in-vehicle navigation systems will now feature real-time fuel prices, sports scores, movie information and weather data as part of the three month SiriusXM Travel Link trial. VW customers will also enjoy real-time traffic information and a complimentary four-year SiriusXM Traffic trial.” App-Connect App-Connect is the next level of infotainment for drivers as it offers three of the dominant technology standards available for in-vehicle smartphone integration. The new App-Connect system creates seamless smartphone integration across smartphone brands utilizing three options— Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and MirrorLink®. CarPlay allows you to send and receive messages, listen to audiobooks or music, through the vehicle’s touchscreen, steering wheel controls or Siri®, or access third party apps like Spotify while allowing you to stay focused on the road ahead. Android Auto will also be available, offering a simple and intuitive interface that enables users to access the same features as CarPlay through existing vehicle controls, touchscreen and voice actions for compatible Volkswagen models. Another interface available through App-Connect is MirrorLink®. MirrorLink® technology integrates select apps and operating layouts of numerous smartphones (including select phones from Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony) into Volkswagen products.