Think Blue

Two-wheeled fun, four-wheeled support: Volkswagen to sponsor Sea Otter Classic

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:17:14 +0000

At Volkswagen, we’re big supporters of anyone who makes an effort to Think Blue and find environmentally friendly ways to get around the planet we love. As evidenced by our recent partnership with Bikes Belong, we’re also big fans of bikes. That’s why we jumped at the chance to become the title sponsor for the Sea Otter Classic, which has very little to do with cute marine life and everything to do with the culture of cycling.

The event, which takes place April 19-22 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey, California, is now known as the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM. It’s also widely regarded as the largest cycling festival in the world and plays host to nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes as well as 50,000 fans.

For more information on the sponsorship as well as the event, read the full press release.

Tell us: do you have a bike rack on your VW?

A bicycle built for two: Volkswagen partners with Bikes Belong

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:56:46 +0000

At Volkswagen, we recognize that two wheels are sometimes as good a choice as four. That’s why today at the Washington Auto Show, we announced a new two-year partnership with Bikes Belong, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for biking.

Not only is biking fun and healthy—it’s also good for the environment. For these reasons and more, the sponsorship is a perfect fit with Think Blue, Volkswagen’s initiative to promote eco-friendly mobility and motivate employees and customers to practice environmental responsibility in their everyday lives.

As part of the agreement, Volkswagen will donate vehicles and funding to support three Bikes Belong initiatives: Peopleforbikes.org, Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP) and Bicycling Design Best Practices. The partnership also aligns with our long-term commitment to encourage active lifestyles by endorsing cycling, running and triathlon events. Until the quadrathlon is restructured to include auto racing (we can dream, can’t we?), we’re happy to support organizations like Bikes Belong.

To learn more, visit www.bikesbelong.org/foundation. For more information on Think Blue, visit www.vw.com/thinkblue.

Tell us: how often do you bike?

Think new, think two, Think Blue: Volkswagen announces two new members of the Think Blue family

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:55:21 +0000

Think of them as fraternal twins. At the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled two new future-forward members of the Think Blue family: the Jetta Hybrid and the E-Bugster concept car. Joining our production TDI models as well as our up! and NILS concept car in the Think Blue line, the Jetta Hybrid and E-Bugster are big on performance and light on carbon footprint. Both new vehicles are great examples of Think Blue, Volkswagen’s initiative to create environmentally friendly solutions, encourage eco-conscious behavior and contribute to a sustainable future.

The Jetta Hybrid offers all the style and driving fun you’ve come to expect from the Jetta, but what makes this model different is—well, lots of things. For one, it’s the world’s first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But don’t worry—we didn’t sacrifice the any of the performance you’ve come to expect from the Jetta. Sure, it drives as a full EV up to 44 mph, but when you’re ready to rev it up, the Jetta Hybrid will take you from 0-60 mph in less than 9.0 seconds. Turns out saving the earth can be a lot of fun.

The E-Bugster concept vehicle is a truly unique creation. The “E” in its name is for “electric,” and “Bugster” is a combination of “Bug” and “speedster,” an apt name for the open-top two-seater with shallow windows and a cut-down windshield. But unlike other speedsters, the E-Bugster boasts a lithium-ion battery that enables it car to drive more than 100 emission-free miles at a time. While it takes design cues from the classic Beetle, it also features futuristic styling, like an arched and stretched front end, LED Daytime Running Lights that form a distinctive graphic on either side of the lower air intake in the front bumper, and EV-specific gauges.

Check out the Jetta Hybrid press release and the E-Bugster press release for more information on both vehicles. Remember: the E-Bugster is still just a concept car (for now), and the Jetta Hybrid won’t launch in North America until late 2012, but you can see both of them this week at the Detroit Auto Show. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for live updates from the show.

Tell us: how do you Think Blue?

LEED Story: Our Chattanooga plant receives the highest LEED certification

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:02:49 +0000

At Volkswagen, we go for the gold in all that we do, but sometimes, we’re rewarded with platinum. Our energy-efficient facility in Chattanooga was recently awarded platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building certification program. The Chattanooga plant is the only automotive manufacturing plant in the world to receive the platinum certification for the highest possible level of performance.

What is LEED certification? It’s an internationally recognized green building certification system. Simply put, LEED provides building owners and operators a way to identify and implement energy-efficient, eco-conscious solutions for design, construction and operations.

Building a LEED-certified building wasn’t a stretch for us. In fact, it falls right in line with Think Blue, our commitment to achieving sustainable mobility through technology and cars that don’t compromise performance. Think Blue symbolizes our goal of not only creating eco-conscious products, but encouraging environmentally friendly behavior, every day—and it begins before our cars even hit the road. Our Chattanooga plant, where all 2012 Passat models are built (including the eco-conscious and fuel-efficient Passat TDI Clean Diesel), was designed to be as green as possible. Construction was completed with no destruction of untouched nature, and protected 100-foot-wide creeks and wetlands were established to minimize impact on natural habitats. That’s impressive, but it’s just part of a long list of reasons why we received platinum certification:

• 720,000 kilowatts are saved each year due to superior insulation provided by six inches of mineral rock wool

• Light pollution is reduced and 68% less energy is used as a result of LED lighting

• Rainwater is collected and reused to flush toilets and cool welding machines

• Our ultra-clean paint shop will save 50 million gallons of water in 10 years

• Highly reflective white roof membrane minimizes heat island effect by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit

• Natural flowing creeks capture heavy rains and restore the local natural habitat

• Water usage is reduced by 30% thanks to low-flow water fixtures and no-touch sensors

Our plant is not the only building that received platinum certification. The Volkswagen Academy, where new employees are prepared for work at the Chattanooga facility, was also certified by U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED Platinum facility. If platinum is the new gold, then blue is the new green.

From concept to reality: Volkswagen unveils the NILS and up! in Frankfurt

16,000 miles, 14 countries, 3 people, 1 world record

You can stop asking if we’re there yet: Rainer and team reach their destination ahead of schedule

From concept to reality: Volkswagen unveils the NILS and up! in Frankfurt

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:39:45 +0000

Frankfurt is home to more than just internationally beloved sausages—it’s also host to the 64^th International Motor Show. This year, Volkswagen unveiled two cars that exemplify the Think Blue spirit: NILS, a concept vehicle, and up!, which will be launched in the European market as a production model.

The up! is no stranger to the Frankfurt Auto Show. In fact, it first appeared there in 2007 when it was just a concept vehicle. But starting this December, there will be three models of the up! available in Europe, each striking the perfect balance of high-end materials, everyday practicality and affordability. The up! has an infotainment system that drivers can tailor to their personal tastes through apps. Best of all, it offers maximum space in a minimal environmental footprint: the up! gets up to 56 mpg with very low emissions, and is only 11.6 feet long, yet features a very spacious and stylish interior.

The Frankfurt International Motor Show was also the coming out party for NILS, an exciting concept vehicle that offers a glimpse into the future. [Editor’s note: the future looks super cool.] NILS is a single-seat electric vehicle designed to meet the needs of commuters in urban areas. It has a top speed of 80 mph, zero emissions and (unlike many commuters) travels in complete silence. It also takes up less space than most small cars, something that will become increasingly important as major cities continue to grow. Its basic layout is similar to that of a Formula 1 racecar, with the engine in back, the driver in the middle and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels outboard. The NILS project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, who recognize that developing vehicles of this type will have a positive impact on the environment.

NILS and the up! are perfect examples of Think Blue in action; both vehicles embody Volkswagen’s goal of creating environmentally friendly solutions, encouraging eco-conscious behavior and contributing to a sustainable future.

16,000 miles, 14 countries, 3 people, 1 world record

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:30:53 +0000

By now, you know that Rainer Zietlow and his team Carlos Fernandez and Marius Biela completed the TDI-Panamericana Challenge ahead of schedule. But did you know that they also set a new world record for driving the length of the Pan-American Highway? The challenge was their way of commemorating the 75th anniversary of the world’s longest road, because nothing says “I love you” quite like crossing through 14 countries and covering nearly 16,000 miles in a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI® Clean Diesel SUV—and doing so in only 12 days, three full days fewer than the previous record-holder.

After a few weather-related delays, the drive kicked off July 2nd at the southern tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina. Thanks to the team’s hard work and round-the-clock driving schedule, they went from southern to northern hemisphere—and winter to summer—in just 12 days. Along the way, they passed through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Canada, ending their journey in Deadhorse, Alaska. The team overcame several logistical nightmares, triumphed over foot-deep potholes and dealt with more than a few challenges courtesy of Mother Nature, including (but not limited to) icy roads, a blinding sandstorm in the Chilean Desert and dense fog in coastal Ecuador. All in a day’s work for the team. (OK, 12 days’ work, but who’s counting?)

But there was more to this drive than proving the Touareg’s mettle: as with all of his previous challenges, Rainer donated 10 Euro cents for each kilometer driven during this trip to two villages in Latin America managed by Plan International, a charity organization that works in 48 developing countries to promote children’s rights and lift millions of children out of poverty.

Tell us: what was your favorite part of the tour?

Remember: you can always relive Rainer’s adventures online at www.tdi-panamericana.com, where you’ll find photos and videos documenting the journey from start to finish.

Rainer’s team drove a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel. The Touareg’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine and 4MOTION® all wheel drive (AWD) system deliver the performance and durability required to tackle the many twists and turns of the Pan-American Highway. The engine provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

In order to account for the demands of the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge, Rainer’s Touareg has been modified to include:

• Innovative Inmarsat satellite technology for live communication, even in the most remote areas
• The largest tires that fit the Touareg to better address bumpy roads throughout South America
• An additional 300-liter fuel tank to extend the distance the vehicle can travel between refueling

RELATED POSTS

You can stop asking if we’re there yet: Rainer and team reach their destination ahead of schedule

America—don’t blink or you might miss it: Rainer and team drive from Texas to Alaska in 2 days

From Colombia to British Columbia in 6 days: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge hits North America

You can stop asking if we’re there yet: Rainer and team reach their destination ahead of schedule

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:24:28 +0000

What can’t Rainer Zietlow and his team do? Actually, the answer to that question may be “arrive fashionably late.” These intrepid travelers braved snowy passes, scorching summer heat and less-than-stellar road conditions to drive from Ushuaia, Argentina to Deadhorse, Alaska in a Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel to complete the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge faster than expected.

After driving through 14 countries and covering nearly 16,000 miles, the elated (but tired) team reached their destination. Here’s more from Rainer:

July 14th, Deadhorse, Alaska

Finally, we reached that last leg of our trip. We arrived at the famous Dalton Highway, which runs along the oil pipeline from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay. This road was built in the 1970’s and allows drivers to reach Deadhorse, the northernmost point of Alaska, by car. The town of Deadhorse has no inhabitants and is populated only by oil company employees.

Nevertheless, Deadhorse has a police chief, who flew in especially for us and greeted us in his police cruiser at the outskirts of Deadhorse. We then followed him on the public road to Checkpoint 1, which is where we officially stopped the clock and presented him with our gift for the Mayor of Deadhorse. From here, only a private road continues through the oil companies’ property, on which no one is allowed. We took a picture at this point and opened a bottle of champagne, since we not only mastered the endurance challenge of the TDI-Panamericana but also finished ahead of schedule. We were dead tired, but could not sleep due to the excitement. Finally, we chose one of Deadhorse’s two hotels and were glad to sleep horizontally for the first time in almost 12 days.

All in all, we are very satisfied with how this journey went. We encountered very few problems, considering the amount of border stops we had to make and the changing terrain and weather conditions we encountered. A huge amount of preparation and engagement went into this trip on the part of our sponsors and partners, especially Volkswagen of America, whom we would like to thank very much for their dedication and hard work.

- Rainer

Tell us: What’s the best part about getting home after a road trip?

Be sure to check back next week for a special announcement about the tour. And you can always relive Rainer’s adventures online at www.tdi-panamericana.com, where you’ll find photos and videos documenting the journey from start to finish.

Rainer’s team drove a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel. The Touareg’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine and 4MOTION® all wheel drive (AWD) system deliver the performance and durability required to tackle the many twists and turns of the Pan-American Highway. The engine provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

In order to account for the demands of the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge, Rainer’s Touareg has been modified to include:

• Innovative Inmarsat satellite technology for live communication, even in the most remote areas
• The largest tires that fit the Touareg to better address bumpy roads throughout South America
• An additional 300-liter fuel tank to extend the distance the vehicle can travel between refueling

RELATED POSTS

America—don’t blink or you might miss it: Rainer and team drive from Texas to Alaska in 2 days

From Colombia to British Columbia in 6 days: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge hits North America

From winter to summer: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge rolls into the northern hemisphere

America—don’t blink or you might miss it: Rainer and team drive from Texas to Alaska in 2 days

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:12:18 +0000

Rainer Zietlow and team love the States. No, really. The excellent road conditions, abundance of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel filling stations, friendly faces and lovely weather this time of year make driving their Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel a joy. So it may seem odd that they spent so little time in the Continental U.S., but don’t be offended, Americans. It’s just that they have a lot of ground to cover, and did they ever cover it.

The TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge entered the U.S. at El Paso, Texas, fueled up, then kept on keepin’ on, exiting the U.S. upon entering Alberta, Canada and then re-entering the U.S. in Alaska. Here’s more from Rainer:

Days 10-11, July 11th to 12th, Texas to Alaska

Happy to be in the U.S.! We quickly sought out a gas station in El Paso, Texas and then continued through Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, where the weather was excellent. For us, driving in the U.S. is much more enjoyable. We no longer have to worry about border stops, difficult roads or wintery weather. Within two days, we reached Canada, where we just missed a nasty weather front. We drove along the Alaska Highway, which was constructed in 1942 to connect the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. Since we made excellent progress, we arrived at the Alaska border on the morning of the 13th. Due to the fact that we can fuel up with Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel at almost any gas station in the U.S. and Canada, we did not have to fill the additional 300-liter tank for the last couple of days. The Touareg maintained its great performance, but it will get more challenging for the Touareg and team when we hit the famous Dalton Highway in Alaska. So far, Alaska has greeting us with rain, but the team spirit is strong and focused as we get closer to achieving our goal. After 12 to 13 days of driving, the team is working very well together.

- Rainer

Tell us: how many states have you traveled through in a 48-hour period?

Be sure to check back on Friday, July 15th for his next update from the Pan-American Highway. And remember: you can follow Rainer’s adventures online at www.tdi-panamericana.com, where you’ll find a map and live streaming video to show the Touareg’s real-time progress on the route, as well as photos and videos documenting the journey from start to finish.

Rainer’s team is driving a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel. The Touareg’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine and 4MOTION® all wheel drive (AWD) system deliver the performance and durability required to tackle the many twists and turns of the Pan-American Highway. The engine provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

In order to account for the demands of the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge, Rainer’s Touareg has been modified to include:

• Innovative Inmarsat satellite technology for live communication, even in the most remote areas
• The largest tires that fit the Touareg to better address bumpy roads throughout South America
• An additional 300-liter fuel tank to extend the distance the vehicle can travel between refueling

RELATED POSTS

From Colombia to British Columbia in 6 days: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge hits North America

From winter to summer: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge rolls into the northern hemisphere

And they’re off! Rainer and team cover serious ground in South America

From Colombia to British Columbia in 6 days:The TDI-Panamericana Challenge hits North America

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:53:19 +0000

If it seems like Rainer Zietlow and team were just in South America, it’s because they were just in South America. But this event isn’t called the TDI-Panamericana Sunday Drive—it’s called the TDI-Panamericana Challenge, and these people are pushing their Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel (and themselves) to the limit. Just this morning, they crossed into British Columbia, Canada.

Their progress speaks for itself, but Rainer would like to say a few words, too:

Days 8-10, July 9th to 11th, Central America to North America

We got through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala in record time. The biggest problems we had in Guatemala were the road conditions. At one point, a two-lane highway simply ended with gap into a dirt road. We were very surprised when the Touareg dropped into a foot-deep pothole in the middle of the night, but fortunately, it handled this perfectly. Surviving numerous more potholes and terrible road conditions, we finally arrived at the VW factory in Mexico. Originally, we had only planned to change the oil, fuel, air filter, brakes and rotors, but to be on the safe side, we checked the Touareg’s undercarriage and suspension, as well. We found that everything was in top conditions, and we were assured once again that the Touareg TDI was the right vehicle for the Panamericana Challenge.

Continuing our drive from Mexico was a bit more relaxing because we were able to make our scheduled driver changes. In the smaller countries, this was not always possible due to the challenging conditions that required the most experienced driver to be behind the wheel all times. Inching closer to towards the U.S. border, the anticipation could be felt in the vehicle, as this would be the most challenging border stop of the entire trip. Many drug deals are being conducted at the U.S.-Mexico Border, so we had to be extra careful that no one had attached anything to our vehicle prior to reaching the border crossing. Thankfully, we had some help at the crossing from our logistics partner, Kuehne & Nagel, who not only assisted us at every border crossing, but also provided us with food and drink throughout the entire journey. Within an hour and a half, we were through the border and Mexico was in our rearview mirror.

- Rainer

Tell us: how many borders have you crossed in a week?

Be sure to check back later this week for his next update from the Pan-American Highway. And remember: you can follow Rainer’s adventures online at www.tdi-panamericana.com, where you’ll find a map and live streaming video to show the Touareg’s real-time progress on the route, as well as photos and videos documenting the journey from start to finish.

Rainer’s team is driving a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel. The Touareg’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine and 4MOTION® all wheel drive (AWD) system deliver the performance and durability required to tackle the many twists and turns of the Pan-American Highway. The engine provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

In order to account for the demands of the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge, Rainer’s Touareg has been modified to include:

• Innovative Inmarsat satellite technology for live communication, even in the most remote areas
• The largest tires that fit the Touareg to better address bumpy roads throughout South America
• An additional 300-liter fuel tank to extend the distance the vehicle can travel between refueling

RELATED POSTS

And they’re off! Rainer and team cover serious ground in South America

It’s always winter somewhere: Continued snow pushes start time back another 48 hours

From winter to summer: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge rolls into the northern hemisphere

From winter to summer: The TDI-Panamericana Challenge rolls into the northern hemisphere

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:43:12 +0000

Don’t like the weather where you are? Just do what Rainer Zietlow and team did: hop in a Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel and drive until the seasons change. The TDI-Panamericana Challenge started as a wintry affair, but now the crew is enjoying much warmer weather in the northern half of the planet. As of this morning, they were well into Nicaragua.

Here’s the latest from Rainer:

Days 4-7, July 5th to 8th, Chile to Nicaragua

After getting through the snow and crossing the Chilean border, we quickly headed into Peru. Crossing Peru was a breeze, and even with Lima’s traffic, we had no problem sticking to our timeline. The weather along the coast is dry and good for driving. When we arrived in Quito, Ecuador, we encountered heavy rain and fog. The weather is very different from that in Peru. Thanks to the Carnet de Passage, which is like a passport for a car, we’ve had very smooth border crossings so far. When we arrived in Colombia, we found the terrain to be very challenging, as Colombia is divided by three major mountain ranges at an elevation of 2000 meters. Despite that, we got through okay. After almost a week in the car, the team is starting to show the first signs of fatigue. We have not had many opportunities to freshen up—we only were able to take a quick shower in Quito.

In Colombia, we found a 1968 727 cargo plane waiting for us. In order to cross the Panama Canal, we had to charter a flight from Cartagena, Colombia to Panama. Even though the flight is very short, it took about six hours to load, fly and unload the car. Thanks to the excellent preparations of Kuehne & Nagel, this was a smooth operation.

After arriving in Panama City, we drove through Panama in a day and successfully entered into Nicaragua on July 8th. We have now been driving for six days and eight hours—we’re almost at the halfway point.

- Rainer

The team had their first fuel stop in Lima, Peru, where they refueled the Touareg’s tank as well as their additional 300-liter fuel tank using an electric pump.

Tell us: do you have a funny story about running out of fuel?

Be sure to check back Tuesday, July 12th for his next update from the Pan-American Highway. And remember: you can follow Rainer’s adventures online at www.tdi-panamericana.com , where you’ll find a map and live streaming video to show the Touareg’s real-time progress on the route, as well as photos and videos documenting the journey from start to finish.

Rainer’s team is driving a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel. The Touareg’s 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 TDI® Clean Diesel engine and 4MOTION® all wheel drive (AWD) system deliver the performance and durability required to tackle the many twists and turns of the Pan-American Highway. The engine provides an impressive maximum torque of 406 lbs.-ft. at 1,750 to 2,250 rpm while producing 225 horsepower at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm.

In order to account for the demands of the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge, Rainer’s Touareg has been modified to include:

• Innovative Inmarsat satellite technology for live communication, even in the most remote areas
• The largest tires that fit the Touareg to better address bumpy roads throughout South America
• An additional 300-liter fuel tank to extend the distance the vehicle can travel between refueling

RELATED POSTS

And they’re off! Rainer and team cover serious ground in South America

It’s always winter somewhere: Continued snow pushes start time back another 48 hours

The best laid plans…Weather conditions delay start of the TDI-Panamericana Endurance Challenge