The countdown to the new all-electric Volkswagen ID.BUZZ has begun. Inspired by the iconic Microbus, the ID.BUZZ has been in development for about five years. Early concept images received positive feedback and consumers have been excited about its imminent debut. As of the time of this writing, the world premier of the new ID.BUZZ is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th. In addition to the unveiling of the 5-seater Buzz, Volkswagen will also premier the Buzz Cargo Van. Final testing is being run throughout Europe.

It appears that the new "2024" model is very similar to the original 2017 styling of the Buzz, drawing on the aesthetic of the legendary T1 Microbus. Like the original, the new Buzz is also rear-wheel drive. Unlike the original, the ID.BUZZ is electric “from the ground up,” according to Volkswagen. The battery supplies a 201 horsepower electric motor with a top speed of approximately 90 miles per hour and boasts a surprisingly tight turning radius. It’s being estimated that it will have a range of over 250 miles. The 5-seater offers good space utilization with plenty of room for passengers and nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space. On top, there are two glass panels in the roof for a large panoramic view of the sky.

New technology has created the option for bi-directional charging, allowing the Buzz to store excess power and feed it back into other electric devices. Additionally, the Buzz is designed for over-the-air software updates, including the infotainment system, charging system and driver assist functions. There are also claims that this generation of the Bus could be fully autonomous by 2025. Additionally, there’s speculation that both a dual motor ‘long-range’ version with up to 295 horsepower and ‘7-seater’ version will be released. A ‘California Camper’ version has also been discussed, that should excite those of us who have been waiting for the retro comeback.

The ID.BUZZ isn’t expected to hit the U.S. until 2023 as a 2024 model and it might even have a different name by then. Depending on production numbers and availability, the new bus might be set up on a reservation system similar to the ID.4. Experts are guessing that the MSRP will start around $40,000 - $45,000.

Is the new ID.BUZZ something you’d be interested in driving?

The new 2022 Volkswagen models are on their ways to dealerships near you. But did you ever wonder how the video footage of those new cars makes its way to the commercials on your TV? VW South Florida was on streets near you in mid-November filming all over South Florida, from Miami to West Palm Beach!

It takes a lot more time, people and effort than you might think to get those beautiful VW models from the roads to your video screens. If you live or work near any of our location shoots, you might have noticed some road closures or a little extra traffic. We’re sorry; we tried to be quick! Did you know, getting footage of our vehicles driving around town requires permits, road closures and a pretty large police presence? Scouts explored locations for weeks before deciding on final spots and pulling permits. Certain city ordinances only allow filming during certain times of the day. Scheduling everything and everyone was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

This year, there are so many new Volkswagen products for 2022, it took us two full days of shooting to get everything. Each day started at 5am, with a crew of more than 40 people involved, from car detailers to directors. That doesn’t even include help from the local police departments. We even hired professional drivers. There was a trailer for the crew, tents set up with snacks and plenty of coffee to go around. We also performed a well choreographed rain dance - or, more like a ‘no-rain’ dance. But this is South Florida - it didn’t help.

Brand new 2022 Volkswagen vehicles arrived on a huge trailer truck and were meticulously cleaned. Video was shot with a Russian Arm. Never heard of it? A Russian Arm is a “remotely operated gyro stabilized camera crane system” mounted to the top of a specially designed “chase car” loaded with monitors and batteries and top-of-the-line shock absorbers. If you were lucky enough to witness the Russian Arm in action, you might have been impressed by the matte black high-end SUV with an enormous swinging camera mounted to its roof. You might have also noticed a big black van following closely behind. That’s, unsurprisingly, called a “follow van”. MJS Advertising and Volkswagen teams followed the camera in this tech-outfitted van, enabling us all to watch a live feed of what was being shot and make adjustments as needed.

So keep your eyes peeled for new local footage (and ears opened for that familiar whistle) to see if you recognize your neighborhood. You might notice Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, A1A on Fort Lauderdale beach, the Port of Miami or MacArthur Causeway. But, more importantly, you should notice the new 2022 Volkswagen line-up, including the new Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Taos, Jetta and all-electric ID.4. Admittedly, even our beautiful footage doesn’t do these vehicles justice and we didn’t have time to show off the beautiful, roomy, technology-filled, user-friendly interiors. If you want to check them out in person, make sure you visit a dealership near you to take a test drive! You can even reserve an all-electric ID.4.

You’ve probably already heard some of the great things about the all-new all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 SUV. But just in case you haven’t, we thought we’d go ahead and share. We’re extremely proud of our ID.4 EV; it has earned the 2021 World Car of the Year. The ID.4 was also named a 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and joins Wards 10 Best UX list. Recently, the ID.4 was named to Popular Mechanics' Automotive Excellence Awards. It gets an EPA estimated range of 249 miles (ID.4 AWD Pro) and can charge about 62 miles in 10 minutes at a public DC fast charger. With an MSRP starting under $40,000, it’s an incredible value for a mid-size, well-equipped SUV. It also comes with Carefree Coverage (2 years of scheduled maintenance), app-connect (including Apple CarPlay & Android Auto), wireless charging, a 12” touchscreen, intuitive start and 5 years of Car-Net Remote Access.

The World Car of the Year accolade is a prestigious honor. The ID.4 earned the top spot among two dozen vehicles voted on by 93 international journalists from 28 countries. These jurors road tested and reviewed all nominees and voted on five different categories including: World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car and World Car Design of the Year. This is the fifth WCOTY win for Volkswagen.

Top Safety Pick awards identify the best vehicle choice for safety within specific categories. In 2021, the ID.4 earned Top Safety Pick+. The criteria for this award includes, “GOOD ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests, advanced or superior rating for available front crash prevention and acceptable or good headlights STANDARD.” The ID.4 was among 8 mid-size SUVs to earn this accolade.

UX is tech-terminology for “User Experience”. The Volkswagen ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV recognized for exceptional user experience by WardsAuto, naming it a 10-Best for UX. This award goes to vehicles with easy-to-use and highly functional technology. The user experience is how a consumer interacts with the vehicle, including voice controls, touchscreens, connectivity, driver-assistance technologies, infotainment and intuitive controls. The experience begins from the moment you step into a vehicle.

Tom Murphy, WardsAuto Managing Editor said, “The user experience of Volkswagen’s ID.4 battery-electric vehicle perfectly creates a sense of serenity within the cabin rooted in a design aesthetic that can only be perceived as boldly futuristic.” He continues, “The ID.4 represents a monumental leap into a world where physical buttons are unnecessary, where high-definition touchscreens are loaded with information and easy to use. Slide behind the steering wheel for the first time, and a driver is likely to exhale, relax the shoulders and smile at the sheer simplicity of it all.”

Volkswagen is proud of the ID.4’s futuristic take on functionality - with very few buttons. Most of the features are controlled by touch or voice; the car can understand and respond to spoken instructions. The ID. Light system is intuitive using light pulses that signal different statuses and inform the driver about incoming phone calls or even the need to step on the brakes. Wireless charging and app-connect are standard features. The full equipment package on the ID.4 comes with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology including front radar, front camera, two rear radars and eight ultrasound sensors. These radars and sensors enable Travel Assist (semi-automated driving); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency). In addition to IQ.DRIVE, the ID.4 also includes Dynamic Road Sign Display; Park Distance Control; and Light Assist (high beam control for headlights).

Additionally, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 EV landed among Popular Mechanics 2021 Automotive Excellence Awards. Their editors and testers spent dozens of hours and thousands of miles narrowing the field to 13 vehicles that earned high praise. They complement the ID.4’s uncluttered dash, ease of driving, fast charging and ample space.

The ID.4 has a dual-motor with a max of 295hp and the AWD Pro achieves 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. “We’re committed to making EVs the default choice for Americans,” said Scott Keogh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen of America. “The all-wheel-drive ID.4 merges the utility and zero-emissions driving delivered by the rear-wheel-drive vehicle with the performance from our sporty vehicles.” All ID.4 models are eligible for a potential Federal tax credit of up to $7,500, and include three years of unlimited public DC fast charging on the Electrify America network at no additional cost.

With Americans ready to embrace EVs as daily drivers, the ID.4 should top the list. If you’re ready to make the change, reserve yours today at a location near you.

What’s going on in South Florida for Halloween this year?

It’s tough to figure out what to do for Halloween every year - but it’s even harder during a pandemic. Are there even any events? Are they safe? We’ve collected some local Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade outdoor Halloween events you can walk or drive through. Following social distancing guidelines, these are some activities you can enjoy safely this month.

Halloween Drive & Scream, Miramar
This event takes place at Miramar Regional Park (16801 Miramar Parkway) from 7pm-11pm every Thursday through Sunday now through November 1st. The drive-thru costs $60 ($100 for the VIP express lane) per car, up to 6 passengers. If you’re looking for safe, spooky Halloween fun, this drive-thru features zombies, dancing skeletons and other creepy creatures. Six unique scenes are outfitted with scary characters, lighting, special effects and props. Get your tickets at Ticketmaster.

The Horrorland, Aventura
Another drive-thru haunted attraction is in Aventura. The Horrorland takes place in the Exterior Lot next to Aventura Mall (across from Apple). Drive through eight haunted houses now through October 31st. The experience takes about 30 minutes and places you and your car full of people in the middle of a horror movie with monsters, ghosts and zombies. Tickets range from $48.99 to $68.99 depending on the date and time you choose. Buy tickets through Eventbrite.

Drive n Treat, Coconut Creek
At Sabal Pines Park in Coconut Creek, enjoy family-rated Halloween decorations and trick-or-treat your way through a fun drive through. One day only: October 22nd from 6:30-9:30PM (with time slots every half hour)! Kids are encouraged to dress up in costumes; you’ll be provided a candy bag to collect your treats. And it only costs $10! Participants must register in advance by calling: 954-545-6670 or online here.

Tormented Trails, Davie
It’s a Halloween walk in the woods at Tree Tops Park (3900 SW 100th Ave) in Davie. Walk through spooky decorated trails with terrifying scenes, special effects and costumed actors specializing in giving you a frightening experience. The walk, with two different trails, lasts about 20 minutes and spans more than 350,000 square feet. Weekend dates available through month end. Buy tickets online.

Fright Nights Attraction @ South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm
At the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach), you can wander through haunted houses featuring live actors and special effects. This Halloween event includes 4 haunts, midway rides, scare zones and games. There’s also live entertainment with music, dancers, performers and a DJ. Tickets available online, $40 for 30 tickets (each haunted house costs 10 tickets); additional tickets can be purchased at the venue.

No matter what you choose, have a spooky, fun and safe holiday. And since Halloween is on a Sunday this year, get your trick-or-treating done early so you won’t be late to work or school on Monday! And if you want a treat this holiday season, treat yourself to a new Volkswagen. No tricks. Find a location near you today.

EVs and IDs and racecars, oh my!

You may have heard of the all-new electric Volkswagen ID.4, but did you know that Volkswagen has been in the EV business since 1970?

The first electric VW was a T2 Camper, dubbed the Elektro Transporter. The T2 Elektro was powered by a 17kW/23hp continuous output electric motor. It had a range of nearly 50 miles, a top speed of 43.5 miles per hour and you could plug it in to a normal outlet. There were about 120 of them produced (including dozens of different versions) over the next few years; only 20 were sold. In 1976 came its first hybrid vehicle and, later that year, came an electric Golf - the Golf CitySTROMer. It became commercially available in 1981 and a couple of years later came the Golf Hybrid. The 90s saw the Golf III CitySTROMer electric vehicles and sold a total of 120 of them. Real, volume, consumer production of Volkswagen electric vehicles truly began in the last couple of years with the ID.3 release in Europe and the ID.4 here in the United States.

But the current VW electric vehicles aren’t just evolutions from the experiments of the 70s and 80s. The all new MEB-based platform evolved from Volkswagen’s racing heritage. MEB stands for “modular electric drive matrix” - and it’s the platform for all of Volkswagen’s ID models. The ID performance division made headlines back in 2018 with the debut of the Volkswagen I.D. R all-electric race car. It broke the hill climb record at Pikes Peak International in Colorado - becoming the first car to complete it in under eight minutes. Then, in June of 2019, it also broke the electric vehicle lap record on the Nürburgring in Germany.

The Volkswagen I.D. R is an all-electric racecar that’s faster than an F1 and can destroy the McLaren 720S in a drag race. It has two electric motors that combine to offer 670 horsepower and 553 lb. ft. of torque. The I.D. R took the EV title away from the NIO EP9 at Nürburgring, beating it by over 40 seconds. It topped out at 167mph, averaging 128.6 mph during its run on that track. It’s currently quicker than any all-electric production car, including the Lamborghini Aventador - by a wide margin. It’s the second fastest run ever recorded at that track behind the not-fully-electric Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo.

Electric has come a long way and Volkswagen isn’t stopping there. An upgraded ID R Evo version is well on its way. What do these successes mean for the average consumer? Volkswagen’s focus on e-mobility means trailblazing developments on consumer production models as well. The mass-produced ID.3 and ID.4 models are based off of similar technology developed by its racing brethren. While nearly 60,000 ID.3 units were delivered in 2020 overseas, the ID.4 was just released in the US (to excellent reviews) this year. The ID.4 was elected World Car of the Year 2021. Volkswagen expects more than half of their U.S. sales will be EVs by 2030; they plan to invest $19 billion dollars in “e-mobility, hybridization and digitalization” by 2025 - including the expansion of autonomous driving.

Check out the blog post we did on the new ID.4, read more about VW’s developments in the software industry or visit a location near you to test drive your favorite model today!

When you think Volkswagen, you should be thinking quality, German engineering. The benefit of which is not only superior handling and beautiful lines but also lower maintenance costs. According to a new Vincentric study, several 2021 Volkswagen models rank #1 for lowest maintenance costs. Volkswagen of America is proud to announce that both the Atlas and Jetta model families rank #1 for lowest cost of maintenance in Midsize SUV and Compact Sedan segments respectively. Additionally, Tiguan, Passat and Arteon rate at lower maintenance costs than many of their direct competitors.

Duncan Movassaghi, executive vice-president, Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc says, “It’s a great day when we can announce results like this. The data from this study by Vincentric shows that our brand’s commitment to engineering and quality is paying off. Putting a VW in your driveway is not just a fun decision to make; it’s a smart and sensible one as well.”

The study performed by Vinentric found that these models excellent when it came to lowest cost of maintenance over the first five years of ownership. Specific highlights include:

The Atlas Cross Sport ranked #1 for lowest cost of maintenance in the category, while the entire 2021 Atlas Family have the lowest cost of maintenance among all midsize SUVs.

2021 Jetta ranked #1 for lowest cost of maintenance among compact sedans.

2021 Tiguan has a lower cost of maintenance than competitive models by Honda, Toyota and Subaru in the compact SUV segment.

2021 Passat and Arteon models have lower cost of maintenance than competitive models by Toyota, Honda and Hyundai in the midsize sedan segment.

This could be indicative of the value provided by Volkswagen’s Carefree Coverage, including 2 years of scheduled Carefree Maintenance. Carefree Coverage comes standard on most 2020 and 2021 models and includes 2 years/20,000 miles of scheduled service, 3 years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance, 5 years of Car-Net Remote Access and a 4 years/50,000 miles new vehicle limited warranty.

So now you know. Not only does German engineering confirm high quality parts, superior construction and beautiful styling - but now, it can also save you money. Volkswagen prices and payments are more affordable than ever and with current $0 down offers, there may never be a better time to buy or lease. Check our money-saving lineup at dealership near you.

Volkswagen Group is now active in software development. Created in July of 2020, the Car.Software Unit is an independent organization dedicated to "the development of car software and software for the digital ecosystems,” according to VW Group. It develops software in five central areas: Connected Car & Device Platform, Intelligent Body & Cockpit, Automated Driving, Vehicle Motion & Energy and Digital Business & Mobility Services. Volkswagen has chosen to dive into this new business in order to have a larger share of the software industry as well as enjoy the ability to exercise control over and enact its own quality standards on the tech inside its own vehicles. The plan is to create a Volkswagen Operating System that will eventually become a unifying tech backbone of all VW Group vehicles (this includes both Volkswagen and Audi). Dashboard updates and over-the-air downloads will be able to be done via the cloud and data collection will allow for a better understanding of consumers’ wants and needs.

Just this month, Volkswagen has teamed up with Microsoft to accelerate the development of some of its tech-based projects, specifically, automated driving solutions. In collaboration with Microsoft, Car.Software is in the process of building a cloud-based Automated Driving Platform (ADP).

“As we transform Volkswagen Group into a digital mobility provider, we are looking to continuously increase the efficiency of our software development. We are building the Automated Driving Platform with Microsoft to simplify our developers’ work through one scalable and data-based engineering environment. By combining our comprehensive expertise in the development of connected driving solutions with Microsoft’s cloud and software engineering know-how, we will accelerate the delivery of safe and comfortable mobility services,” said Dirk Hilgenberg, CEO of the Car.Software Organization.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) improve passenger safety and also help to reduce traffic congestion. Machine learning algorithms learn from real and simulated road and weather conditions, compiling data to create even safer and more comfortable automated driving solutions. Car.Software will expand their capabilities, including the development of new driving functions for passenger cars. By 2025, Volkswagen Group expects to invest over $32 billion in digitalization and in-house software development, bringing their share of the industry from 10% to 60%.

With the VW Automotive Cloud (VW-AC) combined with VW’s Automated Driving Platform, fully autonomous VW vehicles are within reach. Working on Microsoft’s Azure platform, VW will be able to create simpler, more efficient software while still maintaining their high standards of engineering and quality. VW-AC test fleets are expected to hit the roads in 2021, with passenger car production beginning in 2022.

“This is the next evolution of our foundational work with the Volkswagen Group to enhance their transformation as a software-driven mobility provider,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, Cloud + AI at Microsoft. “The power of Microsoft Azure and its compute, data and AI capabilities will enable Volkswagen to deliver secure and reliable automated driving solutions to their customers faster."

If you’re interested in checking out the current Volkswagen lineup, shop one of our convenient South Florida locations.

Traditional New Year’s Eve parties are a no-no this year. Crowded indoor events can be a breeding ground for COVID-19. Instead, consider a non-traditional activity. Enjoy the outdoors at the beach or a park. Visit a local restaurant that abides by safety guidelines with outdoor seating. Celebrate at home with an extravagant dessert. Take a drive to enjoy local holiday lights. Or, as you’ve come to realize this year, a virtual party with tons of family and friends is always an option.

Luckily, we live in South Florida - where the weather is perfect for an outdoor event. Why not spend some time on the beach? There will likely be fireworks visible from most public beaches. Enjoy the cool, salt air - but wear a mask and avoid crowds. Ring in the new year with your loved ones enjoying a picnic in the sand and the sound of the waves. Bayfront Park Miami is hosting an outdoor shindig including a dance party! Wynwood is having a block party with food trucks and live music.

Many local restaurants are having New Years Eve events! Call to check on their safety policies and make a reservation. It’s great to support local businesses, especially during this time of year. Most local eateries are following strict guidelines to ensure safety and you’ll limit your risk if you find an outdoor venue. You can search eventbrite for a place near you.

If you’re choosing to stay home for the ball drop, consider experimenting with a fancy recipe or try your hand at a decadent dessert - something you’d never try during a busy week. Spiced lamb, Beef Wellington, duck pâté, chicken dumplings or maybe homemade pasta. Multiple courses could keep you busy all day - it could be fun! Shop early for your ingredients and prepare a magnificent feast. Watch the ball drop in the comfort of your own home, sipping champagne after an enjoyable dinner.

While Christmas will be over by New Year’s Eve, holiday decorations will still be up through the new year! Take a drive through nearby neighborhoods, with your windows down and check out all the lights. Visit social media to find some local favorites. If you’re brave enough, you can even hop out to take pictures with the biggest or most festive inflatables.

If you’re desperate to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your friends, consider a virtual party. Whether it’s via Zoom, Teams, Facetime, Facebook or Skype - you don’t have to travel or risk anyone’s health to spend time with your loved ones. Put on your fancy evening wear and pour yourself a glass of bubbly. Virtual parties can be fun, too! If you’re a planner, you can be the host. Plan some interactive games and watch the ball drop together.

No matter what you choose to do for the holidays, your friends at Volkswagen hope you have fun and stay safe! And if you’re looking to drive into 2021 in a new car, check out our current specials or visit a dealership near you.