Santa Claus is running to town for Great Ormond Street Hospital

One of our technicians is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for a children's charity by entering the festive spirit next month.

Tony Gardiner, a technician at Citygate Volkswagen in Ruislip, will run in the 5k Santa Fun Run held in London's Greenwich Park on Sunday 4th December, to generate funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The hospital is very close to Tony's heart after his nephew, Daniel, was admitted there to receive treatment for Saggital Synostasis.

This condition meant that the plates in his head fused together too early and led to an odd shape. This would have become more pronounced as Daniel got older, so he was referred to the Craniofacial Unit at the hospital.

Daniel had two major operations on his head at three and six months to insert and then remove springs, which separated the plates, allowing normal development.

Tony will dress as Santa to raise money for the craniofacial team at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Tony said: "The team at Great Ormond Street Hospital provided great care and support to not only Daniel but my brother in-law and sister, and completing the run is my way of saying thank you.

"The team there is truly fantastic and I'm hoping to raise as much money as possible. My colleagues at Citygate Volkswagen have been very supportive and are sponsoring me to do the race."

Brand manager at Citygate Volkswagen, Richard Eagell added: "Tony has often told us about the fantastic work Great Ormond Street Hospital have done and continue to do for his nephew so we're pleased to help in a small way by sponsoring him."

Anyone will to sponsor Tony can speak to him at Citygate Volkswagen Ruislip on Victoria Road or visit the Just Giving page. Share this story with your followers by tweeting this! 

Thanks to Great Ormond Street Hospital's work, Daniel is a healthy and happy boy.

Citygate grows a "mo" for Prostate Cancer

20 members of staff at Citygate are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for charity by taking part in the now traditional ‘Movember moustache challenge’.

Led by Marketing and Communications Director, Simon Bennett, staff at Citygate will not shave their upper lips during November, with all money donated going to the Prostate Cancer charity. Female staff can also join in by wearing false moustaches during the month. 

Simon Bennett said: “Prostate cancer is something everyone is aware of and Movember is a fun way of raising money for a fantastic cause.

“It’s fantastic that so many staff are taking part and we’re hoping everyone has some growth to show at the end of the month. We’re encouraging customers to get involved and hope to not only reach our target.”

Citygate are aiming to raise £800 for Prostate Cancer, and are on target with nearly £500 raised to date.

From L-R: Lee, Tom, Paul, Jamie, Rob and James. All from our High Wycombe branch.

Get a grip on winter driving with ŠKODA

Citygate recommends seven important checks to prepare a vehicle for winter.

Last year an early cold snap caught thousands of motorists by surprise, and with forecasters predicting yet another severe winter for the UK, it’s more important than ever to be prepared.

To ensure drivers don’t get caught out as the winter draws in, Citygate is offering customers a complete Winter Check to ensure their car is ready for the forthcoming season – helping them to drive safely whatever the weather.

The Winter Check is on offer to ŠKODA customers for just £19.99 and includes a full vehicle health check with specific focus on the key vehicle systems that are critical for safe winter driving.

Winter Check - ŠKODA’s Seven Steps To A Worry-Free Winter

ŠKODA recommends the following seven important checks to prepare your ŠKODA for winter - all carried out by highly-trained technicians at Citygate as part of a Winter Check.

1. Lights – Are they aligned correctly? Perfectly aligned lights enable drivers to have the best possible visibility, critically important during winter’s dark days and nights.
2. Wiper blades – Severe weather puts increased demands on wiper blades, so it’s crucial to make sure they’re in good condition before winter begins.
3. Windscreen washer fluid – ŠKODA technicians will check it is topped up with the correct antifreeze screen wash fluid.
4. Brakes – Fast, responsive brakes are essential in winter, so the pads, discs and brake fluid are checked allowing drivers to brake more effectively.
5. Tyres – The condition of the tyres is checked, plus customers will be given additional advice about choosing winter tyres.
6. Battery – Winter puts extra strain on batteries, so technicians will check they’re in good working order before cold weather hits.
7. Air-con – By ensuring the air-con is in good shape, drivers need not worry about a winter of condensation.

At Citygate, services are undertaken by skilled technicians who have the knowledge and expertise to service vehicles using genuine approved ŠKODA parts which carry a two year unlimited mileage warranty. All ŠKODA dealerships comply with the Motor Industry Code of Practise and strive to offer fantastic customer service at competitive rates.

Citygate ŠKODA also subscribe to the Motor Industry Service & Repair Code and are signed up to ŠKODA’s Customer Promise – a set of standards to ensure that every ŠKODA customer enjoys a flexible and convenient service which draws on their retailers’ expertise and attention to detail. Every visit should be easy and enjoyable, leaving the customer in no doubt that their ŠKODA is being maintained to the highest standard.

To find out more, visit Citygate ŠKODA or call us on 0845 346 0101.

Winter tyres ‘could save your life’!

Winter tyres offer huge safety benefits over normal tyres in adverse conditions, according to research by What Car?

The motoring magazine tested four brands of winter tyres against their summer tyre counterparts in a series of cold-weather performance tests.  The snow and ice testing was carried out in northern Sweden, and the wet and dry tests in Germany.

In snow, the summer tyres took more than twice the distance to stop on average than winter tyres.  When braking on sheet ice from 12mph, the average stopping distance for winter tyres was 12.5 metres compared to 19 metres for summer tyres. 

Winter tyres don’t only work better on snow and ice, they also perform better than summer tyres on wet roads when the temperature falls below 7C.
However, just 10% of UK motorists swapped to winter rubber last year, while 5% tried but failed due to a shortage of tyres.

“Winter tyres make for much safer winter driving, so we would encourage all motorists to change their tyres in the colder months,” said What Car? editor-in-chief Chas Hallett.  “Used in this way, a set of winter tyres will last motorists several years.”

October is TyreSafe month and in support, Citygate Volkswagen are offering free fitting and balancing on all winter tyres and wheel sets. We can also perform a free visual health check as part of our Volkswagen Service Promise to give you peace of mind for the winter months ahead.

Speak to your local Citygate retailer today to book or find out more.

Fuel costs hitting local businesses

Citygate VolkswagenVan Centre in High Wycombe, has just launched the new Volkswagen Crafter, which is more fuel efficient with lower-emissions than the previous model, and is highlighting how fuel economy can improve profit margins for businesses.

In the last 12 months, the average price of unleaded petrol in the region has risen by 16 per cent, while diesel has risen by 17 per cent.*

This increase in fuel prices has led to services like Business Link, the government’s online business resource, issuing advice on vehicle investment.

Business Link states: “Businesses must manage fuel effectively to maintain their profit margins and remain competitive.

“Fuel savings also go hand-in-hand with lower CO2 emissions, so managing fuel effectively also reduces impact on the environment.”

Other methods of improving and monitoring vehicle efficiency, including driving style, tyre pressure and fleet management systems, which can produce further fuel savings of between five to 10 per cent.**

Mark Hudson, brand manager at Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre in High Wycombe, said: “Many businesses in the region will need to consider the costs of fuel and tax in the coming years.

“The new Crafter is designed with efficiency and low emissions in mind.  It uses Volkswagen’s latest 2.0-litre TDI engine, which can achieve 29 per cent better fuel economy, yet delivers more power or torque than its predecessor.”

The new Crafter was officially launched on 1 August with retail prices starting from £20,450 (plus VAT) and is currently available to business users by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Finance from a suitably frugal £305 a month (plus VAT).

For further information about the new Volkswagen Crafter, please contact Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre on 01494 450 611, or visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

Media information:

* Statistics taken from www.theaa.com.

** Statistics taken from Business Car Magazine Issue 123.

For information on Business Link visit www.businesslink.gov.uk Fuel management for vans article.

The new Volkswagen Crafter CR35 2.0-litre TDI 163 PS BlueMotion Technology, medium wheelbase panel van achieves 29 per cent better fuel economy on the combined cycle than the previous 2.5-litre BlueTDI engine with the same power output.  This is the equivalent of up to eight miles further per gallon, which could add over 130 miles to the range of the 75 litre fuel tank

Citygate scores sponsorship deal with Wasps and Wanderers

Two of the county’s sporting teams have received a boost from Citygate High Wycombe to help transport them to and from matches.

Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre is now the sole commercial vehicle sponsor of, Wycombe Wanderers FC and London Wasps.

The Volkswagen Van Centre on London Road will provide both teams with a [type] van, which the clubs will use for transportation, necessary for the Wasps and Wanderers to help organise sporting events and clubs at local schools that may not otherwise have the kit and resources to take part.

London Wasps said: “Having the use of a van for events allows us to play a more integral role in the community and support deserving individuals in the area.

 “Without support from businesses like Citygate Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles our presence in the community would not be possible.”

Mark Hudson, head of business at Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre said: “We’re thrilled we can support two teams in our community.

“Everyone at Citygate Volkswagen is fully behind the clubs and many of staff are already regulars at matches.”
Wycombe Wanderers added: “its brilliant news to have the support of such a prestigious brand that’s based in our community.”

Citygate High Wycombe helps Revive the Wye

Citygate, has been reaching out to the local communities and recently completed an environmental clean-up of the river Wye in High Wycombe.

The river Wye flows through High Wycombe, Wycombe Marsh, Loudwater, Wooburn and Bourne End before joining the River Thames. It is home to some of the UK’s most rare and endangered species. The river and its backstreams flow under and around Citygate’s High Wycombe dealership and around Citygate’s new Commercial Van dealership in Wooburn.

8 volunteers from all areas of the Citygate business worked alongside members of “Revive the Wye” a partnership project to protect and improve the River Wye, headed up by the Chairman Mike Overall of the Chiltern Society. Wycombe District Council supplied the equipment and during the course of 6 hours, a large skip was filled with rubbish and debris removed from the section of the river running parallel to the London Road.

Mark Hudson, Head of Business for Citygate Volkswagen High Wycombe, who organised the clean-up said: “As part of our immediate environment, we all felt it was of upmost importance to get involved with the maintenance and preservation of the Wye.

“Our intention is to carry out this work on a regular basis and keep the section of river around the dealership as clean as possible so that our staff and customers can enjoy the local surroundings.

“I was really impressed with the number of staff that expressed their interest in, and completed the event. It really goes to show how important environmental conservation is to all of us and we look forward to getting involved again in the near future.”

Mark Overall added: “It was fantastic to see so many Citygate employees get involved, it really helped raise the profile of the work we are doing to the Rye. We look forward to embarking on the next project with the Citygate team.”

More information on the Revive the Wye project can be found at www.revivethewye.co.uk.

Volkswagen celebrates 35 years of the Golf GTI

A 35th birthday can mark the onset of a mini midlife crisis, the tipping point between the big 3-0 and even bigger 4-0.  Luckily the iconic Golf GTI is in no such predicament, but rather celebrating in style with a special edition model which has an uplift in spec and appearance and, underneath the skin, the most powerful production Golf GTI engine to date. Clearly those gym sessions have paid off.

 

Now on sale, the Golf GTI Edition 35 – which made its debut at the GTI enthusiasts’ meeting on the shores of Lake Wörthersee in Austria at the start of June – has a 1,984 cc four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which produces 235 PS (25 more than the standard GTI) at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm (221 lbs ft) of torque at 2,200 rpm.

 

Like the standard GTI, the Edition 35 is front engined and front-wheel drive.  Standstill to 62 mph takes 6.6 seconds and top speed is 153 mph.  The model still returns a very respectable 34.9 mpg on the combined economy cycle (35.3 DSG) and emits 189 g/km of CO2 (185 for the DSG model).

 

Bespoke exterior styling changes include a more sporty bodykit incorporating new side skirts and a revised front bumper which sits below bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.  Unique lightweight 18-inch ‘Watkins Glen’ alloy wheels, finished in ‘Dark Steel’ or – at no additional cost – silver, distinguish this model from the standard GTI, along with an Edition 35 badge on the front wing, gloss black door mirror casings, rear windows with 90 per cent tinted glass and rear tinted LED lights. 

 

Subtle ‘35’ signatures are carried through to the interior, featuring on the head restraints of the heated Vienna leather front sports seats as well as the door sills and floor mats, along with a red stripe on the seatbelts and the now famous GTI ‘golf ball’ gearknob which is available on both manual and DSG transmissions.

 

Although the new car is a special edition model, there is not a specific restriction on the number available. Citygate has begun taking orders with first customer deliveries due next month.

Shocking car maintenance survey results

Almost a fifth of motorists think servicing their car is a ‘complete waste of money’ and have admitted to only doing so when they can afford it, rather than when recommended, new research by Manheim Auctions has revealed. 

As the cost of driving increases, cash-strapped motorists are spending their money on legal requirements such as road tax, insurance and the MOT, with servicing becoming a ‘nice to do’ not a ‘need to do’.

These worrying findings also show that over a third of motorists think of their car maintenance skills as poor or very poor, relying on either the garage, their dad or their partner for help.  

Interestingly, 70% of motorists think car maintenance should be incorporated into the driving test to ensure new drivers know how to keep their vehicle safe.  The financial cost of neglect isn’t just about avoiding the costs of replacing an engine.  A simple task such as making sure you have the correct tyre pressures will save fuel as well as improve safety.

“It is so important to keep on top of maintaining your car, not just through annual services and MOTs but by checking tyre pressure and tread, oil and water levels and all lights,” commented Craig Mailey, Marketing Director at Manheim Auctions.  “Not only will it help to keep you safe on the road, it will also ensure you get the best resale price possible when you come to sell your car.” 

“The cars that consistently achieve the best price at auction are the ones that have been properly looked after, with a full service history and a good level of maintenance.  It might seem like servicing and car maintenance are a waste of money, but in the long run it really will pay off.”


If you own a Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi or Seat; contact Citygate for your servicing requirements.

Drivers warned of changes to London Emission Zone

Citygate is giving drivers an early warning ahead of major changes to London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

The changes, which take effect from January 3rd 2012, mean the LEZ’s emission standards will become more stringent, affecting about 75,000 drivers of commercial vehicles. Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre is advising Buckinghamshire-based van drivers who travel to London for work, to ensure their vehicle is ready for the change and avoid daily charges of £100 to enter the LEZ and fines of up to £1,000.

At present, vehicles registered as new after 1st October 2001 meet the current standard, but from January 2012 only vehicles registered as new after 1st October 2006 will meet the standards. The LEZ was first introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting heavy diesel vehicles driving in the city to become cleaner and now covers most of Greater London. Mark Hudson, head of business, at Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre, said: “The new levels of emissions limit the amount of particle matter coming from vehicle exhausts.

“As a business we’re offering advice to commercial vehicle drivers about the changes and providing cost-effective solutions to reach the new standard to alleviate any problems. We have also put together an offer to help support drivers of older vehicles meet the new standards.”

Cameras monitor the traffic going in and out of the zone. It operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and public and Bank Holidays. Drivers of vehicles that don’t meet the emissions level will be required to pay £100 or £200 for every day, depending on vehicle size.

Mark added: “Fitting an approved filter to a vehicle’s exhaust could reduce the emissions enough to meet the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) emissions standards.

“It does take at least three months for this to be completed and registered, although there is no time limit on how long the filter will last. “Alternatively individuals or companies have the option of part exchanging a vehicle for a newer, more fuel efficient and greener van.”

Further information can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk or by contacting your local Citygate Van retailer