The new Beetle Cabriolet debuts at the LA Motor Show

Its unmistakable silhouette has given an iconic status to the different generations of the Beetle. The fact that over 330,000 units of the original Beetle Cabriolet cars were produced from 1949 to 1980 speaks for itself. In creating the latest version of the Beetle Cabriolet, Volkswagen has reinterpreted the timeless design of bygone days and given the silhouette a sportier and more dynamic look. The combination of a flatter roofline and the more upright windshield gives the car a silhouette that resembles that of the legendary original Beetle Cabriolet.

The new model also incorporates design cues from the modern Volkswagen line-up: the air inlet under the bumper, the flat contour of the hood’s bottom edge and in particular the tail lights show the car’s close family ties. In the new Beetle Cabriolet, Volkswagen brings together modern technology and the highest standards of quality with the emotional legacy of the car’s ‘forefather’. As on the nostalgic icon, the headlights retain their classic shape.

Another feature contributing to the special charm of the new Beetle Cabriolet is the traditional soft top. When open it lies very flat, enabling good vision to the rear. Despite its compact construction, the top is very wide and elongated in shape. It opens and closes entirely automatically (on all models) within around 10 seconds, including on the move.

Standard on the Beetle Cabriolet is a soft-top cover, which, if desired, tucks the opened top neatly away. Surrounding chrome trim accentuates the borders between steel and fabric. As in other Beetle models, the compact instrument panel with an extra large round instrument cluster and several nostalgic elements, such as the additional glovebox, create a markedly different design inside the new Beetle Cabriolet as well.

With its spacious and comfortably designed interior the Beetle Cabriolet is a real four-seat vehicle. The 225 litre boot includes a fold-down symmetrically split rear bench seat which allows bigger items to be transported even when the roof is closed.

To provide added safety in the event of a rollover accident, Volkswagen has developed an active rollover protection system. It consists of two extendable modules fitted inside the vehicle in concealed fashion behind the back of the rear bench seat. If the car were to roll over, the two rollover modules would be activated via the central airbag triggering unit. Along with the fixed A-pillars, they provide effective protection for the occupants of all four seats within a matter of milliseconds. Another extra safety feature is the standard front and head-thorax airbag system.

The new Beetle Cabriolet will be available with seven engines. The entry-level engine is a highly efficient 1.2-litre TSI with 105 PS. Straight after launch, the BlueMotion Technology version of this petrol engine will also be available. The other petrol options are the lively 1.4-litre TSI and the 2.0-litre version, producing 160 and 200 PS respectively. Diesel engines comprise a 1.6-litre TDI with 105 PS (also available as a BlueMotion Technology version) and a 2.0-litre TDI with 140 PS.

The Beetle Cabriolet will made its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show on 28 November and is due to go on sale in the UK in spring 2013. Prices and specification details will be announced closer to launch.

Watford & Chalfont workers push to raise money for local charity

A Watford charity has and will continue to receive a boost to its fundraising efforts thanks to staff from a local business.

Staff from Citygate Volkswagen in Watford and Chalfont are training for this year’s Push for Peace event – a five-mile assault course taking place at Cassiobury Park on Sunday 23rd September to raise vital funds via sponsorship for the Peace Hospice.

The Hospice has organised the event and Citygate recently presented the charity with a cheque for £500 to help cover the cost of water that will be given to participants on the day.

Two teams of five Citygate workers will be crawling, climbing, jumping, swinging, and defying the elements on the energetic adventure, combining a five mile race with assault course-style obstacles.

The teams are currently in training as they’ve been warned that they’ll need to tackle cargo nets, wire crawls and break through barriers with lashings of mud and water along the route.

Emily Leigh-Dugmore, charity and community manager at Citygate who organised the company team said: “Peace Hospice is a phenomenal cause and being on our doorstep means that we want to raise as much money for the charity as we can.

“I’m really proud of the whole team and their determination to complete the assault course and I hope that our fundraising will help raise awareness of Peace Hospice and the valuable work it does across the region.”

The Peace Hospice, based in Watford, cares for people living with a life limiting or terminal illness and supports their families from across South West Hertfordshire. It provides inpatient care, day care, an outpatient service, a hospice at home service as well as bereavement support.

The Hospice needs to raise £3.8 million of charitable income this year in order to run and develop its services. All the care that the Hospice provides to its patients and their families is free.

Anyone who would like to support Citygate’s fundraising efforts can do so my calling Emily Leigh-Dugmore on 01923 255 055.

Pictured (l to r): Citygate’s Adam Baker, sales executive, Jake Mason, sales executive, Scott Mills, parts advisor and Kevin Grace, service advisor

The Event at Citygate Volkswagen, SKODA and Commercial Vehicles

This weekend, Citygate are hosting a special event - with sales across our new, nearly new and used cars! We have some unbelievable savings and finance offers at all of our sites so pop down this sunny weekend.

Watford looking lovely in the sunshine!

Champagne and eating a few burgers on fake indoor grass at Wooburn Green seems very tempting!

...Wooburn Green have sold some vans already!

Wooburn even have tents for sale!!!

SKODA forecourt

Watford are expecting some VIP guests by the looks of their red carpet!!!

Colindale jam-packed with flags and banners

Colindale from afar

Wooburn Green and Peoples Car looking very summer-y

Citygate Volkswagen awarded "one to watch" company status

Citygate, one of the UK’s leading Volkswagen dealers, has been awarded the esteemed ‘One to Watch’ status by Best Companies in its 2012 listings. Only the most outstanding businesses receive such accreditation, which makes them eligible for the highly prestigious Best 100 Companies to Work For list, conducted by The Sunday Times.

Following a thorough employee survey and organisation questionnaire, Citygate was found to excel. Its results put it amongst the most promising business prospects in the UK.

Best Companies’ scrutiny involved assessments across all areas of the company with Citygate possessing impressive management skills, strong core values and excellent customer service. Ever-proud of its consumer relations, Citygate’s new status is a testament to the staff who have worked so hard to achieve it.

Jonathan Smith, Managing Director of Citygate, spoke of his delight at being awarded the new status: “I’m thrilled to have Citygate recognised as a Best Companies ‘One to Watch’. It is a real honour for every member of our team; they’ve put in so much hard work and their focus on great customer service has paid dividends.”

Beginning trade in 2006, Citygate now delivers more than 7,000 top-of-the-range new and used cars to delighted clients every year and employs in excess of 350 highly-trained individuals over five separate operations.

Citygate, specialising in the sale of Volkswagen and Škoda vehicles, pledges to take its customer services far beyond the purchase of the car or van, going the extra mile with its excellent tuning and bodyshop work, as well as MOT testing and support.

Citygate celebrates car of the year

Motorists hoping to own the What Car? 2012 Car of the Year don’t have long to wait, with the victorious Volkswagen up! arriving at Volkswagen retailer Citygate’s five dealerships over the coming weeks.

Those looking to purchase the award-winning car, which the judging panel commended for combining refinement, quality, space and economy, will be able to buy it at Citygate dealerships in Chalfont, Colindale, High Wycombe, Ruislip and Watford from just £7,397.

With a fuel economy of 60.1mpg, What Car? commented that the car ‘set new standards for the £10,000 price bracket’. The magazine also noted that the car, while at home when driving around town, is far from averse to cruising along the motorway.

At the What Car? Awards ceremony the Volkswagen up! received multiple awards, also winning the City Car of the Year Award and the Safety Award for its City Emergency Braking System. The Volkswagen Golf, also available at all Citygate dealerships, claimed top honours in the Small Family Car category.

Citygate is familiar with award-winning quality, having secured two successes of its own in 2011: the company claimed the Motor Trader Website of the Year Award and the Car Dealer Multi Franchised Dealer Website of the Year Award.

“The Volkswagen up! is a truly brilliant product,” said Citygate Managing Director Jonathan Smith. “To add a car that has received such a distinguished honour to what was already a strong line-up of Volkswagen cars is going to make for a very exciting year.”

What Car? Editor-in-Chief Chas Hallett said: 'The Volkswagen up! is the best car we've seen this year. It feels at home in town and copes admirably on the motorway; it is the right car for the time.”

Citygate sponsor "Pilgrim Bandits" Kilimanjaro climb

A team of amputee soldiers preparing to climb Kilimanjaro have received a sponsorship boost from Citygate.

The team, known as the Pilgrim Bandits, will be leaving the UK on 15th February for the nine-day challenge, have recived a £500 cash boost from Citygate Volkswagen to contribute towards the cost of the trip.

The five amputee soldiers on the expedition are doing so to raise money for Pilgrim Bandits and will be joined by Dragon’s Den star, Duncan Bannatyne.

They will be supported by 15 able bodied people and two medical staff, have been preparing for the challenge for the past five months with a mix of endurance training and climbing in the Snowdon area.

Richard Eagell, Brand Manager at Citygate Volkswagen, said: “In committing to this gruelling trek, the climbers have all shown tremendous spirit and strength of character and we were so inspired by their determination that we wanted to lend our support.”

Chris Naughton, related to a Citygate staff member, added: “The amputees will be climbing without assistance and will be carrying their own kit and equipment which given their injuries, is a huge accomplishment. We are grateful to Citygate Volkswagen for their support and as a thank you, we will be taking a Citygate flag up the mountain for future climbers to see!”

Rising 19,340 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain. It lies 205 miles South of the equator and stands on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya and supports five major eco-zones: rainforest, heath, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers.

The weather on Mount Kilimanjaro can vary from very hot to extremely cold within the same day. At the base of the mountain, the average temperature is around 21-27 degrees however, at the summit, Uhuru Point, night time temperatures can range between 0 and -30 degrees.

In 1889, German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountain climber Ludwig Purtscheller were the first to climb Kilimanjaro. Today, about 15,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year, as a spiritual journey or as a personal challenge.

To learn more about the Pilgrim Bandits’ challenge, or to pledge support, visit www.pilgrimbandits.com

Another website award for Citygate

Citygate Automotive are celebrating our second website award for the year having been awarded the multi franchised dealer Website of the Year award by Car Dealer magazine.

We beat off a number of other competitors to drive away with the accolade. 

Citygate’s website manager, Jade-Elise Brooke-Read, said: “At Citygate we realise the digital world is instrumental to our business and it is often our customers’ first point of call.

“It’s great news that we’ve being recognised for our work and we’re always looking at improving. At the moment we’re in the process of developing an update to the website which will deliver improved facilities for our customers.”

The website certainly caught the eye of e-wards judge Alex Knight of Progress Automotive.He said: “The key to this site’s success is a very clean design and a clear navigational path through to key customer action areas. 

“I really liked the new car configuration options and finance calculators, and it’s topped off by a very smart mobile website to cater for browsers on the move.”

Another judge, James Tew, of Webzation commented: “Citygate has always demonstrated a forward thinking approach with their web strategy. 

“They clearly see their website as a fundamental part of their business. In addition to new and used vehicles their site is also a shopfront for their fleet and servicing arms. The site is both informative and rich with content.”

New items added to annual MOT

If you've been ignoring a warning light because it's not checked in the MOT, you could be facing an MOT failure and an expensive repair bill in 2012 because of changes to the test.

The Department for Transport is adding a number of new mandatory items to the annual MOT from 1 January 2012, to comply with a revised European directive (2009/40/EC) intended to harmonise minimum test requirements across Europe and to make sure the test reflects the electrical/electronic complexity of modern car safety features.

The new checks will include inspecting a series of dashboard warning lights telling drivers if there is a problem with their airbags, tyre pressures, power steering and main headlight beam.  Power steering will be subject to inspection, with the MOT demanding a minimum level of fluid.  Anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control systems will also be checked, as will the new generation of powerful headlights to ensure they do not dazzle oncoming motorists.

VOSA, the government agency responsible for the MOT, has indicated that 'failures' relating to the new test items will be treated as 'advisories' in the first three months.  This means that if you have any of the above problems with your car, you've got until the first MOT renewal date after 1 April 2012 to get it fixed.

Most drivers happy with current MOT schedule
Nearly two-thirds of motorists think that a car’s first MOT should continue to be carried out after three years, a survey by the Institute Of Advanced Motorists has found.  Just 29% think we should move to a European system.

A new European Union directive sets down a minimum requirement for a vehicle roadworthiness test – or MOT – with the first test taking place when the car is no more than four years old, and subsequent tests no more than two years apart.  This is known as the four-two-two cycle and it is used in most of Europe.

The UK, however, employs a more stringent cycle of testing – the first test when the car is three years old, followed by annual testing – a three-one-one cycle.  Despite this, 27% of three-year-old cars in the UK fail their first MOT. In France, where the test cycle is four-two-two, 6% cars fail the first test at four years old.

Motorists generally were confident about the MOT test, with 63% believing it would always pick up potential dangers. But 30% believed garages were not independent enough to conduct MOTs, 26% thought garages deliberately find things wrong in order to get money out of them, and 40% said there was no consistency between garages in the way they do the test. The IAM believes these concerns should be addressed through a review before the government considers any changes.

“At a time when people are struggling financially,” said the IAM’s chief executive Simon Best, “the MOT seems to be one cost they are happy to pay.  The IAM is wary of abandoning our well-established and accepted cycle of MOT testing.  The poll suggests that most motorists are happy with it.

“But the question needs to be asked, why are so many cars in the UK failing at only three years, and why does France have a much better pass rate at four years?  Before any change to the system, the government should commission a review to assure motorists that MOT tests are safe, reliable and consistent.  The test should be for the benefit of road safety – not the garages that carry it out.”

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