The Audi A6 hybrid can achieve speeds of up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) purely on electricity; at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph), it has a range of 3 km. It can also operate with the combustion engine only or in hybrid mode; in the deceleration phases, it recovers power and activates both the engine and the electric motor together when accelerating quickly. Special indicators on the instrument cluster and on the MMI monitor provide of detailed display of the different driving conditions.

A crash-protected area of the luggage compartment houses a light, compact lithium-ion battery that provides 1.3 kWh of nominal power and generates 39 kW. Depending on requirements, it is air-cooled in two ways ? by means of a blower from the interior or by means of an internal refrigerant circuit coupled to the automatic air conditioning system. This technology largely maintains the rechargeable battery within the appropriate temperature range, thereby ensuring that the vehicle operates on electric power a comparatively large percentage of the time.

The A6 hybrid employs an efficient parallel hybrid concept: Its combustion engine, a 155 kW (211 hp) 2.0 TFSI, works together with an electric motor that delivers 33 kW (45 hp) and 211 Nm (155.63 lb-ft) of torque. The electric motor sits directly behind the TFSI, occupying the space of the torque converter upstream of the modified 8-speed tiptronic. The transmission sends torque to the front wheels.

See the gallery on Facebook.

All-new Jetta and all-new Touareg among six 2011 Volkswagen models awarded TOP SAFETY PICK by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

HERNDON, Va., December 22, 2010 -- Six Volkswagen models have earned the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2011, the highest rating possible from the non-profit safety research organization. The annual award recognizes those vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute's front, side, and rear crash test evaluations, and the newly required roof-strength test evaluations. The Institute only tests vehicles with electronic stability control and head protection airbags. 2011 Volkswagen models awarded are the all-new Jetta, Golf, Jetta Sportwagen, GTI, Tiguan and all-new Touareg.

?Volkswagen has shown an enduring commitment to engineer vehicles with safety performance that goes beyond basic government standards,? says Institute president Adrian Lund.  ?The 2005 Jetta was the first car to ace the Institute?s tough side impact crash test, and Volkswagens like the new 2011 Jetta continue to set the standard with the highest safety ratings.?

?Volkswagen is committed to safety,? said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. ?To have IIHS recognize a total of six Volkswagen models with this significant achievement is a testament to our commitment to engineering safe vehicles. We are excited to lead the industry with the most Top Safety Pick awards.?

Volkswagen?s newest models for 2011, the Jetta sedan and Touareg SUV earned TOP SAFETY PICK for 2011. Completely redesigned for 2011, the Jetta has a starting price of $15,995. Volkswagen?s flagship, the all new 2011 Touareg, is the only large SUV to earn TOP SAFETY PICK for 2011.

For more information, please visit www.vw.com, or media.vw.com.

· Sports car tops its class in the ?Auto Bild SportsCars? readers poll
· Another four Audi models in the top three of their category

The Audi RS 5 has won the ?SportsCar 2010? award in the ?Production Coupes? category. The Audi R8 GT and the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI took second place in their classes, while the Audi S3 Sportback and Audi RS 6 Avant came in third.

68,132 readers of ?Auto Bild SportsCars? cast their votes in the poll ? the eighth time it has taken place ? to select the ?SportsCar of the Year?. Readers had the choice of a total of 173 vehicles in 17 categories, each of which was subdivided into ?Tuning? and ?Production?.

The title ?SportsCar of the Year? is one of the most sought-after prizes in the German automobile industry. All participating sports cars previously had to prove their worth in over 300 tests and road reports.

As well as the first place for the Audi RS 5 in the ?Production Coupes? category, Audi recorded two second places: in the ?Production Supercars? category with the Audi R8 GT and in the ?Production Convertibles? category with the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI. Readers voted the Audi S3 Sportback into third place in the ?Production Compact Cars? class and the Audi RS 6 Avant took the same position in the ?Production Station Wagons? class.

Hans-Joachim Radde, Head of Sports Cars and Limited Editions for quattro GmbH, took receipt of the award for the Audi RS 5 today at the Essen Motor Show.

(forums.audiworld.com/formdisplay.php?f=125)

HERNDON, Va., November 30, 2010 ? The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the 2011 "Urban Green Vehicle of the Year,? announced today by Decisive Media. The all-new 2011 Jetta delivers sophisticated style, precision German engineering and Volkswagen?s no-charge Carefree Maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI features the venerable 2.0L turbocharged and direct injected engine which provides 140 horsepower at 4,000 rpm, and an impressive output of 236 lb.ft. of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. The Jetta TDI engine runs as quietly as a gasoline engine and is good for an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway with a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission or the option of a six-speed automatic DSG^® transmission. The DSG is one of the most advanced and efficient automatic transmission systems in the world featuring the performance of a manual gearbox with the effortless precision of an automatic transmission.

?Here?s a car that proves you don?t have to sacrifice to go Green,? said Lyndon Conrad Bell, Decisive Auto?s editor in chief. ?The first time you accelerate away from a traffic signal the Jetta TDI?s prodigious torque will win your heart and every time you pass a fueling station without stopping, its 40-MPG highway figure will win your mind. Then, factor in the spacious trunk and interior, the crisp, new, unmistakably European styling, the reduction in pricing without significantly de-contenting the compact sedan, along with Volkswagen?s continuing prowess at creating an interior that looks far more expensive than it actually is. When you do, the logic of naming the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Decisive Auto?s 2011 Urban Green Car of The Year immediately snaps sharply into focus?.

Editors at Decisive Auto magazine, along with a panel of 15 independent automotive journalists selected the year's most stylish, practical and attainable vehicles. The judging panel spent several months driving dozens of cars in a variety of North American urban settings before choosing the Volkswagen Jetta Diesel as Urban Green Vehicle of The Year: Decisive Auto?s Urban Vehicles of The Year are featured in the magazine's fall issue, which is available online at www.decisivemagazine.com and the Apple Store. 

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI will be honored at the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards on January 9, 2011, during Press Week of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at the MotorCity Casino Hotel?s Sound Board Theater, Detroit, MI.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world?s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe?s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Golf, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at http://www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.

(Media.vw.com)

Mototrend.com thinks the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid ?is a Home Run.? We think it might be the Rookie of the Year, too.

Most automotive companies these days have picked a technology to help drivers reduce their fuel consumption. Many of the Asian imports and American brands have trended towards hybrid technology, while German auto stalwarts, like us here at Volkswagen, have gone with advanced clean diesel technology (we call it TDI® if you didn?t know). Volkswagen loves clean diesel technology because it reduces emissions over older diesel engines, without compromising the performance numbers that drivers want. However, we recognize that there?s not a single solution when it comes to helping conserve our resources.

Enter the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, a supercharged, gas-electric beast that produces an astounding 375 horses and 425 pound-feet of torque. Its Volkswagen?s very first hybrid electric vehicle and though it?s a rookie, we think it has a chance to be the year?s MVP.

Motortrend.com?s Scott Evans had the opportunity to test-drive the 2011 Touareg Hybrid and came away impressed, calling the vehicle a big step forward for the brand, and giving particular praise to the performance, expected fuel-economy, interior and navigation system.

With traditional gasoline, TDI and Hybrid options, we?re especially proud of the 2011 Touareg. It feels like a game changer, to us.

*The Touareg Hybrid is available in the U.S. in very limited quantities and only at participating Volkswagen dealers.

(blogs.vw.com)

---

Oct 19, 2010

Day One Journal | Eureka! Diesel Drives the Future A 2010 Green Car of the Year Tour
Source: Audi of America

HERNDON, Va., - This week, Audi is conducting a 1,000-mile demonstration drive in California featuring two Audi A3 TDI® cars, the reigning 2010 Green Car of the Year®, fueled exclusively with synthetic RenDiesel® produced by Los Angeles-based Rentech Inc. Starting in Eureka, Calif., the journey?s aim is to spread the message that diesel technology has tremendous potential to make future inroads against the challenges of reducing fuel consumption and improving emissions. The trip will include a welcome reception from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the State Capitol and a high-level panel discussing diesel?s bright future at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. When it?s all completed, Audi will donate one of the A3 TDI cars to the museum for its alternative vehicles display. Throughout the Eureka! Diesel Drives the Future tour, we will provide impressions on the journey and the performance of the fuel in this award-winning Audi.

Day One Todd Kaho, Green Car Journal
"Driving down from Eureka we encountered some pretty steep grades and stop-and-go conditions in some of the smaller towns. It seemed like a good early challenge for the car and the Audi TDI technology. Plus we really wanted to drive the route through the redwoods. What struck me was the fact that you simply couldn?t tell any evidence that this car wasn?t running on standard diesel. We started in fairly cool conditions in Eureka and still managed to average 41.8 mpg in our car. (Note: the EPA highway fuel economy rating for the A3 TDI is 42 mpg)."

Ron Cogan, Editor and Publisher of the Green Car Journal
"So we get to the famous redwoods you can drive through ? this one was the Chandelier tree. It?s a tree that?s 2,400 years old, 315 feet high and 21 feet wide. Seemed like a great place for some iconic California photos. We?re taking shots of the A3 TDIs driving through the road that goes right through the Chandelier tree when we notice a large service truck with ladders on top apparently determined to drive through this small opening.
It was a tight fit for the A3s, but the driver had his heart set on trying to make it through. Finally we managed to convince him to drive around the tree and we?d shoot photos of his truck as if he?d driven through this famous location. Score another one for this tour?s goal of helping the environment!"

Todd Kaho
"More than halfway through the first day I was amazed at how seamless the driving performance felt. The engineers at Rentech said to expect a 1-2% reduction in fuel economy because this synthetic fuel is less energy dense than traditional diesel. That seemed about right in our early turns behind the wheel. At the same time, the government?s research shows RenDiesel can produce significantly improved emissions in cars like this."

Ron Cogan
"There seemed to be no difference in the driving. We still got the kick in the pants that helped convince us to name the Audi A3 as the 2010 Green Car of the Year. That?s the kind of experience I?ve come to expect from a well-engineered alternative vehicle ? once you settle into driving it you can?t notice any difference from any other driving experience. We got behind the wheel of a clean diesel car like this roaring along on an emerging alternative fuel and the light bulbs just go off. Then the challenge becomes an educational issue, where matters like politics and money come into play. But from a sheer driving standpoint, we?re already seeing convincing arguments for this technology.

Confirmed: Audi TT RS coming to America

Source: Audi of America

- High-performance sports coupe scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships by the third quarter of 2011
- ?Bring it to the U.S.? Facebook petition gathered 11,500+ signatures in just one month, including many likely buyers
- The Audi TT RS will achieve 360 hp, 0-62 mph time of 4.6 seconds

HERNDON, Va., - The hopes of American sports car enthusiasts will be realized. Audi announced today that it is bringing the 360-horsepower Audi TT RS coupe to the U.S. market by the third quarter of 2011.

The introduction of the Audi TT RS to the U.S. market has been under consideration for several months. To gauge consumer passion for the high-performance car, Audi launched an innovative survey on its Facebook tab. After more than 11,500 fans expressed their enthusiasm for the Audi TT RS in just one month, and the American automotive media praised its dynamics, Audi executives concluded the car?s time had come.

?With performance and agility rooted in Audi motorsports success, the TT RS is truly an emotional sports car,? explained Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. ?That emotion became abundantly clear as we explored interest across the country.?

Audi has not yet determined pricing for the Audi TT RS and will continue to define features and options available to U.S. consumers. Only the coupe version of the TT RS will be available in the U.S.

The Audi TT RS headed for America will share key performance attributes of the models sold in Europe and elsewhere. The car will come with the same, award-winning 2.5-liter TFSI, five-cylinder engine that generates 360 horsepower. The turbocharged engine also produces an impressive 332 lb-ft of torque. It was developed exclusively for the Audi TT RS and won International Engine of the Year honors this summer in judging for its category by 71 automotive journalists. The 2.5T engine will be paired with a six-speed manual transmission and quattro® all-wheel drive to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The lightweight body featuring Audi Space Frame ASF® aluminum construction produces a low drag coefficient of 0.32.

Ken Garff now on Facebook!

Check out our new fan page on Facebook: 
Search for Ken Garff Porsche Audi Volkswagen. 
Please let us and other people in the community know how we're doing so we can help other people find a perfect fit for their car!

Porsche sales figures rise slightly in the USA

US customers show great interest in the new Panamera

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, made some ground in January 2010 in the USA. With 1,786 vehicles sold, deliveries to customers in North America were 8 percent above last year's figures. Particularly good news from the company's perspective is the warm welcome that the new Panamera, which was launched on the US market in October 2009, has received from US customers. This January,
534 Gran Turismo models were delivered to customers in the USA.

Sales of the 911 model also made progress with 503 units sold. This corresponds to an increase of 13 percent compared to January 2009. However, 159 units from the Boxster family, to which the Cayman belongs, were sold to customers; this is 40 percent less than in the same reporting period last year. A total of 590 units of the sporty all-terrain vehicle Cayenne were also sold. Compared to the same month last year, this represents a life-cycle related decline by 38 percent.

Ken Garff Road to Success Literacy Program
The Ken Garff Automotive Group is committed to education and it's ability to influence individual lives, families, and communities. In conjunction with the Governor's Commission on Literacy, we are proud to present a dynamic reading program aimed to give teachers and parents a tool to encourage our young students to learn and improve their reading skills.
(click here for more information)



Ken Garff Keys to Success Program
The Governor's Office, in conjunction with Ken Garff Automotive Group, is pleased to announce its far-reaching incentive-based program for high-school students called "Keys to Success". This innovative program provides administrators, faculty, and staff members with the tools that will motivate students to achieve academic success.
(click here for more information)



Customer Reviews:



I had searched for my vehicle for two weeks online.  When I called and asked a salesperson about the car I saw, he was professional and got me a great deal.  It was easy to make a decision.  Rachel K, Provo UT

The people at Ken Garff were very professional and informative.  I couldn't be happier with how I was treated, and the respect they did give.  Mary-Ann S, Ogden UT

Even More Efficient, More Sporting and for the First Time with Hybrid Drive

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is presenting the brand-new generation of the Cayenne Sports Utility at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

The absolute highlight of this new generation is the world debut of the Cayenne S Hybrid with its technically highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive and fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle of just 8.2 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 34.4 mpg imp), which means
CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km. The Cayenne S Hybrid therefore combines the performance of an eight-cylinder with the economy of a six-cylinder running on much less fuel.

Led by the Cayenne S Hybrid, all models in the new generation are trendsetters in efficiency and performance in their respective segments. Compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by up to
23 per cent, since the new Cayenne, like every Porsche, has been developed according to the principle of "Porsche Intelligent Performance": more power on less fuel, greater efficiency and lower
CO2 emissions.

These objectives result, not least, from the introduction of the new Tiptronic S eightspeed automatic transmission with Auto Start Stop and a wide spread of gear ratios, thermal management on the engine and transmission cooling circuit, on-board network recuperation, variable engine cut-off and intelligent lightweight construction.

Thanks to its special combination of materials for optimum weight as well as changes in the overall concept of the vehicle such as the Cayenne's new active and extra-light all-wheel drive, weight is down for example on the Cayenne S by 180 kilos or 400 lb - despite the improvement of product substance and an even higher standard of safety. This clearly has very positive effects not just on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but also on performance, agility and handling.

Benefiting from these features and new technologies, the new Cayenne offers even more driving pleasure both onroad and offroad, combined with even greater everyday driving qualities, enhanced comfort and supreme elegance. The completely new, sporting and elegant design of the new model integrates the 2010 Cayenne even more closely into the overall range of Porsche cars. The sports car-like character of the Cayenne comes out even more from all angles, just as the highlights in the shape and design of the car so typical of Porsche are also clearer than ever before.

Extra space inside and greater variability is ensured by the wheelbase now 40 mm or almost 1.6" longer. In all, the new Cayenne is 48 mm or 1.9" longer than its predecessor. But despite its larger exterior dimensions, the new generation of the Cayenne is nevertheless far more compact and dynamic. The most significant eye-catcher within the brand-new, high-quality interior is the centre console rising up to the front with its upright selector or gearshift lever, giving the interior the typical character of a cockpit upfront. The rear-seat bench moves fore-and-aft by 160 millimetres or 6.3", with the backrest angle adjusting to three different settings.

Sales of the Cayenne in Europe are starting on 8 May, with Porsche offering the right model from the start for every customer: The range starts with the 3.6-litre V6 Cayenne. Despite the increase in engine power to 300 bhp, fuel consumption in the NEDC driving cycle in conjunction with optional eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission is down from the former model by no less than 20 per cent to 9.9 ltr/100 km, equal to 28.5 mpg imp.

The Cayenne Diesel with its 240 bhp (176 kW), 550 Newton-metre
(405 lb-ft) threelitre V6 likewise reduces fuel consumption by 20 per cent, down from 9.3 to 7.4 ltr/100 km (equal to 30.4 mpg imp now improving to 38.2 mpg imp).

Fuel consumption is also down significantly on the high-torque Cayenne S with its 4.8-litre V8 power unit, in this case by 23 per cent to
10.5 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.9 mpg imp). At the same time the new engine delivers 400 bhp maximum output instead of the former
385 bhp, offering significantly better performance, just like all models in the new generation of the Cayenne.

This also applies to the Cayenne Turbo, with its 500 bhp (368 kW) 4.8-litre V8 biturbo consuming just 11.5 ltr/100 km (equal to 27.6 mpg imp) in the New European Driving Cycle, again 23 per cent less than its predecessor (14.9 ltr/100 km or 19.0 mpg imp).

Together with the Cayenne S Hybrid, no less than three of the five versions of the Cayenne thus consume less than ten litres of fuel per
100 km in the New European Driving Cycle, with two models emitting less than 200 grams of CO2 per kilometre. At 193 g/km, the Cayenne S Hybrid is not only the cleanest version of the Cayenne with the lowest level of emissions, but also the cleanest Porsche throughout the Company's entire portfolio.

In the intelligent interaction of the three-litre supercharged V6 and the electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid focuses on maximum efficiency from the overall system. Depending on driving conditions, the vehicle reaches this target with either only one drive unit operating by itself or with both drive units working together. In this context the 34 kW (47 hp) electric motor is of course the ideal partner for the 333 hp compressor engine with its high torque at low speeds. Together, the two drive units deliver maximum system output of 380 bhp and peak torque of
580 Nm/427 lb-ft at just 1,000 rpm, with the same kind of performance as the Cayenne S with its V8 power unit.

The two drive units are connected to one another by a separator clutch masterminded by the Hybrid Manager. Indeed, this separator clutch is essential to run the Cayenne S Hybrid either on its electric motor or combustion engine alone, or with both drive units operating together. Given a reserved, moderate style of motoring, for example in a residential area, this allows the driver to cover short distances on electric power alone and therefore absolutely free of emissions and with hardly any noise, driving at a speed of up to 60 km/h or almost 40 mph.

To ensure fast acceleration when setting off, the electric motor may however serve to provide additional thrust through its boosting effect. Intelligent management of the separator clutch makes the transition among the hybrid-specific driving modes most inconspicuous, comfortable and quick for the driver. At the same time the combustion engine may be completely switched off at speeds of up to 156 km/h or
97 mph, being fully disengaged from the drivetrain when no further power is required. In this socalled sailing mode, cruising along without power, the drag forces exerted by the combustion engine and their braking effect are eliminated in the interest of lower drive resistance and fuel consumption.

Snow, ice, and an all-wheel slide -- the recent Fascination of quattro event showcased the many benefits of Audi's legendary all-wheel-drive system with some of our latest quattro models.  Have you ever pushed an Audi to the limit?  Watch these quattro enthusiasts do just that and then share your store here - http://audi.us/30quattro

Looking to buy a new car for your teen? While the first car for a new driver doesn?t need to be expensive, but it?s a really bad idea to think that $500 beater is a smart choice to put your child in.

Lucky for you Consumer Reports has put together a list of models that are readily available with the recommended safety equipment and have performed well in safety-related tests.

?All are Consumer Reports recommended vehicles, meaning that they scored well in our testing and have had average or better reliability,? Consumer Reports said. ?They also have sufficient acceleration to merge onto busy highways, good brakes, and scored well in emergency handling.?

Also the list features models that are readily available for less than $12,000.

Check out the list and a video about the Best Cars for Teens after the jump.

2011 Best Cars for Teens:

• Acura TSX (2004 or later)
• Ford Focus sedan (2009 or later)
• Hyundai Sonata (2006 or later)
• Hyundai Elantra SE (2008 or later)
• Mazda3 Touring (2007 or later)
• Scion xB (2008 or later)
• Volkswagen Jetta (2007 or later)
• Volkswagen Rabbit (2007 or later)

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Consumer Reports