Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept Wins Award
It wasn’t long ago that the Volkswagen BUDD-e was revealed as the future of VW. There was a wide range of opinions on the look and philosophy of this SUV-minivan-electric car mash-up. Well, it seems that the critics have voiced their opinions in favor of the concept vehicle because they named it the “2016 Concept Truck of the Year” at the recent North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards.
The Director of Product Marketing at Volkswagen of America, Dr. Hendrik Muth, commented: “We are thrilled that the BUDD-e has been honored as 2016 Concept Truck of the Year and would like to thank the panel of judges for recognizing Volkswagen’s innovation. We are determined to lead the future of automotive design, and BUDD-e shows the capabilities of our all-new electric vehicle architecture and further advances connectivity and infotainment.”
The BUDD-e also won the “Interior Design of the Year Award” at the recent Automotive Interiors Expo 2016 show.
Ayre, James. “Volkswagen BUDD-e Electric Microbus Concept Wins “2016 Concept Truck Of The Year Award”.” CleanTechnica. CleanTechnica, 05 Aug. 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2016.
Test Driving Tips
A potential customer comes in for a test drive, we hand them the keys, and they are back in less than 15 minutes. We see it all the time! A test drive shouldn’t just be about driving the car, it is also about making sure it fits your daily needs and lifestyle. With some help from Kelley Blue book, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions you might want to consider the next time you come into King Volkswagen for a test drive.
- Drive it. – No, really. Drive it and take note of how you interact with the car and how it runs. Register the interior noise level of the vehicle when you are on the highway versus city streets. Put the driver’s seat in your ideal position. Check your mirrors and their visibility. Carefully check the brakes to make sure you’d feel confident stopping abruptly if you needed too. If you can’t test drive the car at night, drive somewhere darker (like under a bridge or in a tunnel) to test the headlights, high beams, and fog lights. Bring the car to a parking lot and try parking a few different ways to see how easy or hard it is to maneuver into and out of a space. Drive the car on city streets, neighborhood roads, and the highway as cars handle differently at different speeds.
- Play with the features. – Not every day is going to exhibit the exact conditions of the day you take your test drive so make sure to test the features that aren’t necessarily “in season.” Move the sun visor around to see the coverage you’ll get. Blast the air conditioner and heat fans to see how powerful and loud they are. Turn up the radio to assess the sound quality and to make sure your favorite radio station comes in clear. Adjust the brightness of any interior lights or infotainment screens.
- Test everything. – And we mean everything! Bring one of your favorite coffee mugs and make sure it fits in the cup holders. Pair your phone to the Bluetooth and test out the voice recognition. Bring a friend or family member and have them sit in the front and back to assess the comfort level and seat space. If you have a child, bring their stroller and car seat to make sure they fit in the cargo spaces and the back seats. Bring your phone cords and charging cords and make sure they fit in the snug spaces outlets are located.
Kelley Blue Book. “14 Things You Should Do to Get the Most out of a Test Drive (Paid Content by Kelley Blue Book).” Mashable. Mashable, 08 Aug. 2016. Web. 10 Aug. 2016.
Common Car Smells Demystified
Most drivers aren’t mechanics. So when your car starts emitting a funny smell our first instinct is to bring the vehicle to a shop. In most cases, that’s a great idea, but sometimes an unusual smell is just a way for your car to tell you to ease up on the brakes or give it a good cleaning or airing out. Below are six common smells that will be helpful to add to your basic car knowledge.
Burning Oil – This smell is very distinct and is often accompanied by a thick smoke. A burning oil smell is typically caused when oil drips on part of the exhaust system. Get rid of the leak and the smell should go away.
Musty – A musty odor is caused by water that is collecting inside your vehicle and allowing mold or mildew to grow. Check for damp floor mats or upholstery and let your car air out on the next nice day.
Acrid – The source of an acrid (harsh burning) smell is usually burnt brake material. If you smell this smell make sure that your parking brake is off and be mindful that you aren’t pressing on the brakes and gas at the same time.
Gasoline – If you smell gasoline, and you didn’t just fill up at the gas station, it’s likely that there is a leak in the fuel line or bad fuel pressure. Get your vehicle looked at as soon as possible so you don’t put yourself or anyone else in any danger with this flammable liquid.
Sweet – Unless you just picked up a dozen doughnuts for the office, a sweet smell is not something you usually associate with your car. Check the pavement under your parked car for a puddle of antifreeze as the heater core may be leaking.
Sulfur – Just like burning oil, sulfur is a pretty distinctive smell. If you smell rotten eggs, bring your car in for a checkup as the catalytic converter may need repairing.
If you smell any of these smells or something not covered on the list, bring your vehicle into King Volkswagen and let us take a look!
Laukkonen, Jeremy. “Seven Reasons Your Car Stinks.” About.com Autos. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 29 July 2016.
If you are a Volkswagen enthusiast and also a fan of driving convertibles then the 2016 Beetle Convertible is the perfect model to fit both of your loves. We now have this all-new model available right here at King Volkswagen and we invite all of our customers from Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, and Germantown, MD to stop by and take it out for a test drive. Soon you will also be able to read all about the details of each of the different trim level options through our new Research & Review page. This page will provide you with an in-depth look at the specifications of this vehicle to help you feel more informed about your options. Our sales team will be happy to answer any further questions that you may have.
Volkswagen Class Action Settlement Information
As you may have heard a few months ago, Volkswagen had issues dealing with the emissions of its diesel-powered engines. Volkswagen has been notified of the proposed settlement terms and we want to inform our customers of their options. These settlement terms have not gone through final approval so please be mindful that terms and conditions may change.
If these proposed settlements are approved, Volkswagen has agreed to buy back, terminate leases, or provide approved emissions modifications to models that were affected. They may also be asked to provide cash payments to owners/lessees, pay for remediation for the environment, and promote zero-emissions technology for vehicles in the future.
To see if you or your vehicle qualify for restitution please visit the website below. We thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter and look forward to continuing our relationship with our drivers.
Visit https://www.vwcourtsettlement.com/en/ for more details.
Remember when we told you that we would be releasing a new Research & Review page for the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle? Well good news because this new page is now officially available on our website. You can now browse through this page for a detailed overview on each of the three trim levels and all of the standard and available performance, safety and convenience features. Afterwards, stop by King Volkswagen and take a test drive.
A few of the features that are offered on this vehicle include Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Crash-Optimized Front End, Brake Override System, 50/50-Split Folding Rear Seat, Easy Entry System, Front Comfort Seats, Heated Front Seats, Rearview Camera System, and more.
Learn even more by reading the full page.
Time Is Running Out On Our July Specials!
July is almost over and with it comes the end of our new vehicle specials for the month. Our associates here at King Volkswagen will be happy to get you behind the wheel of a vehicle that suits your personality and your needs. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting a Jetta, Tiguan, e-Golf, or Passat to get you through the rest of the summer, visit 979 N Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg, MD 20879 today for the best selection.
Volkswagen Helps West Virginia Flood Victims
In light of the recent devastating floods that have affected West Virginia, the Volkswagen Group of America Foundation has donated $50,000 to the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD). VW has also pledged to match any donations made by employees to the cause. This generous amount will be divided up among WV VOAD’s services to help families and community members who need shelter, food, construction assistance, animal care, and other aid.
If you are interested in making your own donation please visit https://wvvoad.communityos.org/cms/home. That website is also one to use if you, friends, or family members affected by the floods need assistance.
“VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA FOUNDATION DONATES $50,000 TO AID WEST VIRGINIA FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS.” Volkswagen Media Centre. US Media Newsroom, 18 July 2016. Web. 19 July 2016.
2016 VW CC Research & Review Page Live
We are happy to announce that our Research & Review page on the 2016 Volkswagen CC is now live on our website. We suggest that our Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda and Germantown, MD take a moment to read it through before coming in for a test drive. You’ll find information on trim levels, safety features, and engine options. You can also start the financing process from the comfort of your own home with our pre-approval application.
A few standard convenience and safety features on the 2016 VW CC are Side Curtain Protection® Head Airbags, Reinforced Safety Cage Construction, Trunk Loading Edge Protection, Sport Suspension, and Heated Side Mirrors with Integrated Turn Signals. To learn more, head over to our new page!
Are you interested in hearing all about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R? If so we have good news! The Research & Review page that we told you was going to be released on this vehicle is now available. You can now read up on everything about this vehicle and then head over to King Volkswagen to see it in person and take it out for a test drive.
This page will tell you all about the two different trim level options available for this vehicle including the 292 horsepower 2.0T Four-Cylinder TSI® Engine that powers both trims and all of the safety and convenience features that come included on each. Some of these features are Intelligent Crash Response System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Bluetooth® Technology with Audio Streaming, Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers, Rearview Camera System, and Heated Front Seats.
Check out the full page to learn even more!
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
- When You Know, You Know: The Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R Earn 2026 Car and Driver 10Best Honors
- Discover King Volkswagen’s Monthly Offers on New 2026 Models
- Get More From Your VW in 2026: Why the myVW App Is Your New Must-Have
- Extended Savings: Exclusive Lease and Finance Offers at King Volkswagen
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz Named Top Minivan in 2025 J.D. Power APEAL Study: Family Cars Don’t Have to Be Boring