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3 Reasons to Love the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI

A woman behind the wheel of a luxurious, comfortable, and refined Volkswagen Golf GTI

Many vehicles are marketed as "drivers' cars," but none deserve that title more than "hot hatches." These compact, performance-tuned hatchbacks combine smaller dimensions and powerful engines for unbelievable agility and soul-snatching power, a key reason why most rally cars are hot hatches. The Volkswagen Golf GTI was the first hatchback to earn the "hot hatch" moniker, and the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI goes out of its way to prove why it remains the undisputed king of hot hatches. Let’s explore three irresistible attributes of the 2024 Golf GTI.

Ferocious Power and Handling

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI is an absolute beast, flaunting a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four under the hood. Generating a tremendous 241 HP and 273 pound-feet of torque, the GTI only needs 5 seconds to go from zero to 60. In addition to blistering speed, the GTI boasts sharp reflexes and extraordinary athleticism thanks to the combination of an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and brake-based torque vectoring, ensuring unlimited traction, stability, and grip to allow you to safely make tight turns at the drop of a dime.

The sport-tuned chassis works in harmony with the available adaptive suspension dampers to ensure the GTI provides you with a smooth and responsive ride at all times. This system uses sensors that measure the car's movements and adjust its character accordingly, becoming soft and giving during everyday driving, and firm, sturdy, and precise during spirited drives.

Spacious and Upscale Interior

With nearly 100 cubic feet of passenger volume, 20 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat, and thanks to a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a maximum of 35 cubic feet of cargo space, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is practical to a T! It can easily accommodate five tall adults.

In addition to being tremendously roomy, the GTI sports an upscale interior adorned with all kinds of luxurious amenities to ensure a first-class riding experience. Depending on the trim, the GTI can come with premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power front seats, heated rear seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, rear seat climate control, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, customizable ambient lighting, a sunroof, and a 9-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.

Lots of Advanced Technology

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is fitted with an array of cutting-edge tech to not only make it safer, but to also increase its convenience. For your digital convenience, you get an available 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There's also available SiriusXM satellite radio and an in-built navigation system.

The list of driver-assist technologies the GTI comes with is seemingly endless to ensure your safety is always assured. They include adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, lane-keeping assistance, forward and rear collision mitigation, blind-spot intervention, high-beam assist, and even autonomous self-parking!

Would you like to get behind the wheel of this fiery little beast? Contact us today at Auffenberg Volkswagen in Shiloh, IL to schedule a VIP test drive and expert consultation.

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Trim Levels of the 2024 Volkswagen 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

With its spacious cabin and smooth ride, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is the best way to get you, your crew, and your gear to your destination in comfort and style. And with plenty of standard advanced safety and entertainment features, you'll enjoy the ride even more. The Atlas is available in six trim levels to customize features to your needs; keep reading to find out what each trim level offers. more 1. SE The 2024 VW Atlas entry SE comes packed with standard features like 18-inch alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating, and heated and ventilated front seats. Climatronic three-zone automatic climate control lets driver, front passenger, and rear passengers each choose their own climate settings for customized comfort. Keyless access lets you open all five doors and start the Atlas without ever taking your key out of your pocket or purse. The Atlas's large 12-inch center display keeps you connected to your car's audio systems and seamlessly integrates with your compatible smartphone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. And standard IQ.DRIVE includes a long list of safety and driver assist technologies, like Front Assist, which can warn you of a potential forward collision and apply the brakes automatically. 2. SE with Technology On this trim level, you'll find upgrades like 20-inch alloy wheels, a trailer hitch, and two extra USB-C fast-charging ports (for a total of six). Convenience features like remote start and a Hands-free Easy Open remote power rear liftgate are added as well. Front and rear Park Distance Control warns drivers when they're approaching an obstacle, and a 115V power outlet keeps your devices powered up on any adventure. 3. Peak Edition SE with Technology The Peak Edition SE with Technology gets added capability with 18-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires, and Peak Edition bumpers with lower side cladding. The interior gets unique styling that extends to the V-Tex leatherette seats, and adds multicolor adjustable ambient lighting. A power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof gives both front and rear passengers a view of the outdoors. 4. SEL Comfort features get an upgrade on the SEL, with leather seating and 8-way power-adjustable front seats with driver seat memory. This trim level also gets tech features like navigation and a head-up display that can project information onto the windshield. Adaptive Cruise Control is also included, which can adjust your vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance on the highway. 5. Peak Edition SEL This edition includes Peak Edition SE with Technology features, like a panoramic sunroof and Peak Edition styling cues. It also includes many of the SEL's comfort and tech features, like navigation, head-up display, and power-adjustable front seats with driver seat memory. 6. SEL Premium R-Line From the SEL Premium R-Line's exterior, you'll immediately notice the exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels and unique R-Line styling. Inside, passengers are treated to Vienna leather seating surfaces, heated second-row seats, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system. If you'd like to learn more about the Atlas and its available trim levels, call or visit us at Auffenberg Volkswagen in Shiloh, IL. We have a great selection of new Volkswagen vehicles and a friendly and knowledgeable sales staff ready to assist you with a test drive and demonstration.

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Recognizing When It's Time for Transmission Service for Your Volkswagen

Your Volkswagen transmission features hundreds of moving parts that rely on friction to function. The constant motion of these parts also increases your transmission's temperature. Because of the frequent exposure to friction and heat, your transmission needs regular maintenance at your Volkswagen dealer. Here are some signs that you need to take your VW in for transmission service. more Incorrect Gear If your vehicle does not move as expected once you switch it into a specific gear, it might have one or more issues. You should get your car checked to see if there are problems with its shifter, shifter cable, valve body, or fluid levels. This issue is dangerous to yourself, your passengers, and other drivers, as you may accelerate when you want to decelerate or vice versa Noises in Neutral Your gears should shift silently. When you hear unusual noises while switching gears, your torque converter is likely to have been affected. This converter is the part of your transmission that connects to the engine. It uses transmission fluid to transfer the engine power to the transmission gears, allowing your car to move. High Revving/Slipping Fluid leakage, water infiltration, contamination, and wear and tear of transmission components can lead to high revving and slipping. Regardless of the cause of this issue, you will need to service your transmission quickly to keep your vehicle functioning. Delayed Shifts If your car takes more time than usual to shift into another gear, your transmission might have a problem. To keep yourself safe and prevent engine damage, you should get this checked out. Fluid Leak VWs need different fluids to run correctly so that any leakage may cause trouble. Your transmission fluid is either red or brown. If it’s brown, or you see puddles of red or brown fluid on the ground, then you need service. If you are uncertain if your car is leaking fluid, leave a piece of cardboard or paper under it overnight. Any fluid that leaks will be apparent in the morning. Missing Gears If your vehicle misses certain gears, you should take it in for service before it experiences further damage. Missing gears are a definite sign that you’re having serious transmission troubles. Burning Smell The smell of burning rubber suggests that your gears might be grinding against each other or that fluid is dripping onto the engine and overheating. Instead of trying to determine the source of the smell yourself, you should take it to the dealership for maintenance. Shakes/Jolts Your gear changes should always be smooth and silent. If you notice any shaking, kicking, or jerking when you change gears, don't wait! Take it in for maintenance before the problem gets worse. Overall, there are many signs that your car's transmission needs service. If you're a Volkswagen owner in or around Shiloh, IL, visit Auffenberg Volkswagen today to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape!

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Four Innovative Features of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

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