Volkswagen is making an ID. Promise, by giving its retail electric car customers between 80 and 100 days after collection to ‘drive and decide’.

The ID. Promise drive and decide offer provides complete peace of mind for anyone uncertain about switching to electric. It means people can return their cars if for any reason they change their minds or find an electric vehicle (EV) doesn’t suit their lifestyle needs – although the latest Road to 2030 Report by Autotrader reveals that EV buyers love their cars, and four in five will likely purchase another EV for their next car.

The ID. Promise offer starts 3 November and lasts until 31 March 2026. Any retail customer purchasing a new Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7 or ID.7 Tourer can take advantage of the offer, whether they are cash buyers or using a personal contract plan (PCP) from Volkswagen Financial Services to fund their purchases.

The window of time in which people can return vehicles is 80 to 100 days from the point that they take delivery of their new cars. They just need to inform their Retailer, who will then arrange a refund minus a three-per-cent fixed usage charge and the cost to repair any damage or modifications to the cars since they were handed over.

Motability, contract hire, fleet and ex-demonstrator purchases are excluded from the offer. Full terms and conditions are on the Volkswagen.co.uk website.

“Official figures show more than 1.3 million UK motorists have already converted to electric, and time and time again our customers tell us they would never go back to petrol or diesel having made the move,” said Rod McLeod, Director of Volkswagen UK. “But there are many more people who want to go electric but feel unsure. This straightforward initiative gives them the perfect opportunity to ‘drive and decide’ with no strings attached.”

Euro NCAP ratings place all Volkswagen ID. models among the top-performing electric vehicles in terms of safety, and they have secured an impressive list of awards including Best Family Car at the GQ Car Awards (for the ID.3), Best Saloon at the Autocar Awards (ID.7) and World Car of the Year (ID.4).

Article source: www.vwpress.co.uk

Connectivity can make driving a car safer, more convenient and more efficient. The production of more than two million Volkswagen models with Car2X for Europe is therefore an important step towards fewer road traffic accidents. The vehicles networked via Car2X use the principle of local swarm intelligence and can communicate both with each other and with the local traffic infrastructure in real time. In critical situations, the traffic hazard alert assist system can then display a warning message in the digital cockpit to vehicle occupants. The system is available in numerous Volkswagen models – partly as standard, partly as optional equipment.

With the large number of Car2X capable vehicles, direct communication between vehicles and infrastructure can take place in milliseconds, without the need for mobile network reception. The associated increase in information density permits timely warnings and reactions in situations where fast transmission is important, for example, in the event of emergency braking, a suddenly approaching end of a traffic queue or nearing emergency vehicles. Connectivity with surrounding infrastructure is also gaining in importance: for example, intelligent roadside units can send specific warning messages to vehicles about various traffic events – such as wrong-way drivers and traffic jams, people, animals and objects on the road – and about unusual weather events.

Veronica Lehr, Head of Driver Assist Systems in Volkswagen’s Development department: “With the increasing use of Car2X, road traffic can become more cooperative and anticipatory in many areas. The technology is therefore a key component for our ‘Vision Zero’ – traffic without serious accidents. In addition, Volkswagen is laying the foundation for the mobility of the future, which is set to be safer, intelligent and connected.”

Communication with intelligent traffic infrastructure. Across Europe, increasing investments are being made in Car2X equipment for transport infrastructure. For example, Autobahn GmbH in Germany has already equipped over 1,000 roadworks trailers with Car2X-technology. In Austria, roadside units are now in place throughout the motorway network. Countries such as Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia have likewise already installed a large number of roadside units and equipped emergency and special vehicles. In addition, breakdown services also use the technology to share information with Car2X-enabled road users within a range of up to 800 metres. Road operators and rescue services see this as a milestone in the prevention of accidents and the safety of their staff on the roads. For example, if a fire service vehicle is equipped with Car2X, other compatible road users can see from which direction the emergency service vehicle is approaching by means of a corresponding warning. The volume of the infotainment system in the car receiving the warning can also be reduced if necessary. 

Assist systems can be even better. In addition, Car2X opens up new possibilities for innovative assist systems designed to make driving even more convenient and efficient in the future. Even today, Car2X already functions as a virtual sensor that supplements the on-board vehicle sensors and can support the driver assist systems in the vehicle. After receiving corresponding information, the optional Travel Assist with ACC can reduce the vehicle’s speed within the system limits even if the end of a traffic queue is not yet visible, for example. For assisted lane changes on motorways, Car2X information can be used to control acceleration in a more convenient manner. In the future, bicycles, motorcycles and other road users such as trucks and buses could also be networked. Among other things, Volkswagen is a member of the Coalition for Cyclist Safety, a consortium of leading names from the automotive, bicycle and technology industries. Founded in 2023, the initiative aims to further increase safety for cyclists by integrating them into the technological ecosystem.

Car2X technology at a glance. The Car2X direct communication in Volkswagen models is based on the Wi-Fi p standard. With the help of this technology, vehicles can exchange warnings, location data and other information in real time within a radius of up to 800 m. The notification exchange process is open and standardised, enabling communication across manufacturers. To protect privacy, the notifications are anonymised. In addition, the primary user must activate Car2X in the Infotainment system. The transmission of information is free of charge, as it does not take place over the mobile network. The traffic hazard alert assist system with Car2X-technology is currently available as an option in the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tayron, Passat, ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 models and is equipped as standard in the ID.7.

Technical innovations for a broad target group. The prestigious Centre of Automotive Management (CAM) has awarded the Volkswagen brand the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2025 as the most innovative volume brand. According to CAM, Volkswagen impresses with its wide-ranging innovations at a high technological level, with the areas of electric mobility and connectivity being highlighted in particular.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the GTI next year. An exclusive model is being launched in time for the anniversary: the Golf GTI EDITION 50. With an output of 239 kW (325 PS) and a torque of 420 Nm, it is the most powerful production GTI to date. The compact sports car reaches its top speed at 270 km/h. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The anniversary model also impresses with outstanding driving dynamics and exclusive equipment details. The Golf GTI EDITION 50 can be ordered now, with prices starting at 54,540 euros.

GTI – these three letters have characterised Volkswagen for nearly 50 years and create excitement and even cult status worldwide. More than 2.5 million GTI models have been produced worldwide since the first Golf GTI in 1976 – and this success story now continues with the anniversary model as an additional highlight. This is because the new Golf GTI EDITION 50 is the fastest and most powerful GTI production model to date. With an output of 239 kW (325 PS), the Golf GTI EDITION 50 now offers 18 kW (25 PS) more power than the Golf GTI Clubsport, which was previously the most powerful production GTI. A MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear axle form the basic layout of the chassis. Overall, the anniversary model is 15 mm lower than a classic Golf, with the standard model already featuring DCC adaptive suspension control on 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels.

The optional EDITION 50 GTI Performance package. The more sportily inclined can upgrade the standard equipment of the anniversary model with the optional GTI Performance package. This includes 235 mm Potenza Race semi-slicks from Bridgestone on 19-inch Warmenau forged wheels, a lightweight R-Performance exhaust system with rear silencers in titanium and a new Performance chassis lowered by another five millimetres for even more driving dynamics. The camber at the front axle was increased to -2 degrees on this sportily tuned chassis. The package makes the anniversary model up to around 30 kg lighter. Racing professional Benjamin Leuchter confirmed the potential of the anniversary model with the optional EDITION 50 GTI Performance package on the 20.832 km long Nürburgring Nordschleife in April 2025: in a time of 07:46:13 minutes, the Volkswagen test and development driver drove the fastest lap ever completed in a production Golf on the circuit known as the ‘Green Hell’.

Exclusive anniversary equipment with a motorsport touch. The anniversary model features numerous exclusive design highlights. These are reflected, for example, in the check-patterned sporty seats with dark green details and red seat belts. The multifunction leather sports steering wheel with 50 Years GTI badge and integrated shift paddles for the seven-speed DSG also conveys a racing feel.

On the exterior, the GTI 50 logo is placed on the roof spoiler and the insides of the exterior mirrors. Other exclusive features include special trim on the door sills, a roof with black paintwork, black exterior mirror housings and black tailpipe trims on the exhaust system. A striking side stripe on the side members with a colour gradient from Black to Tornado Red additionally emphasises the sporty character.

Five exterior colours are available: in addition to Pure White, options to choose from are Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black metallic and – exclusively for the anniversary model – Dark Moss Green metallic and Tornado Red.

The prices for the Golf GTI EDITION 50 start at 54,540 euros (in Germany). Compared with the Golf GTI Clubsport, the anniversary model offers more power, a higher top speed and exclusive design features as standard. Furthermore, the standard equipment includes DCC adaptive chassis control, IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, 19-inch Queenstown alloy wheels (with red glaze varnish and dynamic GTI hub caps), a black-painted roof and darkened side/rear windows. The optional GTI Performance package EDITION 50 can be ordered for 4,200 euros. Other optional highlights comprise the exclusive exterior colours Dark Moss Green metallic and Tornado Red as well as the heated multifunction sports steering wheel in ArtVelours microfibre with shift paddles. The first vehicles are scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026.

01. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - combined energy consumption: 7.9-7.6 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 179-173 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F

02. Golf GTI - combined energy consumption: 7.3-7.0 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 166-160 g/km; CO₂ class: F

03. Golf GTI Clubsport - combined energy consumption: 7.6-7.3 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 174-166 g/km; CO₂ class: F

04. Golf GTI EDITION 50 - Combined energy consumption: 7.9-7.6 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 179-173 g/km; CO₂ class: G-F

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Volkswagen and Walt Disney Animation Studios have announced a special collaboration for the release of “Zootopia 2,” in theaters Nov 26th. The highlight of the collaboration is the appearance of three custom-animated vehicles in the film inspired by the all-electric Volkswagen models ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7 Tourer. The product placement is part of a new 360 campaign from Volkswagen, that will be rolled out globally.

Ahead of the film’s theatrical release in November, Volkswagen have released their co-branded campaign commercial. The 30-second spot builds anticipation for the new animated adventure and shows the Volkswagen models with a ‘Zootopified’ look to match the film as well as featuring Gazelle’s new song. The spot will run in theaters, on TV and across social media worldwide.

Part of the charm of “Zootopia” lies in its humorous reflection of our own world, from the characters’ human-like personalities to the animal-pun parodies of well-known brands. In “Zootopia 2,” audiences will see Volkswagen represented as ‘Wolfswagen’ in the movie, a tongue-in-cheek homage to the brand’s headquarters in Wolfsburg.

Christine Wolburg, Chief Brand Officer of Volkswagen, says: “Cooperation plays an important role when it comes to effectively implementing emotional storytelling for the Volkswagen brand and reaching new customer groups. ‘Zootopia 2’ shows how important it is to question prejudices and break new ground together in an entertaining way; these are values that Volkswagen also embodies. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Walt Disney Animation Studios to ‘Zootopify’ our brand in the film in a perfectly funny way.”

Volkswagen has collaborated with The Walt Disney Studios on several occasions, including working with the Star Wars series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and with Marvel Studios on the film “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” as part of the ID. Buzz market launch.

The advertising campaign is designed differently by Volkswagen companies depending on the country and includes various measures. In Germany, for example, the brand is using the campaign to promote attractive leasing offers for the Golf, ID.7 Tourer, and T-Cross.

About “ZOOTOPIA 2”
In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia 2,” rookie cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake (voice of Ke Huy Quan) arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. The film also features the voices of Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Alan Tudyk, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake and Shakira, who returns as Gazelle. From the Oscar®-winning team of Disney Animation chief creative officer Jared Bush and Byron Howard (directors) and Yvett Merino (producer), “Zootopia 2” opens in theaters Nov. 26.

The all-new original song “Zoo” is performed by Shakira, who returns as the voice of Zootopia’s biggest pop star, Gazelle.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com