by Chek Digital | Apr 1, 2019 | car service, Volkswagen
Camping, caravanning, glamping and now ‘vanlife’. The latest trend is to travel with your van and share the photos on Instagram. Volkswagen is perfectly positioned to join the ‘vanlife’ movement. Our Volkswagen Service team are enjoying the latest phenomenon combining Volkswagen and travel.
The new Volkswagen marketing strategy is seeing Australians post pics on social media (@vwvanlife). The Caddy Beach (the Volkswagen Camper) is perfectly on trend with the movement towards simple living and minimalism.
Volkswagen Caddy Van
The Volkswagen Caddy Van is versatile and adaptable – not only can it be kitted out for travellers, but it is often a great workhorse for businesses. Every type of business can benefit from having a purpose-built Volkswagen Caddy Van – whether you’re a florist or a plumber – the Caddy Van can be made to fit your purpose.
Caddy Van Variants
- 2-seater Caddy Van
- Caddy Van Maxi
- 5-seater Caddy Maxi Crewvan
Safety First
The Volkswagen Caddy Van is equipped with all the latest safety features. Our Volkswagen Service team is happy to see the inclusion of Driver Fatigue Detection technology. Many people using the Caddy Van will be driving long distances and the driver fatigue detection technology will evaluate steering movements and warn the driver with an alarm if it detects fatigue.
Other safety features will include airbags, front assist emergency brake, adaptive cruise control and multi-collision braking.
Personalise your Caddy
The best part of the Volkswagen Caddy is that you can choose from a range of accessories and adapt it to suit your needs – and it’s affordable. This is why it has become a very popular choice for adventurers who want to park and stay while exploring our beautiful country.
Volks Affair
Volks Affair specialises in car service and repair of popular European Auto brands. We service BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen. We are fully trained and licenced and provide personal and professional service. Conveniently located in South Melbourne, we welcome both new and returning customers.
by Chek Digital | Feb 15, 2019 | Car Maintenance, car service, Volkswagen
Our Volkswagen mechanics in South Melbourne regularly service and repair VW Golfs. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the most popular hatchbacks amongst Aussie car buyers. The endurance of the Golf brand is a testament to its functionality and style. There was, however, talk of the next generation Golf GTI going hybrid but Herbert Diess, the Volkswagen Group Chairman, has revealed this is not the case.
The Future of Volkswagen’s Golf GTI
The new Golf GTI is expected to unveil in Germany in September 2019 (set for sale in 2020) but it will not be the hybrid everyone was expecting, it will rather be sticking with its petrol engine which will be tweaked for better performance. This popular car is known for its decent fuel economy and well-liked for its sporty take on the VW Golf. It’s latest unveiling will uphold its place as a benchmark amongst sporty performance-focused hatchbacks. It will still come with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and front wheel drive. All the expected safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear-traffic alert and forward collision warning will be offered. Fans of the Golf GTI are happy to hear this news and Volkswagen looks set to keep its enthusiastic fan base happy.
Volks Affair
Our Volkswagen Mechanics in South Melbourne specialise in the service and repair of VWs. We are an independent dealership alternative – we offer competitive pricing and have all the latest diagnostic equipment. Our friendly and highly skilled VW mechanics are here to assist you. We offer transparent pricing, expert advice and great customer service. We welcome all new and returning customers. If you’d like to make a booking, you can use our online booking system to secure a spot; if you have questions or need advice then don’t hesitate to give us a call.
by Chek Digital | Nov 2, 2018 | car history, Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Service Team at Volks Affair takes a look at one of the most popular models of Volkswagen – the Golf.
1970s – The Volkswagen Golf is Born
Even the Pope owned a Golf – this was Volkswagen’s replacement for the Beetle. The Golf was the new generation of ‘people’s car’. It was meant as a classless, affordable car for everybody. And that’s what it became. Its popularity took off and Volkswagen again proved to know what people were looking for in a car. The small rectangular hatchback – Mark 1 model – was just the right combination of fun, affordability and utilitarianism. In 1976 they launched the GTI edition and a convertible version for those who could afford to spend a little bit extra.
1983 – Golf Mark 2 Hits the Market
This update saw the Volkswagen Golf get a little roomier. The look stayed similar – still rectangular but with some updated technology. By 1988 it had sold more than 10 million.
1991 – Golf Mark 3 Shape Shifts
Not so boxy anymore – Volkswagen gave this Model a rounder look and enhanced safety features. The 1990s were seeing a rise in car safety standards – the Golf introduced front airbags to its line and ABS become a standard feature by 1996. The Golf TDI or turbo diesel direct-injection Golf became popular and was the first compact car to have this feature.
1997 – Golf Mark 4 Makes a Slick Debut
Modern, up-to-date and still popular, the Golf 4 rounded their shape some more and future models still have this recognisable design.
2003 – Golf Mark 5 Modernised Further
Keeping its shape the Golf Mark 5 increased the cargo volume and slightly improved the size of the interior. Unfortunately, it faced criticism that the interior seemed cheap.
2008 – Golf Mark 6 Safety First
The Mark 6 improved safety technology and included 7 standard airbags. It received a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. It also addressed the previous critiques of a cheap interior and improved the quality.
2012 – Golf Mark 7 Proving the Volkswagen Brand Stands the Test of Time
Still popular and still going strong. Our Volkswagen Service Team at Volks Affair in Melbourne are keen to service all types of this popular people’s car. Give us a call and book your service today.
by Chek Digital | Oct 31, 2018 | car history, Volkswagen
I guess you could say it’s the end of an era. Volkswagen has announced they will stop production of the iconic VW Beetle in 2019.
I have great memories of roaring around town as a child in my mum’s VW Beetle. Roaring is certainly the right word to describe the loud rear-engine bug of a car. Any conversation had to be yelled over the noise of the engine coming in through our open windows. Hot summer days meant we’d stick to the leather seats and have to peel ourselves out of the car once we’d reached our destination. In fact, the seats were so low, my mum needed a cushion to see over the steering wheel. Those were the days!
Volkswagen’s Beetle: The Great ‘People’s Car’
The Beginning
The Beetle started its life in Germany in the 1930s – the vision, as commanded by Adolf Hitler, was to produce a cheap car that could be mass produced and sold to the German people. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche (yes, the founder of the Porsche car company).
The outbreak of World War II saw the commercial production of the Beetle stopped – only 210 had been made. Through the war, a few variants were produced for the military elite, but an air raid damaged the factory and all production halted in 1944.
Mass Production Begins
Post-war the British took over the damaged factory. Instead of destroying it, a strategic thinking British Army Officer, Major Ivan Hirst, realised that the factory might benefit both the British and the war-torn Germans. There was a desperate need for jobs in Germany and the British Army needed vehicles. He got the factory running again and saw that the British Army approved the commission of 20 000 cars. This new outlet of cheap cars quickly led to the establishment of sales and export networks across Europe and by 1955 the one-millionth car rolled off the production line.
‘The Bug’ steals our hearts
As they say, the rest is history. The Beetle, affectionately known as ‘The Bug’, is a car that has many stories to tell. It helped Germany promote a more positive image after the war and it afforded many a student and young family a means of transport. Its enduring popularity and iconic status are a testimony to our fondness for this fun, little car. It will be missed but definitely not forgotten!
Fun Facts
- The original Beetle stayed in production for 6 decades.
- A jaw-dropping 21 529 464 Beetles have been produced
- It’s the most-manufactured car of a single platform ever
- It was voted the 4th most influential Car of the 20th Century in 1999
Volks Affair – German Car Service Specialists in Melbourne
The future of Volkswagen lies in electric cars and family cars. If you’re a VW owner, make sure your car is serviced by a reputable service centre. Volks Affair is an independent German Car Service Centre in Melbourne. We love keeping our customers’ cars in top condition. Give us a call today to book a service.
by Chek Digital | Oct 15, 2018 | car service, Driving Tips, Volkswagen
Buying a used car can be challenging so our expert VW mechanics from Volks Affair in Melbourne have provided some good tips.
Step 1 – Research
Look into the year, make and model – all car manufacturers, including Volkswagen have less than stellar years. If you know the year, make and model then you can see if there have been any reported issues across the line. The issue may be easy to fix but being aware of any potential issues can help with price negotiation.
Look at the safety ratings for the car – these are based on real-life accidents. ANCAP Safety Ratings will give you an idea of the car safety rating when the car was new but check the Used Car ratings too.
If you are happy with the year, make and model – the next step is to check the vehicle’s history. Determine if it’s been in any accidents or had other issues that could lead to future problems.
Volks Affair suggests asking these questions when looking for a used VW:
- How many owners has the vehicle had?
- Is the vehicle currently registered?
- Is the car insured?
- What mileage does it get?
- Has it been involved in any crashes (major or minor)?
Step 2 – Pre-purchase Considerations
- Road Worthiness certificate and Record of Regular Servicing
Ask for the paperwork – legitimate sellers will have this all-in order before listing the car.
- Cleanliness of the interior
A cared for car will be clean and well looked after without any splits or tears in the upholstery
- Condition of the body and paint
Faded paint will show exposure to the elements and indicate that the car has been parked outside for long periods. Look out for obvious bumps and scrapes in the body that may be costly to repair. Check for signs of rust and DIY repairs that may not be up to industry standard.
Check that the tyres have worn evenly – if they haven’t it could be a sign that the alignment is out. Don’t forget to check the condition of the spare.
Volks Affair
We are an independent service centre specialising in German Vehicles. If you own a VW don’t hesitate to give us a call and book a service with our top-rated VW mechanics.
by Chek Digital | Jun 22, 2018 | Volkswagen
Volkswagen Spectacular!
It’s (almost) that time of year again! The Volkswagen Spectacular is just around the corner. (more…)
