VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES 2015 GOLF SPORTWAGEN AS THE OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF USA CYCLING

May 1, 2015 by Volkswagen of America

• 2015 Golf SportWagen is currently on sale in U.S. dealerships, starting at $21,395 for the 1.8T S model with manual transmission

• Cargo volume matches compact SUVs for size and versatility, efficiently meeting utility demands of avid cyclists

• TDI® Clean Diesel model offers EPA estimated highway fuel economy of 43 mpg, beating all non-Battery Electric compact SUVs

Herndon, VA (April 30, 2015) — Kicking off National Bike Month, Volkswagen of America, Inc., is pleased to announce that the ultra-versatile 2015 Golf SportWagen has been named the official vehicle of USA Cycling. Volkswagen will be providing operational race vehicles to support USA Cycling initiatives throughout the year. Now available in U.S. dealerships, pricing for the Golf SportWagen starts at $21,395 for the 1.8T S model with manual transmission.

'Like the rest of the multi-award winning Golf family, the all-new 2015 SportWagen is a brilliantly packaged vehicle that delivers on performance, efficiency, and utility,' said Vinay Shahani, Vice President, Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. 'All of these qualities make it the ideal support vehicle for USA Cycling, and we know the team will enjoy the SportWagen as they travel for competition throughout the season.'

'Professional bike racing is one of the most challenging environments in competitive sports, and we place extreme demands on our riders, equipment and team cars,' said Rob Borland, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Cycling. 'The Golf SportWagen is the backbone of Team USA Cycling. It delivers precise handling, excellent roadholding and rock-solid dependability, helping us win races across the world.'

A Golf SportWagen wrapped in hard-to-miss 'Team USA' design will be featured at various USA Cycling National Championships, including the Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships, where there will be 32 Golf SportWagen support vehicles. Winners of the men's and women's ProRoad National Championship race will each receive a one-year Golf SportWagen lease.

Golf SportWagen models are offered with two powertrains: the EA888 1.8-liter, 170-horsepower turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® engine mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission; and the EA288 2.0-liter, 150-hp turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder TDI® Clean Diesel, fitted with a six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 1.8T model with manual transmission has an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 36 mpg, while the TDI Clean Diesel model with the manual gets 43 highway mpg according to EPA estimates. These figures better all compact SUVs on the market, while offering comparable cargo volume—30.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 66.5 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

To learn more about USA Cycling and its partnership with Volkswagen, visit http://www.usacycling.org/.

About USA Cycling

Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling comprises 64,000 members; 2,700+ clubs and teams; and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions over 3,100 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit usacycling.org.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers.

Photo credit: Volkswagen of America
posted on conceptcarz.com