Member Article

Super-efficient supercar and TV star launch Volkswagen Stockport

North West motorists were among the first in the UK to view Volkswagen’s latest super-efficient supercar, as TV presenter and World Rally driver Penny Mallory unveiled the revolutionary XL1.

One of only three examples in the country, the XL1 was the star of the show at the official opening of Volkswagen’s new Stockport centre.

Customers and staff were invited to view the highly sought after limited production model as part of the evening’s entertainment at the new Green Lane showroom – the largest Volkswagen premises in the North West.

The two-seater XL1 is Volkswagen’s latest feat of engineering, delivering more than 300mpg from an 800cc hybrid electric/diesel power unit within a super-lightweight futuristic body. Just 200 production models will be built, with a list price of £99,000.

Director of Volkswagen UK, Alex Smith, praised the ‘beautiful and relaxing’ showroom, which he said fitted in perfectly with Volkswagen’s brand ambitions.

He said: “The really critical thing is being able to serve our customers well. For that we need fantastic facilities, both in the showroom and in the workshop.

“The workshop here is like Britain’s largest operating theatre, built to take care of cars. This makes sure we are able to give customers the experience they deserve.”

Also on show at the event was a cavalcade of Volkswagen cars old and new, including a rare Corrado 2.9 VR6 and a Mk1 Golf Rivage convertible, alongside the latest Beetle, Polo and the economical e-up! Driving skills were safely challenged inside the state-of-the-art showroom using a rally simulator and a Formula One car driving simulator.

The eye-catching new building has been designed to give customers a relaxed and enjoyable experience in light and airy contemporary surroundings. In addition to being able to display the entire Volkswagen range, the business has an enlarged Approved Used Volkswagen display and the brand’s innovative ‘digital showroom’ with iPads to enable customers to design their dream car.

There is also a 29-bay workshop fitted with the latest diagnostic equipment and an increased courtesy car fleet, to improve servicing efficiency for customers, along with on-site smart repairs and valeting facilities – and even an electric vehicle charging station.

The new facility, which took nine months to construct, has also enabled the merger of the company’s Stockport and Hyde businesses into one site. Volkswagen’s Stockport Centre is located on Green Lane, Stockport. To find out more visit www.volkswagenstockport.co.uk or call 0161 825 9566.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Caroline Garbett .