Local Volkswagen Dealer Champions High-Powered Hybrid

GREENLAND — Debi Altberg wasn’t searching for a hybrid when she recently visited Seacoast Volkswagen intending to buy a second VW, but when the decision came down to which vehicle had the best fuel economy and highest miles per gallon, Altberg was sold on the new turbocharged VW Jetta Hybrid.

“We were looking at the regular Jetta,” Altberg says, “but the hybrid stood out because of its great gas mileage.” The Jetta Hybrid get’s an impressive 48 highway mpg and 42 city mpg.

Don Turbide, Seacoast Volkswagen’s business developer manager, acknowledges the stigma associated with hybrids, saying that “most hybrids are pretty boring when you come down to it, and they aren’t as fuel efficient or nice driving as advertised. But the VW Jetta Hybrid is different.”

Unlike most hybrids, the Jetta Hybrid is turbocharged, producing 170 horsepower and 184 feet per pounds of torque accompanied by a smooth and balanced drive.

Altberg, whose other car is a VW TDI, really enjoys Volkswagens for their great performance and reliability, so she was “pleasantly surprised that VW had a hybrid and that it was such a nice car.”

Turbide points out that even though Volkswagen is still new to the hybrid world — its first hybrid being the 2011 Touareg Hybrid SUV — it has always been an environmentally conscience corporation. “VW has been designing cars for awhile with materials that are recyclable, and they were a leader in this.”

Besides the green aspects of the cars themselves, the Seacoast Volkswagen dealership itself is incredibly sustainable. The dealership is home to LED lighting, solar panels and its own personal wind turbine.

The company as a whole also has sustainability on its agenda, committing to plans that will cut its overall carbon emissions by 30 percent in 2015 compared to 2006 levels. It also has committed to making every new generation of a given car line 10 to 15 percent more efficient than the car it replaces.

Volkswagen proves that drivers need not lose anything to gain sustainability.

“Most people purchase VWs for their performance, and even though the VW Jetta Hybrid is a hybrid, it stays true to Volkswagen’s high performance commitment,” Altberg says.

Seacoast Volkswagen is a proud business partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. Now through the end of April, Green Card holders save 15 percent on all parts, accessories and service.  Plus, they get $1,000 under invoice on any new TDI Green Diesel or Hybrid Volkswagen. Furthermore, save $45 on a $300 repair or $120 on an $800 repair.

For more information about Seacoast Volkswagen, visit www.seacoastvw.com. And for the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz.