Blog

Volkswagens have sturdy suspensions with struts, shock absorbers, springs, bushings, and control arms built to last. You'll keep your driving smooth and comfortable with the following suspension service at your local VW dealership. 6 Tips to Keep Your VW's Suspension in Top Shape Yearly Inspections Once a year, a Volkswagen specialist should examine your car's entire suspension with an expert eye. They'll look for sagging springs, leaking shocks, cracked control arms, worn bushings, and any other damage. They can thoroughly test each part and replace or repair anything that needs it. Prompt Replacements You should keep an eye out for signs of worn-out suspension components and quickly get necessary replacements. When there's a suspension problem, your rides may become bouncier, the car's nose could dive when you brake, the entire vehicle might lean toward one corner, and you could find your car veering to one side. Your wheels may also become misaligned. Wheel Alignments The suspension plays a large role in stabilizing and aligning the wheels and tires. The wheels of most cars gradually become pushed out of proper alignment by bumps over potholes and against curbs. This misalignment skews suspension components and accelerates wear and tear. It's therefore important to have your wheels aligned once or twice a year, which both protects the suspension and keeps your handling safe and precise. Tire Rotations Tires become unevenly worn due to differing weight at either end of the car and pressure from steering and braking. As the tires grow uneven in tread wear and size, the suspension becomes increasingly strained. Have your tires rotated every six months to prevent this. Air Pressure Checks Even improper tire inflation can cause premature wear in the suspension. Overinflated tires can no longer help the shocks to absorb roughness in the road, which puts more pressure on the suspension. If just one tire is under- or over-inflated, the resulting imbalance will also wear the suspension down. Always keep your tires properly inflated for the sake of your safety and suspension. Smooth Driving It will also help your suspension to avoid hard braking and sharp corners. If you adopt more gentle driving habits, your suspension will thank you with a longer lifespan. If possible, avoid rough road surfaces, potholes, and anything that jolts or puts excess pressure on the wheels. Need Suspension Service? Visit Our VW Dealership Allow our VW specialists to examine and fine-tune your shocks and struts to keep your daily drives vibration-free. We can also ensure that your tires are in excellent condition with routine rotations, alignments, and replacements, all of which protect your suspension. Come to Gorman McCracken Volkswagen in Longview, TX, today to book any preventative maintenance your car requires.

To lead a segment is one thing. But to invent one and still run it fifty years later takes something else entirely. Meet the 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI, the latest take on the hot hatch that started it all in 1975. The blueprint is still familiar: front-wheel drive, a punchy engine, a useful cabin, and a cool look that doesn't need to shout. Exterior Style is one of the Golf GTI's strongest suits, and the 2025 update reaffirms that. The already sharp exterior picks up redesigned headlights, revised bumpers, a standard light bar across the grille, and an illuminated VW badge. The signature red grille strip continues, now running through the updated headlights. Puddle lights have been reworked too. What was once a polka-dot pattern now projects a stylized golf ball and GTI logo onto the pavement. Interior The updates didn't stop at the sheet metal. Inside, the new Golf GTI features a freestanding 12.9-inch display subtly angled toward the driver, backlit climate and volume sliders, a ventilated 15W wireless charging pad, and new Carbon Gray decor. Standard amenities remain generous: heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a seven-speaker audio system, and numerous driver aids, such as Active Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Distance Control, and Lane Assist. Move to the SE trim, and the cloth seats are replaced with ArtVelours, which are comfortable, grippy, and easy to clean. Also rolling with the S trim are a Harman Kardon premium sound system, a panoramic glass roof, keyless access, and automatic high beams. At the top, the Autobahn model adds a head-up display, three-zone Climatronic Touch climate control, leather seating, ventilated front seats, and heated seats in both rows. Power and Handling It can't be a hot hatch without some fire in the belly. The 2025 GTI brings just that with its turbocharged four-cylinder that outputs 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Below 3,000 RPM, this firecracker is quiet, smooth over most surfaces, and refined, but above that, it's like flipping an on switch. The sound sharpens, the pace quickens, and 0 to 60 disappears in under six seconds. The real fun, however, is in carving corners. Thanks to its light chassis, the GTI is eager to turn in, and the suspension and differential tuning let you play with rear rotations to help settle the car into bends. You don't get a stick, but the seven-speed DSG makes a strong case for itself with snappy shifts and quick response when you tap the paddles. Over five decades of hot hatch legacy come together in the 2025 Golf GTI. For a test drive, stop by Gorman McCracken Volkswagen in Longview, TX.

Not too long ago, the Golf R was basically a souped-up AWD GTI, and it did a fantastic job. Adding the torque-vectoring rear differential made it even better. Now, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R brings more horsepower and a fresh new look, inside and out. How Much More Power Are We Talking About? The 2.0-liter turbo four in the last Golf R made 315 horsepower. For 2025, Volkswagen tweaked the ECU and pulled out a bit more from the same engine. Output now lands at 328 horsepower and 295 lb-ft, with that torque spread more generously across the rev range. Power still goes to all four corners through a Haldex-style AWD, with up to half pushed to the rear axle. From there, the torque-vectoring diff can shuffle 100% of that rear-end shove to either wheel if needed. Although the six-speed manual is gone, VW's venerable seven-speed dual-clutch automatic takes its place, so you won't be missing out too much. What's Changed on the Outside? The Golf R was already easy on the eye, so VW only had to make a few tweaks. The front bumper has been cleaned, the front logo now lights up, and the headlights have motorized adjustments to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. VW says the new forged wheels shave a few pounds off each corner. Any Changes on the Inside? The biggest change you'll notice inside is the new 12.9-inch infotainment screen. It runs the latest software borrowed from VW electric vehicles, so it's quicker and easier to navigate. Also, the wireless charging now has a fan to keep your phone cool. Beyond that, everything you know and love about the Golf R is here, including heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, and a trunk space that's on par with a midsize sedan. All told, it's still the do-it-all daily that can light up a backroad. What's the Black Edition? The Golf R used to come in just one fully loaded version, but now there's a new trim: the Black Edition. It ditches the usual "R" accents for blacked-out details all over, from the grille and headlights to the brake calipers and exhaust tips. It also gets real carbon fiber inside. Choosing the Euro Style Package lets you cut about 80 pounds off your Black Edition (and adds a healthy dose of style while you're at it). It does this by swapping in lighter sport seats with ArtVelours covers, dropping the sunroof, and upgrading to an Akrapovic titanium exhaust. The 2025 Golf R is still as hot as hatch. To test drive it, stop by Gorman McCracken Volkswagen in Longview, TX.

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the most exciting electric vehicles on the road this year. This fully electric SUV focuses on crossover performance so you can travel with confidence, no matter where the road takes you. Explore the competitive specs and standard features of this exciting EV SUV today. The remarkable ID.4 has an estimated 291-mile electric driving range on the entry-level Pro model, while models with an AWD drivetrain can travel 263 miles. The electric motor has a maximum output of 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, as well as a maximum towing capacity of 2,200 lbs. The one-speed direct drive transmission and standard rear-wheel driveline provide smooth and steady acceleration for effortless handling. Complimentary Plans When you purchase a new ID.4, you get the benefit of a three-year Electrify America Pass+ membership. With this membership, you can access public charging stations to use Level 2 chargers or DC fast chargers to charge the battery with up to 500 kWh of energy. This membership also has the benefit of Plug&Charge for added charging convenience. New ID.4 drivers also get the benefit of a five-year Car-Net Safe & Secure plan. This complimentary plan comes with emergency assistance, automatic crash notifications, stolen vehicle location services, anti-theft alerts, and more. After five years, you can contact your VW dealer to activate a subscription to continue these services. Advanced Connectivity Staying connected with loved ones and entertained while you're on the go is essential for modern drivers, and the ID.4 accomplishes this with a standard 12.9-inch central multimedia touchscreen. The infotainment unit syncs up with App-Connect to integrate your smartphone apps and contact list for easy access while you drive. The multimedia system also has an integrated navigation system for door-to-door directions. Connectivity to your smartphone is either wireless or with wired connectivity via two front USB ports. There are also two USB charging ports in the rear so riders can charge their devices. A wireless charger in the front row is also standard. Passengers can enjoy curated radio content with a three-month SiriusXM satellite radio subscription. Versatile Exterior The ID.4 comes with durable 19-inch machined alloy wheels and all-season tires that provide excellent traction in wet and dry driving environments. Roof rails give drivers the option of installing roof-mounted cargo carriers for added storage space. This EV SUV has LED headlights that turn on or off automatically based on outdoor lighting conditions, LED daytime running lights, and illuminated door handle recesses for style and convenience. Rain-sensing windshield wipers are also standard. The VW ID.4 is a do-it-all electric SUV with an impressive driving range, advanced connectivity features, and complimentary plans to boost your car ownership experience. Contact Gorman McCracken Volkswagen in Longview, TX to learn about available models today.

There are a limited number of EVs designed specifically with larger families in mind. The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is Volkswagen's latest push to meet the demand. With callbacks to the classic VW Bus, the 2025 ID.Buzz steps up to the challenge of the modern market with comfort, innovation, and style. The base model ID.Buzz utilizes a 91 kWh (gross) Lithium-ion battery pack with 200 kW DC fast charging capability. A single speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive ensure a smooth ride, while electro-mechanical power steering makes driving the vehicle a breeze. The ID.Buzz also delivers an impressive combined 83 MPGe (PA estimated), making it a strong choice for those who value efficiency. Classic Style Meets Modern Comfort The ID.Buzz's interior is designed to be spacious, practical, and comfortable. With seating for up to seven passengers, the vehicle also features a removable center console, letting you store more on those longer trips and bringing the total cargo volume up to 145.5 cu. ft. The front seats are 12-way power adjustable, as well as heated and ventilated for your convenience and comfort. They even come with a massage function on all trims, not just the base. On the outside, the ID.Buzz has a nostalgic design that's a direct callback to the original Volkswagen Bus. Premium LED projector headlights with an illuminated VW logo will light up any road, while 20-inch two-tone "Disc" alloy wheels amplify the vehicle's defined silhouette. Disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear allow for a balanced ride, and a tire mobility kit is included should you need it. Technology and Entertainment at a Glance Despite its retro design, the ID.Buzz features state-of-the-art technology that is sure to keep you and your passengers safe and entertained on the go. Park Assist Plus with memory parking and a rearview camera system ensure that you can navigate even the toughest of parking spaces. In the event of an accident, emergency call services are included, giving you peace of mind when faced with the uncertainty of today's roads. In terms of entertainment, the ID.Buzz features a 12.9-inch touch screen center display with compatibility for Volkswagen Car-Net services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported, and included voice control lets you navigate the car's systems with ease. The ID.Buzz is a great callback to the classic VW Bus and a return to a design that is distinctly Volkswagen. If you want to see all the ID.Buzz has to offer, visit us here at Gorman McCracken Volkswagen in Longview, TX to browse our selection and schedule a test drive.

The outstanding build quality of VWs means that they're designed to keep on running long after other cars may have given up. However, to take advantage of VW's reputation for longevity, it's essential to look after your car well. Scheduling an annual performance service with your local VW dealership is a great way to ensure routine maintenance tasks are carried out and to check for any other repairs. 1: Check Fluids Regularly Checking your VW's fluids is a basic yet essential task you can easily carry out at home. Dirty or insufficient fluids can quickly cause problems with the engine or even permanent damage. When you check the fluids, look at the condition and the color. If any seem gritty, dirty, or unusually dark-colored, it's time for a full replacement. The main fluids to check include: Coolant Windshield wash Engine oil Brake fluid Power steering fluid 2: Protect the Battery If your battery is flat, you won't be driving anywhere, which means it's important to protect it as much as you can. Try to avoid solely using your car for short trips, as this can drain the battery quickly due to the constant stopping and starting. Taking a longer drive can help to replenish some of the charge lost. Parking in the shade or in a garage will also preserve your battery by protecting it from extreme weather, either hot or cold. 3: Treat Your VW With Care How you drive your VW can have a big influence on its condition. Harsh braking or aggressive acceleration from a cold engine can take its toll over time. Adopting good driving habits can protect your engine and keep your VW in good running order. 4: Schedule a Performance Service VW advises that you get your car serviced at least once a year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. Your local dealership can carry out the service, and will include checks on a variety of things such as brakes, filters, fluids, tires, lights, and battery. Being proactive by arranging a service will help your VW stay in great condition for the maximum possible time. Get More Advice From Your Local VW Dealership In addition to the annual service, your VW may need extra maintenance work, especially as the mileage starts to creep up. Your dealership will be able to advise on when you need to schedule routine maintenance and what checks will be required in the future. They can also help with non-routine problems, such as if your car starts making an unusual noise. With assistance from your local dealership, your car could continue to run beautifully for many years. Our factory-trained, certified mechanics have been providing their services to VW drivers for decades. We only use authentic Volkswagen parts and have state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to get you back on the road swiftly. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at Gorman McCracken Volkswagen in Longview, TX.