Wolfsburg visit highlights 2014

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by StuMc, Oct 3, 2014.

  1. StuMc

    StuMc Moderator and Regional Host - Manchester Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2004
    Likes Received:
    268
    Location:
    50? 20` 47 N - 06? 57` 57 E
    Following on from Toyotec's Wolfsburg road trip thread here, I thought it was about time I shared some pics from my two visits (yes...two!) late last year and earlier this year. Call it a teaser to whet your whistle if you were interested in joining in a CGTI-arranged visit (as if you needed any persuasion, right? ;))

    Having suddenly found myself on a 6 month work secondment to our test facility near Dusseldorf last September, I immediately resolved that a better chance to visit Wolfsburg couldn't be had!

    With Wolfsburg being a 4-hour 'bahn-storm away, so it was I fired up the nav on a cold and frosty October morning and set off.

    [​IMG]

    Now let's face it, Wolfsburg ain't a pretty place. It was built for, and around the factory after all. But finally through the typically-Teutonic drab conurbation, the sight I had waited quite a few years to see...

    [​IMG]

    If Wolfsburg is a goat's ass, then the Autostadt is the diamond shining in it. Literally "Car Town" in German, and built in 2000, it's VW's unapologetically self-indulgent showcase to the World.

    [​IMG]

    Dotted throughout the car park and open areas are glass cases holding some gems of VW history...

    [​IMG]

    ...and those of the near-relatives.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Laid out around the central pond are the "Pavilions". Essentially showcase showrooms, there's one for each of the main VAG marques.

    Lamborghini's was just a big black box with theatre seating within and a dramatic presentation featuring a wall-mounted Gallardo (no pics allowed within...)

    Architecturally, the stand-out is Porsche's award winning sub-terranean Bond-villian-esque affair.

    [​IMG]

    There are two skyline dominating features, however. The stacks of the Powerhouse (Wolfsburg's self-contained power station)...

    [​IMG]

    ...and the now iconic "Auto Turme" ("Car Towers")

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The towers are an overly-elaborate, but utterly fantastic holding area for vehicles that are being collected by customers wishing to receive their car directly from the factory.

    Cars destined for Autostadt pickup, travel on a sinuous conveyor route direct from the build hall overhead the outside storage areas, before plunging below ground to then be placed in one of the two towers by the automatic stacking system (which you can ride on if you get there and book it early enough!). Prospective customers are given a collection time, and the system plucks the car from it's rack and transfers it underground to the Customer Centre; a vast building that's a cross between a dealership and an airport (the matrix board features customer names and collection times)

    [​IMG]

    The Customer Centre also features the accessory shop where you can buy every single VW branded item available from stationary to underwear (really) and every conceivable car gadget in between. 200euro for a cabin-sized suitcase was a bit steep though...

    Anyway, I'm sure as interesting as all that might to you, you're wanting me to just skip to the good bit...incoming...
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2014
    HPR, Toyotec, GG. and 4 others like this.
  2. StuMc

    StuMc Moderator and Regional Host - Manchester Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2004
    Likes Received:
    268
    Location:
    50? 20` 47 N - 06? 57` 57 E
    The part of the Autostadt you'll spend most time in is undoubtedly the "Zeithaus" ("Time House") musuem. Here VW don't just blow they're own historical trumpet, but rather showcase a selection of the most iconic and influential marques, models and automotive technology from the inception of the motorcar to today and beyond.

    Mrs. Benz's 1899 grocery-getter...

    [​IMG]

    I'll let the pictures do the talking from here... ;)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And finally a special prize to the person who can name this engine configuration (except those that have been before and seen it...)

    [​IMG]


    Now, because I'm an impatient eejit, I did zero research and just rocked up. I wondered where all the special VW stuff was? The odd-balls, the one-offs, the motorsport icons...where were they?? Answer; not at the Autostadt...

    Instead they are housed in the Automuseum five minutes down the road. It's a fantastic, small, unassuming place where VW keep all the really interesting stuff.

    That's the stuff you really want to see, right? Well...a little patience for Part 2 coming tomorrow (later today). :p ;)
     
    Richard Mk2, Toyotec and 1990 like this.
  3. StuMc

    StuMc Moderator and Regional Host - Manchester Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2004
    Likes Received:
    268
    Location:
    50? 20` 47 N - 06? 57` 57 E
    **[Holding post for Part 2]** ;)

    EDIT;

    Bloody Chrome decided to crash the page and I lost the hours work and all the pictures I put up in this second installment.

    Will try again tomorrow... [:x]
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2014
  4. Sirguydo

    Sirguydo Fastest milkman in the West Paid Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2012
    Likes Received:
    1,203
    Location:
    Bolton
    Thanks Stu nice post :thumbup:
     
  5. 1990

    1990 Paid Member Paid Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    1,457
    Location:
    Rochdale, Lancs
    Nice one Stu :thumbup:
     
  6. veedubnutz Forum Junkie

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Worcester UK
    We've just been there too.... Whilst the autostadt is lovely, the Automuseum is fantastic! Some really rare and iconic cars in there.... but when I went there was no A59 :( Other than that though, I could have lived in that place. Enough to keep me occupied for days!!
     
  7. sparks03 Forum Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Likes Received:
    20
    Bitte nicht streichein [>:d<]:thumbup::thumbup:
     
  8. Tristan

    Tristan Paid Member Paid Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2006
    Likes Received:
    1,205
    Location:
    Southern IRELAND
    What's going on with that KR?????

    that engine , is it a W 12?
     
  9. StuMc

    StuMc Moderator and Regional Host - Manchester Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2004
    Likes Received:
    268
    Location:
    50? 20` 47 N - 06? 57` 57 E
    Looks like it's a pre-production manifold, and no, not a W12... ;)
     
  10. Tristan

    Tristan Paid Member Paid Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2006
    Likes Received:
    1,205
    Location:
    Southern IRELAND
    VR12?
     
  11. Sirguydo

    Sirguydo Fastest milkman in the West Paid Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2012
    Likes Received:
    1,203
    Location:
    Bolton
    An E 18?[:s]

    Just spotted the third bank by the floor :p
     
  12. GG.

    GG. Forum Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    Likes Received:
    47
    Location:
    Latvia, Riga
    Is that a W18? I see 3 cylinder heads :o

    Now I want to go there even more, thanks for convincing me! :thumbup::clap:
     
  13. LordH New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Likes Received:
    1
    I visited the factory in 2008, great day out. I did the Porsche Museum on my way home. :thumbup:
     
  14. Toyotec

    Toyotec CGTI Committee - Happy helper at large Admin

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2006
    Likes Received:
    3,320
    Location:
    Creating Pfredstarke
    Stu, your write is more reason why I think the Club needs to visit the place.

    Look forward to Teil Zwei!
     
    StuMc likes this.
  15. m1keh Forum Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2009
    Likes Received:
    56
    The W18 bugatti 18 cylinder engine, for the EB118 concept...

    I did need to use google though...
     
  16. StuMc

    StuMc Moderator and Regional Host - Manchester Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2004
    Likes Received:
    268
    Location:
    50? 20` 47 N - 06? 57` 57 E
    18 cylinders is right, but it's neither an "E18" or "W18"...but is for a Bugatti... ;)

    'Tis a "Y18"...a bunch of "cobbled" together Lupo engines.

    [​IMG]

    Fancy another engine challenge? Bit harder this one;

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2014
    stella, Richard Mk2 and Sirguydo like this.
  17. sparks03 Forum Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Likes Received:
    20
    Was that the 6ltr Auto Union engine Stu? I was a bit hung over in the Autostadt and a couple of bits blurred into one (especially in the design studio). Feeling all nostalgic now and the Mrs wants to visit...

    I'll chuck up some museum pics later- the 40th Anniversary of the Golf was quite splendid
     
  18. veedubnutz Forum Junkie

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    6
    Location:
    Worcester UK
    :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
     
  19. stella

    stella Forum Junkie

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    149
    Location:
    East Midlands
    Great thread, Stu - looking forward to more :-)
    Went there in 2005 and it's come on quite a bit since then, judging by your photographs. Would love to go again and maybe fit in the museum which we didn't have time to visit last time.
     
  20. sparks03 Forum Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Likes Received:
    20
    [​IMG]

    Had to pick one up
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice