Fleet professionals drive the latest models from both brands.

The picturesque region of Muskoka, Ontario served as a backdrop for the Audi / VW 2019 Fleet Ride and Drive. This invitation-only event attracted over 40 fleet professionals from various parts of Canada.

Audi

Each brand put their best foot forward, with Audi promoting their latest advanced technologies, while stressing the affordability of the brand with executives and other corporate fleet drivers. “The Audi price point can fit into more cap costs than people think,” said Jamie Pawluk, Manager, Corporate Sales at Audi Canada.

Pawluk offered the audience an overview of what Audi has in store in the near future:

• The A4 will undergo a mid-lifecycle refresh for 2020 in February.
• The A6 will be available with a new 258hp 2L 4-cylinder engine, and a new S6 model will debut next year.
• The new Q3 is longer wider and taller than the previous model, and is available with Audi’s newest infotainment technologies.
• The Q5 will get a major facelift for 2021, and for 2020 comes with newer technologies.
• The Q7 is also getting a mid-lifecycle facelift, and a SQ7 model is in the plans for next year.
• A number of new models are coming next year including the A6 Allroad, an SQ7 with a 6-cylinder biturbo engine, an RS6 Avant (the wagon variant of the RS7), the RSQ8, and PHEV versions of the Q5, A7, A8

VW

Thomas Roth, Manager, Corporate & Fleet Sales, VW Canada spoke about what VW customers can expect in the coming months:

• The 2020 Passat is getting a facelift, and the naming structure is changing to harmonize with other models in the VW family.
• New for 2020 is the Atlas Cross Sport, available with either a 4- or 6-cylinder engine. Pricing not available yet.
• The Execline trim level will no longer be available with the 2020 Golf.
• The 2020 Arteon is the new flagship for VW, and Roth says it’s ideal for executives thanks to its premium level design.
• The 2020 Tiguan will be available with a new trim level, known as IQ.DRIVE. This is a special trim with a few exclusive touches and options, and falls between Comfortline and Highline trim levels.
• The Golf Sportwagen and Alltrack, as well as the Beetle, have been discontinued.

Roth discussed VW’s cross-Canada electric vehicle charging initiative, known as Electrify Canada, and explained that VW is serious about pursuing electrification.

Look for a full report in a coming issue of fleetdigest magazine.

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