2 cup holders are great, but 4 cup holders are better when you’ve got a couple extra friends in the back seat. Or, if you’re just really, really thirsty.

Airbags** are passive safety features that are found in every VW. They’re activated in certain types of vehicle collisions when sensors trigger their deployment in just milliseconds. You can also choose to get your VW with 2 additional airbags for added safety. Safe Happens.

You can fold down 60, 40 or 100% of the back seat flat. Why not 50/50? Because sometimes you need to use a little extra room for cargo without having to ask one of your friends to get out and walk.

Six on the floor. It doesn’t rhyme, it performs.

The standard manual seats were designed to let you find the absolute most comfortable driving position possible, because we all come in different shapes and sizes.

The aluminum pedals in your GLI were designed based on racecar technology. They’ve also got rubber grips to help keep you in complete control whether you’re launching or cornering.

Includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Engine Braking Assist (EBA), Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA). Safety. Safety. And more safety.

VW uses steel reinforcements in the doors which are designed to absorb and redirect impact energy upon a side impact - basically creating a steel cage to protect passengers. Sounds good on paper. Even better on impact.

ABS stands for the Anti-lock Brake System. It’s an electronically regulated hydraulic braking system which helps prevent the vehicle from sliding under hard braking by preventing wheel lock-up. ABS, some say it means “Always brake safely.”

Anti-Slip Regulation helps prevent wheel slippage at all speeds. Denies engine power in situations when wheel slip is detected. So, balance and equal traction are never compromised.**

Once a VW hits 8 miles per hour, the doors automatically lock. This helps to keep the passengers safe inside the cabin of the VW. Just pull the handle twice to unlock the doors, or press the unlock button.

As part of our Crash Response System, your VW will automatically unlock all doors after the airbags** are deployed. Why? Simple, so you can get out faster and easier. And if ever need be, rescue workers can get in faster and easier too.

If you do have an accident and the airbags** deploy, your hazard lights automatically turn on to cut down on the odds of another accident.

This little hole makes your VW a lot cooler. The auxiliary input is located inside the glove box of your new GLI. You can plug in your iPod® or even your guitar and listen to it through your GLI’s stereo.

VW thought it would be polite to let you know if your brake pads are almost worn away before they’re gone completely, reducing the possibility of damaging your brake rotors. Thus the indicator.

To prevent accidental shifting in a VW, your foot has to be on the brake in order to shift out of drive - in any direction. With this system, you also can’t remove the key from the ignition if the brake isn’t pressed. In fact, you can’t remove the key unless your VW model is in park, either. Safety, safety, safety. (Automatic Only)

The interior of your GLI has got a trim that resembles brushed aluminum, which wraps around the dash, around the gauges and the center console. Similar to the cockpit in an F16 jet.

The front safety belts want nothing more than to keep you safe. It’s in their DNA. Which is why the VW buckle sensor switch can detect if you’re not wearing the safety belts, and will actually deploy the airbag** faster if any weight is detected on the seat. Now that’s being safe.

For additional safety, there’s an additional third brake light mounted higher than the others, right in the middle of your VW’s backside. Baby, got brakes.

The crash optimized front end has impact-absorbing elements which are integrated into the front structure. These elements allow compression of the front structure during impact. We don’t just watch out for our cars, we watch out for each other. It’s designed so the energy on impact goes into the car and not you.

All VW models are designed so even the foot pedals can break off helping to reduce the chances of foot injuries. It’s an amazing feet (sorry we couldn’t resist.)

Every VW is equipped with daytime running lights. After all, research proves they improve driver visibility in oncoming traffic during the day. So no need to worry about turning them on - your friendly neighborhood VW will take care of it for you.

An antenna system which has 2 physical antennae. Whichever antenna has the stronger signal for any given channel is used as the receiver, making sure you get the best reception possible.

Everything on a VW is carefully thought out. Even the reflectors on the doors are strategically placed for maximum visibility by other drivers when the door is open. In accordance with German logic: the more people that are aware of your presence, the safer you are.

It’s a completely automatic transmission when you want it to be. But, it’s also an F1 race-inspired transmission that shifts in just 2/10s of a second with the tap of a paddle when i’s time to have some fun. And when equipped with launch control, simply put your DSG transmission in sport mode, press the ESP off button, keep your left foot on the brake and then press the gas pedal to the floor. Take your foot off the brake. Blast off.

Working in conjunction with our Anti-lock Braking System, EBD senses exactly how your VW is braking, then applies just the right amount of braking power to each individual wheel as needed. For example, brake hard and the weight shifts to the front of your car; EBD senses that and applies more braking up front. So if you’re ever forced to slam on the brakes there’s a better chance you’ll stay in a straight line. And in your lane.

Your VW is constantly monitoring your safety. Take the safety belts for example. To make sure there’s always the appropriate tension on your safety belt, it’s continually adjusting with your movements, keeping the belt snug against your body. One more way we prove we want to hold on to you as long as we can.

The GLI is driven by a lightweight, high-revving, big breathing, turbocharged intercooled, direct fuel injected 200hp 2.0 TFSI™ - it goes 0 to 60 in just 6.9 seconds and tops out at a track speed of 127.** Of course we urge you to obey all speed limits and traffic laws.

Sometimes when you downshift too hard, the reduced gear ratio and engine compression can cause skidding. Not with the intelligence of VW at the wheel. Using the wheel speed sensors, the system monitors the drive wheels for slippage and modulates engine braking torque to prevent skidding.

The high bolsters and deep buckets keep you right behind the steering wheel when piloting your GLI. Which is exactly where you want to be.

Airbags** get all the headlines. And as well these side airbags should. They’re activated in certain types of vehicle collisions when sensors trigger their deployment in just milliseconds. Unlike a lot of other manufacturers, these deploy to fill the area between the passenger and the door from the seat bolster. If you ever need them you’ll be glad they do.

As an integral part of our Crash Response System, your VW is designed to automatically shut off the fuel pump whenever an airbag** deploys. Helping keep the fuel in the tank where it should be.

Ever notice that you rarely see a rusted-out VW on the road? That’s because all the body panels on a Volkswagen are built with fully galvanized steel. Which helps prevent corrosion perforation or whatever else may be caused by unknown city sludge.

Your GLI has got grab handles (also known as the "Oh #$%! handles") located right on the center console and above the window.

What good are washer nozzles if they are frozen closed? Your washer nozzles on your VW heat up to keep ice from forming over them.

The standard manual seats were designed to let you find the absolute most comfortable driving position possible, because after safety comes comfort.

If it’s easier for you to reach everything, it’s easier for you to drive more safely. This feature gives you a custom fit, while allowing the airbag** to be placed in the best possible position for you. Literally, and figuratively. Also, the steering column is designed to collapse like a telescope to help reduce impact on impact.

The honeycomb pattern in the grille and bumper allows air to flow through more quickly in your GLI. This helps to keep the intercooler and front brakes nice and cool, which equals even better performance.

Sometimes, drivers will apply the brake quickly, but without enough pressure to activate the ABS system. VW’s HBA recognizes how quickly the brakes were pressed, and automatically kicks in maximum ABS effectiveness to give you maximum deceleration.

Part of the theft deterrent system, this system will allow the vehicle to start if a key with the appropriate digital coding is inserted into the ignition. If anything without that coding is inserted into the ignition, the immobilizer disables the ignition and your VW cannot be started.

Independent suspension provides handling, control and ride benefits. Since each wheel is able to pivot and be suspended separately from all other wheels, it creates a nice, smooth ride in your VW.

Most cars have door levers, not handles. The VW door handle lets you wrap your hand around it, not just your fingertips. It’s easier on your hands, and allows you to exert more force if you are ever in an emergency situation. Plus, we’ve specifically placed the door handle cables in places where they are less likely to be damaged if an accident occurs.

To the untrained eye, it may seem like there is no trunk latch on the GLI at all. But, it’s actually part of the shiny VW logo right in the middle of the hatch. It’s fun to let friends figure that one out on their own.

For the true enthusiast, the interior of the GLI has the VW-specific Interlagos plaid pattern. Just like the GTI.

Windshield wipers? A safety feature? Absolutely. In a VW, when it’s not raining hard enough to turn the wipers on continually, our intermittent feature wipes away rain just often enough so you can see the road clearly

With the VW Lane Change Feature, all you’ve got to do is tap the blinker once in the direction of your choice when changing lanes and the blinker will blink 3 times, all on its own. Smart blinker.

The welding technique that is used on the VW GLI. It’s seamless and helps create a more rigid body. Which equals less flex. Which equals a safer ride with better handling. Plus. Plus.

The fastest and most precise way of getting your V-Dub from 0 to 60. Simply put your DSG® transmission in sport mode, press the ESP off button, keep your left foot on the brake and then press the gas pedal to the floor. Take your foot off the brake. Blast off.

A standardized system for installing child seats in a vehicle. Helps keep child seats stable and secure in the event of impact.

Torque is the unsung hero of performance and the GLI delivers it huge. Variable valve timing, variable length intake manifold and forced induction translate to a maximum 207 lbs-ft at 1800-5000 rpm. Plain English, it hauls.

The Multi-Function Indicator is a trip computer that not only tells you things like outside temperature, engine temperature and how far you’ve traveled, it will even let you know how much farther you can travel based on the amount of fuel in the tank. Perfect for people who mix up their "E" and "F".

VW calls them optimized head restraints because after lots of testing, we positioned the head restraint at an optimum position to help reduce the chance of whiplash-type injuries during a rear collision. We use our heads when we’re protecting them.

Talk about smart your VW can detect the size of both you and your passenger, then deploy the airbags** more effectively based on the severity of impact if you have an accident.

Every VW is equipped with power windows. It’s not because we think you’re lazy, it’s because we think you deserve it. And they all have pinch protection, which helps reduce the risk of injury to a set of unsuspecting fingers when the windows are closing.

Every VW is equipped with power windows. It’s not because we think you’re lazy, it’s because we think you deserve it. And they all have pinch protection, which helps reduce the risk of injury to a set of unsuspecting fingers when the windows are closing.

The optional Premium VII stereo not only has 2 more speakers than the standard stereo, but also adds an in-dash 6-disc changer that is MP3 compatible and satellite ready too. Of course, there’s a place for your iPod® to join in the fun too. Just plug it into the auxiliary jack located in the glove box.

Improving a driver’s control out on the road has a great deal to do with being able to see what’s in front of you. Or, behind, in this case. Every VW we make offers rear window defogging. While some look at it as a lovely amenity, we view it as a crucial part of offering better visibility and better safety.

The front brake calipers are painted with heat-resistant, bright red paint. They look good and they work even better.

Load limiters sense how much force the safety belt is exerting on the occupant after the pretensioners have activated, and will let a little bit of safety belt line out if they detect too much force on the passenger to help reduce the potential for injuries. We’re about comfort and safety.

The front seat safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic or gas operated device, which is triggered during moderate or severe impact to reduce excess slack between the front passengers and their safety belt. In layman’s terms they tighten up if a crash happens to help keep you even safer.

The front safety belts want nothing more than to keep you safe. It’s in their DNA. Which is why the VW buckle sensor switch can detect if you’re not wearing the safety belts, and will actually deploy the airbag** faster if any weight is detected on the seat. Now that’s being safe.

Thanks to our unibody construction, inside every VW a specially reinforced safety cage is designed to help keep you safe, while the outside "crumples" around you. This is one instance you won’t mind feeling caged in.

The GLI comes standard with track tuned sport suspension. Making it sit lower and corner tighter.

Stable is good. Placed on the front and rear suspension, these bars minimize your VW’s tilt in a sharp turn - again, giving you better control of your vehicle, letting you stop quicker.

These tubular, steel sway bars keep your GLI’s chassis from getting all twisty when going through the twisties.

A sensor built into the valve stem of each tire reads the air pressure, alerting you on your instrument panel when the pressure in one or more of your tires is too low. It only makes sense - properly inflated tires make the vehicle both safer and more fuel-efficient.

Yet another upgraded safety feature VW chooses to offer standard that others don’t even offer. When you push the brake pedal, pads squeeze both sides of the disc to slow and stop the wheel. Our vented brake rotors cool better so they work better, too. To date, it’s the most effective ABS platform available. When it comes to safety we don’t mind bragging.