Take a trip to the VW AutoPavilion
IF YOU’RE a gearhead, motor enthusiast or just looking to learn more about the history of one of the biggest motor brands in German engineering, then Volkswagen’s AutoPavilion is an ideal destination for you.
Aptly known as the place of cars and legends, the exhibition space, situated next to Volkswagen SA’s main entrance at 103 Algoa Road, Uitenhage, comes complete with a 30-car display, driving simulators, fuel-saving simulators and a time zone tunnel, to name but a few.
The museum, developed in 2004, combines historical vehicles with future technologies in a 400m² space.
VWSA group communications general manager Matt Gennrich says the AutoPavilion is Africa’s most-visited automotive experience centre.
“What makes it more than a museum is the fact that it combines classic vehicles with new technologies; it has lifestyle components with technology showing how an engine, wind tunnel, shock absorbers and such work, while including fun simulators to allow for a cool experience that people of all ages can enjoy.”
Some of the highlights include a cut-through Volkswagen Beetle that splits in half and automatically joins back into one piece again to display safety features of the car. Then there is the last Citi Golf ever made, the last Beetle manufactured at the Uitenhage plant and even a rare Karmann Ghia.
The time zone tunnel shows what was taking place around the world in relation to what was happening in Volkswagen Group South Africa at set periods in time, while the interactive games and simulators are also sure to appeal to kids big and little.
Gennrich says they also have plans to expand the catalogue.
“We have collected some incredible motorsport vehicles, not to mention the history VWSA has in motorsport in this country. In honour of that we are creating a special motorsport exhibition area – this is not yet open to the public, but once we are finished we will communicate this.”
The museum’s experience allows for visitors to go on a guided tour through the factory and the various departments through which the manufacturing process progresses.
The tours operate with the use of a tour vehicle and have an average visitation rate of 12 000 people yearly and a capacity intake of 84 people per day.
The AutoPavilion is open weekdays between 8.30am and 4pm as well as every first Saturday of the month from 10am until 1pm and is operational through December.
There is an admission fee of R10 for adults and R5 for children. The museum will, however, be closed on all the public holidays and will also close early on Christmas Eve on Friday.
Factory tours can be pre-booked on (041) 994-5941 but will only open for bookings in the new year.
ý For more information, see autopavilion@vwsa.co.za