The Autostadt - more than just a place for cars
28 Jun 2017|16,396 views
As part of our trip up to Hanover to drive the new Volkswagen Arteon, we also took some time to visit the Autostadt. German for automobile city, the Autostadt is a visitor attraction located next to the Volkswagen (VW) factory that comprises a variety of pavilions, museums, along with the famous car towers.
Completed in 2000, the Autostadt was built for a number of reasons. One of which is the fact that the Autostadt serves as a car delivery centre, allowing customers to pick up their new VW (and SEAT) cars directly from the factory, as it were. Each day, an average of 500 cars are delivered at the Autostadt. Cars awaiting delivery are housed in two 48m tall car towers, which you can read all about in the story from our previous trip there. Also, the Autostadt houses a variety of exhibition and pavilions that showcase models from the different brands under the VW Group, including Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche. And as we found out on our previous trip there, it is something of a car nut's playground.
However, you might be thinking, "I'm not a car nut, why should I bother with visiting the Autostadt?" Well, let us tell you why.
1. A history of cars, a history of civilization
Somewhat surprisingly, you will actually see a fair number of non-VW group cars in the Autostadt. The ZeitHaus museum houses two exhibitions, which trace the technological and design developments of automobiles over time.
'Related Rides' traces the technological evolution of the automobile, bringing together cars you wouldn't normally associate together. From automotive beginnings, with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and Ford Model T, you are taken through a journey of time and changing mobility.
You wouldn't think a GM Oldsmobile Jetfire and Porsche 911 Turbo would sit side-by-side in any exhibition, but they are actually notable for their pioneering use of turbochargers. The Jetfire is the first example of a turbo in a passenger car, and the 911 Turbo the fastest production car of its day.
At the ZeitHaus, you get a fascinating smorgasbord of interesting, beautiful, and important cars that have shaped the way we think of transportation.
In a way, cars reflect society's changing needs when it comes to personal mobility. Also, instead of having to visit many museums in many countries, you get to see a ton of historic cars in just one place!
Somewhat surprisingly, you will actually see a fair number of non-VW group cars in the Autostadt. The ZeitHaus museum houses two exhibitions, which trace the technological and design developments of automobiles over time.
'Related Rides' traces the technological evolution of the automobile, bringing together cars you wouldn't normally associate together. From automotive beginnings, with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and Ford Model T, you are taken through a journey of time and changing mobility.
You wouldn't think a GM Oldsmobile Jetfire and Porsche 911 Turbo would sit side-by-side in any exhibition, but they are actually notable for their pioneering use of turbochargers. The Jetfire is the first example of a turbo in a passenger car, and the 911 Turbo the fastest production car of its day.
At the ZeitHaus, you get a fascinating smorgasbord of interesting, beautiful, and important cars that have shaped the way we think of transportation.
In a way, cars reflect society's changing needs when it comes to personal mobility. Also, instead of having to visit many museums in many countries, you get to see a ton of historic cars in just one place!
2. Food glorious food
For the fervent foodies among us, the Autostadt has plenty of options. The facility houses 10 restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines. We had lunch in a Italian restaurant that hand-makes its pasta.
Of course, it would be remiss of you if you didn't grab a Volkswagen Currywurst. This typical German spicy sausage snack is actually manufactured by VW itself (the sausage can be ordered and comes with a unique part number). In fact, in 2015, VW sold more sausages than it did cars. Additionally, VW also makes its own ketchup to accompany the currywurst.
For the fervent foodies among us, the Autostadt has plenty of options. The facility houses 10 restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines. We had lunch in a Italian restaurant that hand-makes its pasta.
Of course, it would be remiss of you if you didn't grab a Volkswagen Currywurst. This typical German spicy sausage snack is actually manufactured by VW itself (the sausage can be ordered and comes with a unique part number). In fact, in 2015, VW sold more sausages than it did cars. Additionally, VW also makes its own ketchup to accompany the currywurst.
3. Get hands-on
The Autostadt is actually a great place to bring the kids. There are workshops that kids can participate in, including making their own pizza at the pizzeria. Also, kids can also get their very own VW driving licenses! Through a combination of theory lessons, simulator driving and practical driving on an outdoor course, kids can learn the basics of driving, including learning about traffic signs and road etiquette.
For the grown-ups, cooking workshops are regularly held, led by the Autostadt chefs. Here, you can learn from the professionals and cook using organic, regional ingredients.
The Autostadt is actually a great place to bring the kids. There are workshops that kids can participate in, including making their own pizza at the pizzeria. Also, kids can also get their very own VW driving licenses! Through a combination of theory lessons, simulator driving and practical driving on an outdoor course, kids can learn the basics of driving, including learning about traffic signs and road etiquette.
For the grown-ups, cooking workshops are regularly held, led by the Autostadt chefs. Here, you can learn from the professionals and cook using organic, regional ingredients.
4. Art is life
The second floor of the GroupForum main building houses the Design Display, a revolving exhibition that illustrates the role that design plays in our daily lives. During our trip there, the work of Carla Fernandez was on display - a Mexican designer with a contemporary take on traditional Mexican materials and handcrafted methods.
The VW link? The Mexico factory is VW's second largest in the world, second only to the factory right next door to the Autostadt. These design exhibitions also serve to highlight the brand's commitment to design that promote sustainability and cultural preservation.
The second floor of the GroupForum main building houses the Design Display, a revolving exhibition that illustrates the role that design plays in our daily lives. During our trip there, the work of Carla Fernandez was on display - a Mexican designer with a contemporary take on traditional Mexican materials and handcrafted methods.
The VW link? The Mexico factory is VW's second largest in the world, second only to the factory right next door to the Autostadt. These design exhibitions also serve to highlight the brand's commitment to design that promote sustainability and cultural preservation.
5. Outdoor activities
Outdoor activities? Yes, you heard us right. In the summer, concerts are staged in the Autostadt, with a stage being set up on the water in front of the Porsche pavillion. In 2013, German industrial metal band Rammstein actually played two nights at the Autostadt.
In fact, this summer, the Autosatdt will host the second international Cirque Nouveua Summer Festival from July to August. And in the winter, the various bodies of water in the Autostadt are frozen over and guests are free to ice skate.
Outdoor activities? Yes, you heard us right. In the summer, concerts are staged in the Autostadt, with a stage being set up on the water in front of the Porsche pavillion. In 2013, German industrial metal band Rammstein actually played two nights at the Autostadt.
In fact, this summer, the Autosatdt will host the second international Cirque Nouveua Summer Festival from July to August. And in the winter, the various bodies of water in the Autostadt are frozen over and guests are free to ice skate.
As you can see, there are a host of non-car activities that you can check out at the Autostadt. So if you are heading up to Germany for a holiday, make sure to drop by Wolfsburg and check in at the Autostadt!
As part of our trip up to Hanover to drive the new Volkswagen Arteon, we also took some time to visit the Autostadt. German for automobile city, the Autostadt is a visitor attraction located next to the Volkswagen (VW) factory that comprises a variety of pavilions, museums, along with the famous car towers.
Completed in 2000, the Autostadt was built for a number of reasons. One of which is the fact that the Autostadt serves as a car delivery centre, allowing customers to pick up their new VW (and SEAT) cars directly from the factory, as it were. Each day, an average of 500 cars are delivered at the Autostadt. Cars awaiting delivery are housed in two 48m tall car towers, which you can read all about in the story from our previous trip there. Also, the Autostadt houses a variety of exhibition and pavilions that showcase models from the different brands under the VW Group, including Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche. And as we found out on our previous trip there, it is something of a car nut's playground.
However, you might be thinking, "I'm not a car nut, why should I bother with visiting the Autostadt?" Well, let us tell you why.
1. A history of cars, a history of civilization
Somewhat surprisingly, you will actually see a fair number of non-VW group cars in the Autostadt. The ZeitHaus museum houses two exhibitions, which trace the technological and design developments of automobiles over time.
'Related Rides' traces the technological evolution of the automobile, bringing together cars you wouldn't normally associate together. From automotive beginnings, with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and Ford Model T, you are taken through a journey of time and changing mobility.
You wouldn't think a GM Oldsmobile Jetfire and Porsche 911 Turbo would sit side-by-side in any exhibition, but they are actually notable for their pioneering use of turbochargers. The Jetfire is the first example of a turbo in a passenger car, and the 911 Turbo the fastest production car of its day.
At the ZeitHaus, you get a fascinating smorgasbord of interesting, beautiful, and important cars that have shaped the way we think of transportation.
In a way, cars reflect society's changing needs when it comes to personal mobility. Also, instead of having to visit many museums in many countries, you get to see a ton of historic cars in just one place!
Somewhat surprisingly, you will actually see a fair number of non-VW group cars in the Autostadt. The ZeitHaus museum houses two exhibitions, which trace the technological and design developments of automobiles over time.
'Related Rides' traces the technological evolution of the automobile, bringing together cars you wouldn't normally associate together. From automotive beginnings, with the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and Ford Model T, you are taken through a journey of time and changing mobility.
You wouldn't think a GM Oldsmobile Jetfire and Porsche 911 Turbo would sit side-by-side in any exhibition, but they are actually notable for their pioneering use of turbochargers. The Jetfire is the first example of a turbo in a passenger car, and the 911 Turbo the fastest production car of its day.
At the ZeitHaus, you get a fascinating smorgasbord of interesting, beautiful, and important cars that have shaped the way we think of transportation.
In a way, cars reflect society's changing needs when it comes to personal mobility. Also, instead of having to visit many museums in many countries, you get to see a ton of historic cars in just one place!
2. Food glorious food
For the fervent foodies among us, the Autostadt has plenty of options. The facility houses 10 restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines. We had lunch in a Italian restaurant that hand-makes its pasta.
Of course, it would be remiss of you if you didn't grab a Volkswagen Currywurst. This typical German spicy sausage snack is actually manufactured by VW itself (the sausage can be ordered and comes with a unique part number). In fact, in 2015, VW sold more sausages than it did cars. Additionally, VW also makes its own ketchup to accompany the currywurst.
For the fervent foodies among us, the Autostadt has plenty of options. The facility houses 10 restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines. We had lunch in a Italian restaurant that hand-makes its pasta.
Of course, it would be remiss of you if you didn't grab a Volkswagen Currywurst. This typical German spicy sausage snack is actually manufactured by VW itself (the sausage can be ordered and comes with a unique part number). In fact, in 2015, VW sold more sausages than it did cars. Additionally, VW also makes its own ketchup to accompany the currywurst.
3. Get hands-on
The Autostadt is actually a great place to bring the kids. There are workshops that kids can participate in, including making their own pizza at the pizzeria. Also, kids can also get their very own VW driving licenses! Through a combination of theory lessons, simulator driving and practical driving on an outdoor course, kids can learn the basics of driving, including learning about traffic signs and road etiquette.
For the grown-ups, cooking workshops are regularly held, led by the Autostadt chefs. Here, you can learn from the professionals and cook using organic, regional ingredients.
The Autostadt is actually a great place to bring the kids. There are workshops that kids can participate in, including making their own pizza at the pizzeria. Also, kids can also get their very own VW driving licenses! Through a combination of theory lessons, simulator driving and practical driving on an outdoor course, kids can learn the basics of driving, including learning about traffic signs and road etiquette.
For the grown-ups, cooking workshops are regularly held, led by the Autostadt chefs. Here, you can learn from the professionals and cook using organic, regional ingredients.
4. Art is life
The second floor of the GroupForum main building houses the Design Display, a revolving exhibition that illustrates the role that design plays in our daily lives. During our trip there, the work of Carla Fernandez was on display - a Mexican designer with a contemporary take on traditional Mexican materials and handcrafted methods.
The VW link? The Mexico factory is VW's second largest in the world, second only to the factory right next door to the Autostadt. These design exhibitions also serve to highlight the brand's commitment to design that promote sustainability and cultural preservation.
The second floor of the GroupForum main building houses the Design Display, a revolving exhibition that illustrates the role that design plays in our daily lives. During our trip there, the work of Carla Fernandez was on display - a Mexican designer with a contemporary take on traditional Mexican materials and handcrafted methods.
The VW link? The Mexico factory is VW's second largest in the world, second only to the factory right next door to the Autostadt. These design exhibitions also serve to highlight the brand's commitment to design that promote sustainability and cultural preservation.
5. Outdoor activities
Outdoor activities? Yes, you heard us right. In the summer, concerts are staged in the Autostadt, with a stage being set up on the water in front of the Porsche pavillion. In 2013, German industrial metal band Rammstein actually played two nights at the Autostadt.
In fact, this summer, the Autosatdt will host the second international Cirque Nouveua Summer Festival from July to August. And in the winter, the various bodies of water in the Autostadt are frozen over and guests are free to ice skate.
Outdoor activities? Yes, you heard us right. In the summer, concerts are staged in the Autostadt, with a stage being set up on the water in front of the Porsche pavillion. In 2013, German industrial metal band Rammstein actually played two nights at the Autostadt.
In fact, this summer, the Autosatdt will host the second international Cirque Nouveua Summer Festival from July to August. And in the winter, the various bodies of water in the Autostadt are frozen over and guests are free to ice skate.
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