​​2026 Las Cruces July 4th Celebration Features Parades, Concerts, and Fireworks​

Remember the original Volkswagen Golf R32? When first introduced in 2002, it stole the spotlight (and became the brand’s highest-performance offering) by packing a 3.2-liter VR6 engine, 4MOTION all-wheel drive, and a direct-shift DSG transmission into a compact hatchback form. To celebrate the 25 th anniversary of this performance legend, Sisbarro Volkswagen is pleased to announce that Volkswagen is taking the Golf R racing by competing in the 2027 Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race in 2027. Volkswagen says the R in Golf R (and R32) stands for “racing.” Indeed Volkswagen R models have a storied history on race tracks, including four Rally World Championship titles with the Polo R WRC and several electric records with the ID.R sports car. “The 24h Nürburgring is the toughest test for us under real competitive conditions,” says Reinhold Ivenz, Head of Volkswagen R. “The Nürburgring is also our test and development track, and we will meet people at the 24h race who share our passion for performance – which is why the project is a perfect match for Volkswagen R.” Although the Golf R is the best-known Volkswagen R model in the U.S., but there have been several other R variants in other markets, including the aforementioned Polo R,  Arteon R sedan, and Tiguan R crossover. While road-going Volkswagen R models have long been known for their understated and restrained design, their race-spec counterparts, however, can be much more overt, with dramatic modifications made to rear wings, ground effects, and other body components in order to optimize drag, increase downforce, and improve engine cooling. So far, Volkswagen has only previewed the Nürburgring racing vehicle with the Golf R 24H show car that was revealed to the public at the Ring Boulevard of Nürburgring.  Max Kruse Racing, which has a long relationship with Volkswagen, has been tapped to build the Golf R Nürburgring racer. "With the Golf R 24H show car, we are making our vision for 2027 tangible at an early stage. The preparatory work for the real racing car has already begun. Even though we don’t want to reveal much about the technology yet: fans of the 24h Nürburgring can look forward to the most spectacular Golf R to date,” continues Reinhold Ivenz. As always, innovations and technologies developed for racing tend to trickle down into production vehicles. The date of the 2027 24h Nürburgring has not yet been confirmed, though speculation places the race weekend on May 27–30. German engineering and innovation for practical use can be seen and felt in every model Volkswagen makes, as in the Tiguan, which was the runaway winner in an eight-compact-crossover comparison by Cars.com. Volkswagen builds winners, and we invite you to see them at Sisbarro Volkswagen in Las Cruces, NM.

We call our state of New Mexico the “Land of Enchantment.” With 121,589 square miles of diverse landscape, you can go from desert exploring to skiing and mountain climbing all within its borders. Las Cruces is just a speck on the map. Well…a huge speck in the south-central part of our state. To the north of us is a vast land that is constantly beckoning, imploring that little corner of our brain that loves to get out and drive to go take a Volkswagen on a road trip. Why not do so while exploring what New Mexico has to offer? The Trip Advisor website and app came up with a list of scenic drives you can take within hours of Las Cruces, and it suggested several interesting options, most located just north of our fair city. The Highroad to Taos Scenic Byway, to start, follows a part of New Mexico Highway 76 through the remnants of Old Spain. You get a glimpse of Spanish architecture while traversing through the mountains into Taos. Heading back, you can take the Lowroad from Taos and Santa Fe to our state’s capital. West of Santa Fe is the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. This takes you into the Santa Fe National Forest to the Jemez Pueblo. Along the way, there are some amazing waterfalls and hot springs that bring this mountainous loop drive to life. Keep to the north, and you’ll find another mountain loop known as the Enchanted Circle Drive. Starting in Taos, this loop encircles several alpine peaks while taking you through the history of this state and the land grant given to that area. You will pass through an old mining area that has no longer yielded its treasure. If you like a good rugged road, the Quebrados Backcountry Byway is an experience to drive. It is a 24-mile-long unpaved road that starts in Escondido off Interstate 25 to the north of us. The landscape is worth the trek along this road. This is a great experience that is closer to home. Our state is vast in size, as well as in topography. To enjoy some of these roads, you and your Volkswagen will be racking in the miles happily. We are 353 miles away from Taos, 284 miles to Santa Fe and 149 miles to the start of the Quebrados Backcountry Byway in Escondido. If you are up for an adventure, make sure your Volkswagen is ready to tackle the miles getting there and on these great roads. Before you go, make an appointment to bring your vehicle into the service center at Sisbarro Volkswagen for a thorough fluid check – including an oil change – and other inspections to make sure your Volkswagen is road trip ready. Our service center is still open during construction.

A perfect golf shot is rare. Winning a brand-new vehicle with that perfect shot is even rarer. For nearly 45 years, the Sisbarro Dealerships have helped bring that excitement to golf tournaments across Southern New Mexico. Since 1981, Sisbarro has sponsored Hole-In-One contests at local golf tournaments, giving golfers the chance to win a new vehicle by landing an ace on a designated prize hole. In round numbers, that adds up to almost 500 golf tournaments supported by the Sisbarro team over the years. That is a lot of scorecards, tee shots, nervous swings, near-misses, and unforgettable tournament moments. The idea is simple, but the excitement is huge. At select tournaments, a specific hole is chosen as the prize hole. If a golfer makes a hole-in-one on that hole during eligible tournament play, they could drive away with a brand-new vehicle. Over the decades, early winners took home vehicles from brands like Pontiac and Buick. This year, golfers are taking aim at a 2026 GMC Sierra. While every golfer hopes to make that dream shot, a hole-in-one is never easy. Sisbarro estimates that a winner is crowned roughly once every 20 tournaments, which makes each contest even more exciting. Every player who steps up to the tee knows there is a real chance, however slim, that one great swing could turn into a story they will tell for the rest of their life. Next up, Sisbarro is proud to be part of the revival of the Las Cruces City Tournament, taking place July 18-19. The return of this local golf tradition is a perfect fit for a dealership group that has been supporting community events in Las Cruces for more than four decades. At Sisbarro Volkswagen, we are proud to be part of the larger Sisbarro Dealerships family and its long history of community involvement. From local events and charitable efforts to tournaments that bring neighbors together, Sisbarro has always believed in being more than a place to shop for a vehicle. We are part of this community, and we are grateful for every opportunity to support the people, organizations, and traditions that make Southern New Mexico special. Whether you are chasing a hole-in-one, cheering on a friend, or simply enjoying a weekend of local golf, the Sisbarro Hole-In-One contest adds one more reason to watch every tee shot closely. After all, the next great swing could be the one that sends someone home in a brand-new vehicle. Learn more about how Sisbarro Volkswagen supports the Las Cruces community. You can also explore new Volkswagen models.