VW Golf/Rabbit News

[JCE]

And once again, the VW Website puts the 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit 2-door at a base price of $14,990 of which is only $430 more than the base Honda Civic. And with the standard features missing from the Civic at the same price, why bother?

Actually I'd pretty much trade my Focus in for one of these if I get the right loan. You've exactly shown what I mean by VW's are young people's luxury. You get an assload of standard features that would cost $1500~2000 more on the competitors. 👍

Oh and as for the extra cylinder...more cylinders mean more potential power! Sort of...

 

[YSSMAN]

that sucks wont you get a 2.0T FSI? I dont think we get an 2.5L in the UK, so thats news to me that VAG have such a engine.

We do get the 2.0T FSI, but that will only be available in the Golf/Rabbit line in the US in the GTI and Jetta.

But the standard engine in the VW lineup is now the 2.5L I5, co-developed with Audi. Generally speaking, the engine is half of the Lambo Gallarado's V10, but uses lower compression heads and pistons. Power is rated at 150 BHP and 170 ft-lbs of torque.

The engine is only used in the North American market (so far), and replaced the 2.0L 8V I4 with the debut of the MKV Jetta, and "New" New Beetle.

 

[JCE]

We do get the 2.0T FSI, but that will only be available in the Golf/Rabbit line in the US in the GTI and Jetta.

But the standard engine in the VW lineup is now the 2.5L I5, co-developed with Audi. Generally speaking, the engine is half of the Lambo Gallarado's V10, but uses lower compression heads and pistons. Power is rated at 150 BHP and 170 ft-lbs of torque.

The engine is only used in the North American market (so far), and replaced the 2.0L 8V I4 with the debut of the MKV Jetta, and "New" New Beetle.

Too bad we couldn't bribe VAG to put the other half of the Gallarado's engine in there too? Bah, just thinking outloud.

[offtopic]I vote for YSS to have his own forum dedicated to Auto news--or just rename Auto News to YSSMAN'S Auto News.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, with BX gone someone has to fill the void. Of course, during the summer I don't have a whole lot better to do other than work. But obviously, I'm not at work all day...

Back on topic...

I dug up a review of what our beloved Clarkson said of the VW Golf/Rabbit. He didn't seem too pleased. Mind you, it was written more than two years ago, and I presume things have changed just a bit. Although most of the mechanical bits seemed okay by him, he didn't like the cheapness he felt in the car, thus it only recieved a 2/5.

...He mentions the Astra as well, of which I find interesting. If indeed GM gets smart and brings the Astra to the US as a Saturn, could it be the final blow to knock the Golf/Rabbit off of it's "Value Pedestal" in the small-car market?

To be completely honest, for this GM/VAG guy, yes... Maybe...

 

[JCE]

Well, with BX gone someone has to fill the void. Of course, during the summer I don't have a whole lot better to do other than work. But obviously, I'm not at work all day...

Back on topic...

I dug up a review of what our beloved Clarkson said of the VW Golf/Rabbit. He didn't seem too pleased. Mind you, it was written more than two years ago, and I presume things have changed just a bit. Although most of the mechanical bits seemed okay by him, he didn't like the cheapness he felt in the car, thus it only recieved a 2/5.

...He mentions the Astra as well, of which I find interesting. If indeed GM gets smart and brings the Astra to the US as a Saturn, could it be the final blow to knock the Golf/Rabbit off of it's "Value Pedestal" in the small-car market?

To be completely honest, for this GM/VAG guy, yes... Maybe...

What happend with Blazin? Did I miss something? Anyway back on topic...if I remember correctly it's not that he hates the Golf he just is a little annoyed at little things. He still admits it's a damn good car with great build quality...which it is and does.

Oh and I'm a Ford/VAG guy...how odd that we are the same...but different.

 

[Jay]

[offtopic]I vote for YSS to have his own forum dedicated to Auto news--or just rename Auto News to YSSMAN'S Auto News.

Nah I think there should be a "Left lane news" bot in a forum here like the Anchor man that posts Yahoo news in the current events thread.

What happend with Blazin? Did I miss something?

Yeah you must have, if you want to know just check his last bunch of posts.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm interested in the performance specs of the Rabbit with the 2.5L, as I presume it would be a little quicker than the Jetta with the same engine and transmission. The Jetta I think, was just a bit quicker than it's predecessor of which was equipped with the 1.8T (150 BHP eddition), but it is still a few ticks short of the later 180 BHP models.

 

[JCE]

But can you imagine the tuning potential of the 2.5L 5cyl? Plus, I bet it sounds good with some Borla exhaust and some good headers. I'll have to drive it and see if I like it (goes without saying I know I will). I can forget about the Mustang GT/Cobra if I like the Rabbit.

But, I WILL debadge it and put on the European designation of Golf. I refuse to drive a car named after a cute furry animal.

 

[YSSMAN]

I doubt you will be alone in re-naming the car back to "Golf." I'd probably take off my Rabbit name badges and keep the bunny on the back, but then after I thought about it, VW might be smarter than we think...

What if nowhere on the car it says Rabbit, and instead they only mark it with the bunny on the back?

 

[JCE]

I doubt you will be alone in re-naming the car back to "Golf." I'd probably take off my Rabbit name badges and keep the bunny on the back, but then after I thought about it, VW might be smarter than we think...

What if nowhere on the car it says Rabbit, and instead they only mark it with the bunny on the back?

LoL I'd have to murder that rabbit and make some lucky rabbit's feet. Seriously, I'd most likely just debadge the whole car in general exccept for the VW badge. Any news on the different trim levels and options for these two "new" VW's?

 

[YSSMAN]

Given the current lineup on the Jetta, I would presume somthing like this:

- Rabbit "Value Eddition": Most baisic of the models, very few options overall. This would be the model that they keep saying is $14,990 to start.

- Rabbit 2.5: The bread-and-butter model that most folks will probably spring for. Almost every option would be available in this trim level, as for the first model year, I belive the 2.5 would be the only engine offered in the US market.

- Rabbit TDI: This would eventually become the top model after the 2007 year passes. This would also presumeably be the "luxury" model, as the TDI lineup usually is the equal to the former GLS and occasionaly GLX classes on the older VW's.

The only other trim I could eventually see comming to the US would be the Rabbit GT, using the 1.6L TSI engine (Turbocharged and Supercharged). VW has not said anything specific about the model comming to the US, but Car and Driver had a taste and loved the car. It offers similar fuel efficency compared to the TDI, and actually has a few extra ponies over the 2.5 (I think 20, bumping the output to 170 BHP).

 

[Poverty]

The TDI's are amazing, and are capable of big power increase by a simple chipping.

Also 55% of cars sold in europe today are diesel, only country in europe that bucks that trend majorly is Britain, but were getting there, more and more people are going diesel.

 

[YSSMAN]

Question about your TDI models:

...Are they still mechanical-injection, or have ya'all gone electronic yet? Because of our stupid emissions laws that go into effect in 2007, VW has to switch the TDI over to electronic-injection and do a few other fancy things to get the models back for 2008.

Thus far, the plan is to stockpile the TDI for 2006, and continue building the models well into 2007 to meet the demands of the US consumers.

 

[Leonidae]

and as far as I know, US will also have Rabbit/Golf R36, and as name suggests, it displaces 3.6l and will have 280-300bhp in order to compete with Impreza and Evo.

 

[Tornado]

I think I know the real reason behind this:
They ran out of Mk. IV's. Think about it, while they were trickling GTi's into the country, they were selling pretty much fully loaded Golf IV's into the country at around 17k. Now that the V is officially coming to the U.S., they need to make it look like the price hasn't skyrocketed.

 

[Poverty]

and as far as I know, US will also have Rabbit/Golf R36, and as name suggests, it displaces 3.6l and will have 280-300bhp in order to compete with Impreza and Evo.

I think there will definatly be a R36 as in an audi article I read about a TT, it said that the the TT will definetly get a 3.6 with over 300 hp to beat a near 300hp R36.

 

[YSSMAN]

What I have read of the R36 is that there have been problems getting the engine in the car with the DSG transmission. Granted they could probably sell every one with a 6-speed manual and the 4MOTION AWD system and call it a day (as they did with the 2004 R32, the only year we recieved it in the US), but being technophiles like most VW folks are, they want sie D-S-G!!!

But, the R32 will be in showrooms, according to VW, in July 2007 here in the US. So, a 12-month wait. Place your orders now, they are going to sell out quickly...!

 

[Omnis]

Poor rabbit. They won't be getting any sales here because everyone and their mom already bought a stupid jetta.

 

[YSSMAN]

You might be in for a surprise. Since the Rabbit undercuts the Jetta by nearly $3000 (talking about the Rabbit Coupe here) thats a HUGE price difference. Not to mention, the rabbit Coupe even undercuts the Honda Fit Sport by nearly $1000, and you are getting a helluva-lot more car.

I'm going to be going out as soon as possible to drive the new car, I'll update when I have the chance...

 

[JCE]

You might be in for a surprise. Since the Rabbit undercuts the Jetta by nearly $3000 (talking about the Rabbit Coupe here) thats a HUGE price difference. Not to mention, the rabbit Coupe even undercuts the Honda Fit Sport by nearly $1000, and you are getting a helluva-lot more car.

I'm going to be going out as soon as possible to drive the new car, I'll update when I have the chance...

Agreed. I will definately be test driving one of these when it comes out. I'm going to try and get a test drive by myself so I can test it's *cough* fun factor. Do test the manual if you can.

*edit*
Take a look at the warranty:

Limited Warranty
Major components limited warranty:60 months/60,000miles (whichever occurs first)
Basic limited warranty:48 months/50,000miles (whichever occurs first)
Corrosion perforation limited warranty:144 months/ unlimited distance (whichever occurs first)

That's a decent warranty. And it has standard traction control and 4-wheel ABS with brake assist? Man VeeDub's got some seriously great standard features. And what everyone's complaining about with the "only" 150bhp is rediculous because it's got 170lb.ft. of torque...that's good to have more torque than bhp. I think this will be a great tuner car.

 

[YSSMAN]

The only problem I have with the 2.5L is that it is pretty thristy, but as I had said before, if weight could be removed from both the Golf/Rabbit and Jetta, it would solve that problem pretty easily.

I'm looking forward to driving one as a perspective buyer, not for myself, but for my Mother.

 

[niky]

Well, time will tell. Hondas have always been notoriously expensive for the amount of kit you get (one assumes you're paying the extra money for the engine), but it's a toss-up on whether VW's checkered brand-equity (at least in the US) and Honda's fuel efficiency will outweigh the better looks and huge amount of kit VW is giving away with their cars.

I'd say the buyers would most likely be choosing Honda, but the "Rabbit" will surely take a lot of sales away from them.

 

[JCE]

Well, time will tell. Hondas have always been notoriously expensive for the amount of kit you get (one assumes you're paying the extra money for the engine), but it's a toss-up on whether VW's checkered brand-equity (at least in the US) and Honda's fuel efficiency will outweigh the better looks and huge amount of kit VW is giving away with their cars.

I'd say the buyers would most likely be choosing Honda, but the "Rabbit" will surely take a lot of sales away from them.

Hell VW will steal some Cobalt, Focus, and Corolla sales away...guaranteed.

 

[YSSMAN]

I was talking with my co-workers today, and after they saw the new Rabbit commercials that have been airing on the television, they are very interested in the new car, despite the fact they really aren't in the market for a new car...

Does that mean the Rabbit name and the cute commericals worked?

 

[Omnis]

I think the little rabbit logo worked.

 

[JCE]

I was talking with my co-workers today, and after they saw the new Rabbit commercials that have been airing on the television, they are very interested in the new car, despite the fact they really aren't in the market for a new car...

Does that mean the Rabbit name and the cute commericals worked?

I haven't seen these new commercials...got a link so I can take a look?

Oh and I want to see some VeeDub commercials in the future. More ricers need to die in the name of German Engineering...word.

 

[YSSMAN]

Here ya go matey!!!



..Easily one of the best car commercials in the past 10 years or so. Last one I can think of that has had that much of an effect on me was the old slow-motion "Like a Rock" Chevrolet Trucks commercials from the '90s.

 

[JCE]

One word describes both the commercial and the logo: "cute". I still prefer Golf...but that's probably because I'm too used to it.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm getting used to calling it the Rabbit, but I'm sure I'm going to mistakenly call it the Golf plenty of times...

 

[JCE]

I'm getting used to calling it the Rabbit, but I'm sure I'm going to mistakenly call it the Golf plenty of times...

Wouldn't help if alot of people like me would remove the Rabbit badging and put the Golf badging.