Bold move for VW (MKV Content)

[pdoel]

This was posted on the Vortex. Can't find any links yet about it, but very interesting if it's true.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.— In a surprise move, Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that
its all-new fifth generation Golf, which debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, is going back to its
roots with the original Rabbit nameplate for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The Rabbit will hop into
the market in early summer, after its official introduction at the New York International Auto Show on
Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
“The Rabbit was always exclusive to the U.S. and Canadian markets; while the rest of the
world had the Golf, we had the iconic Rabbit,” said Volkswagen’s Director of Brand Innovation, Kerri
Martin. “The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen’s commitment to this market and is
a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit
name.”
“Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle,
Fox, and Rabbit support this,” Martin added.
The Rabbit goes on sale this summer in both two and four-door versions, with pricing starting
at $14,990 for the two-door. Standard features include an advanced ABS braking system, traction
control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, air conditioning and anti-theft alarm system
with remote locking. Always known for its value, this latest Rabbit is no exception, offering a high
level of standard features and equipment at an attractive starting price.
The Rabbit Communication
Confidential 2 of 3
The Rabbit was the first Volkswagen produced in the United States and its appeal grew rapidly,
with sales of over 1.3 million in its 10-year lifespan. The Rabbit’s popularity can be credited to the
wide array of standard features it offered at an attractive price. The 2006 Rabbit promises a return to
the high-value, iconic status of the original.
“The Rabbit’s return to Volkswagen’s family is not an attempt to recreate the original car;
today’s Rabbit is manufactured at our Wolfsburg production facility alongside the all-new GTI.”
The Rabbit, or Golf as it is well known throughout the rest of the world, is the world’s bestseller
with over 25 million cars sold over five generations. This latest generation has already won
more than 25 awards in more than sixteen countries. And, yesterday, the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS), announced that the 2006 Rabbit four-door received the Top Safety Pick, Silver
award, based on the Institute’s frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection ratings.
Martin adds, “Even the name ‘Rabbit’ dramatizes the enhanced performance, playing off the
car’s clever design, efficient size, agility and nimbleness. The Rabbit is back.”
The 2006 Rabbit benefits from its laser-welding production process, class-leading fit and
finish, heightened body strength, crash protection, driving dynamics, and reduced interior noise.
Drivers of the Rabbit will benefit from it’s fully independent suspension system that uses a multi-link
rear and optimized front axle, and will enjoy the new optional six-speed automatic transmission with
Tiptronic® (five-speed manual standard). A new powerful engine with a larger displacement of 2.5
liters and five-cylinders generates 150 horsepower.
Also among the most impressive new driving advancements are a standard electro-mechanical
steering system, and an optional advanced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP).
The Rabbit also promises more interior room than ever with a large rear hatch opening. Legroom has
also increased in this new version.
For added assurance, the Rabbit will come with 24-hour Roadside Assistance for four years
with unlimited mileage and new vehicle warranties including:
•Five-year/60,000 mile (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Limited Warranty
The Rabbit Communication
Confidential 3 of 3
•Four-year/50,000 mile (whichever occurs first) New Vehicle Limited Warranty •12
year unlimited mileage Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It
is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest
automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, Jetta, Passat, Touareg and Phaeton through more
than 600 independent U.S. dealers.
# # #
All trademarks used in this document are the property of their respective owners.
Steve Keyes Clark Campbell
Volkswagen Public Relations Volkswagen Public Relations

[Fowvay]

What can I say.... Rabbit.. YEAH!!!!

2 Door 2.5 liter for $15,0000 Hell Yes....

Sounds like good news to me

[WNAB911]

Kind of makes sense, the "Fast" character looks like an evil robotic bunny, and the VW people were selling rabbit decals at the show N go on Sunday.

[larryziegler]

This is the only VW I could find showcased for the NY Int'l Auto Show. The Eos.

This taken from autoweb.com: Volkswagen also announced that the Touareg TDI will be available this fall, and that they also plan to debut the VW Eos convertible to the US this fall.

[Steinola]

Originally Posted by larryziegler

This is the only VW I could find showcased for the NY Int'l Auto Show. The Eos.

It didn't say NY International Auto Show, Larry... it said the 2006 Chicago Auto Show... and the "New Golf", indeed, had it's debut there... along with the EOS, New GTI, and Passat Wagon (see under "Debuts" on the left).

That said... I'm still dubious of this report. Since there's no mention of it on VW's press site http://www.volkswagen-media-services.com/ or vw.com.
My assumption is that it was "released" on April 1st

[larryziegler]

Originally Posted by Steinola

It didn't say NY International Auto Show, Larry... it said the 2006 Chicago Auto Show... and the "New Golf", indeed, had it's debut there... along with the EOS, New GTI, and Passat Wagon (see under "Debuts" on the left).

That said... I'm still dubious of this report. Since there's no mention of it on VW's press site http://www.volkswagen-media-services.com/ or vw.com.
My assumption is that it was "released" on April 1st

It said the Rabbit would make its debut at the Jacob Javits Center for the New York Int'l Auto Show which is April 14-23. ("Rabbit will hop into the market in early summer, after its official introduction at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.") The posting I made came from [url]http://www.autoshowny.com. The website makes no reference anywhere as to the debut of the "Rabbit".

[Steinola]

Well paint me a doofus.
I glossed over that part, and just focused on the introduction of the New Golf in Chicago. That'll teach me.
Quite right... no mention of it at the NY autoshow site.

(that Saab AeroX is kinda cool, though )

[larryziegler]

Originally Posted by Steinola

Well paint me a doofus.
I glossed over that part, and just focused on the introduction of the New Golf in Chicago. That'll teach me.
Quite right... no mention of it at the NY autoshow site.

(that Saab AeroX is kinda cool, though )

You had me scared there for a moment, because that's the thing I'm most guilty of! *whew*

[manoverboard987]

this falls in line with the fascia redesign we've been seeing rumored, maybe? the one everyone tried to call Golf VI, but was just some new bodywork?

[Deserion]

Hmm. We had Jetta, the rest of the world went to Vento and Bora. Now they're back with Jetta.

We had Rabbit, they had Golf. We had Golf, and now have Rabbit again?

Please don't tell me the Passat is going to be the new Dasher or Quantum again!

-Des

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Hmm. We had Jetta, the rest of the world went to Vento and Bora. Now they're back with Jetta.

We had Rabbit, they had Golf. We had Golf, and now have Rabbit again?

Please don't tell me the Passat is going to be the new Dasher or Quantum again!

-Des

But as to this thread, I would love to see a Rabbit again on the road...I happened to have owned a few, and they were great cars.

[pdoel]

It's official.

Per VW's website

[manoverboard987]

Originally Posted by pdoel

It's official.

Per VW's website

freakin sweet!

i was expecting to see a price increase on the official version, but nope! still $14990!

[Steinola]

Originally Posted by pdoel

It's official.

Per VW's website

Well there ya go.
Paint me a surprised doofus

Fun news. If it was more than just a rebadging, and more of a complete shift back to economically-priced "people cars" (the entire line, not just the Rabbit), it'd be significant news. As it is... it's just "fun" news.

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by pdoel

It's official.

Per VW's website

Pics!
Thanks for the link.

[manoverboard987]

is this a brown interior?



or is it just the weird lighting in the picture?

by looking at the gauges we know are dark grey/black, you can kinda see it.

it's more specifically the color of dark chocolate, which i don't think i like very much. at least in this pic.

of course, if it is black and i'm off, then i do like it.

[Steinola]

The interior does look brown-ish.

There's definitely a difference in color between the gauge faces, and the faces of the comfort controls and headlight switches (which we know to be black/very dark grey).

If it's an optional color, I'm all for it. Anything to get these cars to appeal to a broader range of consumers. But if it's the standard color, or the only one available... I think it's a big mistake (assuming, it is, indeed, "chocolate").

[manoverboard987]

Originally Posted by Steinola

The interior does look brown-ish.

There's definitely a difference in color between the gauge faces, and the faces of the comfort controls and headlight switches (which we know to be black/very dark grey).

If it's an optional color, I'm all for it. Anything to get these cars to appeal to a broader range of consumers. But if it's the standard color, or the only one available... I think it's a big mistake (assuming, it is, indeed, "chocolate").

my sentiments exactly.

[globug01]

Whatever floats their boat! I guess it will work for rabbit nostalgics..I think they should just move on!

[Ivy]

The first car that I remember my family driving was a mid 70's yellow rabbit. I am basking in the nostalgia of it all! I like the emblem I saw online - I found it the other day and can't remember which website but it showed the little rabbit and I was very excited!!!