VW Product Updates

[Atomic Glee]

Coming out of my longtime lurk status to bring you the skinny on upcoming US-market VW products. Been a while, hasn't it? Anyway, this is what my info shows (some of this has been said before, some is new):

Touareg:
Passat-style headlights and bumper grille.
MI (Model Introduction): November 2006
Price may be realigned to market (whatever they mean by this).
V6 TDI is in the plan.

Jetta Wagon:
Looks like a Mercedes-Benz.
SOP (Start Of Production): May 2007
$1,000 above current Jetta.
26% of sales historically.

K-SUV:
(Not the real name)
Available in two styles: urban and off-road.
SOP: Nov. 2007
2.0T, 6MT, 2WD: $23,895
2.0T, 4MO, 6AT, Pkg. 3: $32,145
26,000 units per year.
Poss. TDI.
RAV4 sells 80,000 units/yr.
CRV/RAV4 priced $23,000. X3 priced $43,000.
Dealers commented that TDI would give a unique selling proposition and that Liberty diesel has doubled expected sales.

Project M: Minivan:
SOP: 2008.
MI: Late 2008.
Based on the platform of the market-leading product (Chrysler minivan).
We could never get this to market this quick without a partner.
Exterior nose and tail are VW, everything in between in shared.
Interior is VW.
Ours will be the long wheelbase version.
Suspension will be reworked for a sportier feel.
One life cycle with Chrysler (6 years).
$25,000 - $32,000.
10% 3.3L, 80% 3.8L, 10% 4.0L V8.

CC: Sport Sedan
"Passat Coupe" shown at recent meetings.
SOP: June 2008.
MI: Oct. 2008.
Competitive Group: Acura TSX, TL, Infiniti G35, Lexus ES.
Roof 3" lower than Passat.
2.0T, 6MT: $25,925.
3.6, 6AT, 4MO, Sport Pkg.: $36,975
28,500 units/yr.
Poss. 2.0T, 4MO.
$1,400 above Passat.
This car is a four-passenger and has limited headroom in back seats. Not quite 2+2, but close.

Scirocco:
Designed in L.A.
SOP: 2008.
MI: Oct. 2008.
20,000 units/yr.
May be priced less than GTI ($20,000 - $25,000)
Competitive segment: Acura RSX, Eclipse, Scion TC.

New New Beetle:
SOP: July 2009
MI: Oct. 2009
Convertible one year later.
Could be more agressively priced than current car.
Maybe $15,000.
Volume: 25k sedan, 25k convertible.

[kcfoxie]

a new scirocco, a new rabbit, new new new beetles... wow, the only thing left is for the mini SUV to be called "THING" and "THING 2" and the new Van to be called "vanagon" and I think we're right back into the 80s-90s!!

[FineExampl]

LOL i think i would like to see the old names back. That'd rock.

[iScott]

Not questioning your info, but what are your sources?

[CrazyJames]

Originally Posted by UFC_Champ_Scott

Not questioning your info, but what are your sources?

Unless I am mistaken, Kevin works for a VW Dealership... (VW Sales right?)

[pdoel]

I'm very happy to hear they will be offering the Touareg in the V6 TDI. However, I would assume it still won't be available in a manual transmission.

If they surprise me, Hmmmmmmm.

[Atomic Glee]

Re: Sources...

I no longer work in VW Sales, but I am back at the same dealership. This is info passed to me from an April product update from VWoA.

[cjh47]

What does sop and mi stand for? Sorry I am just not familiar with those terms.

[gilligan]

Originally Posted by cjh47

What does sop and mi stand for? Sorry I am just not familiar with those terms.

correct me if i'm wrong but sop = start of production and MI is how long it will take for the first one to reach michigan?

[Atomic Glee]

SOP = Start Of Production
MI = Model Introduction

[Grover]

So what is the new NB supposed to look like? Why is it new? Anyone know?

[iScott]

Wonder why they wouldn't redo the Bug in '08 for an anniversary edition or something.

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by Grover

So what is the new NB supposed to look like? Why is it new? Anyone know?

If it happens, it'll be a basic redesign. Moving it to the new platform (I'm guessing the MKV? Or maybe MKVI?).

It will still look like a Beetle. Much like all the Jeeps get redesigned, but still look very much like the old version.

It's a way to keep the vehicle current and modern.

[Concept1]

It's been rumored that the next generation New Beetle will be an all new design. Smaller but with a longer roofline and steeper windshield angle so that interior room is increased. Hard to imagine though. I'd be more than happy if they just moved it to the MkV platform with an an interior refresh. Of course by then the Rabbit, GTI and Scirocco will probably be on the MKVI platform.

[cjh47]

ok, what is the MKVI ? platform?

[Atomic Glee]

The Mark VI platform is the platform that will replace the current Mark V platform used by the new Jetta, Golf/Rabbit, GTI, GLI, and (in modified form) Passat and 2007 Audi TT.

[heyou]

Depending on they way they go with the new new beetle styling, I could see a ton of people trading in their MKIV NB's for MKV's!
If I was in a decent financial position, I might buy a MKV an keep my MKIV! I wonder what kind of engines we'll get, hopefully something a little beefier than the 1.8T. (2.0T? VR6?)

[ASurroca]

I still think the new New Beetle... [please, Volkswagen, I beg of you, drop the "new" in 2009 and just call it the Beetle, okay? Enough with the "new" bit, we get it already!] ...should be based off a simpler, more economical platform than the MkV platform, such as a future Polo platform.

The updates sound interesting. I didn't think the Touareg would get the Passat-look refresh by the end of the year. Bravo.

I'm a little worried that they want the Scirocco to compete against the RSX, Eclipse, and tC. It is not going to be the poor man's Porsche the old 'roccos and 'rados used to be at that price point.

I've noticed, this shows Volkswagen's longtime promise of tackling niche markets is beginning. Note that most of these future models aren't huge bread-and-butter sellers like the Passat and Jetta. Small SUV: 26,000. "Passat Coupe": 28,500. Scirocco: 20,000. New Beetle: 25,000. New Beetle Convertible: 25,000. They seem to be aiming at launching a few "microbrewed" models, 25k here and 25k there....

What's Missing....

1. The GX3. This motorcycle appears very close to getting the green-light, and I think it's the kind of crazy thing that Volkswagen needs to give a chance.

2. Phaeton MkII. I'm sure Volkswagen is waiting to see how well the "Passat Coupe" fairs (since its price will dip well past 40k with all the goodies) before launching another model above the Passat, but I'm sure we'll get one.

3. Polo-sized model. I'm sure Volkswagen wants to see whether or not the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris flop before they consider entering this sub-compact market. With the Rabbit starting around $15k with all the fit and finish of its more expensive bretheren, I'm not sure VWoA actually needs a $13k econobox.

4. Diesel Hybrid: I could've sworn Volkswagen was mulling about a Jetta Hybrid, and the idea of merging the TDI with it for some unprecedented fuel sipping was not lost on VW bosses either. If they're going to do it... However, with ethanol and biodiesel finally stealing headlines away from hybrids, maybe VWoA should just keep adding TDI engines to every model and call it a day.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by ASurroca

4. Diesel Hybrid: I could've sworn Volkswagen was mulling about a Jetta Hybrid, and the idea of merging the TDI with it for some unprecedented fuel sipping was not lost on VW bosses either. If they're going to do it... However, with ethanol and biodiesel finally stealing headlines away from hybrids, maybe VWoA should just keep adding TDI engines to every model and call it a day.

As I understand it the Jetta is going to be the star of the show for 2008 with it both marking the return of the Diesel and the introduction of a Hybrid model. Hopefully this will lead to the eventual combining of the two technologies.

[PhoenixRising]

Oh, that would be keen, a hybrid.