When the redesigned Volkswagen Golf debuted in August, the question on the mind of most American VW fans was, “when will we get it?” The answer — September 2009. Both the standard issue Rabbit and the high-performance GTI model will arrive then, Volkswagen has confirmed.
Volkswagen will begin producing the new U.S.-spec models in late June, according to Edmunds. European customers can already purchase the new Golf, but the GTI won’t arrive at dealerships until some time in the summer. That means Americans are a year behind in getting the base model, but will be pretty much in line with the rest of the world when it comes to the hotter GTI.
That makes perfect sense, considering Americans have an appetite for GTIs. According to VW, 15,000 of the 42,000 Rabbits sold in North America in 2007 were GTI models. U.S. pricing is expected to go up slightly, but probably not more than $250.
The entry-level Rabbit will continue to ship with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder mill, while the GTI will get a 2.0-liter TFSI. A new 2.0-liter TDI diesel will join the lineup, and a 1.8 liter TFSI could be added if market conditions warrant it. North American GTIs are expected to come standard with adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, and 19-inch wheels.
Other models expected to join the Rabbit lineup include a Rabbit 4Motion, a GTI-R, a TwinDrive hybrid model, and an LPG natural gas version.
11/18, 10:40 PM
posted by:
Borat
VW sells 200K cars in US and thats includes all models. If VW looks can be combined with Honda reliability, it could be contender, otherwise it is cheerleader’s ride.
11/18, 10:48 PM
posted by:
A4
um if i recall the R32 is being replace by the GTI-R… so no, there probably wont be a new R32.
11/18, 10:49 PM
posted by:
A4
but im glad that the GTI is coming early, although i probably cant afford a new one til 2010-2011 anyway… so booo
11/18, 11:01 PM
posted by:
olds307
Maybe they’ll figure out how to make plastics that don’t disintegrate with this generation.
11/19, 12:44 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
The only thing more pathetic than a GTI are the pre-pubescent boy racers who drive them.
11/19, 1:41 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Howsmydriving,
I guess you;ve never driven a MkV, considering the fact is that it’s the opposite of a “boy-racer” instead it’s the mature alternative to those (where’s the wing?). I own a 07 and every, let me repeat that, EVERY compliment (around 50+) is from a 1. 35+ year old men who like the muted looks and are car freaks or 2. 20 something year old women who like NICE luxury cars (mine’s loaded with dual zone climate control/leather/sunroof and the like). My recomendation is to try a new one out and don’t diss until you’ve experienced it.
Oh, and I hope this one fixes the rattle problem. My major concern althought the radio nicely mutes it out.