Volkswagen's Rabbit Punch

It was year 1975 and VW sales were dropping.the Month" was made in November 1999. In the first
Japanese auto makers were rapidly advancing insidehalf of the new century, the sales of the Golf, VW
the US market with little boxtypes far cheaper than aRabbit's successor, steadily dropped in the North
Beetle. To address this threat, VW came up with aAmerican market. VW US decided that a re-branding
small front wheel drive car that was Spartan-like inis needed to save its lofty position in the automotive
every way. Enter the VW Rabbit, a water-cooled 4market. On 12 April 2006, at the Detroit Auto Show
cylinder, with a transversely mounted engine driving theVolkswagen of America announced the return of the
front wheels for around the same price as aVW Rabbit. The "new" Rabbit is the same model as
Japanese compact sedan. From that time on, thethe Golf V being sold in the rest of the world. VW
Rabbit has replaced the Beetle in the US consumerbosses were hoping that the nostalgia-factor coupled
market. With this development, the Rabbit started offwith a lower price tag will help thrust Rabbit sales. The
the influx of a new Volkswagen generation. Knownstrategy has worked quite well. In fact, the Kelly Blue
and lauded for its very efficient fuel economy, the VWBook, a top-rated website providing vehicle pricing and
Rabbit never received many changes over the yearsinformation, named the VW Rabbit as one of the "Top
of its production, but it did receive many improvements.10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000″ because
When local production started in the US in 1979, theit provides "the consumer with results that are needed
VW Rabbit part that underwent the most noticeablein today's economy." It noted the relatively high
and defining change was its set of headlights. Theutility-per-dollar value of the VW Rabbit as the
front lighting system was replaced with newcompact workhorse gives the performance, safety,
square-type headlights. In 1981, the Rabbit got anotherenvironmental impact, fuel economy, styling and
make-over. Gone were the small taillights, replaced bycomfort at just a price range starting at $14,990. Yet, a
square-type ones, which include wrap around turncloser look at the new VW Rabbit shows that indeed,
signals. In that same year, the engine grew from 1.6 toit has evolved to a very valuable, highly functional
1.7L , and the diesel variant from 1.5 to 1.6. In 1982, thecompact vehicle. Capacity has become flexible with
sport compact version of the VW Rabbit wasVW Rabbit's leather-wrapped 60/40 split rear seating.
introduced --- the 1.8L GTi, armed with tuned up VWA key VW Rabbit part added to the new version is
Rabbit parts - stiffer suspension, alloy wheels, front airthe External Temperature Gauge designed to
dam, and specially designed Recaro sport seats. Topdetermine temperature outside the Rabbit, useful in
speed, acceleration, and handling were tweaked on thecrossing state lines, mountain ranges, and other
GTi. Another edition was also released in 1982 calledclimactic zones. The presence of an electromechanical
the Rabbit "black tie" edition. A set of black bumperspower steering gives tighter steering and lessens
and mouldings was added as an add-on VW Rabbitpollutants, since it does not use harmful steering fluids.
part giving the car a meaner and sportier look. TheBut what makes the VW Rabbit a cut above its
interior had special seats, while the outside got a rearcontemporaries is its new five-cylinder engine, which
wiper. In July 1984, the VW Rabbit moved over toobviously gives it more power to sweep past its
make way for the production of the new Golf. VWcompetitors. Other add-ons that set the VW Rabbit in
Rabbit's convertible has continued to be produceda class of its own are its variable windshield wipers,
after being re-designed and renamed from Rabbitautomatic climate control, heated side windows, cruise
convertible to Cabriolet and renamed once againcontrol, traction control system, cargo area tie-downs,
recently to Cabrio. Although short lived, the Rabbit,power outlets at the cargo area, four-wheel disc
gave Volkswagen the much-needed breathing roombrakes, and additional turn signals. Indeed, Volkswagen
and a new headstart. However, the production of themay have stamped its name in the international
VW Rabbit has still not completely died off. Rabbitautomotive arena, but it seems to have lived, died, and
MK1's are still being produced by Volkswagen of Southlived again in the American market with its Rabbit.
Africa as the consumer model. In fact, the "Rabbit of