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MkVI VW Rabbit & GTI coming to America next September
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen customers in the United States have been patiently awaiting the arrival of the new sixth-generation Rabbit and its GTI performance variant. And while it's still a little ways off, at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel as the German automaker has announced that the new model will hit the U.S. market in early September 2009. European customers, meanwhile, already began taking delivery of their new Golfs last month, with the GTI due to arrive there next summer.
American versions will initially be available with the current 2.5-liter inline-five, a new 2-liter turbodiesel in the TDI version and the GTI's 2-liter TSI. A new 1.8-liter TFSI is expected to replace the base 2.5-liter unit, with 4Motion all-wheel-drive, TwinDrive hybrid and LPG versions to follow, as well as a possible all-electric version and a replacement for the current top-of-the-line R32 performance model. North American models will also come equipped with adaptive cruise control, adaptive chassis control and 19-inch wheels as standard. Of the current (fifth-generation) Rabbit, the GTI version accounted for roughly one third of models sold, which Volkswagen expects to continue with this new generation. In the meantime, you can check out the high-resolution images in the two galleries below.
Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen GTI LIVE
Gallery: Volkswagen Golf VI
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken Stamper 5:05PM (11/20/2008)
Seeing as how we get our Rabbits from the same factory in Germany as the Europeans do, and that they were designed from the get-go for NA, I don't understand why there is such a long lag time to get them to us.
Although maybe I should just be grateful its not 2 1/2 years like it was for the Mk IV and V.
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panoz racing 5:36PM (11/20/2008)
I don't think it is designed for NA, it is rather the best-selling vehicle of all in Europe.
halogenrep 6:23PM (11/20/2008)
Because US dollar is now strong while Euro is weak.
montoym 7:44PM (11/20/2008)
Because we've only had the MkV's for 2 full model years.
Even with us getting them next Sept., we are still on a shorter schedule than the Europeans since they've had the MkV's since '04.
If the MkVI wasn't cheaper to build I bet we wouldn't be seeing it as quickly.
ken_aisin 5:08PM (11/20/2008)
Can we have a set of better looking BBS wheels?
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UltimoDragon 5:11PM (11/20/2008)
Neat looking car.
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vdk 10:28PM (11/20/2008)
yup..
Kotse 5:23PM (11/20/2008)
"A new 1.8-liter TFSI is expected to replace the base 2.5-liter unit..."
And with it, the venerable timing chain feature of this normally aspirated, "1/2 V10" Lambo derived base engine...back to interference/timing belt suckerage.
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MikeW 6:21PM (11/20/2008)
The new 1.8tfsi uses a timing chain.
MikeW 6:25PM (11/20/2008)
http://www.audiworld.com/news/06/paris-audi-18tfsi-engine/
vdk 10:28PM (11/20/2008)
the I5 is NOT based on the V10 Gallardo.. you need to stop dreaming.. it's a myth.. I would trade the 2.5 for a 1.8 in a heartbeat..
Kotse 12:11AM (11/21/2008)
Read this vdk regarding the 2.5 on VWVortex:
"Being based loosely on half of the V-10 Lamborghini Gallardo engine you might hope to see half the Lambo's 500 horsepower, but that isn't the case. VW tells us that the 2.5 is detuned for use as the entry-level engine..."
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_1283.shtml
MikeW 10:33AM (11/21/2008)
When the 2.5 came out, I swear it had to be 2 valves per cylinder, because no one could make a 5 cylinder with 4 valve per cylinder that makes 148hp.
Even at 168hp now, it still makes me wonder...
No VW really did make such a crappy engine back then, and today.
If it makes marginal power & guzzles gas, it is time to retire it.
No, the Audi engine is based off VW's corporate bore centers.
lauralemay 5:36PM (11/20/2008)
LPG? Propane? ??
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lauralemay 5:47PM (11/20/2008)
Replying to myself, sorry, LPG is natural gas.
And I'd like to note that the original article makes it more clear that the TFSI, AWD, electric and LPG models are just on the schedule, not necessarily scheduled for the US.
why not the LS2LS7? 8:44PM (11/20/2008)
LNG (liquid natural gas) or CNG (compressed natural gas) is natural gas (methane). LPG is (mostly) propane (liquified petroleum gas).
Jason 6:13PM (11/20/2008)
Does this mean they aren't bringing over the 1.4L turbo/supercharged engine? That kinda sucks. The 2.5L I5 is absolutely abysmal (and thirsty too) so hopefully whatever engine they are using to replace it is better.
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MikeW 6:36PM (11/20/2008)
I don't care if VW wants to shorten the stroke of the 1.8tfsi to make a 1.6tfsi, just make sure that the 7 speed DSG comes with the Rabbit [golf]
Hike15 7:34PM (11/20/2008)
id rather have a sirocco...
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Randy915 11:48PM (11/20/2008)
+1
If Scirocco comes out I'm definitely buying it, if not I'll settle for the GTI.