2018 GOLF ALLTRACK: VOLKSWAGEN'S ADVENTUROUS WAGON IS BUILT FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE WHEREVER THE TRAIL LEADS
•Freshened styling and LEDs front and rear give the Golf Alltrack a new visual signature
•Pricing ranges from $25,955 for the S model wîth manual transmission to $35,660 for the top-tier SEL trim
•New, larger MIB II touchscreen infotainment systems across all trims, up to 8 inches
•4Motion® all-wheel drive, Hill Descent Control, Alltrack-exclusive 'Off Road Mode,' and increased ground clearance provide exceptional performance on a variety of terrains
•Driver assistance features become standard on various trims, including Front Assist, ACC and Lane Assist
•Six-year or 72,000-mile 'bumper-to-bumper' limited warranty beats its competitors' bumper to bumper coverage in years and mileage
•Tech features include standard Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect and an available Off-Road HMI section for the MIB II infotainment platform
Herndon, VA (November 7, 2017) – The 2018 Golf Alltrack wîth 4Motion® all-wheel drive is the ultimate vehicle for adventure seekers. Combining practicality wîth high-performance, the wagon can maneuver through a variety of terrain, all year-round.
New for 2018
The 2018 Golf Alltrack is available in three trims—S, SE and SEL. The 2018 Golf Alltrack S receives new LED taillights, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and automatic headlights wîth rain sensor. On the inside, the updated model features a 6.5-inch Composition Color touchscreen infotainment display wîth Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect.
The 2018 Golf Alltrack SE adds Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), as a standard driver assistance feature. Pedestrian Monitoring and Blind Spot Monitor wîth Rear Traffic Alert will be added mid-model year. SE trims also upgrade to an 8-inch Composition Media touchscreen infotainment display.
The top-of-line 2018 Golf Alltrack SEL gains a new 8-inch Discover Media touchscreen infotainment and navigation display, as well LED headlights wîth the Adaptive Front-lighting System. In addition, driver assistance features that were previously included in packages become standard equipment, including Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), front and rear Park Distance Control wîth Maneuver braking (ParkPilot), Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist) and High Beam Control (Light Assist). Mid-model year changes add standard Blind Spot Monitor wîth Rear Traffic Alert.
For the 2018 model year, Volkswagen Golf Alltrack models in the Únited States will come wîth the People First Warranty, a six-year or 72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which can be transferred to subsequent owners throughout its duration.
Pricing for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack wîth a standard six-speed manual transmission starts at $25,955. The six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission wîth Tiptronic® starts at $27,055. The destination charge for all Golf Alltrack models is an additional $850.
Exterior 
The Golf Alltrack, the taller sibling of the Golf SportWagen, has an extra 0.6 inches in ride height over the vehicle from which it was derived. This height elevation adds a bolder, more capable appearance, without compromising the pillars of Volkswagen design DNA—tight, crisp lines and understated-yet-modern surfaces. Like the SportWagen, the Alltrack is about 180.2 inches long and 70.8 inches wide.
Halogen headlights wîth LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) refresh the Alltrack's look. Differentiating itself from the SportWagen, the Alltrack's profile includes body cladding on the side sills and around the wheelarches that carries over to the lower areas of the redesigned bumpers. Únique accenting can also be seen in the silver roof rails, Reflex Silver side mirrors and lower window chrome molding. A panoramic sunroof is standard equipment on SE and SEL grades. Also obvious from the side are the standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy 'Valley' wheels (18-inch 'Canyon' on the SEL) and the impressive ground clearance of 6.9 inches.
At the back, the Alltrack sports new LED taillights, and a bumper that is highlighted by dominant silver underbody protection, matching the style of the side sills and incorporating chrome exhaust outlets on either side. 'Alltrack' and '4Motion' badging also make it clear this is a distinctly different vehicle than its Golf brethren.
In addition to the standard fog lights, LED Daytime Running Lights and automatic headlights wîth rain sensor activation are now fitted on all trims. SEL models add LED headlights wîth the Adaptive Front-lighting System.
Interior 
Inside, the Alltrack offers a generous 94.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, as well as 30.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 66.5 cubic feet wîth the rear seats folded. The sizeable interior also includes 38.6 inches of headroom space, front and rear shoulder room of 55.9 and 53.9 inches, and front and rear legroom of 41.2 and 35.6 inches.
Notable differences that distinguish the Alltrack's upscale cabin from its SportWagen brethren include standard V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces across all trims, along wîth standard heated front seats. A 12-way power driver seat is standard on the SEL model. The unique interior equipment of the Alltrack includes stainless-steel door kickplates wîth the Alltrack logo, custom aluminum-look pedals and updated center console trim.
In addition to the expansive interior space, driver controls are positioned to help optimize ergonomics and usability. The seat position, height of the shifter and the spacing between the pedals are fine-tuned for increased driver comfort. This driver-centric design focus is evident from the center stack, which is angled towards the driver, a feature frequently seen in premium luxury or performance vehicles. Ambient lighting further highlights this upscale character, as well as the use of premium materials throughout, such as the soft-touch plastics and leather-wrapped handbrake, shifter knob and multi-function §teering wheel.
An equal amount of attention has been paid to helping to optimize comfort and convenience throughout the lineup. The Alltrack comes equipped wîth a long list of modern comfort, convenience and entertainment features, including power windows and power-adjustable mirrors, an eight-speaker audio system, and a rearview camera. SE trims include KESSY® keyless access wîth push-button start, while SEL models include the Fender® Premium Audio System and Climatronic® automatic dual-zone climate control.
MIB II Infotainment. As standard equipment across the Golf Alltrack line, the MIB II infotainment system not only creates the foundation for the next generation of Volkswagen's Car-Net® connected vehicle services platform, but also offers one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry today.
The Golf Alltrack S is equipped wîth the Composition Color unit, which features a new 6.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display. The infotainment system also offers SD card and ÚSB (one port) multimedia interfaces, as well as a rearview camera and standard Bluetooth® technology for compatible devices.
All other Alltrack models are equipped wîth a glass-covered 8.0-inch Composition Media unit wîth capacitive touchscreen display. The new 8.0-inch display is not only brighter than previous generation of MIB II, it also offers better color reproduction, response time and improved viewing angles due to the switch to In-plane Switching (IPS) technology.
Composition Media units offer one ÚSB ports, a JPEG viewer, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio for a three month trial period, HD Radio, and support for lossless audio file format (Free Lossless Audio Codec FLAC). Both units also have the ability to send and receive SMS text messages wîth Bluetooth wîth compatible phones and pair two phones simultaneously. The Discover Media unit offers 2.5D navigation, featuring one-shot voice destination entry, destination entry wîth quick search and auto-complete, and predicts possible destinations based on often used routes.
Volkswagen Car-Net. Volkswagen is committed to driving the development of more connected and intelligent vehicles, and the Volkswagen Car-Net® connectivity system is a major element in achieving that goal. Features available through VW Car-Net are divided into three key areas: 'App-Connect,' 'Security & Service,' and 'Guide & Inform.'
VW Car-Net App-Connect smartphone integration for compatible devices is standard on all Golf Alltrack models. App-Connect offers users the ability to run select smartphone apps directly on the vehicle's display through services like Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®.
Equipped on Alltrack SE models, VW Car-Net Security & Service is a suite of elements that provides security features and also allows owners to access their VW remotely through vw.com/carnet as well as a smartphone app.
Customers purchasing new Volkswagen models equipped wîth VW Car-Net Security & Service will receive a no-charge, six-month trial subscription from Verizon Telematics. To extend the benefits of this system after the trial, customers can choose from a number of payment options: One year for $199, two years for $378, and three years for $540, or month-to-month for $17.99, plus applicable taxes and fees. App-Connect can be used wîth no additional charge and is not included as part of the subscription-based services.
Available VW Car-Net Security & Service features include Automatic Crash Notification, which can automatically notify an operator who can quickly contact first responders in the event of a collision; Manual Emergency Call, a feature that allows for quick access to customer specialists at the touch of a button; Roadside Assistance, for added peace-of-mind in the event of trouble on the road; and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, which uses VW Car-Net Security & Service to assist law enforcement wîth locating your vehicle in the event that it is stolen.
In addition, VW Car-Net Security & Service offers remote vehicle access, remote door lock and unlock, remote honk and flash of lights, last parked location information, and remote status check (doors and windows). Consumers will also be able to send a location from their connected compatible smart device to the factory-installed compatible navigation system on select models. For consumers who prefer a more personal touch, agent destination assist is also available.
VW Car-Net Security & Service also includes Family Guardian, which offers features such as: speed alert, which notifies the owner of the vehicle when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded; and boundary alert, which lets you know when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary.
Diagnostics and maintenance information is also available through VW Car-Net Security & Service. In addition to the vehicle's warning and indicator lights, a Vehicle Health Report provides customers easy access to diagnostic information. When it's time for scheduled service, VW Car-Net Security & Service not only notifies the customer, but provides a simple way to schedule a dealer visit. It can even identify the closest dealer in case owners need a recommendation.
The available VW Car-Net app for smartwatch (supports select Apple WatchTM and Android WearTM operating systems) allows VW customers to control a host of Security & Service features and functions available through the iPhoneTM and AndroidTM apps as well as the Customer Web Portal, directly from their wrist. Smartwatch wearers can keep tabs on their vehicle from afar, remotely locking and unlocking doors and viewing the status of doors, windows and sunroof (open or closed). These consumers can also find a parked vehicle more quickly, wîth a map of the current vehicle location, and get walking or driving directions to the vehicle. Drivers can check their fuel level and receive alerts wîth a compatible smartwatch.
Car-Net Guide & Inform is included on Alltrack SEL and offers an enhanced navigation and infotainment experience for VW consumers. Volkswagen has incorporated technologies that enhance existing navigation offerings while adding an additional level of information that helps empower consumers. The in-vehicle navigation system features fuel prices, sports scores, movie information and weather data as part of the three-month SiriusXM Travel Link trial. VW customers will also enjoy traffic information and a complimentary three-month SiriusXM Traffic trial.
Powertrain
The Alltrack shares its 1.8-liter TSI engine wîth other members of the seventh-generation Golf lineup. This four-cylinder gasoline unit is a member of the latest EA888 engine family, utilizing turbocharged induction and direct fuel injection to help achieve excellent efficiency while still delivering impressive power. Output is rated at 170 horsepower at 4500 rpm and a stout 199 pound-feet of torque beginning at just 1,600 rpm.
On S and SE models, Alltrack is offered wîth either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic transmission; SEL models come standard wîth the six-speed DSG. Regardless of transmission, power is routed to all four wheels via the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. EPA-estimated fuel economy for models equipped wîth the six-speed manual is currently pending EPA certification, but these models are expected to be rated around 22 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway. These estimates are preliminary, and official EPA estimates will be available later this Fall. When equipped wîth the optional six-speed DSG automatic transmission, EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Also unique to Alltrack is a large 14.5-gallon fuel tank, which offers a greater range for adventure than SportWagen's 13.2-gallon tank.
4Motion all-wheel-drive system
One of the Alltrack's key features is the 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive system. The latest-generation 4Motion system is activated before any wheelspin occurs, helping eliminate traction losses. The system achieves this by using an advanced control function based on specific driving conditions. When operating under a relatively low load or when coasting, the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled, which can help save fuel. (concept carz) However, the rear wheels can be engaged in fractions of a second whenever necessary via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.
A control unit continually calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how much the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure at the clutch plates in proportion to the torque desired at the rear axle. So, the amount of pressure applied to the clutch plates can be used to continuously vary the amount of torque going between the front and rear wheels, up to a maximum of 50 percent at the rear axle.
In addition to the center differential that acts longitudinally, electronic differential locks (EDL) that are a function of the electronic stability control system act laterally. The system can briefly brake a wheel that is slipping, enabling uninterrupted and stable transfer of drive power to the wheel on the opposite side.
Chassis
As a member of the modern Golf lineup, Alltrack is built on the same MQB chassis architecture as the rest of the line. The unitary construction chassis has two solid-mounted subframes wîth bolt-on front fenders, and utilizes new technologies such as laser clamp welding, which produces 'wobble seam' welds in a wave pattern to help maximize strength in a limited space, offering significantly more strength than a traditional spot weld.
The stamped steel body and chassis boasts a large percentage of high-strength, hot-formed steel. This technology allows much of the chassis and body to be constructed from thinner and lighter parts without loss in strength.
The Alltrack has its own, unique suspension tuning, wîth a ride height that is raised by 0.6 inches. Úp front, a strut layout uses coil springs, telescopic dampers, and an anti-roll bar, wîth a multilink arrangement wîth coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar at the back.
The Golf Alltrack braking system features 11.3-inch vented front discs and 10.7-inch solid rear discs wîth standard three-channel ABS wîth electronic brake pressure distribution. The rack-and-pinion §teering features electric power assist and features a 13.6:1 ratio that allows for 2.76 turns from lock to lock and a vehicle turning circle of 35.8 feet.
The Alltrack features a unique Driving Mode Selection that enables an Off Road Mode setting. This driving profile alters the ABS system and accelerator pedal character and activates the hill descent function, helping Alltrack deliver exceptional performance off the beaten path. The available Off-Road HMI that is part of the navigation system displays compass, §teering angle, and altitude when driving off-pavement.
Alltrack is also equipped wîth the XDS+® Cross Differential System—a feature originally developed for the performance-oriented GTI model. This technology acts somewhat like an electronic substitute for a traditional mechanical limited-slip differential, working by actively monitoring data from each wheel sensor. If the suspension becomes unloaded, the system automatically applies braking to the driven inside wheel as needed to help reduce understeer (the tendency for the front wheels to run wide). This not only helps stability, but can also help improve handling and cornering performance.
Safety
Like the rest of the Golf line, Alltrack provides an intelligent combination of both passive and active safety systems. The Golf has been engineered to meet or exceed all current crash regulations and features six airbags as standard, along wîth a number of electronic and mechanical safety systems.
The Golf Alltrack braking system involves substantial 11.3-inch vented front discs and 10.7 -inch solid rear discs wîth standard three-channel ABS wîth electronic brake pressure distribution. All Golf models are equipped wîth standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
A standard feature on all 2018 Alltrack models is the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. This builds on the premise that a collision is rarely a single, instantaneous action, but rather a series of events that follow the initial impact—the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this by applying the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, thus helping to reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.
The Alltrack also includes Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions. All Alltrack models are equipped wîth standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
Driver Assistance
The Golf Alltrack offers a standard rearview camera and number of available driver assistance systems, including Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking wîth Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), front and rear Park Distance Control wîth Maneuver braking (ParkPilot), Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), and High Beam Control (Light Assist).
Front Assist, standard on SE models, helps warn drivers of potential frontal collisions (Forward Collision Warning) wîth vehicles, and in some cases can provide automatic braking assistance (Autonomous Emergency Braking). Pedestrian Monitoring will be added to SE trims mid-model year.
Within physical system limits, Forward Collision Warning helps warn the driver of critical front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a warning symbol in the instrument cluster above 18 mph. If the driver fails to brake, or if the car is below 18 mph, Autonomous Emergency Braking is activated to help slow the vehicle. If the brake pedal is applied but the driver brakes too lightly, the brake pressure is increased by the system (Braking Support).
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), standard on Alltrack SEL, uses a forward facing radar to maintain a set speed while helping maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. The driver sets the speed and the desired spacing via buttons on the multifunction §teering wheel and can further use those buttons or the brakes to adjust and cancel the ACC function while the accelerator can be used to override the ACC function. All ACC-related system messages appear in the central multifunction display.
When the roadway ahead of the vehicle is clear, the system maintains the set speed. Alltrack models fitted wîth ACC can match a vehicle in front and come to a stop. If the car stands longer than three seconds, the driver can resume ACC control after pressing the accelerator pedal or the 'resume' button on the §teering wheel.
Blind Spot Monitor wîth Rear Traffic Alert will be added mid-model year as standard equipment on Alltrack SE and SEL. Blind Spot Monitor uses two radar sensors at the rear of the vehicle to scan the approaching traffic and can help warn drivers of potential danger in adjacent lanes. If the driver uses the turn signal to indicate a lane change while a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, the system utilizes a flashing LED symbol in the outer area of the side mirrors. Even if the driver does not use a turn signal, the LED symbol in the mirror will illuminate if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. The system is designed to help alert drivers in specific situations; stationary objects or oncoming vehicles do not trigger warnings, nor will vehicles more than one lane across away from the vehicle.
If combined wîth Lane Assist (Alltrack SEL, see below) the system not only helps warn the driver wîth the flashing LED symbol if a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, but within system limits, it can also countersteer to help keep the car in the lane even wîth turn signals on. If the driver still tries to steer out of the lane, the system will warn wîth an additional vibration of the §teering wheel.
The Rear Traffic Alert system helps detect vehicles approaching from the side that may be difficult for the driver to see while reversing. It offers a sizable range of about 65 feet, and will present a visual and an acoustic warning, before applying the brakes if a potential impending collision is detected. If the driver does not react, the system can apply the brakes to help mitigate and, in the best case, prevent a collision. The system is activated by putting the car in reverse.
The Golf Alltrack SEL is equipped wîth standard Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist). When driving above 40 mph, if there is an indication that the vehicle is unintentionally straying from its lane, Lane Assist can actively countersteer to help keep the vehicle in the lane. The system's camera recognizes visible lane markings and, using a special algorithm, calculates the risk of the car leaving the lane. If the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel for a defined period of time, the system provides an audible warning and a visual signal in the instrument cluster, directing the driver to place his or her hands back on the wheel. If the vehicle crosses a lane marking without use of a turn signal, the system will countersteer to help keep the vehicle in the lane.
The system can work in the dark and/or in fog, but it will not engage if it cannot properly detect lane markings. If the turn signal has been set before crossing a lane marking, the Lane Assist system will not engage or give a warning. The driver can 'override' the system at any time by applying minimal force to the §teering wheel.
ParkPilot, equipped on Alltrack SEL models, uses ultrasonic sensors located in the front and rear bumpers to monitor a range of up to five feet in front or behind the vehicle. The system is activated when reverse gear is engaged or below a speed of 9 mph and helps provide guidance when parking or in tight spaces. The system has audible and visual warnings when the car starts to approach parked cars or static objects from the front or rear.
New on Golf Alltrack is an emergency braking system called Maneuver Braking. Included wîth ParkPilot, it can help mitigate or prevent collisions wîth static obstacles to the front and rear while the vehicle is maneuvered. The system is active when reverse gear is selected. If the system detects a stationary object while the vehicle is in reverse and moving between 1-6 mph, it can apply the brakes automatically to help prevent or mitigate a collision. The system can be deactivated at any time using the touch display or permanently in the setup menu.
Park Assist is included on Alltrack SEL models. This system can now automatically steer the car into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces (the latter both forward and in reverse). After pressing the Park Assist button, the system will preselect the likeliest parking maneuver based on the size of the parking spot but it will also show other available maneuvers in the instrument cluster. The driver only needs to activate the accelerator pedal and brake once a gear is selected, as Park Assist automatically helps steer the vehicle into the parking space.
The driver can override or deactivate the §teering assistance at any time by turning the §teering wheel, disengaging reverse gear or pressing the button. Below 25 mph, the system scans both the left-hand and right-hand sides of the road—for example, in a one-way street—for any parking spaces as it drives past. By activating the turn signal, the driver stipulates which side of the road they wish to park on.
High Beam Control (Light Assist) automatically raises the headlamp high beams above 40 mph on dark or poorly lit roads, if there is no oncoming traffic detected.
Warranty
For the 2018 model year, Volkswagen Golf Alltrack models in the Únited States will come wîth the People First Warranty, a six-year or 72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which can be transferred to subsequent owners throughout its duration.
The six-year/72,000-mile People First Warranty includes powertrain coverage for engines, transmissions and optional 4Motion® all-wheel-drive systems. Additionally, all the elements of the People First Warranty can be transferred to subsequent owners for up to six years or 72,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date it was first sold new.
Most mainstream competitors to the Volkswagen brand in the Únited States such as Honda, Toyota and Ford offer only a three-year/36,000 mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty on their cars and SÚVs. While Hyundai and Kia offer a five-year/60,000 mile basic warranty and a higher time and mileage limit on their powertrain limited warranties, if the vehicle is sold to a second owner, the powertrain limited warranty is not transferable beyond five years or 60,000 miles from the date it was first sold new.
Source - Volkswagen1975 – 2008: THE HISTORY OF THE GOLF GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI was unveiled in 1975 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The ÚK market had to wait a further two years for vehicles to arrive – 1977 saw 34 examples, all of them left hand drive, sold in the GTI's first tentative year.
The GTI was powered by a 1,588 cc four cylinder engine wîth K-Jetronic fuel injection it developed 110 PS at 6,100 rpm and 103 lbs ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. This allowed the GTI, which weighed 810 kg unladen, to hit 60 mph from standstill in nine-seconds before reaching a top speed of 110 mph.
The now familiar mix of a high-revving, responsive four-cylinder engine installed in a hatchback body wîth the emphasis on driving fun was linked to a pared down interior came as a revelation at the time. Especially when combined wîth tartan trim and the now iconic golf ball gearshift.
The car was an instant hit. By the time right-hand drive cars arrived in the ÚK in 1979 a total of 1,573 cars were sold in that year, a number that would triple within two years.
In 1984 the Mk II GTI was launched and picked up where the Mk I left off. A new chassis structure, a 1,781 cc engine developing 112 PS and 114 lbs ft of torque and new styling evolved the GTI and saw it appeal to a new generation of fans. Sales of the Mk II GTI surpassed those of the Mk I, peaking at 17,193 vehicles in 1989. In Germany a supercharged G60 version developing 160 PS was sold, an output that wouldn't be bettered in a GTI until 2002.
Three years later the Mk III GTI was launched, bringing wîth it a new 2.0-litre eight-valve engine and improved aerodynamics over the previous Mk I and Mk II models. In 1993 the GTI fitted was wîth a 2.0-litre 16-valve engine, raising the power output from 115 PS in the eight-valve model up to a more substantial 150 PS and 133 lbs ft of torque to drop the 0-60 mph time to 8.3 seconds and raise the top speed to 133 mph.
The introduction of the Mk IV GTI in 1998 saw significant changes to the line-up wîth the first diesel-engined GTI introduced along wîth two petrol engines in a total of four different states of tune. The Mk IV GTI made significant gains in refinement and safety – in 2002 the fastest accelerating and most powerful GTI produced up until that point was released in the form of the 180 PS GTI 25th Anniversary Edition. It was the success of this more powerful vehicle that inspired the introduction of the Mk V GTI.
Launched in September 2004 at the Paris Motor Show the Mk V GTI equipped wîth a 200 PS engine was not only the most powerful but also the most focused GTI yet produced. A new 2.0-litre T-FSI engine linked to a six-speed gearbox and standard Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) were linked to a new chassis equipped wîth MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link configuration at the rear. The vehicle was 15 mm lower than the standard Golf on new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.
Visual cues were taken from the original GTI wîth the return of the tartan interior and the red surround to the grille element – even the GTI typeface used on the badge echoed that of the original.
The Mk V GTI served as a basis for two special editions – the Pirelli and Edition 30. Both models were powered by an evolution of the 2.0-litre T-FSI engine fitted to the conventional GTI, albeit both producing 230 PS.
The wildest GTI ever created – the GTI W12-650 – was also based on the Mk V. Powered by a mid-mounted 6.0-litre W12 engine producing 650 PS the vehicle could accelerate to 62 mph in 3.7-seconds and could theoretically achieve a maximum speed of 201 mph.
Production of the Mk V Golf ceased in August 2008 wîth a total of 17,630 examples sold in the ÚK alone. In total over 1,700,000 examples of the GTI have been sold worldwide since the vehicle went on sale in 1976.
Source - VolkswagenA compact car manufacturer in Germany, the Rabbit originally debuted in Europe in 1974 as the Volkswagen Golf and it adopted the Rabbit moniker once it made its first appearance in Canada and the U.S. in 1975. The named was switched back to the original Golf name in 1985 and it remained that way for 21 years.
In 1975, Volkswagen introduced the Rabbit as an attempt to correct flagging sales for their company. At the time, Japanese auto makers were competing with the VW Beetle by introducing little ‘econoboxes' at a much cheaper price and were overwhelming the U.S. market. Cute, compact and a front wheel drive vehicle, the Rabbit was priced nearly the same as a Japanese econobox, but with a water-cooled 4 cylinder engine with a transversely mounted engine that drove the front wheels.
Replacing the Beetle in the U.S. market, it wasn't until about 4 years after it was introduced when the Rabbit finally became popular, most of this due to the oil crisis. Fuel economy was excellent on the tiny little car, 45 in the city, and up to 57 mpg on the highway, this could be combined with the optional 1.514 cylinder Diesel. Enthusiasts clamored for this new Volkswagen. In 1979 production for the U.S. market was relocation to New Stanton, Pennsylvania and the first Rabbit rolled off the assembly line on April 10th, 1978. NBC news was on hand to document the first foreign vehicle to be built in the U.S.A. Production of the VW went from April of 1978 until July 1988 at the New Stanton plant before they closed. A total of 1,192,411 vehicles were produced at this plant.
For the late 1979 model year the Rabbit received a make-over as the production was moved. The largest and most noticeable change to the American Rabbit, were the addition of all new square headlights. 1979 was also the year that the Rabbit Convertible was introduced and featured the body of the Rabbit, but featured a soft vinyl top. The convertible featured the round headlights that were found on older-model rabbit's.
The Rabbit received yet another make-over in 1981 and featured the new square headlight from the previous year, with wrap around turn signals that replaced the ones that had been used previously in the bumper. Inside, the Rabbit received a much more modern ‘Americanized' interior that was color keyed completely in the inside. For the 1981 model year, the engine was upgraded to a larger size and the gas engine leaped from 1.6 to 1.71 and the diesel also shot from a 1.5 to a 1.6.
During its production run, the VW Rabbit didn't receive many changes, though it did undergo many improvements. The Rabbit pickup was debuted in 1979 late in the year for the 1980 model year. The pickup was lengthened by 3 feet and had great hauling capacity and was offered with either a diesel or gas engine, though most were sold as diesels.
The GTi was introduced in 1982 and a much more sporty rendition of the VW Rabbit. The engine was a 1.81 and it featured a much stiffer suspension, front air dam, alloy wheels and unique Recaro sports seats. All of the grand features that drivers wanted were improved, the top speed, the handling and the acceleration on the GTi.
In 1982 a special 'black tie' edition Rabbit was introduced and featured black bumpers and mouldings that gave it an elegant look. On the inside, special seats were utilized and a rear wiper was also added. A Wolfsburg Edition Rabbit was debuted for 1984. A lush Rabbit model, the Wolfsburg came with a very unique interior, along with an extra moulding on the bottom of the door, and A/C.
The Volkswagen Golf was introduced in July of 1984 and the Rabbit stepped aside a bit. After being redesigned and renamed, the Rabbit convertible became the Cabriolet, and more recently to the Cabrio. Though it was not a long-lasting vehicle, the Rabbit was a popular vehicle that made a big impact on the history of Volkswagen. Today, the Rabbit is still a popular vehicle that is still in high demand all over the U.S. Though U.S. production has stopped, the MK1's continue to be produced by Volkswagen of South Africa dubbed as the CitiGolf model.
Volkswagen of America announced the return of the Rabbit on April 12, 2006 at the Detroit Auto Show. This was due partly to the decline of sales for the VW Golf in the North American market and VW of America choosing to re-brand the Golf name. This newly introduced model is the same as the Golf V that is sold worldwide.
For the 2007 model year, the Mk V Rabbit replaced the VW Golf and the engine was upgraded to a standard 2.5-L 150-hp I-5 for both the 2-door and 4-door models. The '06 Rabbit was available in two trims, a 2-door and a 4-door hatchback. The 2-door came wit a 150-hp 2.5L DOHC engine, speed sensitive wipers, 10-speaker AM/FM CD stereo system, 6 way manually adjustable driver's seat and turn signal indicator in side mirrors. The 4-door rabbit came with a 150-hp 2.5L DOHC engine, heatable front seats, adjustable lumbar support for both driver and front passenger, light tinted windows, and 60/40 folding rear seat.
By March 2009 the Volkswagen again chose to drop the 'Rabbit' nomenclature and chose once again to rename it the 'Golf'. Volkswagen debuted the all new Golf/Rabbit online on August 2008, thought the official unveiling of the 6th generation occurred at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October 2008. The newest Golf/Rabbit will be wider than before and will feature body styling similar to the VW Scirocco as well as tail-lamps that remind one of the Touareg. Under the hood was a range of 2-diesel (1.9-liter and 2.0-liter TDI) and 3 Petrol (1.4-liter TSI, 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter TFSI) burning engines. The '09 Rabbit features a 5-cylinder engine with Tiptronic 6 speed automatic transmission which can be adjusted to sport mode which allows for longer RPM runs before gear shifting. To keep the engine in the power band, the sport mode also aggressively down shifts. A manual mode is available as an alternative that allowed the driver to shift gears up and down, much like a F1 car.
On October 15, 2008 the first U.K. example of the all new Golf was auction off for charity by the London Press Club Ball. All of the proceeds went to the 'Journalists' Charity', a UK charity for journalists in need.
At this time there are no hybrid variants of the VW rabbit, but there is also an opportunity that Volkswagen's 2.0 liter clean diesel engine will be available from 2008 on. Outside of North America the VW Rabbit is known as the Golf and over 5 generations and more than 24 million vehicles have been produced.
By Jessica Donaldson
