2009 Volkswagen Rabbit

No sooner did Volkswagen roll out a redesigned Golf at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show than it decided to rename the car before it arrives in showrooms this summer. Instead of getting a new Golf, Americans will find that a Rabbit has bounded into the U.S., complete with significant powertrain and interior improvements. The 2006 Rabbit is a new car to us, but has been on sale in Europe for several years, where consumer interest has begun to sway toward newer competitors. That’s why VW chief Wolfgang Bernhard is fast-tracking a major update for the Golf/Rabbit to arrive for the 2009 model year.

Volkswagen’s goal with the retooled Golf/Rabbit is to build the car on the existing platform, but with significant upgrades to remain viable in an increasingly competitive global premium compact market. Another goal is to cut the cost of building the car by making it simpler to assemble in a shorter time period. Currently it takes VW almost twice as long as its main competitors to get a Golf out the door – a profit-killing fact that must change for the company’s major breadwinner.

As shown in this spy illustration, the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit adopts emerging VW design cues while retaining the two-box hatchback design known and loved around the world.

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit continues a long design tradition of two-box functionality in three- or five-door hatchback body styles characterized by a thick, windowless C-pillar. Add emerging VW cues like a bold chrome-accented grille, drooping eyelet headlamps, circular clear-lens tail lamps with red reflective trapezoidal surrounds, and creased body sides, and the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit gets an uncharacteristic dose of flair. Our spy illustrations show handsome multi-spoke brushed aluminum wheels with distinct Audi flavor, likely sized 16 inches on standard Rabbit 2.5 models and up to 19 inches on the sporty Rabbit GTI.

Since this is a refresh and not a complete redesign, we expect the current Rabbit’s engine lineup to carry over. For America, this means a standard 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine making 150 horsepower, an available TDI turbodiesel capable of getting about 45 mpg on the highway, and a fun turbocharged 2.0-liter good for 200 ponies and a fat wad of torque across a wide rev range. That engine goes into the performance-oriented GTI model, which is expected to continue in three- and five-door format.

VW resurrected the Rabbit nameplate for America with the debut of a long overdue redesign for 2006. Key highlights and upgrades with the new model include a stronger, PZEV-rated 2.5-liter engine as standard equipment, a punchy turbocharged four banger with direct fuel injection, and the continuation of the thrifty TDI turbodiesel.

Offered in three- or five-door body styles, in standard 2.5, economical TDI, and sporty GTI trim levels, the 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit is larger inside than ever, with high quality materials, pleasing control layouts, and comfortable seating.

Based on the current Golf platform, the 2006 Audi A3 is not the first luxury hatch sold in the U.S., but it has proven to be the most popular. With fuel prices on the rise, and Americans’ unquenchable thirst for material possessions, Audi timed the introduction of the sporty, useful A3 exactly right. Choose between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder driving the front wheels or a 3.2-liter V6 hooked up to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Shown here is the Audi A3 2.0T.

Burned by its premature foray into the premium compact market with the 1995 318ti, BMW is now planning a second assault on the segment with the 1 Series. On sale in Europe for two years, the rear-drive BMW 1 Series could come to the U.S. as a hatchback, a coupe, and a convertible. Shown here is the BMW 1 Series five-door hatchback

The 2007 Dodge Caliber is charged with bringing this longstanding American brand to the masses in Europe and Asia. Replacing the Neon in the lineup, the Dodge Caliber is offered only as five-door hatchback. Base models could use more power, but the hot Caliber SRT-4 makes 300 ponies. Another Caliber benefit is an optional all-wheel-drive system. Shown here is the Caliber R/T.

Proving that Americans will buy a hatchback if it’s fun to drive, fuel efficient, and packed with quality materials, the Mazda 3 has been a bright spot for Japan’s enthusiast brand since it debuted. For 2007, a powerful Mazdaspeed 3 arrives, and the rest of the lineup gets a freshening. By the time the 2009 Rabbit goes on sale, however, the Mazda 3 will be at the end of its lifecycle and ready for a complete redesign. Shown here is the Mazdaspeed 3.

An unqualified success in the U.S., the Mini Cooper has defied expectations about what Americans want in an automobile. The smallest car for sale in the states doesn’t have a small price tag, and yet people continue to pay sticker prices of $30,000 or more to own a custom-ordered Mini Cooper. By the time the new Rabbit arrives, the Mini will have been updated with slightly revised styling, and a new Traveler model will be available with more space for people and cargo. Shown here is the limited production John Cooper Works GP edition for 2007

Saab isn’t selling many examples of the 9-2X, which is a shame because this is a fundamentally sound vehicle that’s perfect for our times. Essentially a re-badged Subaru Impreza/WRX wagon, the all-wheel drive Saab 9-2X is fun to drive, constructed with quality materials, and should prove just as durable as the Subie on which it is based. Plus, it gets great crash-test scores. But now that General Motors and Subaru have gotten a divorce, its future is bleak. Shown here is the Saab 9-2X Aero.

Saturn plans to replace its dud of a small car, the Ion, with a re-badged version of the Opel Astra. The Astra is a European three- or five-door hatchback, a handsome entry-level car imbued with the kind of driving character that makes almost any car from the old country pleasurable. It cannot get here soon enough. Shown here is the 2006 Opel Astra five-door currently on sale in Europe.