VW: Details on future models

AutoWeek has some more details on the upcoming VW models.

Small car: VW has promised U.S. dealers a car to compete with entry-priced models from South Korea. Insiders say the answer may be a car using a modified platform from the Polo, a VW subcompact sold in Europe. The car could arrive in 2009 or 2010.

Rabbit, Golf: The redesigned Golf went on sale here in June; it has been renamed the Rabbit for North America. The Rabbit is priced below the 2006 Golf. The Rabbit has a base price of $14,990 including shipping, $1,670 less than the 2006 Golf. Three- and five-door hatch models are offered.

The Golf name continues to be used in Europe and other markets.

The Rabbit comes standard with a new 150-hp, 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine and an independent rear suspension. Options include stability control and a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic. A diesel model that can be sold in 50 states is expected in 2008.

The United States is late in receiving the Rabbit. The redesigned Golf went on sale in Europe about three years ago. It is unclear what changes will be made to the Rabbit when the re-engineered Golf appears in Europe in 2008.

GTI: The redesigned GTI went on sale last year. VW is expected to freshen it around 2008.

R32: VW's high-performance, all-wheel-drive Golf-based hatchback is scheduled to be redesigned in 2007. The engine will be a 3.2-liter V-6 with direct gasoline injection, producing about 250 hp. VW plans to limit production to 5,000 units annually.

New Beetle: The small, retro-styled car is likely to be redesigned in 2008.

Jetta: The redesigned sedan went on sale last year. VW is abandoning its strategy of moving the Jetta upmarket. Instead, it will decontent the entry-level 2007 Jetta and slash the price. The sticker price for the 2007 Jetta will begin at $17,105, $1,400 off the lowest-priced 2006 model. A station wagon is due early next year.

Scirocco: VW is likely to relaunch the name on a sporty coupe at the end of 2008. A four-cylinder, front-drive model is likely to be priced at about $28,000. A range topper could have awd and a 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The Scirocco was sold in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s.

Eos: VW's first convertible with a retractable hardtop goes on sale Sept. 9. The 2007 four-seater will be available with two engines: the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, with a base price of about $28,000, and the 3.2-liter V-6 for about $37,000.

Passat: A freshening is likely in about 2009.

Large sedan: VW is considering a Phaeton-like car, possibly for 2008. Specifics are not available, but it is not likely to be priced anywhere near the $70,000-plus commanded by the ill-fated Phaeton.

Phaeton: One of the first acts taken this year by VW's new U.S. chief, Adrian Hallmark, was dropping the luxury sedan from the U.S. lineup. There will not be a 2007 model. The slow-selling car showed that U.S. buyers are not ready to pay premium dollars for a VW.

It is unclear whether VW will try again in the United States with the next-generation Phaeton, due in Europe in 2009.

Tiguan: VW's compact crossover will be called the Tiguan and is to go on sale next year. Fwd and awd models will be offered.

Touareg: VW's SUV receives a refreshening later this year; the 5.0-liter V-10 turbodiesel returns in October when lower-sulfur fuel is available.

The redesigned Touareg is expected in 2009 when its sibling, the Porsche Cayenne, is redesigned. A hybrid model is expected then.

Minivan: The seven-seat minivan that the Chrysler group is developing for VW is based on the restyled 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. Sales begin in 2008. All of the sheet metal, with the possible exception of the roof, is expected to be unique to VW.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VW

Source: AutoWeek

VW: Details on future models

Watch more TV. The German Car TV.

Read more