The Rabbit: Cute, Cuddly and Coming Back

May 11, 2006 – 9:00 am by Dan Volkens
Filed under Volkswagen Rabbit

Yeah yeah, it’s a bit of old news now but we haven’t given you, our beloved readers, OUR take on the revived Volkswagen Rabbit. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger version.

First, some specifics:

2 and 4 door versions available
2 door will start at $14,990 = schweet!
5sp manual standard, 6sp Automatic Tiptronic optional
2.5l 5 cyl. 150hp
Lots of goodies standard like traction control, electro-mechanical steering system, ABS brakes etc.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the 2006 Rabbit four-door received the Top Safety Pick, Silver award, based on the Institute’s frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash protection ratings.

Though it was known as the Golf throughout the rest of the world, the Rabbit nameplate was exclusive to the U.S. market. Volkswagen’s Director of Brand Innovation, Kerri Martin, says “The reintroduction of the Rabbit represents Volkswagen’s commitment to this market and is a nod to the passionate North American enthusiasts who have an emotional connection with the Rabbit name. Volkswagen customers want a relationship with their cars. Names like The Thing, Beetle, Fox, and Rabbit support this.”

I love the fact that VW actually went through with the name change. They could have just stuck with Golf V. But they seem to be listening to their customers a bit more than usual lately, which is a very good thing. I hope they listen to what we have to say about the GX3 concept. Man I love that thing. Mmmm, 3 wheeler…… oh, sorry. *ahem* Almost got off on an off-topic tangent.

My wife’s lease is up on her MkIV Jetta in 2 years, so I would love to snare (pun intended) one of these new-fangled Rabbits, for nostalgia’s sake alone. But with the MkVI rumor mill flowing with news of VW releasing ANOTHER generation by 2008, maybe we’ll have the next-next-generation of the Rabbit? Or maybe they call it the Hare… or, ummm… Jack Rabbit? Hopefully VW doesn’t listen to my name ideas.