Volkswagen Change Points for 2008
June 26, 2007 – 8:24 am by Dan Volkens
Filed under Volkswagen Eos, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen New Beetle, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Rabbit, Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen’s media outlet just posted up model changes and small adjustments for the 2008 model year.
* From media.vw.com
RABBIT
- New 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine standard on 2 & 4dr
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now standard
- New trim level naming. Rabbit S 2dr and Rabbit S 4dr
GTI
- 15mm ride height reduction on all 2 & 4dr
- Sirius® Satellite radio now standard
- Reflex Silver is now special order only
- Climatronic deleted from all trims
- New trim level naming, GTI and GTI Autobahn
NEW BEETLE/NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE
- New trim level naming, S and SE
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) now standard
- Temporary use spare tire
- Fog lights deleted from all trims
- New 16” alloy wheel S
- New 17” alloy wheel on SE
- Delete Shadow Blue on sedan and convertible
- Delete Platinum Gray on convertible
- Delete reflex silver on convertible
- Laser blue no longer available with gray interior
- Black not available with crème top
- Delete front floor mats
- Delete Leather seating surfaces from all trims
- Delete rain sensing wipers on all trims
- Leatherette now named V-Tex
- Cold weather package available on S as stand alone option
GLI
- Reflex Silver is now special order only
- Climatronic deleted from all trims
- New trim level naming, GLI and GLI Autobahn
JETTA
- New 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine standard
- Delete 2.0T engine (only available on GLI)
- Automatic only available with SEL
- Temporary use spare tire
- Laser Blue replaces Shadow Blue
- Delete Wheat Beige
- Front and rear lower valance in black textured color on S and SE
- Body color front and rear valance on SEL
- 2.5 badge included on S
- 16” steel wheels with full covers standard on S
- Delete Climatronic from all trims
- Delete leather seating surfaces from all trims
- Power recline standard on all trim levels
- 17” wheel standard on SEL
- Delete Homelink from all trims
- Cold weather package now optional on S
- 16” alloy wheel now optional on S
- Sunroof now optional on S
- Premium sound package (includes amplifier and 250W) now optional on SE
- New trim level naming, S, SE, and SEL
- Leatherette now named V-Tex
PASSAT Sedan and Wagon
- New trim level naming, Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6
- Leatherette now named V-Tex
- Temporary use spare tire
- Chrome window trim now standard on Turbo
- New 16” alloy wheel on Turbo
- New 17” alloy wheel on Komfort
- Delete Shadow Blue
- Delete Wheat Beige on wagon
- Heated washer nozzles only available on VR6
- Bi-Xenon headlamps w/ AFS now standard on VR6
- Manual side and rear sunshade now standard on sedans
- Manual side sunshades now standard on wagon
- Power 12-way driver seat now standard equipment
- Heated front seats optional on Turbo and Komfort
- Leather steering wheel now standard equipment
- Leather shift knob now standard equipment
- Delete Pure Beige leather comfort seats
- Delete gray leather and V-Tex
- New interior trim on Turbo
- 3 spoke leather multi-function steering wheel included with Lux
- Dynaudio now optional on Lux
- Adaptive Cruise Control optional on VR6
- 4Motion is only configuration available with VR6 wagon
- Manual transmission only available on Turbo
EOS
- New trim level naming, Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6
- Leatherette now named V-Tex
- Lux only available with automatic transmission
- Winter starting assist mode standard on VR6
- New 17” alloy wheel on Lux
- New 18” alloy wheel on VR6
- Delete Wheat Beige
- Rear Park Distance Control included in Lux and VR6
- Chrome front grille louvers included on VR6
- Power 12-way driver seat now standard equipment
- Leather steering wheel now standard equipment
- Leather shift knob now standard equipment
- Leather parking brake handle now standard equipment
- Windblocker now standard equipment
- Ambient lighting deleted on Turbo
- Micritech interior trim now included in Turbo
- Center sliding armrest now standard equipment
- Heated front seats now optional on Turbo
- 17” alloy wheel optional on Komfort
Touareg
- New exterior colors (White Gold, Galapagos, Alaska Gray, Cranberry)
- Chrome grille with logo and chrome eyebrows standard on VR6 FSI
- Chrome matte grille with logo and chrome eyebrows, chrome air intakes, chrome grille slats standard on V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo
- Darkened Taillights
- New, central headlights design
- Sporty, more aerodynamic rear spoiler
- Electronic Parking Assistance now standard equipment
- Power Liftgate now standard equipment
- 19″ Wheels with all-season tires optional on VR6 FSI but included in V8 FSI and V10 TDI Twin Turbo
- Larger screen for Multi-function Indicator included with optional Technologie Package
- New Option Packages
- Dynaudio now available in package for all trims
- Sirius® Satellite Radio now standard equipment
- Next generation TPMS – now standard equipment
- ABSPlus standard
- ESP Innovations standard
- New front seat design, more comfortable front seat side bolsters, new seat stitching design now standard equipment
- Gray seat trim in leather and leatherette deleted
- Silver Metallic Plastic interior trim standard on VR6 FSI with leatherette
- Servotronic steering no longer available on 3.6L VR6 FSI
- Comfort Suspension replaces Sport Suspension on VR6 FSI
Volkswagen Change Points for 2008
June 26, 2007 – 8:24 am by Dan Volkens
Does this mean the US-spec GTI will look more like the Euro-spec GTI?
Hey Patrick, sounds like it will be at least a bit closer. I don’t recall the exact difference between the two (I’m sure someone can post it up), but 15mm lower is far better than the old height. Just say no to 4×4 mode!! lol I wonder what, if any, other changes they are making to the suspension, like different springs etc. or anything like that to achieve the lower height.
Are they replacing Climatronic with another, similar system? I have that in my 2001 GTi and can honestly say that I like it.
I wonder why Reflex Silver is on the outs? Admittedly it doesn’t look quite as good on the new GTIs as it did on the Mk IVs, but I can’t imagine it’s totally out of style.
Also, sorry Volkswagen marketing department, but those trim line names are silly. Just silly.
Even with the power increase, I’m still not thrilled about the 2.5 engines. The 1.8Ts did just as well and got better mileage to boot.
Hey Jordan, not sure about the Climatronic. So far I haven’t heard anything, but I’m sure there’s something on the table. I have it in my GTI as well and love it.
A new 170 hp/177 lb.ft torque 2.5L 5cyl engine?! Sweet. I’ve been debating about getting a new Rabbit now (2007 MY) or to wait, looks like I’m going to wait until the ’08 models roll out.
Has VW made any mention about interior color options? I’d love to see a Rabbit in Shadow Blue with the Tan interior. Something else I’d like to see is the classic Plaid seating to be an option on the Rabbit.
Just my 2 cents.
Oooh, good call on the interior Mathew. I haven’t heard anything, but I’d love to snag one with the classic plaid as well!
Dax, Actually, I have seen a Rabbit in Shadow Blue/Beige (or Tan – which ever you wanna call it). And it was awesome. The only way I can see to get plaid right now, is to well – do a custom interior. :o(
Com’on VWoA! Rabbit Wolfsburg Edition with the plaid! Plaid, sunroof, Vision Vs and Auto.
:o)