Rumour Mill: MkVI Rabbit/Golf/Ralf/Gobbit/GTI

[Joey D]

Photo Rendering: Sixth-Generation Volkswagen GTI

Based on the latest prototypes of the six-generation Golf spotted in Germany, we have obtained this photo rendering of the next-generations Volkswagen GTI. As you can see from the picture that the six-generation GTI will stay true to the current design with a few changes here and there.

We have not heard much about the performance on the six-generation GTI, but it has been speculated that the 200 horsepower GTI and 250 horsepower R32 will be carried over, although the R36 could get 300 horsepower by the end of the decade. That may lead to the six-generation Volkswagen GTI getting a power upgrade to 250 horsepower.

According to this latest rendering, the most significant change to the six-generation GTI will be the front fascia. It seems Volkswagen is adopting the single bar grille shown in the Up! concept and makes up for the airflow through massive intakes.

For the six-generation Golf, Volkswagen will be sticking close to the current design. Dr. Martin Winterkorn has ordered his engineers and designers to stay true to old values with minimal redesign, sticking close to the current Golf.

Link to article with more pictures:
http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/11/07/photo-rendering-sixth-generation-volkswagen-gti/

Looks similar to the MKV, I do hope VW makes a a few more changed then an lower fascia.

 

[Jim Prower]

It's an artist's impression, but, damn, that's quick turnaround. the MKV's what, two years old?

 

[Joey D]

In the states it is, I believe it was out in Europe before that.

 

[Sakiale]

'Twill make it easier to turn into a W12-650...

 

[Philly]

I don't really like the standard golf/rabbit pictures; they look a little out of proportion. As for that GTI, What an amazing car!

And for those wondering about how new the MkV is, we had a discussion on it a while back. The conclusion was that VW wasn't making any money off of the MkV and so they are trying to replace it very soon. However, I'm sure my GTI will still be safe as late model for a few more years.

'Twill make it easier to turn into a W12-650...

And yes, the GTI seems to be heavily influenced by that concept. My guess is that either the car above will be very much changed or that the W12 was purposely a styling preview.

 

[YSSMAN]

In the states it is, I believe it was out in Europe before that.

I believe that the MKV first showed up in 2003 as the Golf, we didn't see the chassis until 2005 with the Jetta.

 

[Philly]

I believe that the MKV first showed up in 2003 as the Golf, we didn't see the chassis until 2005 with the Jetta.

I believe you are correct. Did the Rabbit show up at the same time? The first year of GTI production was 2006, and VW has to have had the Rabbit out before then.

 

[TopHat]

We got the Rabbit as a 2007 model year car I believe; but the GTI we've had since MY06.

 

[Famine]

Looks similar to the MKV, I do hope VW makes a a few more changed then an lower fascia.

They will. There's general disappointment at VAG with the MkV, hence the lightning-fast development of the next generation car.

 

[Turbo Lag]

I dont like this. And they've taken the grill off the W12.

 

[Philly]

I dont like this. And they've taken the grill off the W12.

That's my biggest problem with it. I think it should have that red "fast" smile like the new ones have. That fits the VW mold better anyway.

 

[exigeracer]

They will. There's general disappointment at VAG with the MkV, hence the lightning-fast development of the next generation car.

Correct. I remember reading several months ago, VW has had intentions of replacing the mkV as soon as possible for a while. I think production cost has a lot to do with it as well.

 

[Philly]

Correct. I remember reading several months ago, VW has had intentions of replacing the mkV as soon as possible for a while. I think production cost has a lot to do with it as well.

It was just that they weren't making any money off of them, probably due to production costs. And it seemed that they just couldn't produce enough of them to keep up with demand, but that Fahrenheit that has been sitting on the lot down the road has me thinking otherwise nationwide...

 

[FoolKiller]

Nothing about these is really blowing me away. It looks like a case of minor changes. It definitely won't have me trading in Jack (my Rabbit) for an upgrade anytime soon. There isn't anything I dislike about them, but nothing that makes me jump at getting one either. It's like when my wife gets a new haircut that doesn't dramatically alter her looks.

The question is; will the VW fans, unlike my wife, let me get away with a neutral comment?

We got the Rabbit as a 2007 model year car I believe; but the GTI we've had since MY06.

Well, there were a handful of 2006 Rabbits put out mid-summer of 2006 and then the 2007 Rabbits rolled out in fall of 2006, if I recall.

 

[exigeracer]

The question is; will the VW fans, unlike my wife, let me get away with a neutral comment?

Considering VW fans are one of the most finicky and stubborn automotive cultures around, I don't think they would mind. The general consensus is pretty negative towards the newer Golf lineup.

 

[YSSMAN]

We're very picky, and we can't help it! Odd thing is, we'll deal with an absolute load of crap just because it has a VW or Audi badge on the hood...

I don't think its really all that bad, an evolution of the current car at best. The thing I want more than anything is a decrease in overall weight, the return of a fuel-efficient I4 in the base models (1.4 TSI anyone?), and best of all a cheap price. I'd hope that VW can deliver on that this time around. Otherwise, I'm still waiting for the Polo or the Fox to show up...

 

[Philly]

We're very picky, and we can't help it! Odd thing is, we'll deal with an absolute load of crap just because it has a VW or Audi badge on the hood...

Sounds about right. I'll do that for VW or Mercedes. Less power? Meh. It's an Audi.

I don't think its really all that bad, an evolution of the current car at best. The thing I want more than anything is a decrease in overall weight, the return of a fuel-efficient I4 in the base models (1.4 TSI anyone?), and best of all a cheap price. I'd hope that VW can deliver on that this time around. Otherwise, I'm still waiting for the Polo or the Fox to show up...

I think a smaller engine would get quite a few sales, especially if they make it more efficient than a GTI this time around. And I agree completely about weight. The thing is a beast. Smaller doesn't mean lighter any more. I think we will have to wait for a Polo for a smaller car though.

 

[Turbo Lag]

That's my biggest problem with it. I think it should have that red "fast" smile like the new ones have. That fits the VW mold better anyway.

Yep 👍 It looks great as it is, why change it?

 

[FoolKiller]

I don't think its really all that bad, an evolution of the current car at best. The thing I want more than anything is a decrease in overall weight, the return of a fuel-efficient I4 in the base models (1.4 TSI anyone?), and best of all a cheap price. I'd hope that VW can deliver on that this time around. Otherwise, I'm still waiting for the Polo or the Fox to show up...

How much of the weight is because it comes standard with practically every safety feature? And honestly, I have to say the weight doesn't seem all that noticeable with my Rabbit. I haven't noticed any weight related performance issues, aside from mileage not breaking 30mpg.


Also, what are you calling a cheap price? When I was shopping for cars the Rabbit was coming in cheaper than some one-year-old cars in its class. I was looking at used Mazda 3's, Civics, Corollas, Sentras and I even looked at a Fit and Yaris. The price, or maybe I should say value, was the selling point for me. I wanted certain options and by the time I added them to all other candidates, including the Fit and Yaris (no tach? WTF!), it was the cheapest and had more features standard than I wanted as options on all the others. I could get a Yaris for under 12,000, but it has two gauges, speedometer and fuel, and my big suitcase won't even fit in the storage compartment. My wife has the S-sedan and I am still amazed that her temperature gauge is a light that says cold, hot, or doesn't come on at all.

So, unless you are looking for a sub-compact price I can honestly say from my experience that the Rabbit is your best value. And despite the weight it is a blast to drive.






Side note: Anyone else notice that gauge is not in the spell checker?

 

[socomplayer2]

I think this will be coming out too soon. It barely gives us VW lovers nay chance to appreciate the MkV. I'm sure it will take a while to come to the states so it will even out in the end but still.

 

[exigeracer]

What I never understood was the naming of the Rabbit in the North American market. They say it is to associate buyers with the original Rabbit in the 80s. That would mean their target buyer is 40-50 years old?!?! Why are they advertising for a much younger crowd, a crowd that was barely alive when the original Rabbit was frolicking North American streets?

They used the same excuse with the new Scirocco.

 

[forza2.0]

Next GTI will have 230hp.

The new Golf was scheduled to appear in sept 2008 but has now been pushed back.

When Martin Winterkorn took over at VW, he demanded to review all new cars and wouldn't give them the green light until he did so. Apparently he didn't like the design on the new Golf, hence the delay.

 

[Philly]

Next GTI will have 230hp.

That's one thing I think the GTI could use more of is power. 200 is adequate, but more is definitely better in as competitive a class, especially with all the weight it has to haul around.

The new Golf was scheduled to appear in sept 2008 but has now been pushed back.

I'm am going to say that as far as they can push it back the better. All the more time for my car to be king of the road:tup:. But that's just me....

 

[YSSMAN]

Also, what are you calling a cheap price?

There is no arguing that the Rabbit is probably the best deal in the segment, but I'd love to have the option of seeing it go for less with fewer bits of standard equipment. Honestly, I'd love it if the Jetta dropped in price to reflect the Rabbit as well. Adding a Polo or Fox into the mix would definitely be nice, helping to fight those $10-12K cars like the Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio5 and Toyota Yaris.

...I just miss the days when you could order a car without much in it...

===

What I never understood was the naming of the Rabbit in the North American market. They say it is to associate buyers with the original Rabbit in the 80s. That would mean their target buyer is 40-50 years old?!?! Why are they advertising for a much younger crowd, a crowd that was barely alive when the original Rabbit was frolicking North American streets?

The Rabbit name still carries a lot of positive feelings with it, young or old. I believe the official reasoning was that Volkswagen thinks they have an easier time selling cars with the "animal names," although, considering that its really only the Rabbit and Fox (by which we only get the Rabbit), its a bit confusing.

I guess it doesn't make much of a difference to me, but I do like having the Rabbit logo back on the car...

 

[FoolKiller]

There is no arguing that the Rabbit is probably the best deal in the segment, but I'd love to have the option of seeing it go for less with fewer bits of standard equipment. Honestly, I'd love it if the Jetta dropped in price to reflect the Rabbit as well. Adding a Polo or Fox into the mix would definitely be nice, helping to fight those $10-12K cars like the Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio5 and Toyota Yaris.

...I just miss the days when you could order a car without much in it...

I'm kind of the opposite. I like bells and whistles like lots of air bags, speed sensitive steering, responsive braking, side mirror defrosters, keyless entry, theft deterrent, alarms, traction control, McPherson struts, four-wheel disc brakes, power windows/locks, etc.

That said I could probably live without chrome tipped exhaust, speed sensitive wipers, VW logos in the headlights, rear hatch entry hidden in the rear logo badge and (this might just be me) when it snows/frosts/ices over the first part on my hood to melt appears to be a VW logo. While cool that is totally unneccesary. I'm hoping it is just an affect of the five cylinder and not by design.

My thing with the <$12,000 cars is they have too little. I am of the opinion that a manual transmission should always include a tachometer, and the fact that a Yaris does not have safety gauges, just warning lights makes me uneasy. I prefer to see when my temperature, oil pressure, or battery charge, etc is starting to act up, not when it is in the red.

Basically, when I was looking for a car I had a price range and a minimum of features that I wanted. The Rabbit was the only car within my range to have the features I wanted and then it exceeding those wants.

I think a cheaper class of VW could definitely sell, especially if it met the same safety standards of other VWs. Of course, I think all that safety equipment could possibly add too much weight to a car that small.

Considering I once owned a Kia it amazes me how much safety means to me in a car now.

 

[Philly]

I'm kind of the opposite. I like bells and whistles like lots of air bags, speed sensitive steering, responsive braking, side mirror defrosters, keyless entry, theft deterrent, alarms, traction control, McPherson struts, four-wheel disc brakes, power windows/locks, etc.

I'm quite the same way. The ability to make a car much nicer than it should and then be able to pick and choose things that you prefer that the average person wouldn't is the great thing about options.

That said I could probably live without chrome tipped exhaust, speed sensitive wipers, VW logos in the headlights, rear hatch entry hidden in the rear logo badge and (this might just be me) when it snows/frosts/ices over the first part on my hood to melt appears to be a VW logo. While cool that is totally unneccesary. I'm hoping it is just an affect of the five cylinder and not by design.

And here is where I would disagree. While unnecessary, they are just little things that add to the character of the car, help distinguish the car as truly Volkswagen and help characterize VW as a brand with character. And these are things that will come with little cost. I'm sure they are cheap to make. The logo hatch lever can't cost that much; all it is is a switch. The lights? Just tiny little pieces of metal. I'll have to test that theory of the defrost though. It sounds pretty cool.

My thing with the <$12,000 cars is they have too little. I am of the opinion that a manual transmission should always include a tachometer, and the fact that a Yaris does not have safety gauges, just warning lights makes me uneasy. I prefer to see when my temperature, oil pressure, or battery charge, etc is starting to act up, not when it is in the red.

Precisely. I prefer to know in advance that my engine is going to blow up so I have time to pull over on the freeway or get it somewhere safe. It's not very useful for the car to start flashing red and saying "Something appears to be wrong. Pull over and check" when your hood has been blown off and you are spewing smoke everywhere. Either that or the light would go off as soon as you enter a slightly different driving condition. I know. I had that fuel flap light come on when it was closed. The car told me the engine was off and I was out of oil while clearly accelerating out of a cloverleaf. I don't trust lights.

Basically, when I was looking for a car I had a price range and a minimum of features that I wanted. The Rabbit was the only car within my range to have the features I wanted and then it exceeding those wants.

This seems to characterize the VW brand as giving you just about everything of an Audi, Mercedes or BMW at half the price. Forget about the G8. VWs are amazing buys.

I think a cheaper class of VW could definitely sell, especially if it met the same safety standards of other VWs. Of course, I think all that safety equipment could possibly add too much weight to a car that small.

A $10,000 Polo with all the equipment of a 1? Yes please:tup:! And I'm sure VW would make some stuff optional to cut weight a little.

 

[FoolKiller]

And here is where I would disagree. While unnecessary, they are just little things that add to the character of the car, help distinguish the car as truly Volkswagen and help characterize VW as a brand with character. And these are things that will come with little cost. I'm sure they are cheap to make. The logo hatch lever can't cost that much; all it is is a switch. The lights? Just tiny little pieces of metal.

I didn't say I didn't like them. When I bought the car every person I knew got the "LOOK AT THIS!!!!" treatment for every one of those little things. Heck, half the stuff I listed on my big likes were not on my must-have list when shopping. I'm just saying if they weren't there I wouldn't have noticed, but liek you said it gives it soe personality.

Plus, asking someone to open the hatch and then watching them stare dumbly at it is always worth a good laugh.

I'll have to test that theory of the defrost though. It sounds pretty cool.

Like I said, it could just be my car. Like a thin spot in the heat shield or something, I don't know. But the first time I saw it from my third floor office window I had three other co-workers look at it and they agreed it did look like it melted a VW logo in the snow on the hood.

I don't trust lights.

Since the Yaris doesn't have a temperature gauge when you first start the engine the COLD light comes on, immediately making me think something is wrong. I even had a Toyota employee from the local Camry plant say that was the dumbest thing he had ever seen.

This seems to characterize the VW brand as giving you just about everything of an Audi, Mercedes or BMW at half the price.

I don't know if they have all that. But I remember seeing thw first "The Rabbit is back" ad with a starting price well within my price range. I looked at my wife and said that it probably comes with nothing at that price. So the next day at work curiosity got the best of me and I looked it up, called my wife, and said that unless the test drive goes horribly I just found my car. A few months later and I finally found a base model 5-speed in blue and made a deal less than 30 minutes after the test drive.

My life has been a much happier place ever since.

Kind of like this guy.