In 1975, Volkswagen first introduced the Rabbit to the United States. The appeal of a car with many standard features at a low price spurred sales of more than 1.3 million in 10 years. And now, it's back.
Larger than its predecessor, the '06 Rabbit still retains the advantages of driving a smaller car that's more agile for navigating through tight urban streets and zigzagging its way through a trafficky sea of slow-moving tortoises. Germans have coined the expression Raumwunder, which is a definition fitting of the new Rabbit: "Small on the outside and big on the inside."
While still retaining the value price seen in the old Rabbit, the '06 Rabbit offers a 2.5-liter, five-cylinde,r 150-bhp base engine. The suspension has also been upgraded to a fully independent suspension that uses a multi-link rear and optimized front axle. The Rabbit is available with either a five-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with regular and Sport modes. With an engine that can produce a maximum of 170 lb-ft of torque with 90 percent of it available from 1750 to ,125 rpm, you'll be able to clear yellow lights and maneuver through tough traffic spots. Though it may appear small on the outside, there is plenty of storage space inside--15 cubic feet of cargo volume to be exact. Loads of junk in the trunk can surprisingly be hauled around and made easy to get to with the larger opening rear hatch. Folding the 60/40 split rear seat forward allows for more than 46 cubic feet of storage space, making this the perfect utilitarian vehicle. On the four-door model, the front passenger seat folds down flat, allowing even more space for long items.
This car truly is an urban road warrior--think miniature Mad Max. Built with a stiffer frame that is laser-welded, the new Rabbit can withstand a pothole-pitted city street while still retaining a solid road feel with less interior cabin noise. To avenge city noise pollution, Volkswagen has equipped, standard, a 10-speaker, MP3 format-readable, CD stereo system. In the glovebox is an auxiliary audio input, perfect for an iPod. Built for long drives without frequent fill-ups, gas mileage is 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Don't let its compact size and low price fool you: The new Rabbit comfortably seats five with 94 cubic feet of passenger volume, and its interior has the aesthetic appeal of a luxury car. The Rabbit comes with standard features not found on vehicles that are twice the price. The four-door model comes standard with an eight-way adjustable (six manual and two power) heated driver seat, which on most cars is a $700 option. Built in Germany and sold for such an easy-on-the-pocket price, we're certainly getting the most bang for the buck. In the trunk, we even found a full-size spare tire, a power outlet, and removable storage divider. For those in the back seat, comfort is available in the form of ample legroom and rear passenger vents in center console. On the outside, heated power exterior mirrors with integrated blinkers and dual chrome exhaust tips come standard. With so many standard features, very few are left for stand-alone options, including sunroof (four-door only), satellite radio (four-door only), rear passenger supplemental airbag system (four-door only), and ESP. Other options include a body kit, three different wheel styles with two larger sizes available, a snowboard/ski rack, bike rack, and side graphics appliqus. With so many design options available, your Rabbit can be as individualistic as you are.
The press launch was set in the narrow cobblestoned streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during a time when the East Coast was being pounded by torrential rainstorms. We drove around the urban jungles of Philly, only to end up in New Jersey's mountainous region, where we visited a Rabbit petting zoo. The improved suspension definitely gave me a boost of confidence as I drove by the rain-swollen Delaware River, and on the mountain roads covered with debris. The Rabbit handled incredibly, and even on the rain-soaked road, the Continental tires did not skip (or squeal) a beat. The Rabbit showed its ability to not only handle the morning commute, but that it can carve up canyon roads and even go off-road in the mountains. With the 200-mile round trip test drive under my belt, it was time to return to the hotel, but I just wanted to keep driving all the way back to California.
It's been more than a week since I drove the Rabbit, and it has been an even longer time since I have been excited about a car. Candy White, Tornado Red, visions of a project car danced in my head. Tumbling down the Rabbit hole, one thing is clear: a new Rabbit project car is soon to appear.