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Hoppy New Year
VW rollsback the clock and revives “Rabbit.”

By Tom Janiszewski

The Rabbit is back! Twenty-two years after the last Rabbit hopped out of showrooms, Volkswagen announced on April 12 at the New York Auto Show that when the Mk5 Golf hits United States and Canadian shores early this summer, it will be called “Rabbit.”

VW surprised everyone with the announcement in a press release just in time for Easter. The name was last used here in 1984. It’s an interesting choice as it was widely reported in the ’80s that VW ditched the Rabbit name in an attempt to separate the 1985 Golf (the Rabbit was marketed as Golf in most international markets) from the Rabbit. Quality problems, and (to a greater degree) VW’s refusal to issue recalls on problematic Rabbits turned many away from VW. Nostalgia has a way of washing away bad memories, leaving nothing but warm, fuzzy good ones. Combine that with the fact that a big chunk of VW’s present customer base was barely out of diapers when the original Rabbit disappeared, and you can start to understand how the name can make a comeback.

The 2006 Rabbit made its first U.S. appearance last February at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, badged as “Golf” (odd in retrospect). If the name announcement doesn’t get you excited, perhaps this will: 2006 Rabbits (and GTI models) come to North America from VW’s Wolfsburg plant. Before the all-new GTI and the ’06 Rabbit, the only other new Wolfsburg-built VW available here was the Jetta Wagon.

The ’06 Rabbit will be available in both two and four-door versions with a base price of $14,990, making it the most affordable new VW in the United States, not to mention the most affordable German-built car available here. It comes nearly two years after the car made its European debut (where the Golf name lives on). In that time, the car has earned more than 25 awards in more than 16 countries. Most recently, the Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Rabbit four-door a Top Pick Safety, Silver award based on the institute’s results in offset frontal, side impact and rear crash tests.

The ’06 Rabbit’s styling isn’t radically different from the Golf it replaces. Overall appearance is similar, yet the changes are in the details. Body lines are smoother, headlights and tail lights are more rounded and larger, yet the car still looks like a Golf with its wide C-pillar and hatchback styling.

The Rabbit was spared the gaudy chrome grille treatment as seen on the new Jetta, Passat and the upcoming Eos. It is also much different from the aggressive-looking front end of the new GTI.

VW reports that the car achieves double-digit improvements in structural rigidity though the use of more high-strength body panels and increased use of laser-welding. The results include a stronger body, improved safety, quieter ride and dialed-in performance.

Speaking of performance, the ’06 Rabbit sports a host of technical improvements. The standard engine is a 2.5 liter, five-cylinder, rated at 150 horsepower. No word yet on a diesel. Transmission choices include a standard 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic Tiptronic. The suspension is fully independent and uses a multi-link rear axle.

Inside, VW stays true to its reputation for quality interiors. It’s attractive, sporty, yet comfortable and functional. If you’ve been inside a new Jetta, the Rabbit will look quite familiar. As with each new generation of the car, the ’06 Rabbit is roomier inside for both passengers and cargo. The hatch opening is large with a low sill for easy access. 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold down to increase cargo capacity.

The list of standard features is long and includes anti-lock brakes, traction control, active front head restraints, front side air bags, air-conditioning and remote entry with an anti-theft alarm system.

The Rabbit was a big seller in the United States. Jetta sales here always dwarfed those of the Golf. Could it be a name issue? It’s hard to say, but Americans seem to have developed an aversion toward hatchbacks unless they’re bigger, four-wheel drive and have names such as Explorer, Pathfinder, and (yes) Touareg. As gas prices continue to skyrocket, the new Rabbit continues VW’s tradition of affordable German-engineered, German-built driving fun and economy.

Perhaps a warm fuzzy name is just what the hatchback needs to win back buyers.