Volkswagen Cars
Volkswagen Eos
Mid-Size Car, Base MSRP $28,990
Volkswagen GLI
Sporty Car, Base MSRP $24,300
Volkswagen GTI
Sporty Car, Base MSRP $22,800
Volkswagen Jetta
Compact Car, Base MSRP $16,990
Volkswagen New Beetle
Compact Car, Base MSRP $17,475
Volkswagen Passat
Mid-Size Car, Base MSRP $23,990
Volkswagen R32
Sporty Car, Base MSRP $32,990
Volkswagen Rabbit
Compact Car, Base MSRP $15,600
Volkswagen Touareg 2
Mid-Size SUV, Base MSRP $39,300
For 2007, Volkswagen's new convertible, the Eos, uses a retractable steel-and-glass hard top that also doubles as a super-size sunroof. It shares its A-platform architecture with the Rabbit and Jetta, and offers a choice of 200 hp turbocharged 4-cylinder or 250 hp V6 power. Ride height on the GTI is lowered by about an inch for a sportier appearance. Officially, the diesel-powered Jetta TDI is discontinued. However, VW will continue to sell a "special edition" 2007 Jetta TDI badged as a 2006 model. The GLI gets new wheels and a lowered suspension. A new turbodiesel engine is expected in 2008, and a Jetta wagon is rumored for an introduction some time in 2007. The Passat is now available as a wagon. As with the sedan, the Passat wagon is available with a 2.0 liter turbo 4-cylinder or 3.6 liter V6, the latter with optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive. The Phaeton is discontinued for 2007.
Volkswagen’s warranty offers: A 4 years/50,000 miles New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Wear & tear items and adjustments excluded after initial 12 months/12,000 miles. A 5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain Limited Warranty. A 12-year, unlimited distance Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation.
Volkswagen has been in the news lately thanks to a corporate shakeup that began as sales slipped a few years ago. Business has ticked up in recent months, but you can expect a raft of new product as the company tries to pick up ground lost in recent years to Nissan and, in the sedan market, Hyundai. Redesigns of the Jetta Wagon, the New Beetle and the Touareg are coming in the next couple of years, as well as a gas-electric hybrid vehicle. Further out, watch for a coupe version of the Passat, a new minivan (co-produced with Chrysler) and a compact SUV tentatively called the Marrakesh. There's more good news for consumers in that the company is trying to be very competitive on pricing, a strategy that worked well in its late-'90s run at Honda and Toyota.
