| It was year 1975 and VW sales were dropping. | | | | the Month" was made in November 1999. In the first |
| Japanese auto makers were rapidly advancing inside | | | | half of the new century, the sales of the Golf, VW |
| the US market with little boxtypes far cheaper than a | | | | Rabbit's successor, steadily dropped in the North |
| Beetle. To address this threat, VW came up with a | | | | American market. VW US decided that a re-branding |
| small front wheel drive car that was Spartan-like in | | | | is needed to save its lofty position in the automotive |
| every way. Enter the VW Rabbit, a water-cooled 4 | | | | market. On 12 April 2006, at the Detroit Auto Show |
| cylinder, with a transversely mounted engine driving the | | | | Volkswagen of America announced the return of the |
| front wheels for around the same price as a | | | | VW Rabbit. The “new” Rabbit is the same |
| Japanese compact sedan. From that time on, the | | | | model as the Golf V being sold in the rest of the world. |
| Rabbit has replaced the Beetle in the US consumer | | | | VW bosses were hoping that the nostalgia-factor |
| market. With this development, the Rabbit started off | | | | coupled with a lower price tag will help thrust Rabbit |
| the influx of a new Volkswagen generation. Known | | | | sales. The strategy has worked quite well. In fact, the |
| and lauded for its very efficient fuel economy, the VW | | | | Kelly Blue Book, a top-rated website providing vehicle |
| Rabbit never received many changes over the years | | | | pricing and information, named the VW Rabbit as one |
| of its production, but it did receive many improvements. | | | | of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under |
| When local production started in the US in 1979, the | | | | $18,000″ because it provides “the consumer with |
| VW Rabbit part that underwent the most noticeable | | | | results that are needed in today’s economy.” It |
| and defining change was its set of headlights. The | | | | noted the relatively high utility-per-dollar value of the |
| front lighting system was replaced with new | | | | VW Rabbit as the compact workhorse gives the |
| square-type headlights. In 1981, the Rabbit got another | | | | performance, safety, environmental impact, fuel |
| make-over. Gone were the small taillights, replaced by | | | | economy, styling and comfort at just a price range |
| square-type ones, which include wrap around turn | | | | starting at $14,990. Yet, a closer look at the new VW |
| signals. In that same year, the engine grew from 1.6 to | | | | Rabbit shows that indeed, it has evolved to a very |
| 1.7L , and the diesel variant from 1.5 to 1.6. In 1982, the | | | | valuable, highly functional compact vehicle. Capacity |
| sport compact version of the VW Rabbit was | | | | has become flexible with VW Rabbit's |
| introduced --- the 1.8L GTi, armed with tuned up VW | | | | leather-wrapped 60/40 split rear seating. A key VW |
| Rabbit parts – stiffer suspension, alloy wheels, front | | | | Rabbit part added to the new version is the External |
| air dam, and specially designed Recaro sport seats. | | | | Temperature Gauge designed to determine |
| Top speed, acceleration, and handling were tweaked | | | | temperature outside the Rabbit, useful in crossing state |
| on the GTi. Another edition was also released in 1982 | | | | lines, mountain ranges, and other climactic zones. The |
| called the Rabbit "black tie" edition. A set of black | | | | presence of an electromechanical power steering |
| bumpers and mouldings was added as an add-on VW | | | | gives tighter steering and lessens pollutants, since it |
| Rabbit part giving the car a meaner and sportier look. | | | | does not use harmful steering fluids. But what makes |
| The interior had special seats, while the outside got a | | | | the VW Rabbit a cut above its contemporaries is its |
| rear wiper. In July 1984, the VW Rabbit moved over to | | | | new five-cylinder engine, which obviously gives it more |
| make way for the production of the new Golf. VW | | | | power to sweep past its competitors. Other add-ons |
| Rabbit's convertible has continued to be produced | | | | that set the VW Rabbit in a class of its own are its |
| after being re-designed and renamed from Rabbit | | | | variable windshield wipers, automatic climate control, |
| convertible to Cabriolet and renamed once again | | | | heated side windows, cruise control, traction control |
| recently to Cabrio. Although short lived, the Rabbit, | | | | system, cargo area tie-downs, power outlets at the |
| gave Volkswagen the much-needed breathing room | | | | cargo area, four-wheel disc brakes, and additional turn |
| and a new headstart. However, the production of the | | | | signals. Indeed, Volkswagen may have stamped its |
| VW Rabbit has still not completely died off. Rabbit | | | | name in the international automotive arena, but it |
| MK1's are still being produced by Volkswagen of South | | | | seems to have lived, died, and lived again in the |
| Africa as the consumer model. In fact, the "Rabbit of | | | | American market with its Rabbit. |