Models debuting in the 2008 model year |
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Volkswagen last redesigned its Jetta halfway through the 2005 model year. For 2008, the base 2.5-liter inline-five-cylinder engine gets a horsepower boost, and the model's trim levels have been revised; the Jetta is now offered in S, SE and SEL forms. Competitors include the Honda Civic and Mazda3.
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$25,100 – $25,300
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After the success of its limited-production 2004 R32, Volkswagen is bringing out a new version based on the redesigned Rabbit/GTI. What distinguishes the R32 from the GTI is its 3.2-liter six-cylinder and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Unlike the GTI, the R32 will be produced only as a two-door.
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$33,800 – $49,200
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Volkswagen restyled the five-seat Touareg for 2008, dubbing the new edition Touareg 2. This is hardly the portly SUV's second coming. It's more of a touch-up on the first one, with new front and rear styling and a few extra safety features.
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$22,600 – $27,700
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The Eos is a compact four-seat retractable-hardtop convertible, and as such it occupies a small niche in the car market. It roughly competes on price with the Audi A4, and costs more than the Mini Cooper convertible and Volkswagen's New Beetle Convertible. It's not designed to be a sports car, and it doesn't behave like one. It's only been on sale since the 2007 model year, and for 2008 it gets a number of leather upgrades and other tweaks to the interior. Its trim names have also changed to Turbo, Lux, VR6 and Komfort, the latter of which is apparently the German spelling of "comfort."
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$18,650 – $19,250
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Part of the Volkswagen lineup for two decades, the GTI carries on the tradition of being an affordable "pocket rocket" by providing performance in a small, high-value package. Similar cars include the Honda Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3 and Subaru WRX.
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Volkswagen last redesigned its Jetta halfway through the 2005 model year. For 2008, the base 2.5-liter inline-five-cylinder engine gets a horsepower boost, and the model's trim levels have been revised; the Jetta is now offered in S, SE and SEL forms. Competitors include the Honda Civic and Mazda3.
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$14,150 – $17,700
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For 2008, little has changed for Volkswagen's New Beetle other than changes in options and the renaming of trim levels: last year's base New Beetle and 2.5L are now called the S and SE. The Beetle is a compact car that's also offered as a convertible. It competes with similar small cars, such as the Mini Cooper and Ford Focus.
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$18,100 – $25,400
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Redesigned for 2006, the Passat is Volkswagen's midsize car and is available in both sedan and wagon body styles. Front- and all-wheel-drive models are offered. Competitors include the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima.
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$13,050 – $14,000
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For 2008, Volkswagen's entry-level Rabbit receives more power and a new, single trim level: the Rabbit S. The compact hatchback is Volkswagen's answer to compact cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
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