The German manufacturer returned to the Rabbit nickname back in 2006, while the first model using this name was launched in 1975. The first Golf sold in the United States came out in 1984.
Basically, Volkswagen says that using the Golf name in the United States could bring more sales than Rabbit, especially thanks to the history of the model which attracted millions on buyers in lots of countries across the world.
"A lot of consumers tell us they prefer the name Rabbit, but we are moving to this name strategy. There is so much weight behind Golf -- we have sold more than 26 million in 30 years in 120 countries," Wegehaupt was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source.
In addition, Volkswagen will also introduce a diesel engine to the new Golf lineup to be sold in the United States. More specifically, the engine will be the same one used on Jetta, namely a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder producing 140 horsepower.
In Europe, Volkswagen Golf pricing starts at 17,000 euros for the 1.4-liter engine that produces 80 horsepower. The top of the range is the GT TDI variant that comes with a 2.0-liter TDI unit developing 140 horsepower. The new Golf series comes in a choice of multiple engines, including petrol-powered 1.4 80 hp, 1.6 102 hp or 1.4 TSI producing 122 or 160 hp and a diesel-powered 2.0-liter one which releases 110 or 140 hp.
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