Volkswagen Lineup Offers Sporty Appeal in Variety of Packages
By Vince Bodiford
Automotive Editor
The wide appeal and popularity of
Volkswagen sprang back onto the scene last year with the reintroduction
of the new Beetle. But it's all the Volkswagen models for 1999
that blend sporty appeal, value and versatility into six distinctive
German models.
Among all the Volkswagen models we've tested, we're most fond
of the new Beetle, Passat, and EuroVan. But all the Volkswagen
models incorporate fine German engineering; use of exceptional
materials and above-average fit and finish quality. Without a
doubt, driving any of the Volkswagen vehicles of today gives you
fresh impression of the marquee and a clear sense you are driving
a fine German motorcar.
Volkswagen for 1999 includes various trim levels of the Golf
and its GTI sports version, the Jetta, Cabrio convertible, the
new Beetle, Passat and EuroVan.
The new Golf is the most widely used chassis - used also for the
sporty New GTI and also for the New Beetle. A nicely equipped
GTI with leather retails for about $19,750.
The new Golf's ride and appearance benefit from the new chassis
and sheet metal. It's been the most popular compact car in Europe
for the past two decades, and a nicely equipped Golf retails for
about $17,750. While remaining true to the classic German hatchback
design of its predecessors, this fourth-generation Golf is completely
redesigned, both inside and out. Its exterior and interior dimensions
have grown slightly, and its overall structural rigidity has been
improved dramatically to near luxury class standards.
Positioned between the mid-sided family cars and the compact class
is the new Jetta. This newly redesigned car is the fourth generation
of Volkswagen's best seller and the most popular European nameplate
in North America. A nicely equipped Jetta GLS retails for about
$22,200. In design, performance, comfort and attention to detail,
the new Jetta offers many qualities of high-end European sedans.
The big story is in-side the Jet-ta, with a smartly laid out cabin,
driver's controls and very comfor-table seating.
Open-air motoring enthusiasts have long been attracted to the
Cabrio convertible. Once thought to be quite expensive, a nicely
equipped GLS retails for about $23,690 making it the lowest priced
European convertible available in North America.
The new Beetle is by far the model that has created more excitement
and sales momentum for Volkswagen. It's cute, fun to drive, and remembers
well the classic lines of the previous Beetle models. All this
built onto the very competent Golf chassis, which provides great
driveability and comfort -all in a package that, for a nicely
equipped Beetle, retails for about $18,560
Volkswagen's flagship sedan is the new Passat. We liked the 6-cylinder
GLS automatic with leather best, which retails for about $27,225.
Introduced in the fall of 1997, the sedan has been well-received
in a segment full of mid-sized family cars.
With Passat, you get finer German engineering, simple yet elegant
form and function, and that invigorating driving experience in
either a sedan or wagon.
Among the most overlooked minivans on the market today is the
EuroVan. Larger than nearly all of its German, Japanese, and American
competitors, the EuroVan brings added size, seating capacity and
comfort without sacrificing fuel economy.
A nicely equipped EuroVan retails for about $31,240. What sets
the EuroVan apart is its versatility, space and utility. The base
model is a primary commercial delivery vehicle in Europe, but
this model is as comfortable to drive as it is ready to work.
It's powered this year by the same powerplant available in most
Volkswagen models - the spirited, fuel-injected VR6.
All of the New Volkswagen models are covered by Volkswagen's Protection
Plus warranty which includes two-year/24,000 mile protection and
a ten-year/100,000 mile power-train warranty, and a 12-year corrosion
warranty.
All pricing information shown here is from the PC-Carbook (TM)
and are manufacturer suggested retail prices for a nicely equipped
mid-level GLS model with automatic transmission, air conditioning,
including destination charges.
For more information about Volkswagen products, call 800-444-8987.
