Volkswagen of Germany capitalizes on its roots in 2007 with products bearing favored nameplates like Beetle, Jetta, the hot-hatch GTI and even the Rabbit. Top sedan is the deluxe mid-size Passat, and a SUV dubbed Touareg offers powertrain choices with six or eight or even ten cylinders.

VW's compact two-door coupe shows keen styling with slick lines and a bold face with large oval headlamps and a mesh grille. Standard engine this year is a 2.5-liter five-cylinder rig which achieves 150 hp through a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic shifter. The 1.9-liter TDI engine fades away as VW works on a new diesel due in 2008. Equipment upgrades consist of a traction control system (TCS) with electronic stabilization program (ESP) added to all models. Choices in paint shades for 2007 expand with new Black and Laser Blue treatment.

This VW amounts to a convertible conversion of the New Beetle hardtop worked out by Karmann Coachworks in Germany. With top raised, the convertible maintains the arched roof of the coupe, so cabin dimensions remain relatively the same. The fabric-lined top has three layers for insulation plus a rear window constructed from glass and imbedded with a defroster. The top opens and closes by manual mode or optional semi-automatic power controls. Powertrain compares to the hardtop with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder plant bringing 150 hp. New paint themes include Sunflower and Gecko Green.

The mid-size Passat sedan in 2007 is joined by a new five-door wagon variation. Passat the sedan segments by powertrain into two models. Passat 2.0T is the entry issue in front-wheel-drive (FWD) format with a 2.0-liter four-in-line engine that adds a turbo-charger and direct fuel injection to generate 200 hp through a manual six-speed transmission or six-speed electronic automatic with Tiptronic sequential shifter. Passat 3.6 VR6 is the uplevel trim using a 3.6-liter V6 sparked to 280 hp. VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is optional on the VR6 version, where standard equipment includes curtain-style air bags and ESP.

Crisp body styling for the Jetta sedan features a brash face with chrome grille flanking oversized corner lamps and aerodynamic lines sweeping up a canted windshield and across the arching roof. Jetta's five-seat cabin has surprising room for a compact car plus fine materials. Prime powertrain is VW's 2.5-liter five-cylinder plant with 150 hp. A 2.0-liter four-pack with turbo-charging and direct injection nets 200 hp for Jetta 2.0T or the upscale GLI and ties to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic Tiptronic. GLI also has a reduced ride height for a sporty stance.

Volkswagen's subcompact series of three-door and five-door hatchbacks drop the Golf nameplate and adopt the iconic label of Rabbit. The name traces to VW's original small hatchback marketed in the United States from 1974 to 1982. Rabbit for 2007 is a fifth-generation Golf with new sheetmetal styling, a new high-strength rigid platform and a revised cockpit with upgraded materials and new comforts aboard. Stock powertrain is VW's 2.5-liter five-cylinder which generates 150 hp and links to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic or five-speed manual transmission. All-disc ABS brakes are aboard and advanced ESP skid controls are available

VW's latest rendition of the hot-hatch GTI, charged with the kick of a new turbo engine, is a compact two-door coupe conformed in convenient hatchback format and equipped with precise mechanical components. The new 2.0-liter turbo engine feels vigorous and quick, netting 200 hp. And there are two choices for transmission -- either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic Tiptronic manual with paddle shifters. A new design for the exterior package of GTI features a brash face with big matte-black grille. Lots of equipment is stock to GTI and options are few.

The name comes from the goddess of the dawn in Greek mythology and the new vehicle from Volkswagen using this name makes the sun come up every time you tap a toggle and convert it from a hardtop coupe to a streamlined open-top convertible. The sleek two-door, with seats for four in a well-stocked cabin, uses the platform of the Rabbit/Jetta with FWD orientation and the muscle of a turbo-charged engine. The 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder plant with turbo-charger and direct fuel injection produces 200 hp through a manual six-speed transmission or optional six-speed DSG Tiptronic automatic.

The SUV from VW has a five-door design with tight unibody structure. It's sleek in style, large in scale for the mid-size class and provides a spacious cabin with seats for five plus plush appointments. Touareg employs VW's four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction device labeled 4XMotion, which provides uncanny stick-it-down traction for all wheels, plus optional locking rear differential and an air suspension. Engines contain six, eight or even ten cylinders. For 2007, the V6 and V8 engines are new, bringing stepped-up power and efficiency ratings. Touareg's massive V10 is a turbo-diesel available in 45 states.