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2009
VOLKSWAGEN NEW VEHICLE MODEL GUIDE
 Volkswagen of Germany offers favored nameplates for 2009 like Beetle, Jetta, the hot-hatch GTI and Rabbit. Top sedan is the mid-size Passat, and a SUV called Touareg offers powertrain choices. A new compact-size crossover utility vehicle (CUV) for VW's 2009 line bears the unusual name of Tiguan — the moniker is a mixing of animal names for tiger and iguana. And later Volkswagen rolls out the Passat CC, a slick new coupe derived from the Passat sedan.
 Rabbit
Volkswagen's subcompact series of three-door and five-door hatchbacks use the iconic label of Rabbit, which traces to VW's original small hatchback marketed in the United States from 1974 to 1982. Rabbit for 2009 represents the fifth generation for VW's subcompact and it totes VW's 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, generating 170 hp and linking to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The all-disc ABS (anti-lock brake system) is aboard, while a non-skid device called ESP (electronic stability program) is now standard.
 GTI
VW's feisty GTI, charged with the kick of a turbo engine, is a compact two-door coupe conformed in convenient hatchback format and equipped with precise mechanical components. The 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 Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) Tiptronic automatic with paddle shifters. The exterior package of GTI features a brash face with big matte-black grille. Lots of equipment goes into GTI (including Sirius Satellite Radio service) and options are few. Trim designations are labeled GTI and GTI Autobahn.
 New
Beetle
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 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. Electronically controlled safety equipment includes a traction control system (TCS) with ESP, along with VW's anti-slip regulation (ASR) throttle checker and electronic differential locking (EDL) that modulates engine torque on front wheels to maximize tire grip. ansmission or a six-speed automatic
with Tiptronic shifter. This year's equipment
upgrades consist of a traction control
system (TCS) with ESP added to all models,
along with a TPMS. New trim tags emerge
this year as the New Beetle S and New
Beetle SE. The S model rolls on new 16-inch
alloy wheels, while the SE is mounted
on 17-inch alloys.
 New
Beetle Cabriolet
This VW amounts to a convertible conversion of the New Beetle hardtop worked out by Karmann Coachworks in Germany. With its 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 element. 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.
 Passat
The mid-size Passat sedan and five-door wagon pare to a single trim — Komfort — and only one powertrain for 2009. The powertrain for front-wheel-drive (FWD) orientation is a 2.0-liter four-in-line, which adds a turbo-charger and direct fuel injection to generate 200 hp through a six-speed electronic automatic with Tiptronic sequential shifter. Vehicular safety equipment includes ABS, EBA (electronic brake assist) and ESP.
 Passat CC
A curvy new coupe derived from the Passat sedan lands in North America later in the 2009 model-year. With bold styling outside and a plush cabin inside featuring comfortable seats for four passengers, the CC offers an optional electrically powered Panorama transparent sunroof. Two powertrains work on CC. Base plant is a 2.0-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine with 200 hp and a six-speed manual transmission or VW's six-speed Tiptronic automatic. More juice flows from a 3.6-liter FSI (fuel straight injection) V6 rated at 280 hp with the six-speed Tiptronic automatic.
 Jetta
/ GLI
Crisp styling for Jetta sedan features a brash face with chrome grille flanking corner lamps and aerodynamic lines sweeping across the arching roof. Jetta's five-seat cabin has surprising room for a compact plus fine materials. Powertrain options begin with VW's 2.5-liter five-cylinder plant delivering 170 hp. A 2.0-liter four-pack with turbo-charging nets 200 hp for the upscale GLI and ties to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed DSG automatic Tiptronic. New for Jetta 2009 is a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-pack which punches out 140 hp. Jetta lists the 2009 editions as S, SE, SEL, TDI and GLI.
 Touareg
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 a four-corner air suspension. Engines contain six or eight cylinders and tie to the six-speed Tiptronic automatic. A dual-cam 3.6-liter V6 nets 280 hp, while the big 4.2-liter V8 reaches to 350 hp.
 Tiguan
VW's new five-door hatchback CUV, with seats for five in a well-stocked cabin, uses the Rabbit platform with FWD orientation or optional 4Motion AWD system plus the muscle of a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. The 2.0-liter plant produces 200 hp with all of the turbo muscle manipulated through a good-feel manual six-speed transmission or VW's optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic. Safety systems include ABS with EBA, ASR, EDL and ESP. The cockpit plan positions a pair of bolstered buckets up front flanking a console and a bench for three in back. Tiguan trims to S, upgraded SE and top-end SEL.
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