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2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit in Photos

The Rabbit Edition may be the last special-edition model of the current Golf GTI before Volkswagen releases the eighth generation.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Volkswagen revives the Rabbit moniker for the U.S. market with this special-edition Golf GTI as it approaches the end of the current generation's production run. It's presented as a mid-grade trim level between the S and SE. We tested both automatic and manual variants. Read the full story here.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Like all 2019 GTIs, the Rabbit Edition got an 8-hp bump for its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, which now boasts 228 ponies and 258 lb-ft of torque.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

A Rabbit badge, a gloss-black spoiler, black mirror housings, and model-specific black wheels are subtle exterior amendments to the standard Golf GTI package. The Rabbit Edition also offers two exclusive paint color options, Urano Grey and Cornflower Blue.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The base GTI’s plaid upholstery is accented with Rabbit tags on the seats and red-stitched floor mats.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Rabbit Edition cars come with the base GTI's 6.5-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

A step up from the S configuration, the Rabbit has standard safety technology, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross-traffic alert, just like the pricier SE.

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With the manual transmission, the Rabbit Edition slides in just under $30K, at $29,790. Choosing the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic adds $1100.

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Unless you upgrade to the top-of-the-line Autobahn trim level, this year's GTIs come with all-seasons rather than summer tires. This hurt the Rabbit's braking performance and cornering grip in our track tests.

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Straight-line performance is pretty much the same as in the other seventh-generation GTIs we've tested.

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Like all Golfs, the Rabbit Edition hatchback is a versatile package for carrying passengers and cargo.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

The current-generation Golf has been a recurring winner in our 10Best Cars list throughout its life cycle.

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition automatic

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