1978 Golf / Rabbit

Rabbit (GASOLINE ENGINE ONLY) The essential engineering features and spacious, comfortable interior that make Rabbit so much more than just basic transportation — all at a price that’s as surprising as everything else about the Rabbit.

Rabbit C (GASOLINE OR OPTIONAL DIESEL ENGINE) A sensible, economical package of options. Items like chrome / rubber profile belt-line moulding to enhance the appearance and help protect the finish. Plus fully reclining front bucket seats, cord velour upholstery, armrests, grab handles, foam padded steering wheel, side window defogger outlets, steel-belted radial tires and many other features to add to your comfort and driving pleasure.

Rabbit L (GASOLINE OR OPTIONAL DIESEL ENGINE) Includes all the added features of Rabbit C, with the addition of a host of luxury extras such as a precision quartz crystal clock with second hand, velour carpeting on the floor and door panels, wood- gralned dash and instrument panel, crushed velour upholstery, adjustable headrests and many others, inside and out. Also includes the innovative Volkswagen passive restraint system for added passenger safety.

1978 Rabbit Available Paint and Interior Color Combinations US colors only. View colors available in Europe and elsewhere on the Paint Codes page.
Exterior - Paint	Interior - Cloth	Interior - Leatherette
Agate Brown (L86Z)	Parchment	Parchment
Panama Brown (L12A)	Tobacco	Tobacco
Dakota Beige (L13A)	Tobacco	Tobacco
Bali Green (L62A)	Tobacco	Tobacco
Miami Blue (L51C)	Navy Blue	Navy Blue
Bahama Blue Metallic (L99F)	Navy Blue	Navy Blue
Diamond SIlver Metallic (L97A)	Black	Black
Alpine White (L90E)	Tobacco	Tobacco
Bronze Metallic (L95D)	Bronze Edition Only Color Combo	Tobacco

EXTERIOR FEATURES	Rabbit	"C"	"L"
Bumpers painted silver metallic. with black tape	√
Chrome bumpers with black tape		√
Chrome bumpers with protective rubber strip			√
Black belt-line moulding	√
Chrome/rubber profile belt-line moulding		√	√
Decorative belt-line stripes			√
Rocker panel moulding In black	√	√
Rocker-panel moulding In chrome			√
Grey-black outside door handles	√	√
Grey-black outside door handles with chrome inlay			√
Polished ornamental trim in windows		√	√
Chrome hub caps		√	√
Steel wheel rims— two-tone color			√
Black rear lIcense plate area with chrome trim			√

INTERIOR FEATURES	Rabbit	"C"	"L"
Reclining bucket seats		√	√
Integrated headrests, front	√	√
Cloth black/white plaid	√
Cloth cord velour		√
Cloth crushed velour			√
Swivel base sunvlsor, left + right		√	√
VanIty mIrror, right		√	√
Armrests, front and rear doors		√	√
Door contact switch for courtesy light, left only	√
Door contact switch for courtesy light, both front doors		√	√
Grab handles on passenger side and rear of vehicle		√	√
Wide center hub steering wheel	√	√	√
Foam padded steering wheel		√	√
Wood applique on dash and around instruments			√
Center tunnel tray		√	√
Wall to wall carpeting	√	√
Velour carpeting			√
Carpet inlay on door panels			√
Passing light (column mount control)	√	√	√
Lane changer (column mount control)	√	√	√
Electrical washer pump (column mount control)		√	√
Two-speed windshield wiper	√	√	√
Alternator. oil pressure, coolant temperature, turn signal, emergency flasher, high-beam warning lights	√	√
Temperature gauge			√
Side wIndow defroster vents		√	√
Individually adjustable air outlets on dashboard		√	√
3-speed fresh air and heater blower	√	√	√
Flow-through ventilation	√	√	√
Fuel tank gauge	√	√	√
Coolant temperature gauge			√
Lockable giove compartment			√
Gas spring for rear hatch		√	√
Prop-rod for rear hatch	√
Three-point inertia belt, front	√	√
Passive restraint with knee bar			√
Quarts clock with second hand			√
Electric rear window defogger	√	√	√

1978 RABBIT AND RABBIT DIESEL SPECIFICATIONS.
ENGINE
Type	Water-cooled, front mounted, transverse, overhead cam
Cylinders	4 cylinders, in-line
Displacement	88.9 cubIc inches (1457 cc) Diesel: 89.7 cubic inches (1471cc)
SAE Net HP	71(70 California) @ 5800 rpm Diesel: 48 @ 5000 rpm
Fuel/Air Supply	CIS fuel injection Diesel: Diesel injection pump
TRANSMISSION & DIFFERENTIAL:
Type	Fully synchronized, transaxle, transverse mounted
No. Speeds	4 forward, 1 reverse
Final Drive	Front wheel drive, double-jointed axles
Clutch	Single disc, dry
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION:
Frame	Unitized body/chassis, bolt-on front fender
Front Suspension	Independent coil/shock absorber struts negative steering roll radius
Rear Suspension	Independent, stabilizer axle with coil/shock absorber struts
Service Brake	Dual diagonal circuit, disc front, drums rear
Parking Brake	Mechanical operated on rear wheels
Rim Size	4 1/2 ,j x 13
Tire Size	145 x 13 Rabbit “C” and “L”: 155 SR13 Steel belted
Steering	Rack and pinion
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:
Rated Voltage	12 Volt, 55 Amp alternator
Battery	12 Volt, 45 Amp/hour Diesel: 12 Volt, 63 Amp/hour
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase	94.4 inches
Length	155.3 inches
Width	64 Inches
Height	(Unloaded) 55.5 inches
Ground Clearance	(loaded) 4.9 inches
Turning Circle	31.2 feet (curb to curb)
PERFORMANCE:
Top Speed	93 mph, Diesel: 87 mph
Fuel Mileage*	Highway: 40 mpg City: 26 mpg Diesel — Highway: 53 mpg City: 40 mpg
*Based on 1978 EPA estimated mileage with manual transmission. Your actual mileage may vary, depending on where and how you drive, your car's condition and optional equipment. Ask your local dealer tor a tree copy of the EPNFEA Gas Mileage Guide br New Car Buyers.

Steel Wheels				Stock Steellies
Size:	5j x 13, ET45 offset - Tires: 175 / 70 R13
Weight:	16 lbs.
Finish:	Silver steel
Model:	Rabbit, Rabbit Convertible, Jetta
MSRP $	Wheel	Center Cap	Bolt Cap
$ n/a	#321 601 025A	# 321 601 151B (chrome)	# 321 601 173A (black)	click pic to enlarge

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1. Floating caliper front disk brakes with negative roll radius. Single piston caliper reduces the number of connections and in turn lessens the possibility of brake fluid leakage. Reduction of contact area reduces excessive heat transfer into brake fluid for greater fade resistance

2. Transverse mounted 4-speed fully synchronized transaxle with double-jointed drive shafts to front wheels. Transverse placement of transmission eliminates the need for beveled gear ring and pinion. The use of straight gear drive reduces friction compared to conventional designs.

3. Energy absorbing bumpers front and rear with hydraulic dampers are designed to protect the vehicle in 5 mph frontal or rear end collisions.

4. Closed and pressurized cooling system with thermostatically controlled electric radiator fan. Radiator consists of efficient, fast heat dissipating aluminum core. Cross-flow design with integrated recovery tank. Electrically operated radiator fan only runs when needed, minimizing horsepower loss and preventing high temperatures when engine is shut off. (fan may run without engine in operation).

5. Dual diagonal hydraulic brake system with disk/drum combination. The dual diagonal placement provides the vehicle with a back-up system. In case of failure, it maintains braking for one front wheel and one rear wheel. This, in combination with negative roll radius helps maintain direction stability while braking.

6. Front-mounted, transverse, 4 cylinder water-cooled engine. Transverse engine placement provides the vehicle with an energy absorbing safety zone in the event of a frontal collision Furthermor, the slanting provides good forward visibility through the short, slanted front hood.

7. 12-Volt, 55 Amp alternator. Battery charging takes place even at low idling RPM.

8. Spur-belt driven over-head cam with large cup-type valve lifters. Low noise level spur-belt drive and overhead cam placement provides the 1.5 liter engine with quiet, peppy performance. Large cup type valve lifters minimize wear and lengthen required service intervals.

9. CIS fuel injection. This injection system provides the Rabbit engine with the proper fuel/air mixture throughout its operating range. Cold starts are easy and take-off is without hesitation. The engine runs more efficiently providing economical performance and a clean exhaust with no need for a catalyst in the 49 states. California vehicles require a catalyst.

10. McPhereson struts, also called coil/shock absorber struts. The long-travel coil/shock absorber struts provide the Rabbit with a comfortable ride, combined with sporty handling characteristics.

11. Flow-through ventilation with a 3-speed blower and an efficient heat exchanger. The combined fresh air/heating system provides the vehicle with highly effective flow-through ventilation, assisted by a 3-speed blower. Air outlets are located in the front door on the 2-door, and in the rear door on the 4-door. This placement of the air outlets provides very efficient air circulation throughout the entire vehicle.

12. Rack and pinion steering with double-jointed safety column. Precise, direct action steering is self-adjusting and maintenance free. Double-jointed steering column minimizes the rearward displacement of steering column in the event of a front end collision.

13. Foam injected, leatherette covered dashboard with instruments and controls placed direction in driver's line of vision.

14. Wide-hub safety steering wheel with collapsible steering column. Design of the steering wheel allows the center hub to collapse or give way under body impact during a collision.

15. Anatomically designed front bucket seats for maximum body support. The use of twin resilient foam rubber in the seat cushion provides seating comfort for long distance driving. Large bolsters and on the seat cushion and back rest provide maximum support while cornering.

16. Reclining mechanism on the seat backrest. Another feature designed to maximize comfort.

17. Fuel tank mounted ahead of rear axle to minimize damage in rear end collisions.

18. Flip-down rear seat mechanism permits the rear passenger compartment to be used as a cargo area.

19. Independent stabalizer rear axle, a unique Volkswagen design, provides the Rabbit with sporty, yet comfortable riding and handling characteristics. The torsion action of the T-beam give the same effect as a stabalizer bar, while also reducing body lean when cornering. Tracking stability in cornering on rough road surfaces is superior to vehicles with conventional solid axle design.

20. Rear hatch with electrically heated rear window defogger. The large hatchback opening provides easy access to the Rabbit's rear trunk and spare tire below the trunk floor. Heating elements in the rear window ensure clear vision by eliminating ice and moisture build-up.

21. Coil/shock absorber strut combination provides the rear end with a long travel suspension stroke for a comfortable and sporty ride.

The car, which resembles a Rabbit is powered by a 70 hp turbocharged version of the Rabbit Diesel engine. Among its more impressive specifications are the ability to protect occupants in 40 mph frontal impacts, 0-60 mph acceleration in just 13.5 seconds, 55 mpg in the city/69 mpg on the highway*, and low emissions, too.
*as per EPA test cycle.

Diesel sets records.

In a class dominated by cars like the Mercedes and Peugeot Diesels, costing two and three times as much, Rabbit Diesel has set 31 world records.*
During 17 days of flat-out, non-stop driving on a high speed test track in Miramas, France, Rabbit Diesel covered a total of 50,000 kilometers. Among the records set for Diesel powered cars were: 1,887 miles in the first 24 hours; an average speed of 78.4 mph for the first 25,000 kilometers; and a record lap time of 85.1 mph.
How do European road testers like our new Diesel? Here are just a few of their quotes: “For the first time ever, the driver can forget it’s a Diesel, The Golf* Diesel’s performance enables him to leave all other Diesel-equipped cars well behind.”
-L'EQUIPE, France

“The Golf scarcely differs from its spark ignition twin in terms of temperament, average speed or noise level during a long journey Yet it can offer significant fuel savings.”
-Automobile Revue, Switzerland

*Not yet confirmed by FIA.
*A Rabbit is only a Rabbit in the U.S.A. and Canada. Everywhere else, its a Golf.

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