Exactly how many DE will be in production?

Re: Exactly how many DE will be in production? (EZ)

That creates a bit of a dilemma for me. First, the D.E. GTI was exciting because of all of the performance upgrades (tires, brakes, seats, etc.) and the exclusivity inherrent in any limited production (ie. 1000 units) car. Now we're hearing that the 1000 units will be only the 2002 run and that more D.E. cars will be 2003 models (and they could be out in September). And now info. is comin in on a 20th anniversary edition that may have the D.E. stuff + additional goodies too. If I buy a D.E. car, I'd be a little annoyed (more than a little) if the '03 20th anniversary car is available with black leather Recaros, BBS wheels, a 201bhp VR6, a sunroof and even offered in a unusual blue color. THAT is the car I am really waiting for.
Jamie -- do you suspect the 20th anniversary car will be even better than the D.E. car? Since indications are that is will be a little more expensive, my best guess is that it'll be a car with all the trimmings.
I guess I'll keep my deposit in for a D.E. car and then keep reading vwvortex until it arrives. If it looks like the 20th anniversary car will have more of the things I am seeking, some lucky soul can take my D.E. car when I withdraw my deposit.

Re: Exactly how many DE will be in production? (GattoDiavolo)

The 20th Anniversary GTI is likely to be more expensive than the DE GTI due to differences in the incremental volume that these 1000 represent as opposed to making 5000 20th Anniversary cars out of regular production volume. Plus there is a seat issue in that 2003 VW models will have position sensitive seats that will selectively fire an airbag depending on seating position (like if a child falls asleep with his head on the door, the side airbag won't fire off in an accident). Right now there is no Recaro seat that is position sensitive, so VWoA is looking at different Recaro models to potentially use (or use whatever Recaro seat that has been developed for the position censors).
Far as we know, VWoA is working on including the instrument cluster from the european cars with the aluminum trim rings and the blacked out headlamps from the 25th Anniversary cars. The black headliner is major issue as we have head airbags that require a mesh fabric (different than European cars) that shows the plastic piece colors underneath it. This means that not only would the fabric have to be changed to black, but all the plastic pieces from the window and dash line up would have to be done in black as well including the A, B and C pillars, grab handles, roof liner, and the roof mounted pod with map and courtesy lamps - another words, some potentially significant costs. There are likely to be a number of colors available as well.
All these items and others are being looked at right now. NOTHING is determined yet, so take it with a grain of salt.
-jamie