I was at my local VW dealer a couple days ago, and noticed a jug of
Autobahn coolant on the shelf with a red and white contaner instead of the
old familiar blue and white. I forgot to ask the parts person about it, as
I was distracted by the fact that they had no waterpump/alternator belt in
stock for my '85, nor did the other local dealer that they called to check.
The next day i was at another dealer and picked up a copy of their rag,
Volkswagen Parts and Advice. It has a short article about the new coolant.
Here it is:

""
AntiFreeze with a built-in message

        For those do-it-yourself mechanics who have in the past changed the
antifreeze in their Volkswagens, there is a new color which signals a new
formula and a new era,
        The color is red, and this new antifreeze formulation not only has
improved corrosion protection, thermal stability, heat transfer/control,
hard water tolerance and environmental protection, it has been designed
with all-aluminum engines in mind.
        For use with older models only when the original coolant is drained and
the system flushed, or new models only when used exclusively without mixing
any other coolant type, Volkswagen's new Antifreeze and Summer Coolant
provides permanent cooling system lubrication and temperature stability. An
added feature of this new formulation is that it also has a special
bitterant additive, to help prevent accidental ingestion.
        Standard with all new Volkswagen models this new type antifreeze is
especially environmentally friendly, in part because it eliminates the need
for cooling system flushing when used in accordance with its guidelines. *

*Not to be used in conjunction with any other antifreeze formulation. Ask
your Volkswagen dealer for details.

""

Now you know as much as I do. I didn't ask about pricing, but how likely is
it that it's cheaper than the old blue stuff?

Don Kane
'84 Westfalia
'85 GL (soon for sale)
'87 GL
'67 Standard