Technical
The Jetta is available in basic form with a 2.0L 4 cylinder. The optional engines include the all-star 1.8L turbocharged 4 cylinder, the 1.9L turbo diesel 4 cylinder and finally, for the GLI only, the 2.8L narrow angle 24 valve V6 also known as the VR6. It pumps out 200 hp at 6 200 rpm and 195 lb/ft of torque at 3 200 rpm. The only available transmission for the VR6 GLI is a 6 speed manual. Standard 4 wheel disc brakes are on stopping duty. Footing is aided by traction and stability control as well as an electronic differential lock feature.
On the road
The ride is very comfortable but is too soft when tossed around. I would have preferred stiffer shocks while retaining the drive height. Brakes function very well but with all that power, they are quickly overwhelmed by repeated hard braking from speed. The 2005 GLI inherited the Golf GTI 337 and 20th anniversary Golf's oversized front and rear vented brakes; they should have been made available for both GLIs. Shifter action is amongst the smoothest and easiest in all categories. Clutch actuation is equally effortless. Steering is accurate and feedback, although not as good as previous generations, is lucid.
The VR6 delivers power in every gear. If, while cruising, the driver really needs to pass someone, the go pedal only needs to be depressed mildly. The car then lunges forward with aplomb. The 12 valve VR6 pulled strongly off the line but ran out of breath at high rpm. The 24 valve continues to pull hard all the way to its redline.
Safety
The car has standard dual front, side and curtain air bags, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction and stability control and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) for a frontal impact and 3 out of 5 stars (an average result) for the front passengers and 4 out of 5 stars for the rear passengers in lateral impacts. The IIHS has rated it a "Best Pick" in its category.
Conclusion
I find it unfortunate that Volkswagen has decided to drop the VR6 24v for the GLI and from the complete line of the Jetta for that matter. The 1.8T which will be the only power-plant for the GLI 2005, is powerful enough but not as special. The sound generated by the VR6 power plant is instantly recognizable and if often "looked" for when a top-of-the-line Volkswagen whizzes by. In some circles, it is the equivalent of: "Does it have a Hemi?"
It may be a little difficult to justify a 34 000$ Jetta when, for a few thousand more, you can buy an Audi Quattro 1.8T or even a base Passat (remaining with the Germans) for the same price. These cars are larger and a little less nimble but are also more grown up. This may partly explain a 30 000$ Jetta's existence and its popularity.
The 5th generation or MK5 Jetta is on its way to dealers sometime in late spring next year. It will be a little bigger, rounder and heavier. Hopefully it will still behave like a proper Volkswagen: The type that put them on the map over 20 years ago.
Good stuff:
VR6 24v
Transmission + shifter action
Great seats
Not so good stuff:
No more VR6 24v
Maintenance costs
Soft suspension
The Jetta is available in basic form with a 2.0L 4 cylinder. The optional engines include the all-star 1.8L turbocharged 4 cylinder, the 1.9L turbo diesel 4 cylinder and finally, for the GLI only, the 2.8L narrow angle 24 valve V6 also known as the VR6. It pumps out 200 hp at 6 200 rpm and 195 lb/ft of torque at 3 200 rpm. The only available transmission for the VR6 GLI is a 6 speed manual. Standard 4 wheel disc brakes are on stopping duty. Footing is aided by traction and stability control as well as an electronic differential lock feature.
On the road
 |
The VR6 delivers power in every gear. If, while cruising, the driver really needs to pass someone, the go pedal only needs to be depressed mildly. The car then lunges forward with aplomb. The 12 valve VR6 pulled strongly off the line but ran out of breath at high rpm. The 24 valve continues to pull hard all the way to its redline.
Safety
The car has standard dual front, side and curtain air bags, ABS brakes, electronic brake force distribution, traction and stability control and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) for a frontal impact and 3 out of 5 stars (an average result) for the front passengers and 4 out of 5 stars for the rear passengers in lateral impacts. The IIHS has rated it a "Best Pick" in its category.
Conclusion
I find it unfortunate that Volkswagen has decided to drop the VR6 24v for the GLI and from the complete line of the Jetta for that matter. The 1.8T which will be the only power-plant for the GLI 2005, is powerful enough but not as special. The sound generated by the VR6 power plant is instantly recognizable and if often "looked" for when a top-of-the-line Volkswagen whizzes by. In some circles, it is the equivalent of: "Does it have a Hemi?"It may be a little difficult to justify a 34 000$ Jetta when, for a few thousand more, you can buy an Audi Quattro 1.8T or even a base Passat (remaining with the Germans) for the same price. These cars are larger and a little less nimble but are also more grown up. This may partly explain a 30 000$ Jetta's existence and its popularity.
The 5th generation or MK5 Jetta is on its way to dealers sometime in late spring next year. It will be a little bigger, rounder and heavier. Hopefully it will still behave like a proper Volkswagen: The type that put them on the map over 20 years ago.
Good stuff:
VR6 24v
Transmission + shifter action
Great seats
Not so good stuff:
No more VR6 24v
Maintenance costs
Soft suspension
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