More engines than ever
No, Volkswagen has not discovered how to build a new car in three minutes using only a rock and a hammer; the process is still expensive and the company has new digs to pay for in Puebla and Chattanooga. What they've done is bring back the same powerplants from the MK5 Jetta plus, and this is where the deal gets a little salty for my tastes, reinstate the engine that just won't die, the 2.0L 8V. Have you owned a Golf, City Golf, GTI, Jetta, City Jetta or New Beetle over the last twenty years? If so, chances are and were that your car was motivated by the 115-hp, 2.0L 4-cylinder engine.
The only thing that could have made this worse is if VW would have dropped a 4-speed autobox in with it. Thankfully, and this is where the powertrain redeems itself, the automatic transmission is a 6-speed. Unfortunately and strangely, the 2.0L Jetta was not available on our first drive. According to VW, the motor has been tweaked; however, the modest increase in torque (125 from 122 lb-ft) would suggest that the changes are barely skin-deep. I did find solace in a comment that was made where the 2.0L may only be offered for a few years...
The other three engines are the 170-hp 2.5L 5-cylinder and the two other 2.0L units, the very excellent 200-hp 2.0 TSI and 140-hp 2.0 TDI (that's diesel of course). The TSI is slated for a late arrival with the next GLI. The other Jetta powertrain to wait for is the upcoming hybrid, expected in 2012 as a 2013. The 150-hp, twin-charged (turbo and super), 1.4-litre direct-injection gas engine will be mated to a hybrid module and seven-speed DSG transmission.
Gorgeous and appealing
Walter De Silva (Head of Design, Volkswagen Group) was on hand to give us his take on the latest Jetta's design. He stated that the Jetta's styling is a little bit of everything. Its proportions are perfect, the sheetmetal is elegant and sporty but overall, the car is simply beautiful, with equal emphasis on both simple and beauty.
I was in Detroit when the VW NCC concept had its wraps removed. From the onset, I was blown away by the clean, crisp blatantly Audi-esque inspired lines and dearly hoped that the next Jetta would look this good. Upon the release of the first pictures, the car's design said more Japanese than German. Good thing, again, that picture does not do the car justice. The new Jetta does cut through the atmosphere with fine, sharp creases and, although I wish they would stop making the car bigger every time around, I have to agree M. de Silva.
No, Volkswagen has not discovered how to build a new car in three minutes using only a rock and a hammer; the process is still expensive and the company has new digs to pay for in Puebla and Chattanooga. What they've done is bring back the same powerplants from the MK5 Jetta plus, and this is where the deal gets a little salty for my tastes, reinstate the engine that just won't die, the 2.0L 8V. Have you owned a Golf, City Golf, GTI, Jetta, City Jetta or New Beetle over the last twenty years? If so, chances are and were that your car was motivated by the 115-hp, 2.0L 4-cylinder engine.
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| The car's dashboard remains one of the most functional and tasteful in any vehicle under $35,000. (Photo: Volkswagen) |
The only thing that could have made this worse is if VW would have dropped a 4-speed autobox in with it. Thankfully, and this is where the powertrain redeems itself, the automatic transmission is a 6-speed. Unfortunately and strangely, the 2.0L Jetta was not available on our first drive. According to VW, the motor has been tweaked; however, the modest increase in torque (125 from 122 lb-ft) would suggest that the changes are barely skin-deep. I did find solace in a comment that was made where the 2.0L may only be offered for a few years...
The other three engines are the 170-hp 2.5L 5-cylinder and the two other 2.0L units, the very excellent 200-hp 2.0 TSI and 140-hp 2.0 TDI (that's diesel of course). The TSI is slated for a late arrival with the next GLI. The other Jetta powertrain to wait for is the upcoming hybrid, expected in 2012 as a 2013. The 150-hp, twin-charged (turbo and super), 1.4-litre direct-injection gas engine will be mated to a hybrid module and seven-speed DSG transmission.
Gorgeous and appealing
Walter De Silva (Head of Design, Volkswagen Group) was on hand to give us his take on the latest Jetta's design. He stated that the Jetta's styling is a little bit of everything. Its proportions are perfect, the sheetmetal is elegant and sporty but overall, the car is simply beautiful, with equal emphasis on both simple and beauty.
I was in Detroit when the VW NCC concept had its wraps removed. From the onset, I was blown away by the clean, crisp blatantly Audi-esque inspired lines and dearly hoped that the next Jetta would look this good. Upon the release of the first pictures, the car's design said more Japanese than German. Good thing, again, that picture does not do the car justice. The new Jetta does cut through the atmosphere with fine, sharp creases and, although I wish they would stop making the car bigger every time around, I have to agree M. de Silva.
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| Great seats, tonnes of room front and back and a huge trunk are all capacious positives for the compact car. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |