Why the Long Wait for Such a Popular Model?
To Volkswagen of North America, the Jetta is the single most important car. Forget the Golf, New Beetle, Passat, and especially the slow selling
Phaeton: on the basis of sales, the Jetta trumps all. It's this compact sedan/wagon combo that is preventing Volkswagen from spilling further red ink, accounting for some 40 percent of last year's sales in the United States. The Jetta is of such great importance to the North American market that VW chose to create and launch the new version prior to the still future introduction of its fifth-generation Golf, despite the fact that the Golf has been on the European market for over a year and a new one would most definitely reinvigorate sagging sales in the compact hatchback.
And for all the work done on this model's behalf, the completely revamped Jetta, now in showrooms, is much improved over the outgoing model. For essentially the same price - $17,900 compared to the 2005 model at $17,680 - a larger, more advanced Jetta can be bought. With a stiffer structure, larger cabin, the perception of improved quality, an all-new 150-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-five, and available six-speed automatic gearbox, it's a more complete package. It's
no wonder then, that VW chose it to launch their shiny new chromed corporate nose, a face which will be used on many future VWs.
Although controversy has surrounded this new chromed nose, as well as the entire 2006 Jetta design, most customers of older models will likely make a bee-line straight for their VW dealership and purchase a new model, although a select number have been left wondering about its sibling, the Jetta Wagon. One of two wagons which Volkswagen offers, it is a popular choice amongst buyers for a variety of reasons, one of which is the availability of a fuel-efficient turbodiesel powerplant. Also available with a 180-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and in base 2.0-liter 115-horsepower guise, the old girl will continue on until the fifth generation Jetta wagon appears. But when will that be?
To Volkswagen of North America, the Jetta is the single most important car. Forget the Golf, New Beetle, Passat, and especially the slow selling
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| It's the predecessor to thiis compact sedan that has prevented Volkswagen from spillingfurther red ink. (photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
And for all the work done on this model's behalf, the completely revamped Jetta, now in showrooms, is much improved over the outgoing model. For essentially the same price - $17,900 compared to the 2005 model at $17,680 - a larger, more advanced Jetta can be bought. With a stiffer structure, larger cabin, the perception of improved quality, an all-new 150-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-five, and available six-speed automatic gearbox, it's a more complete package. It's
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| Will VW design the new Jetta Wagon to look identical to the current 2006 Jetta sedan from the A-pillar forward, or something entirely new? (Photo: Artist's Rendering) |
Although controversy has surrounded this new chromed nose, as well as the entire 2006 Jetta design, most customers of older models will likely make a bee-line straight for their VW dealership and purchase a new model, although a select number have been left wondering about its sibling, the Jetta Wagon. One of two wagons which Volkswagen offers, it is a popular choice amongst buyers for a variety of reasons, one of which is the availability of a fuel-efficient turbodiesel powerplant. Also available with a 180-horsepower 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and in base 2.0-liter 115-horsepower guise, the old girl will continue on until the fifth generation Jetta wagon appears. But when will that be?