A key model for Volkswagen's success in North America is the Jetta, which is all-new for 2011.
Sustained popularity in the US market has led the Jetta to become the biggest selling German saloon car in North America in fact, where it accounts for 110,000 sales every year. The original Jetta was launched in Germany in 1979 with over 9.6 million vehicles sold with the nameplate since then.
The new Jetta was unveiled at Times Square in New York by pop singer Katy Perry. The young starlet kicked off her killer heels and danced on the bonnet for the assembled cameras, which seems to demonstrate the Jetta's frontal impact protection, if nothing else.
Drawing inspiration from the popular NCC (New Compact Coupé) concept car which made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2010, the Jetta was styled under the leadership of Klaus Bischoff, head of design for the Volkswagen brand. Every panel is in fact new with precise, clean lines lending the Jetta an elegant appearance that marks the latest evolution of the new Volkswagen design language. The design bodes well for the potential sports appeal of the new Jetta, meaning motorsport models could follow. Worth also noting that the new Jetta no longer shares any body components with the Golf, and is now a vehicle type that is just as independent as a Passat CC or a Tiguan.
At the front end the prominence of horizontal lines defines the design. The high-gloss black radiator grille combines with the car's trapezoidal headlights to form a styling unit. Under the unit formed by the grille and headlights a fully painted bumper. One section lower, another cooling air intake and the tray-shaped front spoiler (in the style of 'splitters' used in car racing) gives the car a sporty finish. In profile, the eye is drawn to the characteristic shoulder or 'tornado' line and the powerfully emphasised arches of the wheel wells. The wheel arches accommodate up to an 18 inch wheel. Meanwhile, the styling of the wing mirrors with their integrated turn signal indicators emulates the larger CC. For the rear design, sporty shoulders dominate with taillights split into two sections.
The fresh styling and acute attention to detail continues inside the Jetta. An all-new dashboard featuring subtle aluminium highlights sits ahead of a leather-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel. Every Jetta will feature an integrated multifunction display, air conditioning and a CD stereo system. Available as an option will be touchscreen satellite navigation.
As with the outgoing Jetta, the new car mixes the practicality of being able to seat five adults with a large, 510 litre loadspace and a comprehensive range of standard safety features including six airbags, ABS and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP).
The overall length of the Jetta has grown by 90 mm to measure 4,644 mm. In addition, the wheelbase has also been extended to 2,648 mm, an increase of 70 mm, resulting in 67 mm greater legroom for rear seat passengers.
Powering the new Jetta is a range of advanced petrol and diesel forced induction engines. New to the Jetta is the 1.2-litre TSI engine producing 105 PS while the twincharged 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS engine mixing performance and economy is added to the range. The 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS and 2.0-litre TSI 200 PS continue unchanged. Diesel options consist of a 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS and a 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS engine.
BlueMotion Technology modifications including Start/Stop and battery regeneration will be made available linked to the 1.2-litre TSI and the 1.6-litreTDI engines. The changes allow the 1.2-litre TSI version to achieve 53.2 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 123 g/km of CO2. The 1.6-litre TDI variant is capable of returning 68 mpg and emits just 109 g/km of carbon dioxide.
Sales of the new Volkswagen Jetta in the UK will commence early next year, with prices and specifications being announced nearer the time. |
