Volkswagen Jetta

Model Update

Four model variants make up the new Volkswagen Jetta range. The added bonus of having a boot out the back is going to appeal to buyers who may otherwise look at the hatch version: the Volkswagen Golf.

Superb build quality, smooth responsive engines, great drive trains and nimble dynamics blend comfort and sport together to ensure that the owner of a new Volkswagen Jetta will be very happy with their purchase.

For its class, the boot is enormous (510 litres). Leg room is good, and it’s easy to travel long distances in the Jetta sedan. There are many features onboard; of note are the Volkswagen Jetta’s six-speed or seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), an Optical Parking System (OPS), Hill Start Assist (with DSG), height and lumbar adjustable front seats, an eight-speaker stereo, an MP3 compatible CD unit and pollen filters in the dual-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning.

The Jetta range has been updated and refined even more. You’ll enjoy the clean lines and superior build quality.

You might be here because you are looking for a solid 4-door sedan with some European flair. If you are, then take a fraction of your time to glance at the Volkswagen Jetta. This is one of Volkswagen's best sellers in some parts of the globe.

In Australia, the Jetta comes with three engine choices. All are great drive trains, and all offer very refined everyday transport. To start the ball rolling, we’ll take a look at the competitively priced Volkswagen Jetta 118TSI. This is a real bargain, particularly when you consider the superb roomy interior, wonderfully involving drive and the large kit of superb features onboard. With 118 kW, the TSI is most definitely not a slouch. At 1.4-litres the petrol fed engine is not large, however with a turbo attached the engine is a sparkling performer. It’s also the most economical petrol powered Jetta. A nice combination of efficient fuel consumption and smooth acceleration is what you’ll enjoy while driving the Volkswagen Jetta 118TSI. A notable 240 Nm of torque is available between 1500–4000 rpm. Also boasting the same engine, the Volkswagen Jetta 118TSI Comfortline has the same punchy engine but with more luxury items added.

Next is a real standout performer: The Volkswagen Jetta 103TDI Comfortline. This is definitely one for the fuel conscious driver who likes an extra squirt of performance every now and then. A small family would be hard pushed to find a better sedan anywhere else. Having a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, you’ll find the 320 Nm can be hooked into from between 1750–2500 rpm. It has a lot of get-up-and-go, while the big torque provides powerful thrust under load. This is the Jetta with the most torque and the lowest fuel consumption.

Leading the performance charge, and very definitely a driver’s car, is the 147 kW Volkswagen Jetta 147TSI Highline. The 0-100 km/h dash is dispatched in a rapid 7.5 seconds. On the right stretch of road, you can let the Turbo powered engine run on to over 230 km/h. With 147 kW hitting the front hoops at 5100 rpm, the car builds speed remarkably quickly and the engine will rev to about 6500rpm. Peak torque of 280 Nm feels strong, and because the high level of turbo-induced torque is spread across a very wide rev range (1800 - 5000rpm) the car possesses a strong mid-range performance – perfect for overtaking. Driving on the highway, the range-topping Jetta will pull away rapidly from the rest of the traffic when asked. It’s always keen to please and ready to respond. All this sort of performance is well controlled via the sporty suspension set-up which has fairly rigid springing and tight damping. So, as you can imagine, the Jetta 147TSI Highline hugs the road nicely.

Each Jetta comes with a sweet gearbox. The six-speed manual gearbox comes with the 118TSI. Slip into the 118TSI Comfortline and the seven-speed DSG unit is a gem. The diesel variant and the 147TSI Highline come with a six-speed DSG gearbox. So much flavour and a lot of choice makes each of the Jettas a unique experience.

The Volkswagen Jetta has an interior that is classy and stylish. Slip inside, and a definite deluxe feel with a sense of quality about the Jetta cabin filters through almost all facets of the car. Even the switchgear and centre console with blue back lights look awesome and well made. You’ll find air vents for the rear seat passengers, the small leather wrapped steering wheel and features like the MFI (Multi-Function Indicator) add something special to a car that knows how to please. The MFI has been designed for the driver and is used to control a trip computer that gives information on the vehicle – and even the outside temperature.

Other practical and fancy features include: a climate control system, an optional premium audio system with an in-dash 6-disc changer that is MP3 compatible and satellite ready. The stereo even has hook ups for an iPod. Comfort is assured with a driver's seat that is fully adjustable with a 12-way power function and premium lumbar support. There is an auxiliary input jack located in the glove box and the rear seat is 60/40 split. You can fold the rear seat right down all the way to extend your boot space, and there is also a fold down rear arm-rest allowing those small but long items to be placed inside the car without lowering either of the back seats.

On the safety front, the Jetta is loaded. With six airbags as standard, the Jetta easily covers front and rear passengers air bag space. Driving aids like anti-slip regulation (ASR), ABS, and the all-important Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) make the dynamic safety levels very high. The Jetta safely cocoons passengers in its strong metal body shell like few others in its class can, and this will be a very reassuring factor for those drivers downsizing from much larger cars.

The brakes are more than up to the task of reigning the car's 1430kg bulk in, and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is a very nice feature to have when you need to mash the brake pedal in traffic (cause the idiot in front decides to drop his hot pie and swerve all over the road). What the EBD system does is it allocates braking forces to the wheels that can best improve deceleration.

With all these features it's easy to see how the Volkswagen Jetta is one of the leading sellers for VW.

The current model series includes the:

· Jetta 118TSI

· Jetta 118TSI Comfortline

· Jetta 103TDI Comfortline

· Jetta 147TSI Highline

For anymore information on the Volkswagen Jetta, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you'd like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Volkswagen dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet - car buying made easy!