What do you do to make the Volkswagen Jetta, a best-seller, even more attractive to buyers?
You give it more space, throw in even more goodies, offer a couple of models to choose from, and put price tags on them that are squarely targeted at the Japanese.
The cockpit cannot be faulted for ergonomics, but it could do with less dark trim and black panels.
This must be the synopsis of the study notes found in Volkswagen Singapore’s “Selling the new Volkswagen Jetta 101”. And it is a plan that seems destined to succeed.
Unlike its predecessors, Volkswagen’s newest (and smallest) saloon is no “Golf with a boot stuck onto its rump” – never has the Volkswagen Jetta deviated from the Golf by this much.
It may have the hatchback’s underpinnings, but the wheelbase has been lengthened by 71mm. This has contributed to one of the Jetta’s trump cards – legroom.
Compared to the previous model, there is an additional 67mm – which makes a big difference if the occupants are tall. Five adults can sit very comfortably with ample shoulder room for all.
And if everyone has bags, the big 510-litre boot is able to “swallow” everything easily. More space can be made available by folding down the rear seatbacks.
The model tested here (there are two others) is the top-of-the-line Sport, and it has been the best-selling version since the new Volkswagen Jetta was launched (in late June).
Equipped with the company’s award-winning Twincharged 1.4-litre motor and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the car’s on-road performance is about as good as it gets.
A 0-100km/h time of 8.3 seconds (0-80km/h takes just 5.9 seconds) makes it easy to forget that there is such a small (yet potent) engine under the bonnet.
There is 1.01m of knee space at the rear – and almost a metre of headroom.
The car wants so much to speed up that there is even a hint of wheelspin if slightly more than half-throttle is applied (from rest). The supercharger and turbocharger work well in all situations – at low speeds, the former increases low-end torque for quick take-offs, and when the engine revs get higher, the turbocharger kicks in for even more performance.
The engine and gearbox combo has another upside – fuel economy. If Volkswagen’s figure is correct, then the Volkswagen Jetta is able to travel 16.6km for every litre of petrol – that’s more than 900km on a full tank.
The Volkswagen Jetta’s 510-litre boot features side pockets to keep smaller items from rolling around.
Want to travel to Kuala Lumpur and back, while taking in some of the trunk roads and countryside? No problem.
But do exercise a little more care on the twisty stuff. The MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension is competent enough, but don’t expect the same level of handling as the Golf.
Still, it’s assuring to know that the Volkswagen Jetta is equipped with the latest generation of ESP which includes counter-steering support, ABS and anti-slip regulation.
Potent turbo and supercharger combo is good for 160bhp and 240Nm, and 0-100km/h in a swift 8.3 seconds.
On the plus side, the car rides comfortably, taking on all kinds of road imperfections with ease – much like the Volkswagen Passat.
And like the larger Volkswagen, the Sport comes with the RNS 510 audio head unit with navigation system (one of the best around) and 30GB hard drive, auto lights, cruise control, and keyless locking and starting system with start-stop button.
At 4.64m, the new Volkswagen Jetta is 90mm longer than the previous model.
As for the “negatives”, the car’s exterior looks rather bland and 17-inch alloy wheels would have been nicer (16-inch items are standard on all models).
There are some nice touches – side mirrors with slim turn indicators, wheel arch flares, a glossy black grille and front spoiler (which draws inspiration from splitters used in motor racing) – but overall, the Jetta’s design shouts “safe” more than stylish.
While the exterior portions are about right, the Volkswagen Jetta is no beauty contest winner.
But to dwell on this would be to nit-pick. The Volkswagen Jetta Sport, and its two cheaper turbo-only siblings – the “basic” ($118,300) and Comfort ($124,300) – make very attractive propositions for the buyer who has an eye on great value saloons.
And judging by the initial response gathered from the showroom floor (well over 200 units were booked within two weeks of its launch), it is well on its way to emulating its predecessor’s achievement of 2000 units sold in just over four years.
Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 (A)
ENGINE 1390cc, 16-valves, inline-4, Twincharged
MAX POWER 160bhp at 5800rpm
MAX TORQUE 240Nm at 1500-4550rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 8.3 seconds
TOP SPEED 221km/h
CONSUMPTION 16.6km/L
PRICE INCL. COE $134,800
Check out the Volkswagen Jetta’s main rival, the Renault Megane Sedan
Group Test: Renault Megane Sedan Privilege 1.5 vs Volkswagen Jetta Sportline 1.4
Group Test: Volkswagen Jetta 1.4 versus Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6
