NEW VOIKSWAGEN JETTA

Volkswagen Jetta Price

Rs 15,19,860^* - Rs 19,24,355^*

Ex-Showroom Price

It may seem suicidal to launch a petrol car right now but clearly, VW thinks otherwise. VW thinks the new 1.4 TSI engine's cutting edge technology and better fuel efficiency will appeal to those who want a big, classy, saloon with the refinement only a petrol can give. Powered by a 1390cc, turbo-charged, direct-injection petrol engine that makes a reasonably healthy 120bhp and 20.4kgm of torque, the TSI is available with only a six-speed manual and no automatic option.
As is quite obvious by now, VW likes doing things differently and our 3am drive through Mumbai (which included a closed high-speed section in the Bandra-Kurla complex) confirmed this. VW rightly figured the best time to experience Mumbai's roads is in the wee hours of the day and so, we set off to make light of this new Jetta.
But, before we get into the nuts and bolts of it, allow us a tiny digression -- Skoda was the first to bring TSI tech to India, and the 1.8-litre unit under the hoods of the Laura and the Superb have always impressed us with their buttery smoothness and athletic 160bhp-derived performance. So, we're expecting a lot from the Jetta's engine as well.
Initial impressions are good. It's so quiet and vibe-free at idle speeds, you need to glance the rev-counter to convince yourself that the engine is on. Slot into first, get of the progressive clutch, and you'll see the engine responds rather well past 1500rpm and pulls well right upto 5500rpm after which power starts tailing off. However, there is some turbo-lag and you will need to snap down a gear when you need to pull away quickly. There is no replacement for sheer displacement, so the 1.4-simply doesn't have the bottom-end torque of the bigger 1.8 TSI. Also highlighting this deficit is the rather tall gearing. Still, performance is more than adequate and the strong mid-range helps the Jetta TSI hit 100kph from rest in around 10.5sec. Gearshifts are snappy, the clutch is light and there's fun to be had in rowing up and down the gearbox as well.
As for refinement, the engine is smooth and quiet for the most part but post 4000rpm there is some thruminess from the four-cylinder motor and it gets pretty vocal. It is nowhere as quiet or creamy as the 1.8 TSI in the Laura though.
The Jetta TSI weighs 42 kilos less than a the diesel Jetta, and this shows up in the way it handles. It feels more slightly more eager to change direction and this combined with the Jetta's shattering grip makes for quite an entertaining drive. It rides quite well -- there is some low speed stiffness and the suspension thumps over sharp bumps, but it's not too bad. At higher speeds, the Jetta is simply phenomenal -- the ride is absolutely flat and stability is mind-blowing.
Other desirable Jetta traits remain. It feels like a mini-Passat on the inside with with top-notch plastics, and exemplary fit and finish. The front seats are generous and the rear seats are the most comfortable in this segment. If there is a fault, it’s with the cushioning which is a touch too hard and the backrest that’s a wee too upright.
The Jetta TSI is available only in the base Trendline and mid Comfortline spec. Our Comfortline spec test car was missing some essential equipment like powered seats and climate control, but it does have six airbags and a CD player with an aux-in port.
While the Jetta is better equipped even in the base Trendline model in comparison to its rivals, Volkswagen is charging a premium for all the goodies it includes in the car, not to mention the premium it already charges for the badge. The Jetta is significantly more expensive than the Altis and a good Rs 70,000 more than the Laura Classic.
Given the fact that people have fallen out of love with petrol engines thanks to steep fuel prices, the Jetta’s pricing seems quite steep. The Laura in comparison, despite being older and having fewer goodies, offers better value largely because of its 1.8 TSI engine which is smoother and sprightlier to drive than the Jetta’s 1.4-litre unit. In the current scenario, Volkswagen may have its work cut out in trying to lure buyers towards its petrol Jetta.

Volkswagen Jetta Performance

Volkswagen overhauled the Jetta last year, but for 2012, the redesigned Jetta GLI enters the lineup. Essentially, the GLI is a performance-tuned Jetta that gets the same turbocharged engine that’s found in the Volkswagen GTI. Most reviewers love the amount of power the GLI has, but say its larger frame makes it less nimble and more of a sporty city cruiser.

Acceleration and Power

Most test drivers agree that performance enthusiasts will be quite pleased with the new Volkswagen Jetta GLI. It has a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine and comes standard with a manual transmission, but there’s an optional automatic transmission that comes with paddle shifters. If you know how to operate a manual transmission, reviewers say that’s the best option because it’s significantly more fun to drive than the automatic. The GLI, however, requires premium fuel and uses the most gasoline of any Jetta, according to the . Models with manual transmissions average 22/33 mpg city/highway, while models with the optional dual-clutch automatic transmission net 24/32 mpg.
The Jetta has three more engine options. The base S model has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 115 horsepower. It has a standard five-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed automatic. Models with automatic transmissions average 23/29 mpg, and models with manual transmissions average 24/34 mpg, according to the EPA.
A 2.5-liter 170-horsepower five-cylinder engine comes with SE models. With a manual transmission, SE models average 23/33 mpg, and models with an automatic transmission average 24/31 mpg. Most reviewers say lower trims, like the SE, have less power than the GLI, but are powerful enough to satisfy the average driver.
The TDI trim has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged clean diesel engine. The TDI engine only makes 140 horsepower, but reviewers say it is still powerful thanks to its 236 pound-feet of torque. The TDI engine is also the most fuel-efficient, averaging 30/42 mpg with either an automatic or manual transmission.

Handling and Braking

With the addition of the GLI trim, most test drivers are focusing on that model’s handling capabilities. Many times, they compare it with the which is the performance-tuned version of the , and find that the GLI’s handling can’t compare. That observation, however, is understandable because the Jetta is significantly larger than the GTI, making it a speedy highway cruiser, rather than a sporty that can fling itself around corners.
While less expensive Jettas can’t compete with the GLI’s performance abilities, reviewers are relatively pleased with the lower models, though they find that the suspension sends bumps through the cabin and it lacks the sporty feel older base model Jettas are known for.