Volkswagen's New US-Spec Jetta Is Here, But There Won't Be A Diesel

Volkswagen's smaller saloon has been its best-selling car in the US, and while Britain won't receive it, the American car is a vast improvement
Volkswagen's New US-Spec Jetta Is Here, But There Won't Be A Diesel

This the new Volkswagen Jetta compact saloon, one of the company’s best-selling models worldwide… but Britain won’t get it.

At 43mm longer and 35mm wider it’s still small enough to slot into the range below the Passat, but it’s now styled to make a serious impact and finally offers enough interior space, helped by a legroom-boosting wheelbase increase of over 30mm.

Volkswagen's New US-Spec Jetta Is Here, But There Won't Be A Diesel

There’s also now an eight-speed automatic gearbox option as well as the six-speed manual, but nowhere can we find details of whether it’s a new twin-clutch unit or an interesting decision to return to a torque converter.

From launch in the US it will only have a single 147bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, with 184lb ft of torque and a reported 40 US mpg or more at a cruise. We know the engine well, and we like it. It’s smooth and effective, if lacking in charisma.

There will be a 210bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo GLI version in a few months, but after Volkswagen’s emissions-related troubles there won’t be a diesel. The old car sold really well as a derve, capable of sending home 45 US mpg from the highway. Time will tell whether sales nosedive without a diesel option.

Volkswagen's New US-Spec Jetta Is Here, But There Won't Be A Diesel

The new car’s character is largely defined by its tech upgrades: high-end models now get digital instrument clusters, BeatsAudio stereos, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus a host of active safety trinkets.

There’s also the option of heated and cooled front seats and – gasp! – a central storage bin large enough to fit a standard-sized iPad. Perfect for mid-level salespeople. They’ll also enjoy the wrap-around ambient lighting; another optional extra with a thrilling 10 colours to choose from.

Volkswagen's New US-Spec Jetta Is Here, But There Won't Be A Diesel

The UK won’t be getting the small saloon because we never really got it. It’s our understanding that the old car was essentially still based on the MkV Golf platform, anyway, and its dull-as-dishwater mix of style, engines and tech was always overshadowed by the genuinely stylish, well-equipped and vastly more refined Passat.

US prices will start $18,545, which is cheaper than the entry point for the old car.

Comments

Windscape 🇺🇸

The fronts kinda ugly

01/15/2018 - 08:39 |
5 | 2
Anonymous

The UK is missing out on a bunch of nice cars lately it seems… Brexit?

01/15/2018 - 08:49 |
15 | 1
Olivier (CT's grammar commie)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Huh, what? You get all the nice cars: Polo GTI, i30 N, Alpine A110, any Renault Sport, RS3 Sportback, RS4, RS4 Avant, RS6, RS6 Avant, GTI Clubsport, Exige, etc..

And what are we getting in North America? Mustang Shelby, Raptor, Camaro, Corvette, Charger, Challenger, and that’s pretty much it.

01/15/2018 - 13:00 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Yeah to be fair the uk gets a wider range of cars, the US seem to get domestics/ US outlets of japanese brands ie infiniti

01/15/2018 - 21:28 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

Love the interior’s chunky look

01/15/2018 - 09:35 |
3 | 0
David 27

why does VW have US spec versions again?

01/15/2018 - 09:46 |
3 | 1
Darth Imperius/Anthony🇭🇷

In reply to by David 27

dunno but all i know is jetta sells way more in the us than europe

01/15/2018 - 14:24 |
0 | 0

[DELETED]

01/16/2018 - 00:59 |
0 | 0

Euro-Passat is beautiful…meanwhile our car is puny af

01/16/2018 - 03:55 |
0 | 0
Rotary Fanboy

VR6 version?

01/15/2018 - 09:46 |
8 | 0
Darth Imperius/Anthony🇭🇷

In reply to by Rotary Fanboy

I5 prolly

01/15/2018 - 10:44 |
2 | 2
ᴶᵘˢᵗᴬᴿᵃⁿᵈᵒá

Yep,the big grille game is on

01/15/2018 - 10:21 |
0 | 0
Darth Imperius/Anthony🇭🇷

great cuz this gives us a look at how the golf 8 might look like

01/15/2018 - 10:44 |
1 | 0
Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

Hopefully they update the GLI’s engine. That 2.0l turbo four has been around (in that state of tune) since the Mk6 GTI which was forever ago

01/15/2018 - 12:59 |
1 | 0
suchdoge

Seems a lot of automakers have taken away the Diesel option…

01/15/2018 - 13:09 |
0 | 0
Extreme Daniel

Love the Jetta. But more the mk2 and 3

01/15/2018 - 14:37 |
0 | 0

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