WHEN: August 17, 2011
HOW MUCH: Rs 15 - 20 lakh (ex-showroom)
ENGINES: Diesel - 2.0 TDI, 140 PS / Petrol - 1.8 TSI, 160 PS or 2.0 TSI, 200 PS; 6-speed manual and 6-speed DSG auto
COMPETITION: Honda Civic, Skoda Laura, Skoda Superb, Maruti Suzuki Kizashi, Honda Accord
These are pictures of the all-new Volkswagen Jetta, to be launched in the Indian market on August 17. This is the fifth-generation Jetta, and an important new car for Volkswagen globally. In fact, it is tasked with building the German car-maker's profile in the most competitive market of them all - North America.
The new Jetta isn't simply a Golf with a boot tacked on; it has been extensively engineered into an all-new model in its own right. It is styled to reflect the Group's uniform design language, and is instantly recognisable as a Vee-Dub from any angle, and it looks a lot like a baby Passat. Built on a 2,651 mm wheelbase, the new Jetta's wheelbase is actually less than the Renault Fluence and Honda Civic, but VW has packaged this car very intelligently, so there's lots of interior space. VW has always prided itself on its interiors, and the new Jetta should not disappoint in the quality of its build and materials used. We just wish it looked a little more distinctive, both inside and out.
Powering the new Jetta will be a pair of engines: one petrol and one diesel. The familiar 2.0-litre TDI oil-burner is a given with the new Jetta, and with 140 PS it should be more than up to the task of hauling the 1450 kg (approx) car around. This engine will be mated to a six-speed manual or a 6-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox). We aren't sure about the petrol engine option, which may be launched later. It could be either the 1.8-litre 160 PS TSI motor, which serves the current Skoda Laura and previous VW Passat, or the new 2.0-litre TSI with 200 PS. Volkswagen India could look at the bigger petrol motor for the Jetta, which may also be used in the new Passat, which does not have a petrol engine option as of now. This would help the company achieve better economy of scale.
We expect the new Volkswagen Jetta to be priced between Rs 15-20 lakh, ex-showroom. It will straddle the D-segment between the Honda Civic, Chevy Cruze and Skoda Laura at one end, while the highest variants will overlap with the Honda Accord, Maruti Suzuki Kizashi and the Skoda Superb at the upper end.
No comments:
Post a Comment