Mk VI Jetta Released

[Corey_R]

Aaah cool. As for the other models:
Volkswagen feeling the heat

[triode12]

Winding Road Magazine | Issue 61

[irossiter]

The front looks very PLAIN, coupe is better. Apart from that it looks superb and very high quality (well at least the non US version on the inside!). Says it all about Yanks that they won't pay for quality.

[anthony]

A preview in the latest sedtion of Wheels magazine.
Check it out.
VW have high hopes for it locally too.

[team_v]

This could be a cracker of a car.
Seems odd about teh engine choice though, i thought hte NA3.6 was going to be tossed in favour of the 5cyl Turbo from the TTRS or the 2.oT form the Golf R

Volkswagen is to use its new, sixth-generation Jetta saloon to expand its R performance range.

At the Mk6 Jetta’s European launch in Munich last week, VW showed a version equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine with an “unspecified” power output, a six-speed DSG gearbox and the firm’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

VW’s R division was spun off as a separate in-house company earlier this year, similar to BMW’s M unit, and it is keen to develop a follow-up to the Golf R and Scirocco R models.

Also in development at the R division alongside the Jetta is the long-rumoured Polo R, following Audi’s announcement that it will re-engineer the Polo/A1 platform for four-wheel drive, something the platform was previously unable to cater for.

VW’s R&D chief, Ulrich Hackenberg, told Autocar that a Jetta R is being evaluated and its chances of production are secure if the customer demand is there. That should be a near certainty, given the popularity of V6 sports saloons in the US, the Jetta’s key market and one where VW expects to significantly increase volume of the new car.

“If there are customers asking for it, we will do it,” he said. “It wouldn’t be a problem for us. The Jetta’s platform can take four-wheel drive.”

VW plans Jetta R - Autocar.co.uk

[Mountainman]

Does anyone else feel that compared with the Mk5 it has lost a bit of individual character? A bit bland like it came out of a Toyota or Hyundai factory? What is good to see is the size increase so that it no longer has that too narrow look from the back.

[AdamD]

This could be a cracker of a car.
Seems odd about teh engine choice though, i thought hte NA3.6 was going to be tossed in favour of the 5cyl Turbo from the TTRS or the 2.oT form the Golf R

Pity about the V6 - that'd add weight up front and potentially compromise the handling somewhat. A Jetta R with a 2.0 or 2.5 turbo could be a great drive, and an R styling package would improve the look nicely.

[Coaster]

Does anyone else feel that compared with the Mk5 it has lost a bit of individual character? A bit bland like it came out of a Toyota or Hyundai factory? What is good to see is the size increase so that it no longer has that too narrow look from the back.

You're right, but the slightly quirky styling of the current Jetta is not something VW want to impede their sales. I know plenty of people who think the Jetta is a fantastic car, but it looks a little odd so they've gone for something more 'common'. It still looks a class act, so I think they've struck a pretty good balance.

[team_v]

It looks a lot better in darker colours.

[Frankenstrat]

They seem to be moving away fom the 'Golf with a boot' concept, which I thought worked really well with the previous model. I'll have to reserve judgement on the MkVI Jetta until I see one in the flesh. No doubt I'll love it though.