Volkswagen Middle East today announced the arrival of the latest generation of the Jetta for the Middle East and Levant.
Unveiled at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the new generation of the sporty sedan – which will be available across the region’s dealerships from December 2014 – has been extensively redesigned including new front and rear designs, and features an even more sophisticated and comfortable interior.
The Jetta is one of the world’s most successful sedans with over 14 million units sold since 1979. Last year alone, Volkswagen delivered 925,000 units – making the Jetta one of the top selling cars of the brand and of the entire Group.
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Thomas Milz, Managing Director of Volkswagen Middle East said, “The new Jetta has an all-new, grown up shape, perfectly blending a sporty and elegant design resulting in a unique and stylish appearance. The Jetta offers its audience an economical drive experience with exceptional comfort and is one of the safest in its class thanks to standard features such as the six-airbags featured even in our base model.
“The all-new Jetta is an ideal choice for everyone who desires a German designed, impressively styled saloon that is comfortable, safe and yet affordable.
“This model has experienced proven success since it was introduced within the Middle East and Levant market in 2011 and we can expect the new Jetta to experience the same popularity when it arrives this December.”
New design and perfected aerodynamics
Sharper front end. Volkswagen has restyled the front and rear of the Jetta while improving its aerodynamic properties for 10 percent less air drag. At the front, the latest generation of the sporty sedan can be immediately recognized by its redesigned radiator grille with three cross fins, optional Bi-xenon with LED daytime running lights with cornering, turn signal as well as a new bumper. The new visual band formed by the radiator grille and the headlights, as well as the now larger lower air inlet, give the Jetta a more impressive, wider and exclusive appearance. The re-sculpted fog lights mounted in the outer areas of the bumper reinforce this effect.
Sporty rear section. As at the front, designers also redesigned the rear body. At the rear the trunk lid, optional LED taillights, logos and the bumper identify the model as a new generation Jetta. Typical of contemporary Volkswagen design DNA is the uncompromising horizontal orientation of the rear lines. The trunk lid has an aerodynamic trailing edge, and on the sides, the lines of the integrated spoiler extend into the rear fenders and into the precise contour of the car’s silhouette near the so-called ‘character line’.
The new taillights feature a bright stripe, as well as the redesigned VW logo. One level lower, the side lines of the trunk lid (with optimized load width) now run downward, dominating the design. Beneath this, the new and very precisely-designed bumper completes the impressive look of the rear of the new Jetta.
Optimal aerodynamics. As mentioned, Volkswagen has introduced numerous innovative aerodynamic modifications into the design and equipment of the Jetta, which is now 4,659 mm long, 1,774 mm wide (without door mirrors) and 1,453 mm tall, thereby reducing the sedan’s air drag by 10 percent.
Some of these modifications can be recognized at first glance, consider the front end: Air drag was reduced by the new bumper, perfected air inlets and aerodynamically optimized rain gutters on the sides near the A-pillars. Only a closer look reveals such modifications as underbody panels at the rear axle and sill covers with wheel spoilers. All-new designed Lancaster alloys in 17” can be added as an option to enhance the stylish new Jetta.
Dynamic radiator shutter. Another cutting-edge aerodynamic feature is the automatically opening and closing shutter for the radiator grille. When the shutter is closed, the frontal airflow is guided around the smooth exterior body skin, which significantly improves the car’s aerodynamics.
Interior upgraded
New instruments in tube look. One of the many strengths of the Jetta is its interior, which bridges over to the next higher class with its ample space, sophisticated look and impressive ergonomics with intuitive controls. The update of the Jetta is characterized by new instruments in a sporty tube look, an optional colour multifunction display in the instruments and ambient lighting, a new generation steering wheel (optional multifunction steering wheel), new accents for the centre console, elegant high-gloss black trim around the gear shift lever, new chrome accents around the Climatronic controls, redesigned controls for the air nozzles, optional ambient lighting (lighting of inside door handle and foot space) as well as new fabric colours and designs for the seats and door trim.
The interior of the new generation of the sporty sedan offers maximum detailed perfection and intuitive operation. The instrument layout is intuitive. The right hand ergonomically rests on the gear shift knob, and just above it are the centre console controls for the climate control system and the radio or radio-navigation system; the console is slightly angled towards the driver here for a cockpit layout that ideally meets the driver’s needs. Even in the base version, the rear bench seat has a 40/60 split; this increases versatility. The trunk can also be opened by remote unlocking from inside the car. Up to six airbags are included as standard equipment in the base model (two newly designed headthorax airbags near the upper side window offers even greater protection against injury in the case of a vehicle rollover accident, two front airbags and two side airbags in front).
The Jetta has a 2.0 litre petrol engine, producing 85kW/115 bhp, in addition to a 6-speed automatic transmission gearbox. The maximum torque of the four cylinder engine is 170 nm. The new sedan will be available across Volkswagen dealerships in two configurations – the entry level model, Jetta S and the top line model – Jetta SE.