Overview
Volkswagen's second model in India, the Jetta has been launched in the Indian market recently. The car will compete with the Civic and the upcoming Corolla. The huge trademark VW grille dominates the front while tail lamps are much the same like Passat. The Jetta cuts a nice sleek profile and generally looks like a slightly smaller, sportier version of the Passat.
Design
The front end of the car is quite aggressive, with a bold grill and chrome accents that are similar to those used by Audi, VW's corporate sibling. Multi-spoke 16" alloy wheels and a dual-tip chrome exhaust compliment the athletic look of the car. The easy to use moonroof and dark interior colors also add a nice touch of style. The body is even stiffer than the Golf's, so it drives well. It's sharp, stable at speed and controlled, if a little firm over urban potholes. Electric power steering gets weightier with speed but does not give enough feedback.
Interiors
The interior fit and finish is exceptional for a car of this price. The quality of materials used on the interior surfaces is outstanding, and the layout and design of the various controls is excellent. Front and rear leg room is also exceptional for a compact car, with plenty of space for four full-sized adults, and the trunk can easily handle several large suitcases. Interiors quality is right up there with the best in the segment. The car comes with front centre armrest, twin cup holders at the front, twin rear ac vents for the backseat passengers and a 6-CD MP3 compatible stereo with 10 speakers.
Engines
The car has been launched with two engine options - a 1.6 Litre Petrol and a 1.9 Litre Pump Duse Diesel. The petrol motor develops 102 ps and 148 nm of torque while the 1.9 diesel cranks out a healthy 105 ps and massive 250 nm of torque. Volkswagen claims that the petrol model can sprint from 0-100 kph in 12.2 seconds with a top speed of 186 kmph. The car has been launched in 3 variants: Trendline Petrol, Trendline Diesel and Comfortline Diesel. The comfortline variant of the Diesel Jetta will come with a 6-Speed DSG gearbox which is a first for its segment while the trendline models come with 5-Speed manual.
Pricing & Sales
The price of the Jetta 1.6L is Rs. 12.97 lakh and the 1.9L diesel Trendline Rs. 14.22 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The top of the line 1.9L diesel Comfortline with DSG automatic transmission is priced at Rs. 16.67 lakh. The car will be available in campanella white, red spice, reflex silver, platinum grey and deep black. Volkswagen Group India sold 10,366 vehicles in the first six months of the current calendar year, a 69 per cent growth over the year-ago period, and is pushing to achieve deliveries of 20,000 units for the full year. The company is planning to sell 1,200 units of Jetta this year. It plans to set up 15 dealerships in India this year and 100 by the end of 2011. The company, which already assembles the Passat sedan at its Aurangabad plant, will start the production of Skoda Fabia at its Chakan plant in 2009.
Videos of Volkswagen Jetta: