Jetta saloon offers a relaxing drive: ThePost.ie


TCH Archives > Sunday Business Post > 2006/03/05 > Jetta saloon offers a relaxing drive

Jetta saloon offers a relaxing drive
Sunday, March 05, 2006 - By Ferdia O’Dowd
Ireland is one of the few remaining countries in Europe where the traditional four-door saloon is the favourite model in midsize segments of the market.

Across most of the EU, hatchbacks and wagons account for between 60 and 80 per cent of sales.

In the US, saloons are also making their mark. Volkswagen’s biggest seller there being the Jetta saloon car. The car is built at the long-established VW plant in Mexico, which is also home to the Beetle.

The Jetta is based on the relevant Golf model and comes with a well-proven chassis and a choice of engines from the Volkswagen range.

The most obvious difference in the new Jetta is in the body.

This has a distinct look of the larger Passat model, particularly from the rear. And while both have luggage compartments of considerable size, the Passat has a larger interior, particularly for rear passengers.

The two cars are not all that far apart in price either, so it will be interesting to see how they progress in the marketplace.

Although built on the same wheelbase as the Golf, the Jetta measures 300mm more than its sibling. Therefore, among other considerations, one has to think about parking space when purchasing. All of the extra length is behind the rear axle.

In Ireland, five engines make up the standard offering in the Jetta, three petrol and two diesel. The petrol models start with the long-established 1.6 litre with 102 bhp, a newer 1.6 litre with direct petrol injection (FSI) with 115 bhp, and the excellent 2.0 litre FSI.

The latter was first seen in the Golf GTi and delivers 200 bhp, thanks to turbocharging.

On the diesel side, the 8 valve 1.9 litre 105 bhp TDi unit is accompanied by a newer 16-valve 2.0 litre unit which is good for 140 bhp. Both entry-level petrol and diesel models get a five-speed manual gearbox. The remaining cars have a six-speed manual gearbox, while some also offer the option of VW’s terrific DSG twin clutch gearbox.

This clever unit gives gear changes of incredible speed and smoothness, whether left in fully automatic mode or operated manually.

Those who want the best of both worlds should find the extra cash.

The test car came with the 105 bhp 1.9 litre TDi engine.

This well-known unit, which has been around in various guises for years, has been fitted with pump-injectors (PD) for the past few years. The result is a torque output of a respectable 250 Nm at 1,900 rpm. The engine runs cleanly, but the downside of the PD system is noise and this unit is certainly more gruff than many more recent arrivals. However, at the motorway maximum of 120 km/h the car cruises happily, with the engine revving at 2,400 rpm. Performance is respectable.

Volkswagen claims a top speed of 189 km/h for this model and it should get to 100 km/h from rest in 9.6 seconds.

Few will complain about fuel consumption, either, and an overall average of 6.0 l/100km (over 50 mpg in old money) is good for a roomy car by any standards.

The engine is flexible and will pull away strongly from much lower than its maximum torque figure of 1,900rpm.

This makes the car easy and relaxing to drive, and decent progress can be maintained on country roads without frequent gear changing. The quality of the gearbox/clutch combination is good and the pedals are ideally placed for the keen driver.

Since Volkswagen presented its new platform for the first time in the current Skoda Octavia, it has won wide praise across Europe for every VW group car in which it has been used – from the Audi A3 to the Seat Leon and the latest Golf.

It performs excellently in the Jetta, too, giving precise, reliable handling and fine comfort.

With the addition of a refined rear axle design akin to that used in the Ford Focus, this is probably the best iteration of the platform.

The essential cabin details of the Jetta mirror that of the Golf. This means decent room for all occupants, front and rear. The seats support well on long trips, though their pronounced bolsters can impede entry slightly.

The new Jetta has a good standard specification in Ireland, indicating that the savings made by building in Mexico, rather than high-cost Germany, are being passed on to the customer. Prices start at €23,575 and all models get some form of air conditioning.

The TDi Sport model tested costs a more considerable €30,447. Standard here are 16’’ alloy wheels, leather trim for steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift and a multifunction computer, while there are also front foglights. Note that the radio has no LW band.

The new Jetta is a sound car, ideal for many buyers who prefer a booted model. Though well priced at entry level, prices rise rapidly, which could bring the Passat into play.

Then, of course, there is the mechanically identical Skoda Octavia, which now has the best price/equipment package in the whole Volkswagen Group.

ALSO CONSIDER

MODEL: SKODA OCTAVIA €25,795 (1.9 TDI)

PLUS: all you get in the Jetta for €5,000 less

MINUS: badge snobbery

MODEL: VOLVO S40 €34,465

PLUS: good image, fine dynamics

MINUS: small boot, rather cramped cabin.