High on the highway: The new Jetta is more spacious than its predecessor

Looking at the all-new Volkswagen Jetta, it’s easy to think that it looks like a Vento, or even the much-cheaper Polo. It makes one wonder if the VW’s new design language has been carried off a tad too far. Then again, you could easily mistake the VW Jetta for its more expensive sibling, the VW Passat, and this is what Volkswagen’s head of design, Klaus Bischoff, would like you to think.

STYLE FILE

The shared corporate styling has ensured that VW has been given a fresh look that can’t be mistaken for any other brand, and given how VW in India has become something to aspire for, this may just be the master stroke.

The new Jetta looks far removed from the model it replaces. Gone is the bland, rounded shape and the soft contours are replaced by crisper (but equally bland) horizontal lines. The nose is the most interesting bit of the car with its wide, horizontal grille, angular lamps and a tray-shaped ‘splitter’ (first seen on the Polo and then, the Vento) which, apart from protruding a bit too precariously for our roads, does its bit in contributing to an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.30.

If the Jetta’s styling doesn’t make a lasting impression, its size certainly will. The new VW is now 90mm longer than its predecessor and gets an extra 58mm in the wheelbase, which hints at best-in-class interior space. Despite that, the new Jetta weighs just 25kg more than before and that too with a more powerful motor.

INSIDE STORY

From the inside, the Jetta is more mini-Passat than maxi-Vento with top-notch plastics, exemplary fit and finish, and an overall sense of quality that befits its near-Rs 20 lakh price tag. The experience starts with a chunky steering wheel with indents for the thumbs, which feels great to hold. The steering-mounted buttons are small but have a wonderfully tactile feel.

The driver gets a 12-way power adjustable seat, including lumbar support, and finding the perfect driving position is easy. The front seats themselves are generous but a touch flat and unlike the previous Jetta, which had leather seats, you now get a synthetic alternative. In all fairness, the ‘leatherette’ seats look and feel fantastic but it remains to be seen if they are as durable as the real thing.

However, the most noticeable omission is the dual-zone climate control. On the new car, there’s a simple air-con unit and though it’s still electro-mechanically controlled, there isn’t even a digital temperature readout. Also, the plastic strip on which the air-con controls are present looks quite tacky and out-of-sync with the rest of the dashboard on the fully loaded Highline variant. However, to make up, VW has given the Jetta other goodies. You get iPod connectivity, Park Distance Control (front and rear) with display on the central infotainment system, and daytime running headlights.

Moving to the rear could be the clincher if you are mainly chauffeur-driven. This is the most comfortable backseat I’ve seen in any Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh car. The ‘hip-point’ is nice and high so you sit more relaxed; legroom is class-leading and the seat base is generous and superbly contoured. But the cushioning is a touch too hard and the backrest, a wee too upright. The rear seats get an armrest, which the previous car never had, and a 60:40 split. And the 510-litre boot is all you will ever need.

UNDER THE HOOD

The 1986cc, 108bhp motor has been replaced by the 138bhp version of the same turbo-diesel engine. It’s also the same unit that currently powers the Laura and Superb. Given the massive swing towards diesel cars, VW is offering the new Jetta with just this single diesel engine, which comes with six-speed manual and automatic options. There is no petrol option yet, but a 1.4 TSI version is expected sometime in 2012.

It’s not the quietest of motors and though it’s not really intrusive you can’t miss its characteristic gruffness, especially at higher revs. Fantastically responsive, there’s minimal turbo-lag and you will just love the strong tug you get from low revs. Performance is more than adequate. There’s always a surplus of power and the swathe of torque, most of it low down in the rev range, that makes passing through traffic a breeze. But the DSG gearbox can make tight overtaking a tricky affair as well. There’s a huge delay in power delivery when you floor the throttle. Nothing happens initially and then suddenly the car just takes off.

The way to work around this is to drive in manual mode which, apart from being good fun (the paddle-shifters feel terrific), keeps the engine in the right cog for instant overtaking. The gearbox is slick and precise like before but it’s mated to an engine that doesn’t like to be revved hard, so you constantly need to short-shift.

DRIVER’S DEAL

The steering, like most VWs, though accurate and well weighted, is rather numb and doesn’t bristle with feel. The gentle responses and the leisurely manner in which the Jetta turns into corners doesn’t make it overtly sporting and this makes you automatically adopt a more relaxed driving style. The Jetta feels best driven fast but not furiously. Its poise at any speed is unflappable and the sense of confidence you get lets you press on untiringly for hours.

Of course, the ride is again fantastic and the Jetta dispatches bumps with ease. The suspension feels a touch more damped than before, especially on rebound and the harsh edge of the previous Jetta is gone. However, on bad roads at low speeds, you can distinctly feel the underlying firmness in the suspension. The car is not as supple nor does it cushion you from shocks as well as the Renault Fluence, but the Jetta’s ride is never uncomfortable.

FINAL VERDICT

VW has priced its base Trendline version at Rs 14.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). That’s a fairly aggressive price, but as you move up to the top model, it costs Rs 17.86 lakh, and that makes the Jetta a bit pricey. But all said and done, if money isn’t the primary factor and comfort along with a well-built car that oozes a bit of class is what you’re looking for, there’s nothing like the new Jetta.

spec check

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Price: Rs 14.12- Rs 17.86 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
L/W/H: 4644/1778/ 1453mm
Engine: 4 cyls in-line, 1968cc, common-rail, turbo-diesel/ front, transverse, FWD
Power: 138bhp at 4200rpm
Torque: 32.6kgm at 1750rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed DSG
Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs/ discs