DETROIT (AP) 鈥?Volkswagen is recalling nearly 92,000 cars in the U.S. The recall includes the Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat models from 2015 and 2016. The cars have 1.8-liter and 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engines. The German automaker says a part in the camshaft can shear off, causing loss of vacuum in the power brakes. That can lengthen stopping distance and possibly cause a crash. The engines also will go into a reduced power mode to avoid further damage. FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2015 file photo, the Volkswagen Passat is displayed during a reveal event at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. Volkswagen is recalling nearly 92,000 cars in the U.S. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2015. The recall includes the Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat models from 2015 and 2016. The cars have 1.8-liter and 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engines. VW discovered the problem after getting reports of camshaft failures. No injuries have been reported, but a spokesman would not say if there had been any crashes. A fix is expected by the end of March. Until then, VW tells owners to keep driving the cars. They should report malfunctioning warning lights or other trouble to dealers. A spokesman was checking to see if loaner cars would be made available until the repairs are finished.
A Golf GTI with the looks of a sedan and different badging? This is what Volkswagen has in the pipeline with the Jetta GLI, set to be unleashed at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. The teaser published by Volkswagen on Facebook reveals a red stripe on the front grille, which features a honeycomb pattern to bring the point home. The GLI badge is also visible, along with full-LED headlamps and metallic gray for the bodywork. Being based on the Jetta with the 1.4 TSI, the GLI will make the most out of the MQB vehicle architecture. The beating heart of the compact-sized sedan is the 2.0 TSI, a four-cylinder turbo with 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Or 228 horsepower if we take the Golf GTI Rabbit Edition into consideration. A six-speed manual will join the seven-speed DSG, catering to the needs of the few who can鈥檛 do without the three-pedal setup.
Like the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra GT N Line (replaces Elantra GT Sport), the Volkswagen features independent rear suspension of the multi-link type, sportier dampers, beefier brakes, and larger alloy wheels. Removing the chrome garnish from the front fascia makes the Jetta GLI look better than the bone-stock Jetta. The smoked headlamps add to the visual drama, and customers can expect tinted windows at the rear as well. Even though Volkswagen discontinued the Jetta from Europe, the nameplate soldiers on in North America despite the fact crossovers and SUVs are more popular than conventional-bodied cars. 21,845 that Volkswagen wants for the Golf. Adding insult to injury, the Jetta is more economical in the city and on the highway (30 and 40 mpg compared to 29 and 37 mpg). 27,695. Customers opting for the SEL Premium can expect 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, as well as leather seats.
20,000. Despite forays into the ultra-luxury market with the Phaeton and the lucrative SUV game with the Touareg, VW sales have flagged, primarily because the Jetta/Golf model platform was aging and overdue for replacement. Add in the factor of a weak dollar against the Euro, which led to severe price challenges from competitors, and it was no wonder VW dealers were clamoring for a level playing field. With the new Jetta, they're getting what they want, and the game's momentum could very well shift in Volkswagen's direction yet again. Greeting the driver of a new Jetta is a commanding seating position, excellent outward vision paths and a logical, ergonomically sound array of controls and instruments. The build quality is superb inside and out and even the base model has an elegant, high-quality cabin. The raspy-sounding five-cylinder is pleasantly robust delivers and the Jetta carves through corners with precision. It's comfortable on long trips and responsive around town.
Full Review This totally new Volkswagen Jetta, the fifth-generation of this four-door compact sedan, is one of the most important in VW's long history of selling cars in America. Certainly it's the most significant since the turn of the century, because its success is crucial to reviving Volkswagen's flagging fortunes. The Jetta has long been the company's best-selling model in the U.S. The Jetta has, in fact, been the perennial best-selling European nameplate on this side of the Atlantic, and its continued success is central to Volkswagen's fortunes in this, its most critical market outside of Europe. 20,000. Despite forays into the ultra-luxury market with the Phaeton and the lucrative SUV game with the Touareg, VW sales have flagged, primarily because the Jetta/Golf model platform was aging and overdue for replacement. Add in the factor of a weak dollar against the Euro, which led to severe price challenges from competitors, and it was no wonder VW dealers were clamoring for a level playing field. With the new Jetta, they're getting what they want, and the game's momentum could very well shift in Volkswagen's direction yet again.
