The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta receives an update for 2015, but the trim lineup remains the same with the base car, a GLI high-performance model, hybrid and TDI diesel. Subtle tweaks to the front and rear of the Jetta are hard to distinguish for the casual observer, but the company says that some of the work, especially up front, enhances aerodynamics. Bi-xenon headlights are optional and have LED daytime running lamps. The grille and fog lights have also been updated. The back has been updated with an integrated spoiler that appears more like a design element than an actual spoiler. LED taillights are also optional. The gauge cluster on most trims is new with an optional color multifunction display. New trim colors and materials are also new depending on the trim, and there are also new fabric colors and seat designs. There is a new diesel powertrain that replaces the outgoing TDI model鈥檚 engine. The new 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel produces 150 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque. VW is estimating mileage from the TDI at 32/45/37 mpg city/highway/combined. The diesel also gets a radiator shutter that closes to allow for faster warm up and then opens and closes based on vehicle speed to improve aerodynamics. Volkswagen has also added new safety features for the 2015 Jetta; most are optional.
There was nothing about actually getting a car and there was no guarantee of a fixed price and no warranty was offered. None of the savers ever got a car and it was not until 1961 that a VW Savers lawsuit was finally ended with a mutual settlement being reached. It was not until the late 1940s that the first Volkswagens managed to find their way into the hands of the private workers it was designed for. The early VW Beetle history pre war production cars went immediately to Hitler's staff while during the war the factory produced the odd looking but very effective military Kubel-wagen and its amphibious brother the Schwimmkubel. Immediate post war production was used by the Germans and their British overlords as barter materials to obtain the steel and machinery necessary to restore the badly damaged plant at Wolsburg. The air cooled VW, Volkswagen's rise to fame since WW11 is now well known. I have my own early VW Beetle history. I once owned a 1957 split window air cooled VW Beetle.
The brakes left a lot to be desired and it was always a hope and pray maneuver to bring the Beetle to a stop in an emergency. But the clutch and steering were feather light, the turning circle was good, the vision was reasonable despite the binocular back window and the finish like everything German was excellent. A lot has been written about early VW Beetle history handling. I agree with all the critics. But in 11,000 miles of driving this split window Beetle I only had one 'moment' and that was in the first 20 miles. I had rushed into an unfamiliar corner, lifted off the accelerator and the swing axles just picked themselves up and skipped. The back wheels immediately rose to their toes and the tail of the Beetle shot from under me. I got a hell of a shock but managed to catch it. After that we were good friends. In fact I soon found out I could hustle the car along at surprisingly good speeds.
With four friends and their luggage and the suspension fairly flattened I found the air cooled VW sat squarely and handled even better, much to the disquiet of my friends. It had one strange quirk through which was never accurately traced but we suspect came from the worn bushes on the entire front end. Like most owners I carried a graduated stick in the front boot and you calculated your mileage and dipped as you travelled. But there was a reserve petrol tap. Even in those days the car had a heater which was in effect hot air from around the exhaust system and engine compartment re-routed into the cabin by levers on the centre tunnel. I got to truly love my Beetle. In those days they were plentiful and fairly cheap. It ended up a beach buggy. A friend and me unbolted the body in about an hour. Rolled it off the floorpan and installed the new aluminium body in about another hour. A little bit of wiring and we were ready to go. So a total car transformation in an afternoon.
We called up a truck and they took the body to the tip. Have you or your family ever owned a Classic VW? Was it a Beetle? Was it a Karmann Ghia? Was it a Type34 Nothback? Was it a Type34 Fastback? Was it a Type 34 Variant? Or, how about a VW Microbus? Its very important to include in the VW Beetle history some other models successfully produced under the VW umbrella. The one probably most known is the Karmann Ghia. The Karmann Ghia had quite a long production life of between 1955 until 1974, with very few changes in that period. Both coupes and convertibles were manufactured. It combined the chassis of the VW Beetle along with the coachbuilding abilities of the German manufacturer - Karmann. 455,000 Karmann Ghias were produced over the 19 year production period, with a surprising amount still around even though rust issues were ever present. Although they were initially powered by the 1192cc single solex engines, with an option of power from a 1195cc with twin Solex carburetters, they were eventually powered by 1500 and 1600cc Beetle engine versions.
