5 Reasons The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Needs A GTI Badge ASAP
The styling of the Jetta GLI is obviously based on the Golf GTI. It has the same red stripe on the blacked-out grille and the bumpers are more aggressive. The front bumper looks very similar to the Golf as well with the black trim around the side vents and the wide opening in the center. The big, 18-inch aluminum wheels are aggressive enough to go on the Golf R thanks to their propeler-style design, while the rear bumper incorporates a small diffuser and a dual-chrome exhaust pipe layout. It also features black trim everywhere, rd-painted badges, and needless to say, the new Jetta design helps a lot thanks to its coupe-like roof and muscular haunches. Under the hood of the Jetta GLI lurks the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that motivates the Golf GTI. The previous GLI also had a GTI engine, so this concept isn鈥檛 entirely new, but this one features variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides, as well as variable exhaust valve lift. It鈥檚 also more powerful than its predecessor.
Rated at 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, just like in the Golf GTI, the four-banger delivers an extra 18 horsepower and 41 pound-feet of twist compared to the old Jetta GLI. That鈥檚 enough to put it ahead of the competition and bring it really close to the cool Subaru WRX, which comes with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet on tap. It even gets a six-speed manual transmission alongside the seven-speed DSG, so you can enjoy the sporty three-pedal and stick setup. The GLI isn鈥檛 just more powerful than the regular Jetta. It鈥檚 also more capable under full throttle thanks to a full suite of performance upgrades. The GLI rides on a new suspension setup that鈥檚 sportier independent at all four corners. It includes a strut-type setup in the front and a multi-link layout to the rear. It also features an electronically controlled, torque sensing limited-slip differential that helps to eliminate understeer. Not only it borrows from the Golf GTI, but it also takes some features from the range-topping Golf R, like the brakes. The sedan features the 13.4-inch, vented front discs which help shorten braking distance, increasing safety during spirited driving. The GTI is one of the most iconic badges ever. Introduced in 1975 on the first-generation Golf, the GTI was offered on all iterations of the hatchback, which is now in its seventh-generation. It鈥檚 been around for no less than 44 years and it was the company鈥檚 range-topping model until the 1990s, when early versions of the Golf R were launched. By contrast, the GLI is a very young badge. And while I understand Volkswagen鈥檚 desire to keep the GTI badge exclusive, it鈥檚 not like it hasn鈥檛 used it on other vehicles too. I actually think that Volkswagen should add GTI variants to almost all of its vehicles, including crossovers, and the Jetta would be a great start. Just think of all the potential that a Jetta GTI would unlock and the GTI- and R-badged vehicles we could get in the future.
The abundant torque and flexibility make it easy to drive, the willingness and lack of torque steer makes you enjoy it. A 6-speed manual is standard and properly setup for the car's use and broad powerband. The double-clutch DSG, essentially a 6-speed automated manual (no clutch pedal, shift only if you wish) is available, cracks off gear-changes faster than humans, dropping the 0-60 time by 1/10 of a second. It even has the ubiquitous launch control but you don't want to make a habit of using it. We tend to prefer manual gearboxes with small turbocharged engines. Fuel economy for the GTI is an EPA-estimated 21/31 mpg City/Highway with manual gearbox, 24/32 mpg with the DSG transmission. There are few drawbacks to either gearbox. The manual might give up one real-world mpg. MacPherson-strut front and coil/link rear suspension, both with hollow antiroll bars and sticky summer tires ensure the GTI sticks to the ground.
In this respect, the GTI gives up nothing in performance to the competition and generally delivers a more civilized, compliant ride, in part because it's lighter than anything but the Civic Si. You can make it louder, make it stiffer, or add your own 19-inch wheels (an option in Europe where road surfaces are better) but you risk giving up some civility that makes the GTI an everyday driver or interstate cruiser. Although the GTI is front-wheel drive, it does not suffer from torque-steer like the MazdaSpeed3. The GTI seems able to put down full power under almost any circumstances. The steering is direct, nicely weighted and transmits a good idea what the front tires are doing, and the brakes are responsive and stable. Some of the competition may post higher cornering limits or braking distances but the margins won't be substantial and they all cost more. The sixth-generation Volkswagen GTI returns the driving fun of the first two iterations while retaining the practical versatility of a hatchback, decent operating economy, and a compact footprint. For enthusiasts with a budget for just one car that has to do everything you'd be hard-pressed to find fault with it.
