Volkswagen Could Add A Jetta R To The Lineup
Jetta dates back to its 1978 start in the European market and the GLI dates back to 1984 when it was an appearance package, manual transmission, and upgraded wheels and brakes. VW has sold 18 million Jettas to date. Since VW introduced the current Jetta in May 2018, there have been calls for the GLI. It traditionally only represents about five percent of Jetta sales, said Hatami, but it is key to VW DNA. Will there be a Jetta R? VW remains committed to the sedan market, a segment Hatami said is still 4 million units strong in the U.S. How about that electric Microbus? It is still a few years out, said Hatami. But an electric Beetle is not in the plans right now. Still in the works is a new compact crossover smaller than the Tiguan鈥攁nd not on the Tiguan platform. And nothing concrete yet on a VW pickup for the U.S. Ford. Ford will engineer and build the next-generation Amarok on the Ford Ranger platform for markets outside North America. Hatami said any truck for the U.S. VW, true to the brand, and there is nothing in the cycle plan at this point. VW has shown the Tanoak unibody pickup concept based on the Atlas and it has moved to the feasibility study phase.
The performance-infused variant of the Jetta compact sedan made its official debut at the Chicago Auto Show last week, and this week, it鈥檚 on display in Toronto. The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is totally redesigned, and borrows the Golf GTI鈥檚 powertrain, which consists of a turbocharged, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That鈥檚 18 more ponies and 41 pounds of twist more than what the previous GLI could muster. That output is sent to the front wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed DSG automatic鈥攃hoosing the latter also adds automatic start/stop. The GLI also dumps the regular Jetta鈥檚 torsion beam rear suspension for a multilink setup, while the front struts get a sportier calibration. Larger-diameter brakes taken from the Golf GTI and Golf R, a limited-slip differential and variable-ratio electric steering are also part of the package. Standard features include heated front seats, automatic climate control, an intelligent key, ambient lighting as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A power sunroof, a 400-watt Beats stereo, a power driver鈥檚 seat, ventilated front seats and a remote engine starter are also available. 31,695 before freight and delivery charges. Also on display at the Volkswagen stand is the I.D. CROZZ concept vehicle on which a production vehicle will be based as well as the I.D.
Volkswagen鈥檚 2.0T has been the backbone of their lineup, at least here in the US, for nearly a decade now. It has nestled itself into a versitile position, powering the higher-end VW models as well as the lower level Audi models. Volkswagens equipped with the 2.0T include: the GTI, Golf R, Jetta GLI, Passat, Beetle Turbo, CC, Eos, and Tiguan. Audis equipped with the 2.0T include: the A3, S3, A4, A5, A6, Q3, Q5, and TT. The 2.0T has wide-ranging capabilities, and, what luck, it just so happens to be quite tuneable. While there are a few varying versions of the 2.0T out there, depending on the model, the general modification path is pretty standard fare. Like other turbocharged VW Group products, most 2.0T models are underrated by 10-20% on paper. In general, most 2.0Ts equipped with K03 turbos produce somewhere in the range of 220-240hp. Models like the VW Golf Rs, Audi S3, and the MK7 GTI are all equipped with larger turbos, usually a K04, and produce more power.
That would explain why my stock Volkswagen CC was able to beat a Saab 93 Turbo in a little street race that took place in Mexico (of course). The Saab supposedly had 220hp to my measly 鈥?00hp鈥? yet I just kept pulling away. This is just an ECU flash with no tangible modifications to the car. In many cases the power and torque gains here are quite substantial, and nobody looking at your car will suspect a thing. Stage 1 is sleeper status for sure, especially if you have a more subtle VW or Audi model, like my Volkswagen CC. Note: You can fit an intake with Stage 1, and it will help smooth out the higher end of the powerband, but it鈥檚 not required. Now we put on a turbo back exhaust to improve flow. This will open up a bit more horsepower and torque, but keep in mind the amount of money you are spending for what can often be only a marginal increase over stage 1 (depending on the model).
Now you swap out the stock K03 turbocharger for the larger, but still VW OEM, K04 turbocharger. The K04 brings performance up to much more serious level in any of the 2.0T-equipped models, and most drivers should be more than happy by this point. K04 swap power levels will be close to Stage 2 levels for stock K04 equipped cars, 360bhp or so. For those not satisfied with what stages 1-3 has to offer, you can fit much larger turbochargers than a K04. The sky is the limit from here. Just be sure you are aware what parts should be upgraded to handle the amount of horsepower you鈥檙e looking to achieve. Observe the 700hp Golf R above for some inspiration! The 2.0T is VW Group鈥檚 workhorse, and it will yield nice benefits for anyone interested in upgrading and tuning it. Whether you just want a chipped (stage 1) Volkswagen CC that can scare a few Mazdaspeed3s and Focus STs, or you want a full-blast Golf R with all the fixin鈥檚, the 2.0T is a solid choice.
