Volkswagen Confirms 2019 Jetta GLI, Atlas, Tiguan Variants
Last week at the Chicago Auto Show, VeeDub鈥檚 top brass spilled the beans at a roundtable discussion with automotive journalists about a variety of upcoming Volkswagen vehicles. Volkswagen pulled the covers off on the seventh-generation 2019 Jetta sedan last month in Detroit. The larger, more stylish sedan replaces a seven-year-old relic as it now rides on VW鈥檚 new high-volume MQB platform. North America CEO Hinrich Woebcken confirmed that the enthusiast favorite Jetta GLI has the green light for production as part of the seventh-generation redesign. While the vanilla 2019 Jetta will offer up turbocharged power, expect the rowdier GLI to churn out more power from a GTI-derived powertrain. The new GLI might get the same 2.0-liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine found in the raucous Golf GTI, and owners might even get to pick between a 6-speed manual and a dual-clutch transmission. The garden variety 2019 Jetta will get a 1.4-liter turbo TSI engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission putting out 147 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. Also confirmed at the roundtable was a redesigned 2019 Passat sedan.
The Volkswagen executive stated that the midsize sedan will get a fresh look, distinct from the current-gen Passat and upcoming Jetta redesign, but will continue to be built at the automaker鈥檚 Chattanooga assembly plant. If Volkswagen is serious about re-establishing itself in the U.S. Woebcken confirmed at the Chicago Auto Show last week that the Atlas will get a 5-passenger, two-row variant, and the Tiguan will get a smaller sibling in the coming year. While China will get a new Touareg at the Beijing Auto Show in April, Volkswagen doubled down on its decision to discontinue the SUV in the States. Like the standard Atlas and Tiguan, the new crossover variants will also be built at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tennessee, assembly plant. Other vehicles confirmed to not be in the cards anytime soon are a Volkswagen pickup truck or resurrected Beetle reinvented as an EV. 30 billion diesel-gate scandal, Woebcken was happy to report that the automaker is ahead of schedule in its pursuit to buy back or repair dirty diesels. The plan was to finish 85 percent of buy backs and fixes by the end of this year, and so far VW has exceeded their targets. Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the "Join the Conversation" buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.
Under the hood, the All-New HR-V features a 1.8L i-VTEC SOHC engine built on a new Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) developed under Honda鈥檚 Earth Dreams Technology that enhances both driving performance and fuel economy. The new compact and lightweight CVT features high-efficiency electric oil pump and high strength belt, which improves fuel economy and ensures smooth rapid acceleration. Size-wise, the All-New HR-V measures 4,294 mm in length, 1,772 mm in width and 1,605 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,610 mm. The wide viewing angle was secured through optimization of the width and angle of the front pillars in order to provide good visibility for the driver. With perfect eye point level, drivers have better viewpoint and a greater sense of security. Driving comfort is further enhanced with low centre of gravity. Keeping to its sporty and bold style, the car is fitted with 16鈥?alloy wheels. This multi-dimensional compact SUV has increased body rigidity and stability with its super high tensile steel including hot-stamped materials installed at appropriate spots.
In addition, the front and rear parts of the body were effectively reinforced to realise the lightweight and highly rigid body that generates sportiness and linear driving performance. Driving pleasure is enhanced with reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), by adopting high-performance sound absorbing and insulating materials installed in the rear area and front inner fenders, floor carpets and floor undercover. The front face is designed to look bold and tough with unified stylish front grille that's created under the 'Solid Wing Face' concept. The strong distinctive character lines on the sides fuse together the sleek cabin of a coupe and the dynamic lower body exudes toughness. Combining the character lines and rear door handles which are integrated into the side windows, the feeling of an elegant and sporty two-door coupe was created. The interior design of the High-deck Centre Console is made possible for the first time by adopting the Electric Parking Brake, replacing the hand/foot brake. The new design allows drivers to have their own personal space without infringing into the passenger space.
Along with the High-deck Centre Console, a new kind of Multi-utility Drink Holder is developed to not only hold drinks but also to store personal items. In order to enhance the All-New HR-V's amazing cabin space for driver and passengers, the length of the seat bottom was increased creating ample legroom, while the seatback angle was optimised for better seating posture. This provides optimum comfort and reduces strain to drivers when driving for long hours. The All-New HR-V features high quality material as fabric and soft pad were used for most occupant touch points. Honda's original centre-tank layout enabled the realisation of a large cargo space and minivan-like rear seats with ample elbowroom. The All-New HR-V is further supported with the Multi-utility cargo space that allows various configurations of seating. The seat dimensions are set for easy manoeuverability and can be arranged into 3 modes - Utility Mode, Tall Mode, and Long Mode.
