2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Priced From $26,890, Undercutting GTI
1,600 less than the entry price of a 2019 Golf GTI S. All that despite the fact that the Jetta GLI has the same power, brakes, and differential as the GTI. 27,690. Still, despite representing a discount versus the GTI, don't think the 2019 Jetta GLI is lacking for features. Performance-wise, it has a 228-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo engine, electronically controlled limited-slip differential, multi-link rear suspension and upgraded brakes with 13.4-inch front rotors. Other standard features include 18-inch wheels, LED head- and taillights, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. That's actually a better spec than the GTI S, which lacks LED headlights, push-button start and automatic emergency braking. 30,890 with the dual-clutch. Compared with the S, it adds goodies like a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a 400-watt BeatsAudio sound system, leather seats, cooled front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen. For this year only, Volkswagen will additionally offer the GLI in a 35th Anniversary Edition. Specific add-ons include dark-gray wheels with red accents, a black roof, black mirrors, various 35th Anniversary badges inside and out and adaptive dampers. 28,690 with the dual-clutch transmission. All versions of the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI reach dealers in the spring.
Volkswagen only recently started dropping teaser images of the 2020 Golf Mk8, despite the car being in an advanced testing phase. Nonetheless, it appears that it was already spied testing somewhere in South Africa, and with no camouflage on mind you. So, could we be really be looking at the 2020 Volkswagen Golf? Or is the internet trying to play tricks on us with a doctored CGI video? Let鈥檚 see, first of all, this alleged VW Golf Mk8 appears to have fresh front and rear end designs. Only it rides very close to the asphalt, and sits on a set of very large wheels. Of course, it could be either the GTI or the R in an early form, but it could also be a very good tuning job from a private owner. Or a heavily edited video meant to fool viewers. Thus, until we have official confirmation, we鈥檒l take it with a massive grain of salt for now. Meanwhile, Volkswagen continues testing the Golf Mk8, and they鈥檙e probably doing a better job at hiding its design than this video suggests. Besides the reworked exterior and interior, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf will have a slightly longer wheelbase than the car it replaces. This automatically translates into a more spacious cabin, with the automaker likely focusing on improving rear legroom.
Between the facelifted Passat, first-ever T-Roc R, and the torquetastic Touareg V8 TDI, Volkswagen is quite busy these days at the Geneva Motor Show where it鈥檚 also displaying the funky I.D. Speaking with Autocar in Geneva this week, VW鈥檚 sales chief Jurgen Stackmann promised the new one will retain everything that鈥檚 great about the Golf, plus a high level of digitization inside the cabin. In other words, the next iteration will pack more tech than ever before, which likely means a more advanced digital instrument cluster and the latest infotainment system. It remains to be seen whether the Golf will inherit the Touareg鈥檚 gigantic display, though. Traditionalists probably won鈥檛 like VW鈥檚 decision to get rid of most physical buttons and knobs as nearly everything will be integrated into the touchscreen, at least on the high-end versions. Even turning on the headlights might change in the eighth-gen Golf as apparently there will be a touchpad for that instead of the familiar switch you鈥檒l find on most VAG cars. The climate controls might also be built into the touchscreen, much like they are on the aforementioned posh midsize SUV.
Stackmann announced the demise of the e-Golf as the current generation of the all-electric model won鈥檛 be renewed since VW believes it would clash with the I.D. The GTI and R performance version will live to see another generation, while the GTD鈥檚 future is uncertain. The company鈥檚 official says an announcement regarding the fate of the diesel-fueled hot hatch will be made at some point in the future. In regards to dimensions, the Golf VIII expected to have a slightly longer wheelbase and 鈥渘oticeably鈥?wider tracks that will translate into more space inside the cabin. The trunk鈥檚 cargo capacity is also set to grow, while the updated MQB platform is rumored to bring weight savings of roughly 50 kilograms (110 pounds). VW isn鈥檛 saying when it will unveil the new Golf, but with production starting in June, it means we won鈥檛 have to wait much longer. 2 billion in the model鈥檚 lineup.
