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Face it. Sales of sport-compacts and mid-sized executive sedans are booming faster than the average size of a Hollywood actress's bust line. The white-collared audience demand more from their small to mid-sized sedan, especially when they know it's coming from Deutschland.
Manufacturers and dealers alike have responded in kind, but the problem is most have embarked on the road to hot hatches. What about with families, who prefer a sedan, but don't want the image associated with EVOs and WRXes, and those who don't fancy splurging on an Audi, BMW or Mercedes?
Enter the bigger, more powerful variant of the Volkswagen Jetta. 2.0-litre, turbocharged, six-speed DSG that utilizes all of the 200hp and 280Nm of torque from a tyre munching 1800-5000rpm, where like the chassis, is lifted straight off the Golf GTI.
A firm prod on the loud pedal sends the Jetta, and the uninfluenced straight to hell, more so the equally hellish stares from unsuspecting, conservative bystanders and motorists.
Manufacturers and dealers alike have responded in kind, but the problem is most have embarked on the road to hot hatches. What about with families, who prefer a sedan, but don't want the image associated with EVOs and WRXes, and those who don't fancy splurging on an Audi, BMW or Mercedes?
Enter the bigger, more powerful variant of the Volkswagen Jetta. 2.0-litre, turbocharged, six-speed DSG that utilizes all of the 200hp and 280Nm of torque from a tyre munching 1800-5000rpm, where like the chassis, is lifted straight off the Golf GTI.
A firm prod on the loud pedal sends the Jetta, and the uninfluenced straight to hell, more so the equally hellish stares from unsuspecting, conservative bystanders and motorists.
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Practically "Performent"
I love the Jetta for three reasons. One, is it's ability to transport five in total comfort. Then, there is the sleeper factor. It accelerates as fast as a Golf GTI weighed down with two men, enough to scare the most irritating and "bullish" Taxi driver into submission.
Even the well informed would never suspect the ability of the Jetta. It wraps around corners very much like its stable mate, save for the heavier 527 litre large backside that brings with it a little more oversteer.
Perhaps I exaggerate, but sitting behind the wheel of the Jetta does empower one with strange, confident abilities, therefore anyone who buys this will find difficulty in exercising any kind of self-discipline when it comes to playing nice on public roads.
Compared to the 1.6 litre variant, the Jetta gets a 15mm lower suspension, front fogs and 17-inch alloys shod with 225/45 profile P-Zeros. Luxury items include a well insulated sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, lovely Dynaudio speakers and a 32-bit 6CD changer for in car entertainment, and electrically adjustable driver's seat.
I love the Jetta for three reasons. One, is it's ability to transport five in total comfort. Then, there is the sleeper factor. It accelerates as fast as a Golf GTI weighed down with two men, enough to scare the most irritating and "bullish" Taxi driver into submission.
Even the well informed would never suspect the ability of the Jetta. It wraps around corners very much like its stable mate, save for the heavier 527 litre large backside that brings with it a little more oversteer.
Perhaps I exaggerate, but sitting behind the wheel of the Jetta does empower one with strange, confident abilities, therefore anyone who buys this will find difficulty in exercising any kind of self-discipline when it comes to playing nice on public roads.
Compared to the 1.6 litre variant, the Jetta gets a 15mm lower suspension, front fogs and 17-inch alloys shod with 225/45 profile P-Zeros. Luxury items include a well insulated sunroof, bi-xenon headlights, lovely Dynaudio speakers and a 32-bit 6CD changer for in car entertainment, and electrically adjustable driver's seat.
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My favourite bit of the Golf GTI, the chrono-like instrument dials, has been left out. Pity...
The differences between the Jetta and the GTI grow larger as you drive on. For one, the steering is noticeably more numb. I ended up feeling the limits of grip and road surface through the chassis rather than bits of feedback through the wheel, which was also a little more slack in terms of directivity.
Small bumps and and imperfections at lower speeds make themselves felt a little more than usual, but it isn't something to be concerned about, because the ride and stability of the Jetta improves dramatically at speed. The Jetta especially rewards smooth and fluid driving with it's cohesive and competent ability through high speed S bends.
The differences between the Jetta and the GTI grow larger as you drive on. For one, the steering is noticeably more numb. I ended up feeling the limits of grip and road surface through the chassis rather than bits of feedback through the wheel, which was also a little more slack in terms of directivity.
Small bumps and and imperfections at lower speeds make themselves felt a little more than usual, but it isn't something to be concerned about, because the ride and stability of the Jetta improves dramatically at speed. The Jetta especially rewards smooth and fluid driving with it's cohesive and competent ability through high speed S bends.
Verdict
$122,000. That's a lot to think about. However, consider that the Jetta has the trump card in performance, and is almost on par with the equipment as an Audi A4 costing nearly $18,000 more with a 1.8 Turbo found in the previous, Mk4 Golf GTI, without a DSG. That should put things into perspective.
Convinced?
Specifications -
Price: $122,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4 Cylinders 16-valve
Power: 200Bhp @ 5100rpm ( 100.8bhp/litre)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1800rpm
Transmission: 6 -speed DSG
Length/width/height: 4554 / 1781 / 1459 mm
Wheelbase: 2578 mm
Kerb weight: 1370 kg
0-100km/h: 7.2 sec
$122,000. That's a lot to think about. However, consider that the Jetta has the trump card in performance, and is almost on par with the equipment as an Audi A4 costing nearly $18,000 more with a 1.8 Turbo found in the previous, Mk4 Golf GTI, without a DSG. That should put things into perspective.
Convinced?
Specifications -
Price: $122,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4 Cylinders 16-valve
Power: 200Bhp @ 5100rpm ( 100.8bhp/litre)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1800rpm
Transmission: 6 -speed DSG
Length/width/height: 4554 / 1781 / 1459 mm
Wheelbase: 2578 mm
Kerb weight: 1370 kg
0-100km/h: 7.2 sec
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