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Volkswagen Jetta sedan carries a more powerful turbo engine
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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YPSILANTI, Mich. -- We're scooting down a two-lane back road, draped over rolling Michigan hills west of Detroit, in a precise little four-door sedan that puts a definitive kick in the power pedal.
Our vehicle -- the compact-class Jetta notchback from Volkswagen of Germany -- commands attention during a day of driving tests because of its energetic personality and the precise action of all mechanical parts.
Step on the accelerator and it leaps to action.
Turn the sporty little steering wheel hard to the left or right and front wheels follow quickly to direct the car through demanding turns, balancing nicely on that thin line separating characteristics of oversteer and understeer.
Drop a wheel in a pothole and you'll feel the effect transfer through steering wheel to arms to driver's mind, but your body will barely mind as the suspension seems to damp all bumps with independent controls at every corner.
Then scrutinize the interior arrangement and you'll discover two firm bucket seats stand up front on either side of a center console, with a bench for three in back, plenty of perks on-board for comfort, plus bold analog instruments and various toggles and switches that behave like the car -- tight and exacting.
Of course, exacting road manners are what we expect from a touring sedan designed and built in that no-nonsense manner only the explicit Germans seem to manage.
What's not expected from a German vehicle is a retail price chart that approaches the realm of reason.
Yet reasonable pricing has been a traditional hallmark of the cars that carry the round VW badge of Volkswagen. The name itself -- translating from German as "people's car" -- seems to suggest as much.
Perhaps more than any other model in VW's fleet, Jetta deserves the tag as a people's car.
It provides a respectable amount of room for five adults to travel in comfort, contains a bona fide trunk and other storage spaces to stow all the gear, offers a choice of powertrains that range from economical to exuberant, stocks a long list of standard convenience items, yet still holds a tight grip on bottom-line prices.
Just how affordable is a Jetta?
Base prices for Jetta with four different engine options extend from about $17,000 to $26,000. Max out a top Jetta with V6 power and you'll still invest less than $28,000 and gain an asset no Asian import can match: German mechanical manners.
As Volkswagen's historical best-selling model in North America, Jetta shares a compact-class platform with the hatchback Golf two-door and four-door, along with the roly-poly New Beetle, a modern interpretation of the car that made Volkswagen's initial mark.
All for America roll out of VW factories in Mexico.
Jetta's engine parade begins with a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-in-line plant borrowed from the Golf that musters 115 hp.
Then there's the TDI. It drinks diesel fuel but gets around that usual diesel engine plague of washed-out performance by adding turbo-charging and direct induction. Jetta TDI only makes 90 hp from a 1.9-liter four but attains highway speed quickly. As a bonus, it travels as far as 49 miles for every gallon of fuel used.
The 2.8-liter V6 engine, available for Jetta's top two editions of GLS VR6 and GLX VR6, currently produces 174 hp and delivers the bulk of its torque at relatively low rpms.
By mid-year for 2002 models, however, a new four-valve and twin-cam 2.8-liter V6 will replace the two-valve version, promising as much as 201 hp for Jetta VR6 4V sedan with a five-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission and dual chrome exhaust tips.
A fourth engine for Jetta powers our Michigan test car, and it may be the most interesting option of all.
The 1.8T draws its punches from a sophisticated dual-cam four-pack rigged with five-valve technology plus a turbo-charger and inter-cooler.
Why add an inter-cooler?
The inter-cooler chills each specific charge of incoming air before it reaches the turbo-charger. Cooling the air increases the air density but also the amount of oxygen in the air. More oxygen condensed into a specific quantity of air enriches the mixture of oxygen and fuel that's required for combustion and ultimately generates more power with each cycle of ignition.
This process further extends the turbo-charger's efficiency and results in virtually no detectable lag in the timing between throttle depression and actual acceleration.
What you end up with is thrilling throttle action.
Changes in software for the engine's electronic control module on 2002 models optimizes air intake, ignition timing and the mixture of fuel. In addition, there's a less restrictive exhaust system on hand.
As a result, horsepower output climbs by 20 percent over last year's 1.8-liter turbo -- to 180 hp at 5500 rpm, with torque also rising to 174 lb-ft between 1950-5000 rpm.
A notchy five-speed manual shifter works well with the 1.8T, but Volkswagen also offers a new five-speed automatic and it carries Porsche's shift-it-yourself Tiptronic feature working like a clutch-less manual.
Using the manual stick, Jetta's enhanced 1.8T plant powers the package from a standing start to 60 mph in less than eight seconds, according to tests by Volkswagen.
The 1.8T edition of Jetta for 2002 shows up in the single upscale trim of GLS and comes with a long list of standard equipment for luxury and safety.
Standards range from air conditioning and cruise control to an anti-theft alarm system, power controls for windows and mirrors, and a premium stereo sound system with eight speakers and both cassette and CD decks in the dash.
Passive safety gear starts with standard anti-lock brakes and VW's ASR (anti-slip regulation traction control), plus frontal and side-impact air bags, but 2002 models add new curtain-style air bags that cover all side windows to shield the heads of passengers.
Options include sport suspension tuning and 17-inch wheels and tires, heatable front seats, a leather package and Monsoon sound system.
The Jetta 1.8T pitches the MSRP at $19,550 with a manual transmission.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 18T Specs |
| Description: |
Compact notchback sedan
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| Model Options: |
Compact notchback sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
98.9 inches
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| Overall Length: |
172.3 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.0-L I4
SOHC 1.9-L I4 TD
DOHC 1.8-L I4 T
DOHC 2.8-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/5
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/VSR
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 4 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
1.8-L M/5: 24/31 mpg
1.8-L A/5: 22/29 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 17,000 to $ 27,000 |
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