VW lifts the covers on the sportiest new Jetta, the GLI.
It’s brand-building time at Volkswagen, and the once-dominant German import is convinced that a wave of new products will help it recover its lost glory.
With the launch of its new American assembly plant, and sale of the U.S. version of the bigger Passat just months away, VW turned to the sportier segment of its line-up at the Chicago Auto Show, unveiling the top-line version of its latest Jetta family, the 2012 GLI.
At a price of $23,495, the new model, as with the rest of the Jetta line, is, “the only truly accessible German-engineered car in its class,” suggested Jonathon Browning, the British industry veteran who took over VW’s U.S. operations last year.
With the GLI designation, Jetta gets a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, which compares to the 115 hp of the base I4 package, and the 170-hp 2.5-liter Jetta I5.
The GLI's turbocharged I4 makes 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.
Meanwhile, Das Auto drivers will be able to opt for the current manual gearbox or a slick double-clutch package that will get 32 miles out of the Autobahn-burner on the highway.
Equally significant is the use of an independent rear suspension using XDS cross-differential technology, first seen in the VW GTI. Its designed to help prevent spin with the inside wheel during cornering.
The GLI brings with it the new Fender audio system specifically developed for use in the U.S. Volkswagen line-up. It won’t be shared with any other market, according to Browning.
The interior of the 2012 Jetta GLI.
A well-loaded 2012 VW GLI, with the Fender package, navigation and push-button start will push the price up to $26,445.
While the GLI was intended to be the star of the VW news conference, Star Wars took center stage – or, more precisely, the “little Darth Vader” ad the maker aired during last weekend’s Super Bowl. Rated repeatedly as the number one spot – auto or otherwise – the commercial has been seen over 26 million times, since the game on YouTube, reported Browning, who hopes the Force will be with him as he tries to steer VW towards the massive growth targets his bosses back in Germany have set for him.