Volkswagen's new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine - included in the sixth generation Golf lineup - is now available in Jetta models as part of the 2010 Model year upgrades.
The hot-selling Jetta also scores a more powerful (125kW/350Nm) 2.0-litre turbo-diesel powerplant. Volkswagen's existing 103kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel remains part of the lineup for reasons which elude our thinking.
There is also extra kit and technology but the big news is price reductions across the range, starting with the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel five-speed manual now stickered at $28,990. Jetta's range-topping models ('Highline' with either 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel and driving through the six-speed direct-shift automatic transmission) are both priced at $38,990 - that's $1,000 less than the old model.
A new seven-speed Direct Shift automatic is available with the new 1.6-litre diesel and the 1.4-litre petrol models.
Among the extra goodies are new trims, revised instruments with white illumination, a new steering wheel and front/rear parking distance sensors which combine with the Optical Parking System (OPS).
Exterior styling changes are minor, highlighted by new alloy wheels. The entry model 77TDI comes with 16-inch 'Toronto' wheels, the 118TSI and 103TDI score 16-inch 'Sedona' wheels while range-topping 147TSI Highline and 125TDI Highline Jettas are fitted with 17-inch 'Porta' alloys.
