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2006 Volkswagen Jetta Preview

Bigger VeeDub Sports Standard 5-Cylinder Power and Optional DSG Transmission

Yesterday Volkswagen officially released photos of its upcoming fifth-generation compact Jetta sedan, slated to go on sale in North American markets March of next year.

Jetta is the most popular Volkswagen, and perennially the most popular European car sold in North America, accounting for approximately 40 percent of VWs U.S. volume alone, and therefore the most critical vehicle debut for the German automaker in quite some time.

Being that the current 2005 model remains a crowd pleaser, Volkswagen hasnt taken radical steps in

Volkswagen has released pictures of its upcoming fifth-generation Jetta sedan. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)

the redesign. Any import enthusiast who sees it driving down the road shouldnt have much trouble picking it out as the Jetta replacement, as it pulls forward many design cues from the current model. Still, there isnt any surface or trim detail, less the VW badge at the center grille position, thats carried over from the outgoing car.

If

The new Jetta derives some of its design language from the recently introduced Phaeton luxury sedan. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)

anything, the new Jetta derives its design language from the recently introduced Phaeton luxury sedan, which itself appears similar to the current Passat. Its grille is traditional VW fare, while larger headlamp clusters look inspired by the new Golf, introduced in Europe earlier this year but still not available in North America.

From the side it is wedge-like, at least more so than the

The new Jetta will offer technologies that no category rival will feature. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)

current Jetta, while its horizontal taillight design features a circular dip at the outside center, making for a larger and therefore safer brake light lens area, as well as a nice statement of unique style.

Larger than its predecessor inside and out, with more head, hip, shoulder and legroom plus a larger trunk, the new Jetta will offer technologies that no category rival will feature, as well as a unique European character that elevates driving dynamics and highlights interior materials quality.

Jettas new base engine will feature an increase in displacement to 2.5-liters, from 2.0, and five-cylinders instead of four. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)

If youd ever driven a Jetta, you might find it difficult to believe it has never been offered with a fully-independent suspension. This will change next year with the inclusion of a multi-link rear setup and optimized front axle.

The models engine technology has never been backward thinking, however, with the first 5-valve head in the compact segment, the first common-rail direct-injection diesel, and the first, and only, narrow-angle V6. Jettas new base engine will feature an increase in displacement to 2.5-liters, from 2.0, and five-cylinders

A 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual-mode and special "sport" mode selection will be available, instead of the previous 5-speed automatic. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)

instead of four. The additional 500 cubic centimeters makes for 150 horsepower, a 35 horsepower leap from the outgoing 115 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. In case youre wondering where VW sourced the 5-cylinder powertrain, its essentially one bank of the Lamborghini Gallardos 5.0-liter V10. Not bad company Volkswagen keeps, no? If you didnt already know, VW AG owns Lamborghini, and much of the new V10s architecture, such as its 50-valve head, is derived from Volkswagen engineering.

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