When asked this week if the company is going to change the name of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, its best-selling car, U.S. CEO Stefan Jacoby said, "We are not that stupid." Any speculation that the so-called New Compact Sedan (NCS) will wear a different badge can end.
Our spy shots of the sixth-generation Jetta show a sexy roof line and simple, attractive flanks. What you can’t see are front- and rear-end styling, but expect a much crisper look than the current, bulbous Jetta. Allegedly, the new Jetta will retain VW driving characteristics. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine will continue as the base engine for now, and the company's excellent 2.0-liter turbo-diesel will be on offer, too. The gasoline-fired turbo-four may continue in the Jetta, but it is an expensive engine for VW because it is imported from Europe. Looking forward, VW will bring production of smaller, forced-induction motors to North America as fuel-economy regulations get stricter.
The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta will be a little bit bigger than the current car to better compete with the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Ergonomics will be cleaned up so that Japanese brand loyalists who jump ship to VW will be able to set a temperature, recline the seats, and tune in a radio station without having a nervous breakdown.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
