Diesel Dilemma

We've always been a fan of the VW Jetta diesel ever since the day we got behind the wheel of one. However we were really smitten when we spent a little more quality time with the car when it became part of our test vehicle fleet for a short while and we were able to put some actual miles on it. So understandably we were quite excited when we were told that we could get our hand on the new updated Jetta with a 2.0-litre common rail diesel, which replaces the 1.9-litre Pump Duse diesel engine. This is incidentally the same powerplant that makes an appearance on the Skoda Laura manual transmission variant. And if you're wondering why this new engine is under the Jetta's bonnet, the culprit as has been in the recent past is the newly enforced Bharat-stage IV norms. So the Jetta now sports this new engine bolted to a five-speed manual transmission.

The Jetta hasn’t undergone any subtle design changes on the outside; however the interiors of the car have been updated for the better. The Jetta now sports a new three-spoke steering wheel, a new audio system, new air-conditioning controls and a new instrument cluster. The new white on black dials with red needles replace the old purple and red backlit dials and we can tell you that the new instrument cluster looks far better and certainly more upmarket. The slightly more upmarket Comfortline variant gets a new touch-screen audio system which was first seen on the Skodas with the black, grey, white and red colour-coded user interface which does go really well with the interior white backlit instrument cluster and red ambience lighting. Just like in the Passat it adds to the harmony of the interior when it's lit up, more so at night.

The Jetta comes with a choice of beige or black interiors depending on the exterior colour you pick. Our silver test car, a Comfortline variant, came shod with tasteful black leather interiors. Volkswagen has maintained the fit and finish on the Jetta with no perceptible drop in quality of materials, which is good news. A lot of manufacturers tend to lose their quality card when they start localizing and this can really be a point of concern. The excellent paint quality, the comfortable bucket-like leather seats, the ambient lighting; the double door-pad seals which insulate the inside and the good quality switches are to name a few. Then's there's the solidity, which is truly Teutonic in character. Everything from the doors to the controls have a nice weight and damping to them.

Diesel Dilemma (contd..)

To meet Bharat Stage IV compliance, Volkswagen had to discontinue its 1.9-litre oil-burner and replace it with this 1968cc common rail diesel engine which churns out a very respectable 110bhp and produces 250Nm of torque between 1500-2500rpm. VW is known for its diesel engines and this is one of those highly refined diesel engines a customer will look for. There is however some engine clatter that does intrude into the otherwise quiet confines of the cabin but it does settle down whilst cruising. Thanks to the the low-end torque of the engine, it's quite easy to punt around in traffic in a gear higher and overtaking is really quite effortless. In our acceleration run, the Jetta reached 100kph in exactly 13 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 18.8 seconds. The stubby shifter on the Jetta's five-speed manual transmission has short and positive shifts and is quite a nice 'box to use. In our in-gear tests, the Jetta clocked 30-50kph in 4.1 seconds in third and 9.5 seconds in the fourth gear. In the 50-70kph run, it took 11.5 seconds in the fifth gear. However, to our dismay, the Jetta doesn’t come with a 140-bhp 16-valve 2.0-litre block that comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (DSG) which we have seen on the Skoda Laura. It really isn't a difficult task for the German manufacturer to pull this engine from its sibling. And if they don't want to borrow the potent 140bhp engine, they should really get a DSG option for the Jetta soon.

The Jetta still retains its brilliant ride and handling characteristics and is more than nimble and surefooted than one might think. The underpinnings of the Jetta haven’t changed and it still retains struts at the front and the four-link setup at the rear. The Jetta is composed at low and high speeds and the cabin is fairly well insulated with hardly any noise intruding into the cabin, even at speed. This car can handle the twisties with such reassurance and composure that you just end up driving faster than you really should! What also helps are the meaty tyres (205/55 R16 shod on those lovely 10-spoke alloys) and the Jetta has plenty of grip through almost any situation you'd throw at it. What also helps is the Jetta's electric power-assisted steering which ensures that the steering is light at low speeds, making it easier to maneuver in city traffic, and weighs up well as speed increases.

Volkswagen has made the Jetta available at a more value price now and the top of the line 2.0-litre Jetta (Comfortline) is available for Rs 15.92 lakh (Ex-Showroom Mumbai). This brings it directly in the territory of its sibling, the Skoda Laura which is equipped with the DSG box. Another competitor in the diesel space is the Chevrolet Cruze, which beats the Jetta hands down when it comes to outright performance. But the Jetta is a better overall package when it comes to space, power, efficiency and the sheer ability to munch miles confidently. Let's not also forget that the VW badge carries far greater brand value and now with a price reduction, the Jetta is better value than before. Now only if they'd launch that DSG soon and make a great package even better!

Test Data

Engine Specifications

1968cc common rail diesel, 110bhp View specifications

Max in Gear

Performance Test Data

Fuel Efficiency