What good is a Volkswagen if it's not fun to drive? Americans looking for luxury can buy any number of overpriced European models wearing premium badges. People who buy Volkswagens don't care as much about impressing the neighbors as they do having a good time.
Thus, it should surprise no one that Volkswagen is trotting out a hotter version of its completely redesigned bread-and-butter sedan for 2006. The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI receives minor styling tweaks, a more powerful motor, a slick optional transmission, and other sport-tuned goodies.
PowertrainUnder the hood is the same turbocharged, 2.0-liter, direct-injection engine from the upcoming 2006 VW GTI and 2006 Audi A3. In the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, this engine is rated to make 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. Like the A3 and GTI, the Jetta GLI's torque curve is broad and relatively flat, giving it plenty of punch just about everywhere in the rev range.
Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual transmission, but the 2006 VW Jetta GLI will be offered with a sequential manual dubbed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). DSG provides manual shift control via paddles mounted to the steering wheel, or fully automatic mode if the driver desires. We've driven the Audi TT equipped with DSG, and it's gotta be one of the best sequential manuals in the business.
DesignStylistically, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI receives a honeycomb grille, blacked-out bumper trim, 18-inch alloys, and more aggressive suspension tuning. Sport front bucket seats have better bolstering to keep the driver anchored behind the wheel.
Volkswagen plans to begin selling the Jetta GLI in September of 2005, and prices will be announced closer to the launch. Though we're not crazy about the nose job on the GLI, the rest of the car, combined with the improvements made to all Jettas, sounds like one fun ride.
Photos courtesy of Volkswagen of America
