Spy Shots: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Sales of the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf (MkVI) is picking up pace all around the country and considering the car’s solid feel, classy styling and German engineering, it’s easy to understand why. Oh, did we mention that it’s also available with a dual clutch transmission and a frugal turbodiesel engine that returns more than 40 mpg on the highway?


It’s little wonder the Golf is such a sales success all around the world--but in a country that prefers sedans over hatchbacks, there’s one very important model in the Volkswagen lineup that’s yet to be released. Volkswagen’s new Jetta sedan is just around the corner and has been spied testing in Germany in prototype form.

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is expected to arrive in local showrooms early next year as a 2011 model. Previewed by Volkswagen’s New Compact Coupe Concept back at January’s Detroit Auto Show, the new Jetta will feature slightly different styling to the Golf hatchback on which it’s based. A more chiseled front end, sculptured flanks and a conventional trunk at the back will feature on the latest Jetta.

Volkswagen reveals new Golf Match

The Volkswagen Golf SE has been replaced with a better-equipped Match trim level, which adds over £1,600 worth of extra equipment while costing just £300 more than the outgoing car.

On top of the SE’s standard seven airbags, climatic control, ABS, ESP, cruise control and iPod connectivity, the Match is fitted with a different design of alloy wheel, leather multi-function steering wheel, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, front and rear parking sensors and a touch-screen stereo system with CD changer.

The Match is available across the engine range, which includes a 121bhp 1.4-litre petrol, 104bhp 1.6-litre TDI or 138bhp 2-litre TDI – the first two of which come with Volkswagen’s seven-speed DSG gearbox.

It is also available as an efficient 103bhp 1.6-litre and a new 138bhp 2-litre diesel Bluemotion, which are capable of returning 68.9mpg and emitting just 107g/km of CO2, or 65.7mpg and 114g/km respectively. This means that the former is free to tax for the first year.

Three-years or 30,000 mile free servicing is also available for a £250 fixed price premium.

The Volkswagen Golf Match is available now for first deliveries in June, with prices starting at £17,730.

Volkswagen, Maruti start integration talks

Volkswagen (VW) India and Maruti Suzuki have begun the process for integration between the two companies. “I can confirm that visits have been taking place and teams from the two companies have been sitting together to discuss and define common projects,” said Joerg Mueller, president and MD, Volkswagen India (VW) and chief representative India.VW acquired 19.9% stakes in Suzuki Motor Corp in December last year.

“Discussions have begun between the two teams. The proposals are being studied at Volkswagen headquarters and a final picture will emerge in two to three months,” Mueller told media persons in Pune. Recent reports suggest that the VW could be possibly looking at the new Wagon R and Ritz models from the Maruti Suzuki stable to be re-badged as VW cars in India. Mueller however, preferred not to comment on this issue. The two companies are also learnt to be looking at possibilities of sourcing Maruti's engines, components and aggregates for Volkswagen' s Indian models.

Mueller confirmed that the company was still interested in the VW Up! model for the India market. “We still need to look at the Up! concept because small cars form the biggest segment in India, around 50% of the market, he said. Should the model be considered for the India market, the company could be looking at pricing it between Rs 3-4.5 lakh,” he added. A couple of days ago, Volkswagen released its first official sketch of its sedan for the India market.

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Automakers generally feel compelled to have an offering in every market segment. However, in the US, they've pretty much ignored the compact diesel department, a niche Volkswagen is only too happy to have to itself.

Today's test car, a 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI, is testament to VW's perseverance to market a 50-state compliant diesel. To this driver, the surprise is that more Americans aren't coming home from their international travels and looking to buy the diesels they've experienced abroad.

The Golf is a car built for a day when gas prices climb above $3.50 a gallon and folks are looking for an upscale smaller car that can achieve 35 or more miles per gallon. Savvy buyers aren't waiting.

Harder-core Volkswagen GTI, new limited edtion

Volkswagen is set to descend on the yearly Audi/Volkswagen meet up in Worthersee, Austria with a pair of reworked GTI hatches. First up is a collaboration with Adidas that features a rash of aesthetic changes, including new wheels and sports seats. You'll also find the stock headlights and tail lights swapped out in favor of the trick hardware found on the Golf R. VW says that it will push 4,410 examples of the Adidas-branded GTI via European dealers.

Volkswagen GTI Limited Edition

Then there's the Golf Excessive Edition. As far as we can tell, the company hasn't bothered to breathe on the stock turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Instead, VW has a wider track with bodywork to match. Throw in a reworked set of springs, bigger brakes and a free-breathing exhaust and you've got a recipe for getting us all hot and bothered.