2006 Volkswagen Jetta: Best Premium Compact Car
29 June 2006; By Foster Obi, Snr. Transport Correspondent

With the launch of the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta in Lagos last week, Stallion Motors, marketers of the brand is bringing to Nigerians another lovely car, this time for those seeking the character and driving dynamics of a German-engineered car at a Volkswagen value.

The car was given the best premium compact car award by Smart Money Magazine. Stallion markets other brands like Honda, Hyundai, Skoda, Audi and Mahindra. Manish Daryanani, Volkswagen's Marketing Director said that the new Jetta represents the fifth-generation of Volkswagen's best-selling model and one of the most popular European nameplates in North America.

Manish said they are bringing in two variants of the car, namely the 1.6 litre engine and the 2.0 litre. While a few of the cars have been sold considering the high level of demand, the company said new a consignment would be coming in soonest enough to satisfy demand.

According to him, the complete redesign of this model marks a significant evolution in the Jetta's history that now spans a quarter century with more than 2.2 million units sold in North America.

He said that like its predecessors, the latest Jetta generation promises to offer the compact sedan buyer a bold new choice that is distinctly German, with a solid Teutonic feel and ambience that results from precise automotive engineering, a fanatic attention to detail, consistent use of high-quality materials throughout, and Volkswagen's demanding production tolerances.

"Since its introduction in 1980, this compact, affordable German sports sedan has evolved significantly with each new redesign. The new Jetta is certainly no exception. It retains the Jetta's core appeal as a driver's car, and offers more of everything that has made the Jetta a best seller," he said.

The new Jetta continues the Volkswagen tradition of offering a long list of standard equipment and details that are simply out of stock in its competitive segment. Among the most impressive new driving advancements is a standard high-tech electro-mechanical steering system. On the inside, driver and occupants alike will enjoy more space and cargo room, along with a refined interior treatment that offers a long list of standard comfort and convenience features, as well as the latest in passive safety items.

Concerning safety, the new Jetta will again establish a further level of protection in its segment by employing a comprehensive standard list of advanced passive and active safety technology.

The new Jetta is a dramatic example of the German automaker's philosophy of making even its most sophisticated safety technology standard equipment on a wide range of models. Major standard equipment for the newest Volkswagen includes front side thorax airbags, Side Curtain Protection (head) in the front and rear, and crash-active front head restraints, crash-optimised foot pedals that descend upon serious impact, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), three-point safety belts, and adjustable headrests for all five occupants. Front belts use pre-tensioners with load limiters, and all safety belts use emergency locking retractors.

The new Jetta has a list of performance items that can help avoid accidents in the first place. They include the stability and surefootedness of a precise-handling front-drive sedan, with standard four-wheel ABS disc brakes and a sophisticated new ESP(r) system that is standard on virtually all Jetta.

The solid basis for the new Jetta is in large part the result of its state-of-the-art production. Built for worldwide distribution at Volkswagen's high-tech production facility in Puebla, Mexico, the Jetta's assembly technology sets a new standard for this segment.

The new Jetta has the heritage to match or to exceed the success of the fourth-generation Jetta, which became Volkswagen of America's most popular four-door sedan ever. Much of that success can be attributed to the car's timeless dynamic looks, which represent one of the strongest examples of Volkswagen's design philosophy. The new Jetta's dynamic and high-energy look is most pronounced in the front, where the brand's new face is revealed for the first time in a production model. This fresh face was first hinted at on the inspiring Concept R roadster study.

Befitting a more spacious interior, the new Jetta improves upon what was already a class-leading interior design. The new Jetta again demonstrates Volkswagen's leadership in creating an interior environment that is visually pleasing, modern, and meticulously detailed.

As expected in today's Volkswagen models, the new Jetta interior is created from high-quality materials and fitted to exacting tolerances. The new Jetta's quality materials exceed what is expected in even a German luxury sedan.

A major improvement in the new Jetta is its base engine that replaces the previous Jetta's 115-horsepower. Developed for the North American driver, this advanced engine is transversely mounted and delivers solid off-the-line performance and consistent power that one expects from a larger volume, multi-valve, in-line five-cylinder.

This new base engine from Volkswagen uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head with cross flow design, a double overhead camshaft with 20 valves, and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters.