Photo Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

In the USA it is the most successful car of any European producer: the Volkswagen Jetta. Between the East and West coasts of America, up to 110,000 vehicles of this model series are sold annually. Americans value the VW Jetta as a highly safe and sporty saloon with "German Engineering."

In June, Volkswagen unveiled - in an event receiving international attention with stars like Katy Perry at the centre of New York's Times Square - a completely new generation of the world bestseller with over 9.6 million units built so far. Now, the most impressive Volkswagen Jetta ever is also launching in Europe. This heralds a new era for this model series between Helsinki and Rome, Istanbul and Lisbon. The latest version of "the" saloon of the compact class is expected to carry over its US success to Europe.

This Volkswagen has the potential to do just that. Never before has a Volkswagen Jetta had this much sports appeal, this much fuel efficiency or this large a size. The times when the saloon was simply derived from the Golf are a thing of the past. From now on, these two successful models will go their own ways. The new Jetta, now significantly longer (4.64 metres long instead of the previous 4.55 metres), is very appealing as a high-end, spacious and sporty saloon with maximum active driving performance.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn: "We have completely retuned the technology and styling of the VW Jetta. That is why our number 1 selling car in America will also be extending its position in Europe from now on." The Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG continues: "At prices from �20,900, we are offering a Jetta that will add a new dimension of quality to the saloons of the compact class."

And in fact, this Volkswagen - available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment versions - takes an enormous leap forward in concept and styling. As mentioned, the saloon's design is no longer derived from the Golf; instead, it follows its own line of styling. This makes the Volkswagen Jetta a strong and independent model series just like the Eos and the Tiguan. Designers and engineers also came up with an entirely new interior. The five-seat saloon's rear seating layout is significantly more spacious (6.7 cm gain in legroom) thanks to the car's longer wheelbase - a result of the increased vehicle length. With these dimensions, the Jetta ideally fills the gap between the compact Golf (4.20 metres long) and the new large Passat (4.77 metres long).

Uncompromising efficiency:

Even its smallest engines are truly great successes. Take the example of the 1.6 TDI with 105PS: In the BlueMotion Technology version, this common rail turbodiesel only consumes 4.2l/100 km (equivalent to 109g/km CO2). Consider the 1.2 TSI that also outputs 105PS and has BlueMotion Technology: This direct-injection turbo petrol engine only requires 5.3l/100 km (equivalent to 123g/km CO2), which is exceptional. As already noted, the VW Jetta 1.2 TSI costs �20,900 in the Trendline version. The base price of the VW Jetta 1.6 TDI Trendline with BlueMotion Technology: �23,475. Additional power levels: a TDI with 140PS and three TSIs with 122PS, 160PS and 200PS. So, the Volkswagen Jetta is being driven exclusively by charged, high-tech, direct-injection engines. All engines except the 105PS TSI may be combined with a dual-clutch transmission (DSG).

Three equipment lines:

Trendline: The Trendline equipment line is still the entry-level model to the world of the Volkswagen Jetta. When it comes to safety, standard equipment includes six airbags (with an optional eight), five crash-optimized head restraints (on front seats with anti-whiplash design), daytime running lights, belt fastening detection, automatic hazard flasher lights that activate with hard braking, Hill Climb Assist and ABS with braking assistant and ESP with trailer stabilisation.

Exterior features of the VW Jetta Trendline include details such as 205 tyres on 16-inch steel wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated turn signals and green tinted heat-insulating glass. Inside, comfort and convenience are upgraded with details such as climate control (Climatic), dust and pollen filter, radio remote control of central locking, outside temperature indicator with road icing warning, chrome bezels for the air vents, multifunctional display (MFA) and a height-adjustable driver's seat (with fabric seat covers in "Cardeol" design).

Comfortline: The medium equipment version, the Comfortline, is offered at prices from �22,600 (VW Jetta 1.2 TSI with 105PS). This model's exterior is distinguished by chrome accents in the radiator grille and 16-inch, five-spoke "Mambo" alloy wheels.

Inside, the Volkswagen Jetta Comfortline is upgraded with details such as storage pockets on the backrests of the front seats, centre armrests (with storage compartment in front), 8-way adjustment of driver and front passenger seats, comfort seats with elegant fabric upholstery in "Sienna" design, woven floor mats, the RCD 210 radio-CD system, a Chrome Pack (including rotary light switch and control dial for climate control) and what is known as the Small Leather Pack (leather-trimmed steering wheel, gearshift grip and parking brake grip) as well as black accents ("Black Pyramid"). Also standard: the Park Pilot (front and rear), lowering of the passenger side door mirror when reversing and four reading lamps (2 in front, 2 in rear).

Highline: The most exclusive Volkswagen Jetta version is the Highline equipment line. It may be ordered in combination with TSI engines from 122PS (base price: �24,575) as well as all TDI power levels (base price of 105PS: �25,875). Exterior features beyond those of the Trendline and Comfortline: 17-inch alloy wheels (ten-spoke "Porto" type), chrome frame around lower air intake screen, chrome trim under the side windows, headlight cleaning system and front fog lights with cornering lights.

A Winter Pack (including heated front seats and heated windscreen washer nozzles) helps to get through the coldest season of the year. Inside, features that refine the top model include sport seats with fabric covers ("Gloss") and artificial leather, particularly elegant accents ("Iridium Printed" pattern) and an automatic climate control (Climatronic).

2011 European VW Jetta interior