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JETTA THE NEW JETTAS HAVE ARRIVED! OFFERS VALU Halton Hills This Week, Saturday, August 28, 1993 — Page 15 ee Haale E FOR LOW PRICE TAG Tony Whitney olkswagen’s all- new Golf Hatch- back has “been arriving at dealer- ships during the past few months, but fans of this model’s sedan version have had to wait a little longer. Put very simply, Jetta is really a Golf with-a trunk, but there’s really alot more to this product than that. According to VW Canada officials, the front-wheel- drive Jetta is North top-selling European sedan. For readers planning to rent a car in Europe this summer, this VW is called Vento over there. But whether you call it Jetta or Vento, this car repre- sents something all too rare these days + a well-built, speedy, European-designed sedan at a very reasonable price. The Jetta GL J tried car- ried a sticker price of $17,965, which should cause a few worried mutterings among Japanese competitors. his is a good-looking sedan, with styling that falls into the “evolutionary” category. It now has a more rounded, | contemporary appearance. The frontal view looks pretty well identical to its Golf equivalent, but every- thing changes aft of the-rear window. A very high trunk line is featured. This adds moderni- ty, while providing excellent cargo capacity. All Jettas will come initial- ly with VW’s new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, devel- oping 115 horsepower. This transverse-mounted unit might not appear to be super- powerful on paper, but behind the wheel it’s a very impressive package. Throttle response is excel- lent and power is delivered smoothly right up to the tach’s redline. I will outline performance figures when I get round to a full test, but I would imagine that 10-second zero-to-100 km/h times are well within reach. Although this engine delivers 15 percent more power than its predecessor, fuel economy is maintained, according to VW officials. A new electronic engine management system is fitted, to aid engine efficiency and economy. tried a Jetta with a five- speed, manual gearbox and this shifted smoothly and’ positively. VW has obvious- ly worked on this transmis- * sion, because earlier versions were a little rubbery. A four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. For enthusiasts of oil- burners, VW is offering its new 75hp, 1.9-litre turbo diesel. I’ve tried one of these engines in a Golf model and was surprised by its perfor- mance and quietness - two features not normally associ- ated with diesels, This version only comes with a manual transmission. VW officials say that body rigidity has been improved by 30 percent — certainly the Jetta I drove felt very stiff and rattle-free. Other enhancements include bigger front disc brakes, a wider stance and re-worked fully independent suspension. enerally, suspension follows the layout of previous Jettas and Golfs and uses front MacPherson * based on 48 mohth with $1,500 downpayment or equivalent trade O.A.C.. Freight, P.D.I., taxes extra. struts. My test car was trimmed in a patterned cloth material and I found this very easy on the eye. Seats are well- shaped and the rear one folds down in one piece, to create an almost Golf-like rear cargo area. I never had any quarrel with earlier Golf and Jetta instrument panels, but they were never particularly attractive with their blocky lines. The new panel (both Jetta and Golf feature this) is a much more satisfying job, with flowing lines and clev- erly-integrated switches. Everything is very easy to reach, including lights, sound system, climate controls and other equipment. Driver's seat height adjust- ment was a nice feature, and 1 like the steering wheel, which was just the.right Bi REPRODUCED FROM THE VANCOUVER SUN, WHEELS SECTION, FRIDAY JULY 16, AUTOHAUS GEORGETOWN 87745285 199 GUELPH ST., GEORGETOWN at Mountainview diameter and thickness. For one reason or another, VW always seems to get the driving position right on its products. Some makers seem to find it difficult to achieve proper relationship between steering wheel, ped- als and seat, but not VW. A“ a drive in this edan I found myself wondering why buyers are paying $10,000 more for very similar European and Japanese products, with not that much more going for them. VW has always managed to deliver automobiles with that distinctive European fla- vor, performance and feel, for very reasonable prices. Volkswagen products are covered by a three-year, 60,000-km warranty, with no transfer fees or deductible jarges. , 1993 — WRITER: TOM WHITNEY »