VW Jetta
The VW Jetta is a lower middle class passenger car from the German manufacturer Volkswagen . In the first generation, presented in mid-1979, it was only a slightly modified body variant of the VW Golf with a notchback . Over time, it became more and more differentiated from the Golf. It was part of a model policy of Volkswagen to derive notchback models from the previous hatchback models and to distinguish them from the basic models by a slightly different design and a different name. They were intended for a more conservative, older and more solvent clientele, therefore a little more expensive and better equipped. This procedure had already been used in early 1977 for the VW Derby , which was based on the Polo , and in autumn 1981 for the VW Santana, which was based on the Passat .
Surname
The name Jetta is derived from the term jet stream, a strong air flow in the troposphere or stratosphere. In Europe, the names VW Vento (basis: Golf III) and VW Bora (basis: Golf IV) were used for the third and fourth generation . However, compared to the VW Golf, this model series could not prevail until then. Both names are also used in different markets when several generations of the Jetta are offered in parallel. Globally, the Jetta was offered under the names Atlantic, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, Fox, GLI, Jetta, Sagitar and Vento.
Only in the USA were all six generations sold exclusively under the name Volkswagen Jetta .
Different success in Europe / North America
In the USA, the Jetta is the best-selling Volkswagen model and currently the most popular vehicle of European origin; the Jetta is considered a sporty sedan there (e.g. the Jetta IV in black with VR6 engine and 4Motion all-wheel drive was particularly popular).
In Germany, the Jetta and its successor models never achieved the expected sales figures despite the name changes (the best sales year was the debut year 1979 with sales of around 90,000 units).
In Italian, the name Jetta leads to not necessarily sales-promoting associations with the words iettatura 'bad luck or bad luck' and gettare 'throw away'.
Body variants and studies
The first two Jetta generations were offered as two- and four-door sedans. With the third generation, the European Vento , the two-door version was no longer available.
From the fourth generation onwards, there is also a station wagon (Variant) in the model family, each of which is a VW Golf Variant that is visually adapted to the Jetta. From the fifth generation, this is technically identical to the Golf Variant and is only offered in markets where there is no Golf Variant for it.
There are also numerous convertible versions of the vehicle as conversions or studies, but these are all conversions, mostly with parts of the VW Golf convertible . In a way, the idea of the convertible found its implementation in 2006 in the form of the VW Eos , which had inherited the Golf convertibles. From 2011 to 2016, however, there were again convertibles based on the VW Golf.
Model history
The first considerations for a Golf with a notchback already existed in 1975/76. The first studies of the Golf Cabriolet envisaged a notchback model with a more pleasing shape and a well-usable trunk. However, it was not until 1979 that the Volkswagen Board of Management was convinced of the usefulness of a notchback Golf after three years of intensive efforts by Ernst Fiala , who was then Chief Development Officer . The Jetta's internal project name was initially Hummel .
Outwardly, the Jetta differs from the Golf in that it has a notchback, which has a larger trunk than the original model. The front is designed slightly differently on all model generations and is mostly based on the respective VW Passat . Since the fourth generation, the body has differed more significantly from that of the Golf; there were hardly any identical sheet metal parts. The technology in all Jetta model series largely corresponds to that of the Golf, but the vehicle is mostly equipped with higher quality equipment.
Jetta I (1979-1984)
The Jetta (type 16) produced from August 1979 was an alternative to the Golf I (type 17). The differences were the rectangular headlights, better standard equipment and a notchback with a trunk of up to 510 liters. Due to the attached-looking rear, the Jetta was often referred to as the 'backpack golf'. It was available as a two- or four-door model. With a base price of DM 12,395, it was DM 2,000 more expensive than a comparable Golf I.
Jetta II (1984-1992)
The second generation of the Jetta (type 16E / 19E, later 1G2) was available from the beginning of 1984, again as a two- or four-door model. The two new models of the Golf and Jetta were jointly developed; the appearance of the Jetta II was more harmonious than that of its predecessor. Grown in every respect, the trunk now offered a capacity of 660 liters according to VDA measurements. A folding rear bench seat was also available exclusively for the all-wheel drive variants.
In China, the FAW-VW Jetta (from 1997 type 1GD) was built until 2013 . There were various facelifts (1997, 2002, 2010) to adapt the model to the respective VW design line. Since 1997, the car has had little in common with the original models, which were mostly built in Germany until 1991.
Vento / Jetta III (1992–1998)
The VW Vento (type 1H5) was presented in Brussels in 1992 as the successor to the Jetta. Wolfsburg hoped that the new name would also bring about a change of image for the vehicle and an increase in sales, especially for the German market. In the non-European countries (especially in the USA) the new model was still offered under the name Jetta, as the name had proven itself there. In the USA, the Golf and Jetta both had the internal designation Type 1HM, with the M standing for Mexico, the production location for the US market.
Bora / Jetta IV (1998-2005)
In Europe, South America and China, the notchback version of the Golf IV presented in the summer of 1998 was called VW Bora (type 1J5 / 1JM (USA)). In North America and South Africa it was still sold as the "Jetta", in Canada as the City Jetta . The styling of the previous models was often criticized for being upright. The manufacturer VW responded to the criticism by making the design of the Bora a little more independent and elegant. The notchback now looked more harmoniously proportioned instead of being attached to the body at a later date, and the sideline was also designed more elongated.
In South America, Mexico and Canada the car has been on sale since 2007 with a front based on the VW Passat B5 parallel to the Jetta V or VI; in Mexico it is called "Clasico". The Chinese VW (New) Bora is based on the same platform as the Jetta IV, but with an extended wheelbase (PQ34 long).
As a special feature, the Bora was also available as a variant between April 1999 and December 2004. This was the better equipped version of the Golf IV Variant, which, in contrast to this, was available with V6 engines.
Jetta V (2005-2010)
The variant of the Jetta (type 1K2 / 1KM (USA)) derived from the Golf V was presented in the USA in early 2005. Only after the official start of sales in North America was the new model launched in Europe in autumn 2005, where it was sold again under the name Jetta . In 2007 around 100,000 Jettas were registered in the USA and around 52,000 in Europe.
Further names are:
- VW Bora (Mexico)
- VW Vento (Argentina)
- VW Sagitar (China)
Jetta VI (2010-2018)
The sixth generation of the Jetta was developed under the internal code name NCS (New Compact Sedan).
For the first time, the sheet metal trim no longer had any parts identical to the Golf. A main focus was on reducing production costs in order to make the vehicle more competitive for the North American market. In Germany, the Jetta is offered with a modified interior that appeals to the European market , which increases the price compared to the American version. Production takes place in the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. The new Jetta is also sold in Russia, India and the Chinese market.
Jetta VII (since 2018)
The seventh generation of the Jetta was presented at the North American International Auto Show in January 2018 and has been on sale in North America since mid-2018. In contrast to the previous versions, the vehicle will no longer be offered in Europe.
Jetta in China from 2019
VW has announced that it will " launch the" Jetta " brand with its Chinese partner FAW in September 2019 , the vehicles of which will be available in a range from just under EUR 10,000 to EUR 15,000, depending on the model".
Web links
- Volkswagen Classic dossier on the Jetta I.
- Volkswagen Classic dossier on the Jetta II
- Volkswagen Classic dossier on the Jetta III / Vento
- Volkswagen Classic dossier on the Jetta IV / Bora
Individual evidence
- ^ VW Jetta: The backpack Golf has had its day
- ↑ C&D: "2011 Volkswagen Jetta - Official Photos and Info"
- ↑ https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/geely-chef-li-shufu-warnt-vor-pleiten-in-china-16074864.html
