Twincharger for Jetta

Volkswagen is going high-tech with Jetta and is set to replace its entry-level sedan with a new model powered by its innovative Twincharger four-cylinder engine. Largely unchanged save for the engine transplant and the option of a new DSG gearbox, the MY09 Jetta hits dealers soon.

Already powering the Golf GT, the turbo and supercharged powerplant will replace the existing naturally-aspirated 2.0 FSI engine that currently kicks-off the Golf-based four-door's model line-up. VW will offer the Twincharger engine matched to its latest seven-speed DSG twin-clutch automated sequential gearbox as a $2500 option (up $200). A six-speed manual is standard.

Displacing just 1.4 litres, in its Golf GT guise the awarding-winning powerplant produces 125kW and 240Nm. In the Jetta, power will be trimmed to 118kW.

The outgoing 2.0FSI engine delivered 110kW/200Nm.

According to Volkwagen Australia, despite the power and torque increases, the TSI/DSG combination is set to drop the Jetta's fuel consumption to a diesel-like 6.6L/100km. This is an improvement of 2.0L/100km, the company claims.

The move is the first of "a couple" of engine downsizes for the local VW line-up commented local chief, Jutta Dierks. Though the model is more expensive than equivalent 2.0-litre cars in Europe, the price of the TSI Jetta is unchanged from the FSI model at $32,990 Down Under, she said.

Keeping the price for the Jetta TSI at the same level as the outgoing 2.0-litre model gives VW a considerable advantage locally, Dierks told the Carsales Network.

"It's not that we replace the 2.0-litre model with the 1.4. But, of course, if you take one model out and bring another model in people will compare them," Dierks said.

"This time we've managed to actually keep the price on the same level, which gives us a big advantage of newer technology, better performance, better fuel consumption, brand-new innovation and it's nicer to drive.

"Again it's a bit of a gamble because Australians love capacity... It's still important [to buyers] but if we don't try and convince people how good that [the downsized engines] is we will never really be successful here.

"Long term, I believe for us at Volkswagen 2.0 [litre naturally aspirated petrol engines] will disappear but it will be a balanced transfer," Dierks opined.

In addition to the entry-level model, the Jetta TDI has also benefitted from an engine update. For the MY09 model year, the Jetta will feature Volkswagen's new common rail 2.0-litre turbodiesel four. First seen in the Eos and Tiguan Down Under, this powerplant replaces the Pumpe Duse unit currently used in the Golf and other models.

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