Volkswagen has restyled the front and rear ends of the Jetta while improving its aerodynamic properties by reducing air drag by 10%. At the front, the new sporty sedan can be immediately recognised by its redesigned radiator grille with three cross fins, optional bi-xenon headlights with cornering, turn signal and LED daytime driving lights as well as a new bumper.
The bi-xenon headlights add distinctive design to the new Jetta. The daytime running light is formed by 15 LEDs arranged in an L-shaped string alongside and beneath the xenon module. They generate an unmistakable light signature, day and night. A chrome element between the LED daytime running lights and the xenon module accentuates the headlights.
As at the front, designers also redesigned the rear body. Here it is the boot lid, tail lights, VW logo and the bumper that identify this as a new Jetta. The boot lid has an aerodynamic trailing edge, and on the sides the lines of this integrated spoiler extend into the rear fenders and then into the precise contour of the car's silhouette near the character line.
One level lower, the side lines of the boot lid (with optimised load width) now run downward, which dominates the design. Beneath this, the new and very precisely designed bumper completes the impressive look of the rear of the Jetta.
The new Jetta is 4,659mm long, 1,778mm wide (without door mirrors) and 1,482mm tall. In the front end, the air drag was reduced by the new bumper, perfected air inlets and aerodynamically optimised rain gutters on the sides near the A-pillars. Only a closer look reveals such modifications as underbody panels at the rear axle and sill covers with wheel spoilers.
One of the many attributes of the Jetta is its interior, which bridges over to the next higher class with its ample space, sophisticated look and good ergonomics with intuitive controls. All of these attributes have been further perfected. The new Jetta is characterised by new instruments in a sporty tube look, multifunction display in the instruments, a new generation steering wheel, new accents for the centre console, elegant high-gloss black trim around the gear shift lever, new chrome accents (varies by derivative), redesigned controls for the air nozzles, ambient lighting (only available as an option with Highline derivatives) as well as designs for the seats and door trim.
Retail prices - VAT and emissions tax included - vary between R258,000 and R358,000. The new Jetta range comes standard with a 5 year/90,000km AutoMotion Service Plan, 3 year/120,000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15,000km.
