|
Sport sedan savvy
VW's Jetta is a punchy performer, gear after gear
By Bob English
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Fifty years ago when Volkswagen began selling cars in Canada, what came to be known as the Beetle was a tiny, tinny contraption with a minuscule engine producing not much more than 30 hp and good for about 120 km/h flat out with the wind behind it.
The Volkswagens I owned in the 1950s, and even my last, a 1966 model, didn't possess a lot more in the way of performance. NASCAR racers didn't invent drafting; it was early VW drivers who felt the urge to pass.
So it was with nostalgic thoughts of Volkswagen power that I wound the 2003 Jetta GLI 50th Anniversary Edition's engine up and stepped off the clutch. Plenty of wheel spin, followed by the rapid need to grab the next gear, and then the one after that, revealed that times have indeed changed at Volkswagen.
The standard Jetta with its 2.0-litre, 115 hp engine certainly won't startle you with its acceleration. But order up the GLI and instead of an econo-box you get a junior league German sport sedan with a 2.8-litre V6 pumping out 200 hp through a 6-speed manual gearbox.
My wheel spinning efforts, on cold pavement, resulted in a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds, which is pretty quick, and would be quicker if it didn't include the time required to shift into third just before 100 km/h. The car also moves through the gears, with 80 to 120 km/h in third gear taking just 5.3 seconds, while in fourth this requires 6.3 seconds. Even in fifth it takes only eight seconds, which means you'll usually have to drop only one gear to pass unless you're in a real hurry.
The twin-cam, narrow angle V6 motor itself is a revvy and smooth unit that produces its 200 hp at 6,200 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 revs. The 6-speed gearbox has nicely chosen ratios to work with the engine's power and torque curves, and shifts quickly and accurately, although it's mechanical feel could be more pleasant. I also found the gas pedal action annoyingly vague, particularly in the first part of its travel where it doesn't feel like its connected to anything under the hood. Fuel economy is good, but premium gas is required.
The Jetta GLI isn't just about power, though.
The body feels strong and rigid, and up front there are MacPherson struts and a hefty 23 mm anti-roll bar, while at the rear is VW's traditional torsion beam axle, pinned down by gas pressurized shocks and a 21 mm anti-roll bar. VW has had a lot of years to get this right, and it has. The power assisted rack and pinion steering has a comfortable weight and lets you feel what's happening down at the wheels. An anti-lock braking system lets you get the most out of the four disc brakes, and there's plenty of rubber underneath - P225/45R17 all-season tires.
With all this and its handy overall size, supportive driver's seat (with good thigh and rib area bolsters) and a steering wheel that fits the hands well, the Jetta is a very enjoyable car to drive on a twisty back road, shifting up and down through the gears, using the brakes a bit and just enjoying how it goes around corners. In other words, it does all the things at which a sport sedan should be good. Ride, which doesn't always go along with good handling, is actually very good for a compact class car, the suspension protecting the occupants from the jolts of most types of bumps.
The Jetta works well as a family sedan, too. The interior isn't particularly roomy, but it does offer comfortable seating for four (five if you must) with decent head and rear-seat legroom. And it has a large trunk given the car's size, with 455 litres of capacity, and a 60/40 split rear seat adds flexibility. Our tester came with a black cloth interior and a decent stereo/CD player. Tach, speedo, fuel and temperature gauges are tucked into a compact and easily visible array. Controls are easy to locate and use. A not so clever feature is a cupholder that pops out of the dash just above the radio, making it awkward to get at the radio's controls. Power windows, mirrors and locks are part of the package, as is air conditioning, cruise control, remote door locks, dual illuminated vanity mirrors and a tilt/telescoping wheel. On the highway the Jetta suffers from a bit of blustery wind noise - it's noticeable, but not excessive.
The base price of our test car was $31,150 to which was added a $1,015 sunroof and $220 for side curtain airbags. With freight and a/c tax the final tally came to a steep $33,040.
I'm not quite sure how to sum up the Jetta GLI. From a driving enjoyment and daily use perspective it's a very pleasurable and practical car. But if you think of it just as a compact car you'll be looking at the price and shaking your head. If you think of it as a pretty hot European sport sedan though, then maybe the price doesn't seem too bad.
Immediate competition:
Lexus IS 300, Mazda6,
Subaru Impreza, Volvo S40
|
