2011 VW Jetta – the Euro Jetta

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta - The Euro version

It was back in June that we brought you new of the 2011 VW Jetta. But that was the US model – where the Jetta is a big seller – and the Euro car is quite a bit different. Perhaps in an effort to make Europe fall more in love with the Golf with a boot that is the Jetta.

But it’s not in the styling department that the Euro Jetta differs from the US Jetta – although there are some small cosmetic differences – it’s under the skin that the main differences manifest themselves. Which strikes us as a bit odd; but more of that later.

The biggest change to the intent of the Euro Jetta is in the suspension setup. US Jetta buyers get a relatively simple torsion beam rear suspension, but Euro Jetta owners will get a more sophisticated four-link setup – just like the Golf – and there’s a wider rear track and different springs and dampers. Euro cars will also get electro-mechanical steering.

The engine front offers 1.2 and 1.4 litre TSI lumps with diesel lovers getting the choice of a 1.6 litre TDI and a pair of 2.0 litre TDIs with either 138bhp or 168bhp. Manual ‘boxes will be standard but there will be DSG options for all but the lowliest models.

VW say the Euro Jetta will have higher quality interior trim, and that all Euro Jettas will be badged as BlueMotion, which means the usual ‘Eco’ stuff like Stop/Start, brake energy recuperation, gear change light etc will be fitted as standard.

What we find odd is that in an age when most car makers belive that US buyers of Euro-style cars are looking for the Euro-car experience, VW are choosing to ‘Americanize’ the suspension setup to make the Jetta less sophisticated for the US market. I thought we’d got past that.

The 2011 VW Jetta will hit the UK by Spring 2011. Complete with sophisticated suspension.

By Cars UK