The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen is one of the most prestigious automobile manufacturer in the world, it has a history that starts all the way back to World War 2 and Adolf Hitler, the German brand which was started as “People’s Car” has experienced lots of ups and downs. One of the cars from Volkswagen’s product line that has immensely contributed to the transition of People’s car to a Premium car brand is the famous Jetta. The first generation model was launched in 1979 and since then this boxy sedan has been an integral part of the automobile history. Today we are going to talk about the famous fifth generation Jetta (Jetta MK5) which debuted in January 2005 LA Auto Show as a successor to the fourth generation Jetta or the Jetta Bora. The 3 box sedan was available only in America after its debut and came to India in the year 2008 with 8 variants for 7 years. What were the key features and specifications of the car? How did it drive? Let us find out.
Engine and Engineering
The Front Wheel Drive Volkswagen sedan came with 3 BS IV compliant engines – 1.6L petrol in-line engine producing 102bhp and 150nm of torque with a 5-speed manual and a top speed of 189km/h, 1.9L in-line diesel engine producing 105bhp and 250nm of torque with a 5-speed manual and the 2L in-line 4 cylinder TDI (Turbocharged Diesel Injection) engine producing massive 140hp and 320nm of torque with 6-speed DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox) automatic transmission. These engines were tuned at maximum precision resulting in 0-100km/h in 9.9 secs with manual gearbox and 8.5 secs with DSG gearbox. Electro-mechanical power steering, Coil Spring shock absorbers, front and rear disc brakes and Multi-Link suspension with stabilizer used for better handling and comfortable drive. Although the mileage of 17kmpl on highways and 13kmpl in the city was low as compared to the weak built Japanese cars but Jetta was and still is something that is preferred for its performance and driving capabilities rather than just mileage.
Design
The Jetta MK5 was a bridge between the early years and the nuances of what the future holds, it had a 3 box design with elements of history and future. The first thing you notice as a part of the exterior element are the big bug eyed Xenon headlamps and the 16-inch alloy wheels. 4.64m long, 1.77m wide, 1.45m high and with a wheelbase of 2.63m, the Jetta was 170mm longer, 30mm wider and had 70mm longer wheelbase than the previous generation. Use of chrome in most parts of the car including front grill, fog lamps borders and chrome strip on boot lid, body colored ORVMs with turn indicators and body colored door handles adds to the elegance. Available in 5 color choices – Deep Black, Red Spice, Platinum Grey, Reflex Silver and the best looking Campanella White.
The elegance that started from the exterior continued in the interior as well with having a great first impression. The heavy doors have a great thud sound which is a must in German engineering, twin door seal and insulation completely eliminates outside noise. Mix of soft and hard touch materials in the dual tone beige and black interior, illuminated instrument cluster, leather wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel and rear A/C vents are all part of the Jetta MK5.
Features
In recent times, cars are getting loaded with features and specifications, offering great comfort and ease at a much affordable price, but back in those days these features came at higher price tags. Apart from the common bits like the Air Conditioner and all Power Windows, the Jetta boasted Touchscreen Infotainment System which could also be accessed through the Multi-Function Steering wheel, along with the infotainment system there is Tilt and Telescopic Steering Adjustment and a Sunroof.
Safety
When it comes to safety of the passengers and the vehicle, Volkswagen never compromises in this aspect. The Jetta, like all other Volkswagens has superior built quality that can also be proven by the amazing “Thud” sound of the doors closing. The sedan had 8 airbags including Seat Mounted Rear airbags and Side Curtain airbags, Impact Sensing Front Bumper, ABS, Traction Control, ESC and Anti-Slip Regulation. The car received a “Good” safety rating and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety US claimed that this was the best car they had ever tested.
Driving and Performance
Recently I got a pleasure to drive the 2L Turbocharged Diesel engine which was absolutely phenomenal. Immediate acceleration response and quick gearshift thanks to the DSG gearbox motivates you to exceed the limits. Adding to these benefits is the very precise steering wheel and absolutely no body roll making the car great at handling tight corners and tough roads. Overall, the driving capabilities of the Jetta MK5 is absolutely at a much higher level and it creates a benchmark for the next generation cars.
Verdict
The Jetta was introduced in India in the year 2008, it was a huge success and received a lot of praise in the US and other western countries but not so much in India. A big reason for this difference is due to a high premium price tag in India making it available only for the few. Some of the parts are made in Germany and resulted in a costly affair to import a replacement in case of any damage. Despite the Jetta MK5 being a great power machine loaded with comfort and luxury, unlike the western countries, the Jetta became a rare sight on Indian roads.