Monday 11th January 2010

New 'Jetta Coupe' Waits For Sign-Off

Stylish two-door could be on sale in two years - if you like it

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Volkswagen says it is waiting to assess reaction to its 'Jetta coupe' show star before giving it the go-ahead for production, although judging by comments about the new model here in Detroit it's looking like a pretty safe bet.

The new Jetta saloon - which reportedly shares many of this coupe concept's styling cues - goes on sale in Europe in November, with UK sales starting early next year. According to our source at the show, a coupe version could be with us a year after the saloon if the concept is well received.

Although shown here in Detroit as a hybrid, if it does get the nod expect to see the car arrive first with the 210ps EA888 engine from the Scirocco and Golf GTi models.

The hybrid powertrain is even further off, we expect, although it is undoubtedly a taste of VWs to come. (The first VW hybrid will be the all new Touareg, which arrives later this year.)

The hybrid system in this show concept (or 'Compact Coupe as it is officially known) features a turbocharged 1.4 TSI engine developing 150ps boosted by a 27ps electric motor - with sufficient lithium-ion battery power to allow electric-only operation.

VW claims the concept is both sporty and efficient, with an 8.6sec 0-62mph time and 141mph maximum speed quoted - as well as the potential for 67mpg on the combined cycle.

Talking to PistonHeads at Detroit, VW's head of design Klaus Bischoff said the new coupe would fit above the current Scirocco, which he describes a 'playful' design, while the Compact Coupe is 'more mature and grown-up'.

"This car will still be beautiful in 10 years," he maintained, and I don't think he meant to imply the Scirocco may not...

[havoc]

So it's a VW Golf dressed-up to be a junior 3-series Coupe then?

And exactly how is it "stylish" - looks just like every other saloon-based coupe out there - dull, derivative and actually not very stylish!!!

Seriously - put a Hyundai badge on that and it wouldn't sell. Put a BMW or an Audi badge on that and it'll fly out the doors...which would imply it's a badge-image car not an image-image car.


What with the Scirocco being a "slammed 3-door Golf", it seems VW have forgotten the art of the truly beautiful coupe that they used to do (Mk1 Scirocco, Corrado) rather well...

[RCA]

I quite like it...........

[soad]

Can't see buying one myself, there are better looking cars out there.

[Chris71]

More than a hint of Passat CC I think. And more worryingly a bit of Lexus. Not mould-breaking, but I quite like it.

[kambites]

I'm not sure I'd called either the original Scirocco or the Corrado "truly beautiful" - whilst they may not have been as obviously derivative as the new Scirocco, they were hardly things of beauty.

I do agree that this Jetta isn't exactly stunning, but I can't think of anything else at this end of the market which is really stunning either. I think the knack of building good-looking small four-seater cars is pretty much consigned to history.

[danrc]

I like that. As has been said, looks a little like the Passat (Not surprising really) which i also really like.

The back end has hints of the Audi A5 about it.

I'd have one.

[mrodge]

I quite like it- although rear lamps are A4 clones, the hoffmeister kink is a 3 series ripoff

[Gazzab]

Reminds me of the Volkswagen Derby. (OK it looks nothing like it but it reminded me nonetheless).

[havoc]

mrodge said:

I quite like it- although rear lamps are A4 clones, the hoffmeister kink is a 3 series ripoff

The rear-end is almost the spitting-image of an A5.
The entire glasshouse is E46 3-series coupe.
The front-end is (naturally) a Golf/Passat derivative.

...it's about as original as a "Roewe". I can only assume that, since the buy-out, VW have started using Porsche designers!

[shalmaneser]

that rear 3/4 view IS a Audi A5.

[kambites]

So find a modern car in this kind of price range that doesn't look boring and derivative. The Honda Civic managed it, but it's pretty unusual.

[Ferg]

"Talking to PistonHeads at Detroit, VW's head of design Klaus Bischoff said the new coupe would fit above the current Scirocco, which he describes a 'playful' design, while the Compact Coupe is 'more mature and grown-up'."

The Scirocco is a nice neat little Coupe.
This is a horrible squashed saloon with some doors missing.

[kambites]

The Scirocco isn't a coupe at all, it's a squashed hatchback.

[Ferg]

Good point.
Nice though....

[Rob_F]

We might have seen all these parts before, but they don't half come together well. I like

[djagg73]

what a load of rubbish ,why can't vw come up with anything original . is that or is it not an A5 coupe rear on a golf front. wake vw try thinking outside the box.

[toppstuff]

Pointless.

[Robert060379]

They've ruined the Scirocco so why not the Jetta as well? Hang on this looks quite good. Chances are the Diesel will sell the most though.

[va1o]

Its growing on me. I think it will probably look better with 4drs in a dark colour without the chrome alloys. Can't see them bringing the coupe over here for obvious reasons, but look forward to the saloon. I've always been a fan of the Jetta and Bora.

[va1o]

Robert060379 said:

They've ruined the Scirocco so why not the Jetta as well? Hang on this looks quite good. Chances are the Diesel will sell the most though.

Doubt it as people seem to like the TSI petrol engines, they have been very popular in the MK6 Golf, and the TDIs less popular than before.