By: IOL Motoring Staff
Uitenhage - The original VW Jetta, introduced on Germany in 1979 and here in South Africa a year later, was simply a Golf with a boot.
At the time it was a clever way to give the Golf extra traction during the run-up to the MkII "Jumbo" Golf, but since then the Jetta has marched on to become a model in its own right and a global money-spinner for Wolfsburg.
So, for 2015, VW has opted not to fix what ain't broken, retaining the current engine and model line-up while refreshing the front and rear styling - and improving the aerodynamics - with new plastics and light clusters, and tidying up the interior for a more sophisticated look.
The front treatment end shows the biggest changes, with a new grille featuring three cross fins, a new bumper and optional bi-xenon headlights incorporating cornering lights, indicators and 15 LED daytime running lights per side, in a an L-shaped string next to and under the xenon module.
And it's not just for show - VW claims air drag has been reduced by 10 percent, partly thanks to new underbody fairings and a new bootlid spoiler that neatly flows into the rear fenders above new tail lights (with bright stripe) and redesigned rear bumper.
SPORTY INSTRUMENTS
The 2015 Jetta dashboard boasts new instruments in sporty tube-style mountings made famous by Alfa Romeo in the 1950s, and a new multifunction display between the two main 'clocks', behind a new-generation steering wheel.
There are clean new trims in glossy black and chrome, and cleaner controls for the air vents, as well as revised seat and door trims, while the new steering wheel places the driver's left hand almost directly over the gear lever and just a finger's length away from the centre-stack controls for the aircon and infotainment systems.
But perhaps the most important interior update is one you will hopefully never see - a new head/thorax airbag near each front side window designed to provide better protection if the car rolls, in addition to conventional front and side airbags.
TRIM LEVELS
The base TRENDLINE spec includes aircon, cruise control, an eight-speaker sound system, power windows all round, height-adjustable front seats, height and reach-adjustable steering column, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, power-adjustable, heated side mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers, 16" alloys and
COMFORTLINE adds front foglights, chrome exterior trim, comfort seats with adjustable lumbar support, and radio/CD player with six-CD shuttle, SD card slot and touchscreen controls.
And the range-topping HIGHLINE also comes with sports front seats, dual-zone auto aircon, cornering lights, headlight washers and 17" alloy rims.
As before, the Jetta is available with a choice of three petrol (1.2 TSI 77kW, 1.4 TSI 90kW and 1.4TSI 118kW) and two diesel engines, the 1.6 TDI 77kW and the 2.0 TDI 103kW.
PRICES
1.2 TSI 77kW Trendline - R258 000
1.4 TSI 90kW Trendline - R272 500
1.4 TSI 90kW Comfortline - R286 700
1.4 TSI 90kW Comfortline DSG - R302 700
1.6 TDI 77kW Comfortline - R302 900
1.6 TDI 77kW Comfortline DSG - R318 900
1.4 TSI 118kW Highline DSG - R331 900
2.0 TDI 103kW Highline DSG - R358 000
These include a three-year or 120 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan; service intervals are 15 000km.