Rumours suggest that it will feature the same turbo 2.0-liter engine as the GTI.
Since the debut of the new 2019 Jetta by VW, we have been waiting impatiently for the sportier JettaGLI. To ease our impatience, we even found few renderings the sporty Jetta. It seems like the wait for the Jetta GLI might end as soon as January at the Detroit Auto Show. Jose Carlos Pavone (Head of Design, Volkswagen Brazil) spoke to last week during the 2019 Vento presentation in Argentina where he suggested that the GLI debut might be imminent.
Pavone stated in an interview with The Detroit Show that he believes Vento [Jetta] GLI will be presented during January’s Detroit Show. “The sports version was designed specifically for the North American market.”
Pavone also gave a few details about his car, including unique five-spoke wheels with a black roof and unique five-spoke wheels. However, we are not sure if this is for North America or just the southern continent. These design features are shown in the GLI’s few renderings.
According to earlier reports, the GLI will be powered by the same turbocharged 2.0 liter engine as the GTI. It produces 220 horsepower (164 Kilowatts) & 258 pound-feet (349 Newton meters) of torque. This is a significant power increase over the GLI’s previous 210 hp (156kW) and 258 pound-feet (349 Newton-meters) of torque. Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual and an optional seven-speed dual clutch automatic.
The GLI is not just more powerful. A multilink independent rear suspension will be added to the car, just like the golf. This is a significant improvement on the standard Jetta’s soft torsion beam rear suspension. This new suspension will make the sedan more enjoyable to drive.
The GLI will go on sale next year, possibly as early as the first trim. Detroit Auto Show would be the ideal venue to introduce the new trim to the North American market. We won’t be waiting long, it seems.