168,000 VW Jetta, VW Golf and Audi A3 Diesel Models Recalled in the U.S. Amidst Fire Concerns

The Volkswagen Group of America issued a voluntary safety recall on 159,884 diesel-powered VW Jetta and Jetta SportWagens manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, and Golf models built from May 2009 through September 2011, and nearly 9,000 Audi A3 diesel models made from September 2009 through September 2011.

All the aforementioned vehicles are equipped with the German group's 2.0-liter TDi diesel engine. The company said that certain vibrations could potentially result in a fuel line cracking. The defect could cause a fuel leak, which in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.

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Posted on 06.56 / 0 comments / Read More

Euro NCAP Releases New Crash Test Results, Announces Changes for 2012

As nine out of 10 cars tested this month earned the highest result of 5 starts in Euro NCAP’s crash tests, the safety organization is gearing up for making the 2012 requirements even more demanding.

In alphabetical order, the five-star winners are: the Audi A6, the BMW X3, the Chevrolet Aveo, the Chevrolet Orlando, the Citroen DS5, the Hyundai i40, the Opel Ampera, the VW Golf Cabriolet and the VW Jetta.

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Posted on 08.46 / 0 comments / Read More

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Under Investigation Over Fuel Leak Complaints

Federal safety officials are looking into allegations for possible fuel leaks on the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine (TDI).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that so far, it has received seven complaints alleging leakage from the fuel line to the No2 fuel injector, all from vehicles with low mileages ranging from 2,470 to 7,764 miles.

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Posted on 05.56 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Posts 35% Jump in U.S. Sales in June, Jetta Demand up 121%

The Volkswagen brand has reported U.S. sales of 28,444 units in June 2011 recording a 35.1 percent increase over the same month a year ago. The German firm’s year-to-date-sales are up by 22.3 percent compared to 2010 at 154,125 units.

The most impressive increase in sales comes from the new Jetta, which was introduced to the American market in October 2010. The compact sedan’s U.S. sales totaled 14,513 units in June (+120.9%) and 76,498 cars from the beginning of the year, an increase of 77.2 percent over the same period in 2010.

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Posted on 09.05 / 0 comments / Read More

Was ist das? Strange Volkswagen-Skoda Hybrid Spied in Munich

Roman Jagatić is the latest addition to our ever-growing list of readers-turned-into spy photographers. Roman stumbled upon this strange looking Volkswagen-Skoda hybrid prototype parked at a gas station in Munich, Germany. The test car appears to combine a modified body of a Skoda Octavia with a Volkswagen front end.

While we do not have a definite answer to what it may be, possible scenarios include a test car for a new Skoda Octavia and a prototype for a Volkswagen-badged model for select markets outside Europe.

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Posted on 13.31 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Salesman Likes to Bang and Jump on Doors

As the adage goes, there is no such thing as bad publicity and it is better to be reviled and even mocked at than to be ignored. In the case of Larry Roesch Volkswagon (that’s how the name of the German automaker is spelled on the dealer’s Youtube account), making the automotive ridiculist was intentional to grab some media and customer attention. And since we’re here talking about it, you could say that their goal has been achieved…

The VW dealer has published a series of intentionally cheap and corny commercials starring one of the company’s salesmen, Nick Pontarelli. In two of the videos, Pontarelli abuses a Volkswagen Golf GTI and a Jetta by forcefully shutting and climbing onto the doors to prove the cars' ‘German’ strength and quality. His final statement is “try that with a Hyundai or a Honda”. Watch the clips after the break.

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Posted on 13.49 / 0 comments / Read More

2011 VW Jetta Recalled in the States Over Wiring Glitch

Volkswagen has announced a voluntary recall for its 2011 model year Jetta sedan in the USA due to a defect in the wiring system controlling the anti-theft alarm system and horn. The German company said that in some instances an electric short in the horn could, which in turn could cause the engine to stall, adding that no injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of this problem. Read more »

Posted on 05.50 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Addresses Jetta Complaints with New GLI Model that gets 200HP and Euro Suspension

When American buyers learned that the European market version of the Jetta came with better and more modern engines, improved materials and a four-link rear suspension system similar to that fitted to the Golf, they felt somewhat let down - even though these changes came with a hefty price increase for European consumers. Now, VW is trying to address some of these concerns with the presentation of the new Jetta GLI, which debuts today at the Chicago Auto Show.

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Posted on 06.29 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Releases UK Pricing for New Jetta Saloon, Available with Turbocharged Petrol and Diesel Engines

Today, Volkswagen announced UK pricing information for its new Jetta sedan that is available to order now, with first customer deliveries due in May. In Europe, the Jetta is offered exclusively with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with on-the-road prices starting from £16,960 (US$27,350) for the entry-level S 1.4-litre TSI 122HP model and top out at £22,320 ($35,990) for the Sport 2.0-litre TDI 140HP with a DSG transmission.

There are three trim levels to choose from (S, SE and Sport), with all models fitted with air conditioning, an MP3 compatible CD stereo, six airbags, ABS, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), an alarm and folding rear seats as standard.

Powering the Jetta is a range of TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Currently, two petrol engines are offered, 1.4-liter TSI with 122-horses and a twincharged 1.4-litre TSI unit developing 160HP.

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Posted on 05.26 / 0 comments / Read More

Chrysler and Volkswagen Issue Massive Recalls on Separate Issues

Chrysler and Volkswagen have issued massive recalls, affecting a combined total of almost 600,000 vehicles. The American automaker is recalling 367,350-2008MY Chrysler Town and Country/Dodge Caravan MPVs, while Wolfsburg’s finest will notify 228,236 owners of Golf, Jetta sedan, Jetta Sportwagen, New Beetle and Rabbit models, manufactured between 2006 and 2010 that their vehicles are being called in.

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Posted on 15.11 / 0 comments / Read More

H&R puts a little backbone into the New 2011 VW Jetta VI

Suspension aficionados H&R have gotten their hands on the new Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 and decided to give it a once-over with some low-key modifications. After the Jetta arrived at H&R's US headquarters, the first pieces to get the ax were the springs (obviously).

Now, the brand new Jetta VI rides 1.3 inches lower thanks to a set of Sport springs in order to help the small sedan handle a bit better. The next items to go were the rims, which were replaced with 19x8.5 O.Z. Superturismo LM wheels (and TRAK + wheel spacers) to complement the car's handling and appearance.

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Posted on 19.25 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Teases Jetta R with 3.6L V6-Powered, All-Wheel-Drive Prototype

Volkswagen's new 2011 Jetta has just landed on European shores, but the Germans already have new plans for it. During the European press launch, the media got a taste of the Jetta R with a special prototype fitted with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, six-speed DSG transmission and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

As you can see in the pictures, the V6 prototype's body has not been altered yet. Only the bigger wheels and four-tail pipes at the back signal that there's something going on here.

Should it make into production, you can rest assured that the R division will dress-up the Jetta with a body kit, probably featuring more aggressive spoilers, lowered side sills and other R goodies, plus interior appointments. We reckon racing seats, sportier steering wheels and pedals are safe bets.

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Posted on 12.32 / 0 comments / Read More

Volkswagen Launches the New Jetta in Europe [Updated Gallery]

After the USA , Europe is also getting the new Volkswagen Jetta sedan, with prices starting from €20,900, equal (but not comparable due to different taxation policies etc) to US$28,984 with the current exchange rates.

Even though the Jetta is the best-selling European car in the U.S. with up to 110,000 examples sold annually, the compact sedan's predecessors haven't really enjoyed the same success across the pond. However, the German automaker hopes that the new generation of the model will prove more appealing to European buyers.

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Posted on 14.05 / 0 comments / Read More

VW Offers Chattanooga Police Jetta SportWagen TDIs to Keep Residents / Speedsters Safe

Now we've officially seen it all; a body-kitted German station-wagon running on a [relatively] small displacement four-cylinder diesel engine as a Sheriff's Department patrol car. And all thanks to VW's decision to donate two custom-made Jetta SportWagen TDI vehicles to the law enforcement departments of the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

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Posted on 13.59 / 0 comments / Read More

NHTSA Opens Investigation on 2009 VW Jetta TDI Diesel Models

US government officials have launched an investigation into possible engine problems in the 2009 VW Jetta sedan and Sportwagen TDI diesel models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Tuesday it had received seven complaints on the aforementioned models alleging that while driving and without any warning, the engine limped and then stalled almost immediately.

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Posted on 08.39 / 0 comments / Read More

Kitted-Out 2011 VW Jetta Makes Special Appearance at Waterfest

We're still a couple of months away from the market launch of the new Jetta in the U.S., but Volkswagen is already teasing buyers about the goods from its accessories catalogue that will be available for order once the compact sedan goes on sale.

At the Waterfest event for VW and Audi enthusiasts, which took place this past weekend in New Jersey, the German maker showed off an example of the new Jetta kitted out with various parts including a body colored front apron with a lip spoiler, beefier alloy wheels in a black finish, side skirts and a boot lid spoiler.

The company did not release any details on the show car. For more photos, head over to the folks at VWvortex.

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Posted on 17.57 / 0 comments / Read More

VIDEOS: 2011 VW Jetta Hits the Road in San Francisco

Yesterday we brought you the full performance specs as well as a new gallery of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Now, the German automaker has dropped a B-roll video of the compact sedan with driving footage from San Francisco as well as the usual interior and exterior beauty shots. You can watch the video footage right after the jump.

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Posted on 16.20 / 0 comments / Read More

2011 Volkswagen Jetta: Performance Specs and New Photo Gallery

Following on from its world premiere at a special event at New York's Times Square in June, Volkswagen has released more details and photos of the new 2011 Jetta sedan. Designed in Germany but built at VW's plant in Mexico, the sixth generation Jetta goes on sale in the U.S. in October with prices starting at US$15,995 (€12,450 at today's exchange rates). VW said European prices will be announced when ordering begins in individual countries.

The new four-door saloon has grown in dimensions measuring 182.7 inches (4.64 meters) long, 57.1 inches (1.45 meters) tall and 70.1 inches (1.78 meters) wide, making it 3.54 inches (90mm) longer than the previous Jetta, while the styling is sharper adopting VW's new design language.

Buyers in the U.S. and Canada will have a choice of three petrol engines, a 115HP 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a 170HP 2.5-liter inline-five (if it makes you feel better, VW notes in the press release that this powerplant is derived from the Gallardo's V10...) and a 200HP 2.0-liter turbo four, plus a 140HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

In Europe, the Jetta will be offered with four petrol engines, all featuring turbocharging and direct-injection technology, producing between 105HP and 200HP, as well as two direct-injection turbo diesels with 105HP and 140HP. More details on performance and fuel economy figures in the press release after the jump.

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Posted on 13.42 / 0 comments / Read More

Volkswagen Files Design Patents for Jetta Coupe

Found on the trademark office, are these patent drawings of the Volkswagen Jetta Coupe, or as the German automaker named the concept version of the car at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the NCC (New Compact Coupe).

Those skimming the photos may notice a couple of changes over the concept model that was motivated by a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. These include the more production like grille and addition of fog lamps up front, and the visible exhaust tail pipes at the back.

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Posted on 11.19 / 0 comments / Read More

Photo Gallery from 2011 VW Jetta Presentation with Katy Perry at Times Square

Instead of taking the usual route of an international presentation at a major car show, Volkswagen chose to organize a special happening at Times Square New York to lift the wraps off the all-new 2011 Jetta sedan.

And being a NYC party, Volkswagen brought along hot singer Katy Perry to help out with the presentation and draw some extra attention to the car. Dressed in a pastel rubber-like outfit, Perry sang her hits 'I Kissed A Girl' (and she liked it) and 'California Gurls' dancing barefooted on top of the Jetta's hood. Obviously, she likes that too.

The new Jetta will go on sale in most parts of the world this fall. Larger and better looking than its predecessor, VW's Chevy Cruze and Honda Civic rival, will be offered with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines, with prices in the U.S. to start from $15,995 for the entry-level model.

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Posted on 16.09 / 0 comments / Read More