2012 Volkswagen Jetta On Sale In Australia From September

2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Volkswagen's all-new 2012 Jetta sedan will make its Australian sales debut in September, the German carmaker's local arm confirmed with TMR today. The news follows the launch of the new Jetta in North America last June and in Europe from last October.

In the European market, the new Jetta is offered with a variety of Volkswagen's already-familiar petrol and diesel engines. On the petrol front, the Jetta offers three TSI options: a 1.2 litre 77kW engine, along with a 90kW 1.4 litre and a 147kW 2.0 litre engine. 

Diesel options include the 1.6 litre 77kW engine and the 103kW 2.0 litre engine. Depending on the specification, manual and seven-speed DSG automatic transmissions are available.

Australian specifications have not been revealed, although the more powerful diesel and petrol options options are expected. At least initially, Volkswagen Australia is expected to leave the lower-powered 77kW engines for the Golf range.

A top-shelf V6-powered R variant is rumoured, although it remains unclear if Volkswagen will introduce a performance-focused sports model to the international Jetta line-up.

The the new Jetta measures 4640mm long, 1450mm tall and 1780mm wide, placing it in among the smaller models in the medium car segment. Along with increased overall length, Volkswagen's new small sedan rides on a wheelbase 70mm longer than before.

Standard safety features include Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), six airbags, front safety optimised head restraints to reduce whiplash, height-adjustable head restraints for all three rear passengers

Australia

Local sales of the outgoing Jetta have slowed - due largely to it being surrounded in showrooms by a number of next-generation offerings. In June, 12 Jettas found new homes, compared to 115 in June last year. 

Overall Volkswagen sales in Australia are up 6.2 percent over the same period in 2010, compared to a general market downturn of 6.6 percent.

Speaking with TMR today, Volkswagen Australia's Karl Gehling said that pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the Jetta's September launch.