By Matt Wellumson

Neuwerks

I am at a loss for words. My mom, who is actually quite mechanically minded for the most part, called to tell me her 94 Jetta was making a slight clunk sound when turning at low speed, and that it also had a strange front end bounce. I took a quick test drive, and noted what felt like a bad strut, and seized strut tower bearings. Little did I know that we had a slightly bigger problem!!

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Nestor seems pretty much determined to take literally every hinged panel on his “Crazy Jetta” and make it so it opens all cattywampus. I can’t wait to see what he does with the gas filler door! Check out his ride page.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Yesterday I had a chance to sit down and talk to Jill Bratina, VP of Communications for Volkswagen America. She was on her way to San Francisco for a big event they are staging for the new Jetta. I’ve heard complaints that the new design looks bland, but I think it looks very nice, with many design cues from the beautiful NCC they showed off at NAIAS. And with a starting price of $16k, it’s obviously a lot of car for the money. I asked Jill how they could even turn a profit on the Jetta. She said the fact that it’s built in their Puebla, Mexico facility and has 85% NAFTA content really helps them keep the cost down. Makes sense.

So I asked her all the obvious enthusiasts questions. We’re not going to see the Scirocco over here. Sorry. And the bus isn’t gonna happen either, though we may see some old bus styling cues on a new project they are working on called the “new small family” series, which will be alternative fuel vehicles. It sounds like VW has not entirely ruled out bringing over the Polo. Still, nothing definite there. Jill emphasized that VW will always have products for the enthusiast, like the current GTI and GLI. And they realize that there are concerns around the quality and durability of their vehicles and are making it a top priority to improve things there.

In addition to the new Jetta, Jill is very excited about the next version of the Beetle, which she said will “get back it its roots.” Maybe we’ll see it unveiled early next year?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Yeah, it looks kind of bland, but it’s bigger and cheaper, which for the US market should be a winning combo. Drivetrains carry over from the current car. Details are still a bit sketchy but you can see more pics at Autoblog. It should hit dealer lots in October.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Here’s the front 3/4 view of the new Smyth Performance G3F TDI, the high mpg mid-engined performance kit car based on the MK4 Golf. Dig those Celica headlights? Oh, and want to see what gets cut out of the Jetta to make this thing? Click here. The first wave of beta build kits are all spoken for, but don’t worry, production build kits will be available in September (price is currently set at $10,000). If you haven’t already, become a fan of Smyth Performance on CarDomain!

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Spotted outside a grocery store in Boca Raton, FL, presumably while the owner was inside shopping for warm human flesh. And you thought the Matrix-themed Subaru and the Lord of the Rings Celica were out there! See the rest below the jump.

Via Sci Fi Wire.

Continue reading "Zombie Jetta" »

By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

Just when you thought the 24 Hours of LeMons couldn’t get any weirder, you were wrong: I’m fielding a team for the Midwest run in 2009. We had our first meeting and buy-in yesterday to try to get ahead of the game. Our name is Team Doing Community Service and the car is MkI VW Jetta with the venerable JH 1.8 litre engine. A pretty bulletproof combo, and our top choice because we collectively own about three cars’ worth of parts for it. Clearly, we’ll be needing a new horn–I doubt the squeeze bulb under the dash will pass tech.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

The Lancer pretty much crushed the Jetta, winning this week’s Showroom Showdown by a 2-to-1 margin. Hey, it’s an impressive car for the money. I was definitely sad to hand back the keys for our test car today.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Ok, so we have a Lancer GTS on loan right now. So I’m thinking, what does this thing compete against? The closest thing I could come up with was the Jetta S. They both provide a big bang for the buck at just under $18,000. The Jetta has an extra 2 hp and 200 pounds, and smaller wheels (17″ vs. the 18″ wheels on the Lancer). Oh, and no wing. So, which would you choose?

By Katherine Helmetag

AKA atomicalex

Volkswagen’s Jetta will get the TDI Cup treatment in a new package called, you guessed it, the TDI Cup Edition. The package will include upgraded brakes, wheels, suspension, and the interior of the GLI with the TDI drivetrain. Maybe Jen will give up on her Escort now?

Continue reading "Jetta TDI Cup Edition" »