VW Jetta GLI: First drive

"European Car Web" made a first drive with the VW Jetta GLI.

When I first drove it, my only real complaint with the five-cylinder Jetta was its lack of grunt. From the seat of my pants, the 2.5L Mk V felt remarkably slow. Though the new five-cylinder engine throws out more power and considerably more torque than the old standard 2.0-liter, it also comes wrapped in more car. The average driver will probably never have issues with his or her 2.5L's performance, but of course there are always those who crave more.

So if you're a driving enthusiast and you've got your heart set on a new Jetta, this is the car you'll want to buy, the 2006 GLI. It's still got the prominent front grille and contentious round taillights, but is pulled along by a sweet new turbocharged motor linked to a proper six-speed manual transmission. Sweeter still, Volkswagen claims a six-speed DSG tranny will be an available option when the GLI officially hits dealer lots.

When we drove it, the GLI was still very new, so new that at the time it hadn't yet been formally introduced to the press or public. Therefore, items like concrete pricing information were unavailable at press time. The car, however, is real, and should be on its way to dealer lots by the time you read this. All the way around, this is the best Jetta ever built-perhaps the best Volkswagen to date.

GermanCarBlog, VW Jetta

Source: European Car Web

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