Jetta to be launched in India!!!!!

The year 2008 is going to be real war for the the car makers, following the suit of Hyundai Verna, Ford Fiesta its the turn for the the auto major "Volkswagen".

Volkswagen is planning to launch its JETTA on Indian roads by 2008. Also India will get the 5th generation version of JETTA currently in production in Germany. VW has fixed a proce band of Rs. 7 to 9 lakh both in petrol and diesel version.

The Volkswagen Jetta lineup consists of Value Edition, 2.5, TDI, 2.0T and GLI trim levels. The Value Edition and 2.5 are the price leaders, allowing you to get a well-equipped Jetta for about $20,000. Power comes from a 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder. It's not the smoothest engine in the world, but it provides adequate acceleration in any situation, making it a big step up from previous base Jetta engines. For better fuel economy, VW equips the TDI trim with a 100-hp, 1.9-liter diesel-fueled engine capable of fuel mileage in the 30s.

More fun to drive are the 2.0T and GLI. Each is equipped with a direct-injected, turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 200 hp and offers an amazingly broad torque band while returning better fuel economy than the base engine. The Jetta GLI makes the best use of the engine's potential with its tighter suspension, quicker steering and stickier tires.

Since the Jetta's introduction in 1980, four generations have come and gone. The fourth generation, sold in sedan form from 1999 to 2005 and as a wagon from '01 to '05, was the most popular and arguably the best-looking. It was also an entertaining car to drive, and like the current model, had top-notch build and materials quality. Scant rear-seat legroom was its major shortcoming. Front seat-mounted side airbags were standard throughout the run; full-length side curtain airbags were added for '01. Although reliability has been spotty, a fourth-gen Volkswagen Jetta is still a good buy on the used market if its service history checks out clean.

As the base 2.0-liter engine offered weak acceleration and mediocre fuel economy, we recommend getting a Jetta with the excellent turbocharged 1.8T four-cylinder. It was available on the sedan starting in 2000 and on the wagon starting in 2002. Horsepower on the 1.8T also went from 150 to 180 in '02, but both versions of this engine were enjoyable. The diesel-powered Jetta TDI was offered continuously during this period (2002-'05 on the wagon) and provided mileage in the 40s. A GLI sedan with a firmer suspension was offered from '02 to '05. Initially, it was available only with VW's 200-hp VR6 engine (a compact V6), but Volkswagen later added a 1.8T version.

Although not as upscale as its successors, the third-generation VW Jetta was also quite popular. It was on sale from 1993 to mid-1999, though a strike at the assembly plant significantly limited '93 sales. Dual front airbags were phased in during the '94 model year. Air-conditioning was standard on most Jettas of this era, and ABS was generally optional. None of the third-gen Volkswagen Jettas were quick, not even the GLX model, which had a 172-hp VR6 engine, but all exhibited responsive handling.