Driving Impressions

Climb in the new Volkswagen Jetta 2.5, turn the key and the driver is greeted by the raspy growl of the new five-cylinder engine. It's definitely an in-your-ear sound that will find favor with those who appreciate mechanical sturm und drang, but it might be a little annoying to drivers who'd rather talk on the phone. As soon as the Jetta pulls away from the curb, there's a noticeable feel of solidness and a clear sense of high build quality. As there should be. A large part of the investment in the Jetta went toward increasing structural integrity. The stronger structure forms not only a more solid grounding for suspension and drivetrain components, it helps reduce unwanted noise from being transmitted into the cabin. The other element that was considered most critical in the design of this performance-oriented car was the suspension. This is, without question, the best handling front-wheel-drive car Volkswagen has ever produced yet, somewhat paradoxically, it all starts with the new multi-link setup in the tail of the car. The physics are complicated, but, simply stated, if the rear end of the car won't properly follow the front, then handling limits are low and the driver has to work harder. Replacing the old solid-beam axle with the new four-link rear suspension (with telescopic gas-filled shock absorbers, coil springs and stabilizer bar) means reduced body roll, better contact between the wheels and the pavement, and improved ride quality. Angling the shock absorbers and combining them with oval helper springs also contribute to a wider trunk opening for easier loading. Changes to the front suspension also made dramatic improvements to the feel of the Jetta. The MacPherson strut arrangement (with coil springs, telescopic shocks and a newly designed, integrated stabilizer bar to reduce weight) has improved geometry to increase front wheel location and reduce torque steer to unnoticeable levels, even when the throttle is maxed out in a corner. This is an amazingly balanced car, with little or no sense that the front end is doing the work of both pulling and steering the car. Credit the new Servotronic power steering for the sharp response through the steering wheel. It not only adjusts to speed, providing more assist at low speeds and higher effort on the open road, but, through electronic control of the steering column, it automatically corrects the car's direction when such external forces as crosswinds threaten to move it off track. It's a bit disconcerting at first for the car to do something a driver expects he'll have to do but after a short time becomes very welcome in its ability to reduce driver effort. Getting the car underway is generally effortless, even in slippery conditions due to the application of various standard traction aids. Every Jetta comes with an electronic differential lock, or EDL, that varies power to either front wheel depending on which one has more traction. It works by applying the brakes very slightly on the wheel that has lost traction, while at the same time it sends more torque to the other wheel. Also standard across the line is anti-slip regulation, or ASR, which reduces engine power to both front wheels if slip is detected. Both EDL and ASR are part of the electronic stability program, or ESP, which is standard on all models except for Value Editions. ESP incorporates ABS to brake any of the car's four wheels individually and reduce the risk of skidding. It all starts sounding like alphabet soup, but all these systems work together to help the driver maintain control of the car. Studies in Europe have shown how effective electronic stability systems are in helping avoid accidents. They should be considered a standard item on any driver's order list. The only commotion during take-off, then, is the raspy growl of the new five-cylinder engine, which has been tuned for instant gratification. Throttle tip-in is aggressive, especial

Final Word

The all-new Volkswagen Jetta is a delectable dish of European-bred automotive technology, superior materials and tangibly good build quality. This new Jetta is both a comfortable long-range cruiser and a snappy runabout. Choosing to address the American driver's thirst for torque was one of the more pleasing ways that Volkswagen fashioned the standard 2.5-liter models for the stop-and-go derby of urban driving, but it's still how well the Jetta conquers the open road that makes the Volkswagen driving experience distinctive and enjoyable. For those who want to make quicker progress down the road, the turbocharged GLI is a slick performer right out of the box. As a platform for the furious youth who want to go fast, it might be the best since the original GTI. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Greg Brown filed this report from Southern California and Santa Fe, New Mexico.