All-new VW Jetta spied testing

The Jetta will be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s MQB modular architecture for its next generation.

Our partner, Quattroruote, has spied a heavily camouflaged test mule of the seventh-generation Volkswagen Jetta in Europe.

The next generation VW Jetta is rumoured to go official during the first quarter of 2018 in North America. The camouflaged prototype does not highlight any radical cuts or creases on the car, thus suggesting that just like the current model, the next Jetta too would sport a clean and understated design.  

However, the test mule also features glossy alloy rims, red brake calipers and the double back exhaust, hinting that this might be the performance-focused GLI version of the new Jetta, which is sold in North America.

The Jetta is an important model for VW in North America, where it is positioned in the volume gaining segment. The present, sixth generation model has been around since 2010 globally. The new car will be based on VW’s modular MQB platform, and technically, will be a saloon version of the VW Golf, and very closely related to the Skoda Octavia.

Volkswagen launched the sixth-generation Jetta in India in 2011, and discontinued it a few months back due to dwindling sales. With the D-segment saloon market shrinking as a whole, it is not certain if VW India will revive the Jetta. However, with Octavia doing decent monthly numbers, and VW itself relaunching the more expensive Passat recently in India, there might be a scope for the new Jetta afterall.

While the American-spec new Jetta will be powered by a range of turbo-petrol engines, if launched in India, expect it to share its engine and gearbox options with the Skoda Octavia.