Jetta GLI is the complete Volkswagen package: A well-balanced, fun-to-drive, German-engineered performance vehicle – at an accessible price
HERNDON, Va., February 8, 2011 — Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the debut of the new 2012 Jetta GLI, which combines the comfort and sophistication of a Jetta with aggressive performance and handling in a sporty yet sleek package. The all-new Jetta GLI is the most differentiated Jetta GLI model ever made by Volkswagen. With a rich heritage that dates back to 1984, the new Jetta GLI is sure to appeal to both automotive enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.
The Jetta GLI offers exceptional features and options, for equally impressive pricing. Available in three trim levels, the Jetta GLI has a starting MSRP of $23,495. The GLI Autobahn, with an MSRP of $25,545, adds 18” alloy wheels, sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex Leatherette seats and the Fender® Premium Audio System. The top of the line Jetta GLI Autobahn with Navigation adds the RNS-315 navigation system and keyless access with push-button start technology for an MSRP of $26,445.
Engine and Transmission
The sporty Jetta GLI boasts the award winning 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, generating 200 horsepower and a full 207 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,700 rpm, contributing to drivability and response of the vehicle in both everyday and performance situations. The Jetta GLI is offered with a six speed manual transmission as standard equipment. This new model is significantly lighter than the previous Jetta GLI and it offers power and performance coupled with German sensibilities. While EPA figures are not yet available, the Jetta GLI is expected to deliver 31 mpg highway with the manual and 32 mpg highway with the DSG® automatic.
Additional performance features for the Jetta GLI include:
Track tuned four-way Independent Performance Suspension for superb handling
DSG® automatic gearbox that offers steering wheel mounted paddles shifters, super quick shift times and rev-matched downshifts
XDS® cross differential system that debuted on the Volkswagen GTI, that helps prevent inside wheel spin during cornering
Four wheel disc brakes with floating red calipers
Premium Features
To make life on the road a little easier, the Jetta GLI offers sophisticated, German engineered premium appointments. Features include standard 6.5” touch screen premium VIII radio with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, standard one-touch up/down power on all four windows, standard multifunction display (for vehicle status, trip, radio and navigation information when equipped), available dual zone climate control, available RNS-315 navigation system and available keyless entry with pushbutton start.
The 2012 Jetta GLI Autobahn and Autobahn with navigation models come standard with a Fender® Premium Audio System, bringing the concert stage to the vehicle for the ultimate music experience. Designed exclusively for Volkswagen, the Fender® Premium Audio System is embedded in the vehicle design and features proprietary Panasonic® speaker technology. The system covers the cabin with directional sound from front door speakers that generate imaging beyond the capabilities of traditional speaker designs. It cuts through the noise and other distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, with extended range for all musical genres.
The sound system features lower inter-modulation distortion and smooth mid-range response to eliminate harshness. It is harmonically complex, with extended range tweeters and properly voiced 16cm speakers revealing original instrumentation timbre and harmonic richness, bringing the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience.
Exterior
The Jetta GLI combines performance, space and comfort in one sleek package. At 182.2 inches long, 57.2 inches tall and 70 inches wide, it is more than 2.9 inches longer than previous Jetta models.
The front end of the car is defined by prominent horizontal lines. The Jetta GLI grille and the car’s trapezoidal headlights help create a distinct look. Below the bumper is a cooling air intake and tray-shaped front spoiler that completes the masculine look of the car. The upper front end section shows a powerful transition from the v-shaped engine hood to the fenders on the sides while the shoulder section provides dynamic and muscular styling.
The aggressive styling of the Jetta GLI is powerfully emphasized by the arches of the wheel wells available with 17” or 18” alloys. Sleek lines and sporty shoulders dominate the rear section. The smoked taillights stand out with two distinct sections extending on either side from the fender into the tailgate above the dual exhaust tips.
Interior
Like the exterior, the interior of the Jetta GLI stays true to its sport and performance roots. Featuring sport bucket seats with red stitching and a sport flat-bottom steering wheel with red stitching, the GLI logo and aluminum accents, the interior styling consistently follows the clean, sporty lines of the car. The Jetta GLI is available in cloth or V-Tex Leatherette and also features sleek alloy pedals, shifter, dash and door trim.
Intuitive controls and well-arranged instruments allow drivers to enjoy a comfortable and ergonomically designed gear shift grip. Further up on the center console are the newly designed and intuitive controls for climate and radio. The console is also slightly inclined toward the driver to heighten comfort behind the wheel.
To increase versatility, the rear bench seatback is split 60/40 and folds. The trunk can also be opened from inside the car by a remote unlock switch.
Safety
The Jetta GLI includes several features designed to enhance driver and passenger safety including electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring and Volkswagen’s advanced Intelligent Crash Response System, which initiates automatic safety protection in some types of collisions — the electrical supply to the fuel pump is shut off, the doors unlock and the hazard lights switch on.
As part of the equipment package, the Jetta GLI also features driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags in front and Side Curtain Protection® airbags in front and rear.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2011 Volkswagen vehicles come standard- equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.
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Goodbye GTi, Hello Sirocco. Jetta seems to be taking over the GTi’s features. Red stiching leather steering wheel, red brake calibures, chome pedals. Hmmmm, makes you wonder. Please ,VW, bring the Sirooco to the US.
We have a 2010 VW Jetta TDI and really like the car. What I hate is the special synthetic castrol motor oil that must be bought at the dealer at a very high price. If the other castrol oils are not good enough to use in this little 4 cyl diesel then why would I use there products in my other vehicles. BP and VW suck forcing hard working people to pay outrageous prices for oil. Any good oil should be fine in these engines, but according to BP/Castrol and VW not the case. I won’t buy another one or use there products. I like choices and I don’t have it right now. So to the rest of America buyer beware!!!
Chuck, got to agree with that about the oil, I have tried to go on line to but this oil, and there is no way to get it with out going to the dealer , but one thing I did find out is that this 2010 tdi dose not come fro the factory with this type of castrol oil, over in germany they use a very different type of synthetic oil, but to have it shipped over to the states, it’s like $8.00 a Le, not a quart !!! so you do get a little more than you would get , buy buying a reg synthetic oil, so when you change your oil your self you only have to purchase
3 Le which is equal to 4 quarts of american oil, I the SLX SE 5W-30 oil, at the VW dealers, it’s not a really bad deal ,I pay some thing like $5.30 a Le , I do own a jetta TDI, and do my own oli changes , no big deal,
pull off the plastic top on the engine, and the oil filter is right up front , to your right, get the right size socket on it and unscrew it and pull out the old and drop in the new, But while draining the old oli, make sure you don’t drain the trans, thats the pan with the front axels coming out of it , you drain that and you will have to pay $400.00 to have it refilled, because it has to be done a certain way, well try to be happy ith what you have it’s got a lot of tourge and it’s fun to drive and I get 49 MPG , so what the big deal Chuck !! have a great day !!
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@Chuck I don’t understand why you are whining. You get 3 years of free maintenance which includes oil changes. After that, you can put whatever synthetic oil you want into the car as long as it meets specifications. If you’re mad that synthetic oil is so much more expensive, don’t be. You only have to get oil changes every 5-10k miles as compared to every 3k with conventional oil, so the price comes out to about the same. Even though you have to pay more, you have to do so with decreased frequency. Understand?
Plus, you seem to miss the point. You start out your comment with “We have a 2010 VW Jetta TDI and really like the car.” If you are letting slightly more expensive oil (which is currently not even coming out of your pocket) talk you out of a car that gets great gas mileage, handles well, and is enjoyable, then you’re missing the point.
@Max, Chuck is venting about paying for the oil in his 2010 TDI, before VW started the maintenance incentive. Plus, changing regular oil in newer cars is usualy a 5000 (or more) mile service these days. Lucky for me, I’m turning in my 08 Jetta SE for a GLI I recently ordered. I won’t miss paying for those $100 oil changes either! Thanks VW for the mainenance program, your saving me around $700 over the course of a 3 year lease.
Naah boring! Looks like VW spent more time on the interior, “which btw looks great” while the exterior looks just like a regular Jetta with Golf fog lights and last years MKV GLI wheels! C-mon VW! I have owned a 2002 GLS and currently a 2007 Wolfsburg. Exterior styling is just going backwards! It looks like a refaced 1999 Passat! No Xenon technology… No LED technology… I still love VW but maybe time for a change if they don’t stop looking like Japanese mediocre!
I really would love to buy a GLI, but no Xenon lights that totally sucks!!!
@Hamid, I totally agree, I like it though.
i had an older 2006 gli. i just gave it to one of the kids. i bought a 2010 tdi wagon. both of these vehicles cost me over $30,000.00 USD. the 2010 wagon doesn’t have HID lights or auto air conditioning. neither has auto dimming mirror. chump change items.
how can VW USA be so lame? it’s a greedy insult to the customer.
or, forcing you to go AUDI. or japanese. i like sushi. WASABI. yellowtail. hahaha!
I have been waiting for the 2012 GLI Jetta for months …. where is it? I want it now!
i cann’t stop using vw brand, i enjoy driving it!
I am looking to lease a 2012 Jetta in the LA area, which dealer do you bloggers recommend? In Miami I’ve seen it advertised for 0 money down 0 first month and 0 security deposit but a dealer fee of 699 plus tax and tag $179 a month for automatic/cd/etc… Can I find this price or better in LA? Lookin for a deal. write me at heavenlyrmcv@gmail.com. Thanx.