| While the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta performs more | | | | morning revival juice will be pleased to note the two |
| than adequately with the standard 2.5 liter 4-cylinder | | | | cupholders do not interfere with the handbrake and |
| engine, the optional 2.0 liter turbocharged engine turns | | | | armrest. But be ready for a coffee-Tsunami if the |
| this family car into a genuine performance car. My | | | | sunroof's open. |
| tester came with a slick 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox | | | | On the Road: Amazing transmission technology and |
| including Tiptronic self-shifter. Added to the Jetta's | | | | super handling |
| classy interior it proves that in Germany you can have | | | | I'm not certain whether it was the 200 wild horses |
| your Black Forest Cake and eat it, too. $22,620 for | | | | Volkswagen delivers from a 2-liter engine or the |
| starters, $25,595 as tested, EPA mileage estimates 25 | | | | amazing 6-speed transmission that impressed me |
| city/32 highway. | | | | most but I suspect it was the latter. Other than a CVT |
| First Glance: When a sports car isn't practical | | | | (continuously variable transmission) I've never |
| enough… | | | | experienced one that upshifted and downshifted so |
| Unlucky in love, lucky in test drives. A short time ago I | | | | deftly that I didn't know it was changing gears. Like the |
| had the good fortune to be testing an Accord on | | | | Audi A3, the Jetta's transmission utilises direct-shift |
| California's fabled Hwy. 1, an auto enthusiast's dream | | | | technology similar to F1 race cars and includes |
| road. Back in Beautiful British Columbia, my next test | | | | Tiptronic, which allowed me to control changes |
| placed me on the Malahat, which twists and turns up | | | | manually. Unlike many similarly-equipped vehicles I |
| and over a mountain of the same name. Not as | | | | actually used it on winding roads. |
| spectacular nor as long as California's gem, the | | | | Of course power's of no value if a vehicle lacks poise |
| Malahat nevertheless offers a splendid array of | | | | in corners. I'm happy to report that the Jetta, with its |
| curves, straight sections, and from time-to-time, brief | | | | precise steering turn-in and sharp responses, reacted |
| glimpses of the ocean thousands of feet below. As on | | | | to my demands, turning the Malahat and other twisties |
| Hwy. 1, they soon provide an unwanted close-up if | | | | into a personal playground. Such handling |
| you're not careful. | | | | characteristics, as well as being fun for the driver, |
| Now I was testing a Jetta Turbo with 6-speed DSG | | | | make for a safer car. As I've said ever since I began |
| automatic (Article: DSG, what it is and how it works). | | | | road testing decades ago, the car that handles well |
| Next to a pure sports car, an ideal set of wheels for | | | | has a better chance of avoiding an accident. In normal |
| this road. Triple lucky, I also had the good fortune to hit | | | | cruising mode the Jetta is smooth and quiet. Back seat |
| the Malahat during one of the rare moments when it | | | | passengers will find the view forward somewhat |
| wasn't clogged with tourist traffic. Forgetting for a | | | | limited and there's no center armrest. Two's company, |
| moment that the Jetta's primary duty is to serve as | | | | three's a crowd. |
| family transport, I took advantage of the near-empty | | | | Journey's End: Extra power is nice, but I'll take the 2.5 |
| highway to explore this particular model's secondary | | | | This was my first experience with a Jetta (diesel |
| role: to perform for those drivers who, when not | | | | excepted) since attending the 2005 media preview in |
| chauffeuring the kids to soccer practice, like to waltz | | | | San Diego. The test cars then featured a 2.5 liter, |
| with a car as dancing partner. | | | | 5-cylinder, 150 hp non-turbo engine which I thought |
| The Jetta's interior is pleasant if you can get through | | | | offered enough performance. I still do. But the Jetta |
| the open door. Now I'll admit that as About Cars' token | | | | prospect who demands more can now choose a |
| old guy I'm not as supple as I once was but I can still | | | | 2-liter turbo and exchange the conventional 5-speed |
| walk upright and at 6-feet should be able to slip inside | | | | for a race-based 6-speed. Is it worth the extra bucks? |
| a 4-door sedan with ease. Every attempt with the | | | | All depends where your priorities lie. In this world of high |
| Jetta involved neck-twisting and the inevitable mussed | | | | performance automobiles a Jetta 2.0T can outrun |
| hair (yes, I'm happy I still have hair). The rear seat was | | | | many larger cars with V-6 engines and still beat them |
| no better, suggesting that the car's tall stance has | | | | in an economy contest. |
| been sacrificed to style. Once in, however, I was | | | | Ah, but this is a changing world. In assessing this car |
| enchanted by a handsome and typically German | | | | you'd be right in admiring it's appearance. You'd make |
| cockpit which immediately telegraphs a message: | | | | a wise choice in giving up a little interior space in favor |
| you're here to drive, buddy, so pay attention. | | | | of a more nimble, fun-to-drive sedan. You'd enjoy the |
| All black and gray, the only visual relief is supplied by a | | | | European emphasis on driving vs. plush comfort. You |
| band of lightly-patterned aluminum and a touch of | | | | could have a heck of a lot of fun, as I did, in the driver's |
| chrome on the shift-surround. Primary instruments, | | | | seat. The question, however, remains: should you plunk |
| speedo and tach, are clear but the engine temperature | | | | down the extra bucks for this example of a Jetta's |
| and fuel gauges are too small for a quick glance. The | | | | talents? Would I? Probably not. Still, the Volkswagen |
| console has the same fault. Large and simple, it | | | | Jetta in any guise is so darned good it deserves a |
| includes one set of switches that require a change of | | | | place on my list of best buys. |
| glasses if you're not wearing bifocals. Drinkers of | | | | |