N.Y. Auto Show: Volkswagen brings all-new wagon, refreshed Jetta, GTI pricing
Volkswagen kept plenty busy at the 2014 New York Auto Show, bringing with it an all-new Golf Sportswagen, a refreshed Jetta sedan, and some pricing details on its soon-to-be-released Golf GTI hot hatch.
The biggest news was VW’s 2015 Golf Sportswagen. It replaces the Jetta wagon in the U.S. lineup, though that outgoing car was always based on the Golf anyway, nomenclature aside. So fear not, Sportswagen fans, your trusty hauler isn’t any smaller.
It actually grows. The new model is just over an inch longer and just under an inch wider. Rear leg, shoulder, and headroom is all up. Cargo room with the rear seats folded is up 10 percent, VW said.
PHOTOS: Highlights from the 2014 N.Y. Auto Show
As with the previous Jetta wagon, two engines will be offered. A new 1.8-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine makes 170 horsepower and comes with either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. This new powerplant is up to 17 percent more fuel efficient in highway driving than the outgoing 2.5-liter engine, VW said.
PHOTOS: VW at the 2014 NY Auto Show
Diesel fans -- which make up a vast majority of these VW wagon buyers -- have a new 2.0-liter diesel motor to consider. It too is turbocharged, for 150 total horsepower, a bump of 10 over the outgoing Jetta wagon. This car will come with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual.
Front-wheel-drive remains standard on both models, though VW is considering bringing all-wheel-drive to the TDI wagon. It will use the N.Y. Auto Show to gauge consumer reaction to the idea, so if it’s something that appeals to you, find a way to let VW know. They’re listening.
The rest of the new model is much the same as previously. The design is a crisper take on the previous wagon and a longer list of options will be available. This includes a panoramic sunroof, LED daytime running lights, touchscreen navigation system, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Pricing hasn’t been announced but it likely won’t change much from the current model, which starts at around $22,000 for the gas model and $27,000 for the diesel.
The 2015 Golf Sportswagen will go on sale in early 2015. When it lands, it will join a refreshed Jetta sedan, which is also making its world debut at the N.Y. Auto Show.
With 141,000 sales in the U.S. alone, and 925,000 global sales for 2013, VW decided to keep the changes minor.
The company gave the 2015 Jetta mild tweaks to the front and rear that you’d have to park next to the earlier version to notice the difference. The higher trim levels now get LED daytime running lights.
Optional safety features now include blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross path detection, and forward collision warning. Inside, higher grade materials are aimed at giving the car a more upscale feel.
Three gas engines will still be available, as will the hybrid option we tested last year. The new 150-horsepower diesel that’s also in the aforementioned Golf Sportswagen will be available, with VW promising this motor will sip fuel at 45 mpg in highway cruising.
The tweaked Jetta will begin rolling into dealerships later this summer.
Finally, VW has announced pricing on its forthcoming Golf GTI model, due in June. This is the hot-hatch version of the all-new Golf that will go on sale in August
The two-door GTI will start at $25,215, including destination. VW is quick to point out that the price is only $195 more than the previous generation, and the car now includes gear like a touchscreen stereo system, selectable drive modes, and LED foglamps.
The GTI also comes with a turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine that makes 210 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while the six-speed dual-clutch automatic will be another $1,100.
Despite growing 2.2 inches longer the car is lighter and more fuel efficient. Fuel economy rises to 34 mpg on the highway, VW said.
