Volkswagen is continuing the development of the next generation of its bread-and-butter model in North America, the 2011 Jetta that was captured here undergoing testing in Death Valley California. The camouflaged prototype model seen in the spy video suggests that the new Jetta will boast all-new sheetmetal with a pinch of Audi A4 styling cues in the profile and rear-end.Underneath the skin, the German firm's new compact-size sedan will most likely use bits and pieces from the Golf VI which in turn is largely based on the fifth-generation Golf.
In the States, we'll definitely see the 2011 Jetta being offered with VW's latest 2.0 TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Even though there have been rumors circulating about VW's lively yet fuel efficient 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder petrol with outputs ranging from 122HP to 170HP, chances are the Germans will continue to equip the base model with the outdated, but cheap to produce, 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol.
Edmunds reported that the VW's Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla challenger could make its auto show debut as early as this month's gathering in Detroit, but this has yet to be confirmed by Volkswagen.
Via: Edmunds
In spite of the industrywide crisis VW is pulling ahead with its plans to build its first U.S. production facility in more than 20 years in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it will produce a mid-size sedan designed specifically for North American consumers. Following the initial announcement in July, VW invited to Germany the Governor of the State of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen accompanied by a 50-strong delegation that included Chattanooga's Mayor, Ron Littlefield, and media representatives from the region. -Continued During last week's presentation in Berlin, VW officials revealed the core values (see video below) of their forthcoming sedan codenamed NMS which stands for "New Midsize Sedan". The vehicle, that could possibly serve as a replacement for either the Passat or the Jetta in VW's North American range, will be offered with both FSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines. According to VW officials, among the requirements that must be met in order to satisfy U.S. consumers is the size and number of cupholders in the interior...
Work at the 2,000-employee, $1 billion manufacturing plant at Enterprise South industrial park in Chattanooga is scheduled to begin in November with the first vehicles expected to roll off the production lines in early 2011. Overall, VW plans to build around 150,000 vehicles a year at its new facility in Tennessee. As for when we'll get our first glimpse of the NMS, Carscoop's sources report that VW most likely show off the car at the Detroit Auto Show in 2010.
(Video via: WRBCTV)
PRODUCT CONCEPT NMS
Market Requirements to Be Met:
Volkswagen NMS Attributes:
