Topic: First Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Jetta

[OliverD]

I think most people in this class care more about efficiency than outright power. 150 hp isn't bad and being a turbo it should still be pretty torquey.

[JohnnyMac]

I think most people in this class care more about efficiency than outright power. 150 hp isn't bad and being a turbo it should still be pretty torquey.

I would agree with that, but I always admired VW not trying to out "Civic" the competition.  The added power in with the 1.8T was a differentiator to me, plus it didn't get bad mileage to boot.  Sure the new engine will get better fuel economy and be competitive in the power department, it just won't have the same level of performance the 1.8T offered.

[chignectohead]

This latest 1.4 TSI has reverted to belt drive for the twin overhead cams. Probably a good idea, since the previous version in twincharge form had chain and particularly, piston/liner problems. The latter caused a severe oil drinking problem before outright failure.

Let's hope this new engine is, ahem, as completely reliable as VW Group engines have always been.

[hemusbull]

The 2.0 engine was established at 115 hp long ago and mainly it was dictated by German (and Euro) insurance regulations. It was very affordable for insurance and manufacturing as well. No cheat here!

[ArticSteve]

This latest 1.4 TSI has reverted to belt drive for the twin overhead cams. Probably a good idea, since the previous version in twincharge form had chain and particularly, piston/liner problems. The latter caused a severe oil drinking problem before outright failure.

Let's hope this new engine is, ahem, as completely reliable as VW Group engines have always been.

Really    VW is reverting back to the old rubber band system    Running the water pump off it or will it be an electric unit? 

[mixmanmash]

This latest 1.4 TSI has reverted to belt drive for the twin overhead cams. Probably a good idea, since the previous version in twincharge form had chain and particularly, piston/liner problems. The latter caused a severe oil drinking problem before outright failure.

Let's hope this new engine is, ahem, as completely reliable as VW Group engines have always been.

Really    VW is reverting back to the old rubber band system    Running the water pump off it or will it be an electric unit?

They could run the water pump off an accessory belt.  Many cars do.

[greengs]

I guess I missed that.  I was thinking about the 2015 and earlier Jetta's that you could get the comfortline with the 2.0 or the 1.8T (and 2.5 before that).  Why would VW want to get rid of one of the more appealing features of the Golf, the higher horse power and torque of their base engine.  Now with this 1.4T it's just competitive and to get the more powerful engine you have to get the highline (overpriced) model.

1.8T and 1.4T have the exact same tq: 184ft/lbs as per VW Canada which I suspect is wrong and 1.8T is actually 200ft/lbs as it is in USA.  Not sure why the rating discrepancy in the two countries when the engines are the same. 

[OliverD]

I guess I missed that.  I was thinking about the 2015 and earlier Jetta's that you could get the comfortline with the 2.0 or the 1.8T (and 2.5 before that).  Why would VW want to get rid of one of the more appealing features of the Golf, the higher horse power and torque of their base engine.  Now with this 1.4T it's just competitive and to get the more powerful engine you have to get the highline (overpriced) model.

1.8T and 1.4T have the exact same tq: 184ft/lbs as per VW Canada which I suspect is wrong and 1.8T is actually 200ft/lbs as it is in USA.  Not sure why the rating discrepancy in the two countries when the engines are the same.

Supposedly the 184 lb-ft in the Golf is with the manual, 200 is with the automatic.

[Blueprint]

I guess I missed that.  I was thinking about the 2015 and earlier Jetta's that you could get the comfortline with the 2.0 or the 1.8T (and 2.5 before that).  Why would VW want to get rid of one of the more appealing features of the Golf, the higher horse power and torque of their base engine.  Now with this 1.4T it's just competitive and to get the more powerful engine you have to get the highline (overpriced) model.

1.8T and 1.4T have the exact same tq: 184ft/lbs as per VW Canada which I suspect is wrong and 1.8T is actually 200ft/lbs as it is in USA.  Not sure why the rating discrepancy in the two countries when the engines are the same.

Supposedly the 184 lb-ft in the Golf is with the manual, 200 is with the automatic.

Correct, and here's a tidbit none of you have noticed:

No more 1.8t with a stick, at least in the Jetta Highline. The build-and-price has been moved to 2016 specs, and the Jetta Highline has no stick option.

That being said, I test drove a basic Jetta TL+ with the 1.8t / auto and it was a hoot. Fantastic engine, but I got lured by the TDI and its fantastic - for now - torque / fuel economy combo.

[Blueprint]

Funny - on vw.ca, the 150 hp TSI gains 20hp when you click on the "i" icon. Guess "i" uses premium.

[Noto]

That being said, I test drove a basic Jetta TL+ with the 1.8t / auto and it was a hoot. Fantastic engine, but I got lured by the TDI and its fantastic - for now - torque / fuel economy combo.

I drove a Jetta with the 1.4T.  While I haven't touched the 1.8T yet, that 1.4T is nothing short of an amazing engine.  With that being said, the 6-speed automatic slushybox is a let-down.

Still, I can't imagine needing more power than the base engine provides.  At all.