Let the love affair continue

IRISH
motorists seem to have a love affair with the VW Jetta and the sixth generation
of the car is expected to enhance that.

I
drove the new model, but had to give it back a day or two early as Volkswagen
needed as many models as possible to display at the National Ploughing
Championships in Kildare. The car has always been very popular with the farming
community and being a farmer’s son I couldn’t refuse. Of course VW gave me a
replacement car for the weekend.

One
of the reasons why the Jetta is popular with farmers and other motorists in the
city and countryside alike is that it’s safe and reliable. The new model, which
is styled by Klaus Bischoff, VW’s Head of Design and built in Mexico, has been
given a proper makeover. It’s slightly longer and lower than the old model and
as well as being a superb car, it now looks classy also. I drove a black model
and it looked really impressive in the driveway. The front section has been
modified and it now has that Audi look to it. The back end is also very neat,
but surprisingly the boot is not opened by the VW log on the boot door, but
like most other cars, by flicking it up from under the number plate. Most of
the recent cars I have driven, the side mirrors folded in when the central
locking was applied, but not in the Jetta.

There
is black outside and a lot of black on the dash also. But there is plenty of
grey on the front and back seats to lift the interior décor. The dash is very
similar to many other VW models like the Golf and Passat. Being German
everything is sensibly laid-out and you get decent sized buttons to work the
radio and air conditioning. The steering wheel is very neat and has slave
controls. My test model was the 2-0 TDi automatic and as this was the third
week in a row that I drove an automatic I’m definitely being spoiled. This time
the gear change was really smooth and the markings at the side of the automatic
gear lever were clear. You will have no difficulty finding a comfortable
driving position and overall there is plenty of room for five adults. The boot
is massive and you get a full-size spare wheel. At the Irish launch in May, VW
executives were anxious to point out that the Jetta had its own personality and
that it wasn’t just a

‘Golf with a big boot.’

I’m
sure you have heard of people getting invoices for replacing bulbs in cars.
Apparently it can take between 12-14 minutes to replace a bulb, but it’s
annoying to get an invoice from your local garage for such a small amount. Now
VW has 47 outlets around the county where you will get your bulbs replaced for
free and a complimentary wash and vacuum if you are leaving your car in for a
service.

The
car, which was fitted with Bridgestone Potenza tyres, handled very well and
overall it’s a really solid motor. Prices start at

?¬23,725.