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Nuts and Bolts

At the heart of the new 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI is a slightly larger version of the automaker’s familiar 1.8T engine. This new 2.0-liter turbocharged motor puts out 200 horsepower at the top end of its rev range and a healthy 207 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad range of engine speeds between 1,800 and 4,700 rpm.

Transferring all that power to the front wheels are two first-rate transmissions. A six-speed manual gearbox comes standard, with the carmaker’s Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmission – which gives the driver the option of exceptionally quick manual gear changes via steering wheel-mounted paddles – offered as an option.

Suspension upgrades include larger diameter sway bars and stiffer spring rates. To handle all this added performance potential, the GLI is fitted with larger disc brakes at all four corners. The standard 17-inch alloy wheels are shod with high-performance summer tires, while all-season tires are offered as a no-cost option. Sharp-looking 18-inch alloy rims, seen in these photos, will run you an additional $750.

Steering is an electro-mechanical affair with speed-sensitive power assist that provides a relatively light effort in low-speed parking lot maneuvers and a weightier feel in spirited driving.

Design

While the new Jetta’s rounded lines are a logical evolution of past Jetta generations, its conservative styling can best be described as jauntily generic. Which ultimately may be a good thing for all those car buyers who’d like to stand out from the crowd even as they’re busy blending in.

In fact, you have to look closely to discover the small but significant design details that set the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI apart from its more sedate siblings. Besides the complete lack of a Jetta badge, the car’s aggressive stance, larger wheels, black front air dam and side sills, blacked-out honeycomb mesh-style grille with a red trim, front fog lights, and blue-tinted glass all help make the GLI visually distinct without resorting to the kind of boy-racer styling cues that tend to attract unwanted attention from the local police.

Inside, the changes are equally subtle. The Jetta’s roomy interior is dressed up with a handful of distinctive upgrades, including genuine brushed aluminum accents and special heritage cloth upholstery. Leather-covered sport seats are optional. Add the excellent tactile quality of the interior materials – something VW seems to do better than just about anybody in the business – and you have an upscale interior that looks like it was lifted straight out of a more expensive automobile.

Oddly enough, as much as we like the GLI’s cabin, it’s also the place we found our biggest faults with the car. We discovered the hard way (as did several of our colleagues) to watch our legs when getting into and out of the GLI after whacking a right knee on a low-hanging protrusion underneath the steering column.

Our other criticism has to do with the ergonomics of the driver’s seat. No matter how we adjusted the tilt/telescopic steering column, we found the angle of the steering wheel a bit odd. Add the fact that the manually-adjustable seats don’t allow you to adjust the tilt angle of the seat’s bottom cushion, and it’s no surprise that we couldn’t find a truly comfortable driving position.

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t include a few words about the GLI’s rear seat. Where the previous generation Jetta was noticeably tight in back, this new version has a decent amount of head and legroom even for six-foot tall adults. That makes us believe that the GLI makes an excellent compromise for buyers who might prefer to drive a sporty compact coupe but need a viable back seat to schlep a couple of kids or shuttle important business clients.