At the last Frankfurt motor show, Volkswagen showed a computer-generated teaser of the seventh-gen Jetta along with a few other models. The all-new Jetta has now been leaked in a first set of images that have surfaced in Mexico. The seventh-gen executive sedan will replace the long-in-tooth sixth-gen model which has been on sale globally since 2011. As opposed to the outgoing model that is based on the PQ35 architecture, the new car adapts Volkswagen’s modular MQB platform that also underpins various models like the Tiguan, the all-new Polo and the upcoming Virtus sedan.
As seen from the leaked images, the new Volkswagen Jetta gets the brand’s latest styling theme, recently seen on the larger and more stylish Arteon four-door coupe. The clamshell bonnet gets multiple creases, the new-look VW family grille is hexagonal in shape and stretches from end-to-end, merging neatly into the headlights, and also gets a multi-slat design quite similar to the Areteon. The bumper gets its set of creases and cuts, along with triangular-shaped enclosures for the fog lamps. Moving on to the side, the new Jetta gets a strong crease running almost across its length and merging with its large wrap-around tail-lamps that will get LED treatment, at least for the higher-spec trims. When viewed from the side, the new Jetta has the familiar silhouette of the outgoing model but looks a bit longer than its predecessor. At the back, the car gets trademark VW styling that merges well with the new look tail-lamps.
The new Jetta’s dual-tone rear bumper gets a tiny faux diffuser, and the neatly integrated dual exhaust tips give it a cleaner look.
Under the hood, expect the new Jetta to share engines with the Tiguan. For some markets, the 1.4 TSI petrol will make way for a new 1.5 TSI motor, while the top-spec petrol motor will be a 2.0-litre TSI unit in various states of tune, depending on the market.
We reported last year that the seventh-gen Jetta, as seen here, may not be produced for the right-hand-drive markets, which means that it could be completely ruled out for the Indian market.