Jetta, Passat to get new engines

Volkswagen will upgrade the engines in the Jetta and Passat by April. The launch of these new engines has been timed to meet the new Bharat Stage IV emission norms which go into effect in 13 cities from April 1, 2010. Along with the new engines are minor cosmetic changes. The Jetta gets a different grille and some changes to the bumper but the real change is under the hood.

VW will replace the 1.9-litre 105bhp Pumpe-düse (PD) motors which, though reliable and frugal, were a touch too noisy and felt a generation behind. The company had the option to introduce the 2-litre 140bhp PD which can be upgraded to Stage IV more easily. However, VW in a surprise move has plonked the refined and frugal 16-valve 2.0 common-rail turbo diesel engine in the Jetta.

The same engine is being used in the Passat, but under the hood of the lighter Jetta, this 1968cc common-rail diesel, which produces 139bhp, will broaden the appeal of VW’s executive saloon. However, to price the Jetta competitively, VW will not offer the upgraded Jetta with DSG twin-clutch transmission and will be available with manual transmission only.

The Passat on the other hand will continue to use the 2-litre common-rail diesel which it will soon share with the Jetta but for the first time since it was launched in 2007, it will get a petrol heart as well. VW will plug the same turbocharged direct injection 1.8-litre petrol, which currently powers the Skoda Laura, under the hood of the Passat.

While this motor’s 160bhp is not as much as the Accord’s 177bhp, this direct injection powerplant has a massive 25.5kgm of torque from a low 1500rpm. And this should give the Passat very strong performance, with a 0-100kph time of under nine seconds.

Along with this will come very aggressive pricing that will help take on the Honda Accord. VW is actually talking about a Rs 20 lakh price for this car, which of course would undercut the big Honda by a small amount.