Overview

What Changed for 2008:

• New SportWagen model


• New clean 2.0-liter diesel engine (early 2008 availability)


• Wheel upgrades


• Ground effects kit, front and rear spoilers available

Overview
The new Jetta SportWagen marks a return of the SportWagen model that was last seen in 2004. The 2008 SportWagen will be offered with one of three engines (including a clean-diesel, says Volkswagen). When the diesel debuts in early 2008, Volkswagen will be one of the first automakers to offer a clean diesel in a non-luxury model, according to the company.

Model Lineup
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta lineup includes the Jetta 4-door sedan and the SportWagen. The compact Volkswagen Jetta sedan is available in S, SPZEV, SE, SE PZEV, SEL, and SEL PZEV with either manual or automatic transmission. The Volkswagen SportWagen will be available with one of three engines (one a clean diesel when it debuts in early 2008). Standard equipment on the Jetta sedan includes traction control; dual reflector headlamps; two physical antennae (so that the strongest one picks up the signals); independent suspension; dual exhaust tips; pinch protection power windows; chrome grille; external signal mirrors with built-in blinkers; rear window defogger; heated rearview mirrors; CLIMAtronic air conditioning; multi-function indicators (like trip computer); fold-flat seat; and a 60/40-split rear seat. Moving up through the various trim levels adds more standard equipment and larger wheels and all-season tires. SEL and SEL PZEV include instrumentation with tachometer, trip computer, clock, external temperature display, low fuel warning and compass.

Options on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta include a cold weather package; ground effects kit; rear lip and rear wing spoilers; roof rack; sunroof; 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels; power sunroof; and wheel appearance upgrades (silver, anthracite, Khartoum or sport styling kit).

The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen features 32.8 cubic feet of usable cargo space, and 66.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. With the optional fold-flat front passenger seat, there's even more cargo space (only available with V-Tex seating). Standard equipment on the SportWagen includes air conditioning; anti-theft vehicle alarm; cruise control; CD player; traction control; 4-wheel ABS; 8-way adjustable front seats (height, angle and lumbar); and height and telescoping steering wheel. A panoramic sunroof is available as an option.

Powertrain
Standard power for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta sedan and SportWagen comes from a 2.5-liter, inline 5-cylinder multiport fuel-injected engine that delivers 170 hp at 5000 rpm and 177 lb.-ft. of torque at 3750 rpm. Either a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission is available. Initially offered with the 2.5-liter engine, the Jetta SportWagen will be available with the 2.0-liter, inline 4-cylinder gasoline direct fuel-injection engine with turbo compressor that produces 200 hp at 5100 rpm. Power is transferred through a 6-speed manual transmission or DSG, a completely automatic, F1-race inspired transmission that shifts at 0.2 of a second with a tap of the paddle shift, according to Volkswagen. In early 2008, a clean-burning diesel engine will be available in the Jetta SportWagen, says the company. Early estimates put the diesel at 140 hp and 235 lb.-ft. of torque. The diesel-powered SportWagen will be available nationwide.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta with 2.0-liter engine with 6-speed automatic transmission are 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway, and 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway for 6-speed manual transmission-equipped Jettas. Jetta sedan models equipped with the 2.5-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission are estimated at 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway; the same numbers are posted by the EPA for the 5-speed manual transmission in the 2.5-liter engine. EPA estimates for the Jetta SportWagen with 2.5-liter engine are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway with either the 6-speed automatic or the 5-speed manual transmission. The clean diesel engine has not yet been rated by the EPA.

Safety
Standard and available safety items on the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta include laser beam welding; 6 standard air bags (driver and front passenger, front side air bags, and head curtain air bags); anti-intrusion side door beams; electronic traction control; engine immobilizer; fuel pump shutoff and automatic door unlock (upon air bag deployment); hydraulic brake assist; crush optimized front end; crash-optimized pedals; stabilizer bars; automatic hazard lights; child seat anchors and tethers, 4-wheel anti-lock braking system; vented front 4-wheel disc brakes; and anti-theft protection. In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen received a 4-star rating for driver and front passenger crash test protection in a frontal impact; a 5-star rating for front- and rear-seat occupants in side crash tests; and a 4-star rating for rollover testing.

Technology
For 2008, the Volkswagen Jetta entertainment options include an AM/FM in-dash, 6-disc CD player; CD controller with CD/MP3 capability and 250 watts peak output; speed-sensitive volume control; and auxiliary MP3 audio input jack. There's also an optional premium VII stereo system, featuring two more speakers than the standard system, plus in-dash, 6-disc changer with MP3 capability; Sirius satellite radio; a place for an iPod; and an auxiliary input jack located inside the glove box (useful for iPod or other devices).