FIRST DRIVE: The new VW JETTA: It's a winner, says Michael McAleer, if VW gets the price right
Irish motorists love a boot. Whether it's the taxi driver needing to take lots of luggage or a farmer looking to keep wellies and bags of fertiliser out of sight while he does the Sunday morning run to Mass, there's long been an affection for the 3-box format (bonnet/body/boot) in Ireland that's not really known elsewhere in Europe.
So, it's not surprising that, when VW announced the return of the Jetta saloon range, a distinct spring was seen in the step of the marque's Irish dealers. They know that, if the price is right, this car could be as big a success as the earlier versions.
The Jetta first came to our shores in 1980 and, for 11 prosperous years, proved hugely popular with Irish motorists. Early models travelled the highways and byways of rural Ireland carting children to school, yews to mart and everything in between.
Things were going too well for some bright sparks in Germany. They decided to change the cars's name to the Vento in 1991 and, as time went on, to reposition the model. Pricing was wrong for the Vento and the another name change, to the Bora, seemed to signal the end of the road for what had become little more than a booted Golf.
At last VW has seen the error of its ways and returned to the original successful format. Gone is the utterly forgettable Bora and in comes what can be described only as a junior Passat. In terms of looks, feel and appearance there's little to tell the difference between the two saloons.
The new Jetta is, of course, based on the Golf platform and it inherits much of the interior trim from the popular hatchback. Yet it offers so much more. Length has grown by 18cm from the Bora and, most important, the boot is now an impressive 527 litres, up 72 litres on the Bora.
Perhaps a more telling clue to the Jetta's repositioning is the fact that the boot is even larger than that on the previous Passat. Indeed, the new Jetta is bigger than it in all dimensions - they show themselves in the rear legroom, which is more than adequate for two adults.
The engine range initially features six versions: four petrol units from the 102bhp 1.6-litre unit up to the 200bhp 2-litre FSI turbo; and two diesels - a 105bhp 1.9-litre TDI and a 140bhp 2-litre TDI. No 1.4-litre entry model will be on offer initially. DSG double-clutch transmission will be available on the 1.9-litre diesel and the 2-litre turbo FSI.
While the regular petrol models could hardly be described as racy and the 1.6-litre unit is rather rough around the edges, the 2-litre diesel is a more well-rounded option. There was plenty of power in both diesel units and matched to 6-speed manual gearboxes, the car was more than capable of keeping up respectable autobahn speeds. For those looking for GTi performance, the 2-litre turbo, already on sale in the US, offers all the thrills and spills.
On the road, the new Jetta offers very competent handling, thanks in part to the adoption some time ago of multi-link rear suspension for the Golf and its offshoots.
VW says it is targetting a more sporty customer with the Jetta, so suspension is not as comfort-orientated as in the Passat. However, you'll rarely find the ride harsh, even on potholed back roads. The car feels as solid and secure as one would expect from a VW saloon, with that trademark clunk when you close the doors.
The Jetta will come to Ireland in three trim levels - but no basic entry level model this time. Sadly, ESP stability control will not be standard on any Irish versions in an attempt to keep the price down. However, Irish models will include six airbags and air-conditioning as standard.
The Jetta is due here in December for initial deliveries in January. With VW already offering a head-spinning range of niche models, the Jetta must squeeze in above the Golf and Golf Plus but below the Passat. That leaves it slotting in around the €23,000 price bracket.
VW knows that, if it is to succeed, it must get the pricing right. Amazingly, in Britain, where prices have been released, the Jetta is just £750 (€1,100) less than the new Passat. The Irish importer knows it needs to put a lot more space between the two saloons.
The new Jetta offers great promise. With all that space, Passat-looks and decent driving characteristics, it has all the signs of a winner. Add on the strong residuals that VW manages to achieve and we suspect the Jetta could again become a regular feature on our roads - but it all depends on getting the price right.