Jetta GLI might offer better deal than the Golf GTI, says VW product developer

21 February, 2019

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While no pricing has been announced, Volkswagen Product Developer Adam Reinhardt revealed to Motor Trend that, despite being on the same platform, with the same running gear and similar equipment, the new Jetta GLI might be a better deal than the Golf GTI.

The new model will receive all of the upgrades found on its GTI sibling, including an EA88 228-hp turbo four-cylinder engine, a 7-speed DSG transmission, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and Golf R front brakes, just like the GTI.

“The number one thing with this car was to make sure that it was on the same performance plane as the GTI,” said Reinhardt, adding that in fact the GLI, because of its shape as a sedan, has a much better drag coefficient than the GTI, although since the GLI is also a little heavier, there could be some difference regarding acceleration in favor of the GTI, “but depending on the track and the driver we expect it to be pretty close”.

Additional standard features in the GLI will be Blind Spot warning and Volkswagen's Front Assist, which is forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

“When we do our own internal value analysis to see which features are valued at which price-points for our customers, we actually come up with calculations that show that the GLI offers more equipment for comparable, if not even a little bit better money, than GTI,” the official concluded.

As with other versions, production of the Jetta GLI for the North American market will take place at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico. At the same facility, production of the GTI is slated to end this year along with the rest of the Golf family to make room for another SUV scheduled for launch in 2020.

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