Driving in Napa Valley CA looks like this.
[another video: Driving Elation]
I was with Volkswagen, to test their all-new 1.8L engine, and the 2014 Jetta.
Plenty of kick, handles precise and direct, nice note.
1.8L TSI Turbo – 170 hp & 184 lb.ft
Note: to get the new 1.8L engine, you have to bump up to the 3rd trim level, Comfortline. The base 2.0L Jetta is starting at $14,990, the 1.8L Comfortline is +$7,000-ish, totalling about $22,000.
Do it, never mind the old 2.0L engine, spend the money with an art-of-long-view. Here’s my full review on Autonet.ca.
NO SCREEN
Yes I’m yelling, it’s that rare. And that tipped me over: I’d buy this car, this model year. I’ll guess this will be one of the last times that a Jetta can be ordered without a screen.
Plus, the new 1.8L engine; VW’s ergonomic elegance; and an exterior styling that will wear well over time, because it too, is minimal. No GPS; barely any aids, with cruise control being the fanciest; and available in manual.
Then tada – this would be my car for the next 15 years. An great commuter between test vehicles, and a fun week-off car. And I’d seriously consider the diesel.
It was maybe my best-test-day to date.
They had 50! cars lined up, more than half were manual, rare; and also rare was, there were more cars than journalists, so I was alone all day… no passenger time, no passenger.
Called this video, “Driving Elation”.
