Next Generation 2011 VW Jetta Prototype Spied in American Southwest

Next generation 2011 VW Jetta prototype spy photo / SB-Medien

The next-generation Volkswagen Jetta has been spied during a round of hot-climate testing in the American Southwest. The Jetta VI is expected to be one of the models that will spearhead VW's onslaught in the US market as it works towards unseating Toyota from its top spot in global sales.

Spies at first glance thought the camouflaged car was the New Medium Sedan (NMS) mule said to be planned specifically for the American consumer. Often automakers like VW do produce special variants of existing cars for discerning markets like China and the US. It turned out not to be the longer and wider NMS.

Styled in similar fashion to the more chiseled Golf VI, the Jetta will undoubtedly feature the company's new signature front end.

Expect the car to share a similar line-up of engines and interior specifications with the Golf when it goes on sale as a 2011 model. A public debut date is unknown at the moment but it may well take place on US soil just as it did for the Jetta V. Reliable VW sources say a 2010 Detroit reveal is being discussed while Geneva is almost confirmed.

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rcw

I hope that the new model is more stylish and dynamic looking than the current model. I think the previous generation Jetta was one of the best looking Jettas' yet.

August 31, 2009 4:48 pm

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Michael

I liked very much the Golf Mk4 (it is my favourite Golf), but I didn't like the Bora, built on the same platform. But I kinda like the current generation Jetta (based on Golf Mk5). IMO it is quite stylish and dynamic. But design is a personal chioce. "De gustibus non disputandum est", isn't it? :)

September 1, 2009 11:13 am

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eric_92

looks like an audi actually

August 31, 2009 4:55 pm

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N20_Purge

Why does it look so big for its kind of car? It is almost Passat sized.

August 31, 2009 5:22 pm

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car-o-bar

Tail lights look like Hyundai Elantra. The design is devoid of any drama as such, typical VW design language, always evolutionary, not revolutionary. The only thing revolutionary to come from VW in the past so many years has been the Scirocco and earlier the Phaeton (although it failed), it was totally unVW. In order to make a significant dent into the market share of the toyotas, hondas, nissans, GMs, etc, VW needs products that would force the other brand buyers to consider VW over their original first choice and that can only happen with revolutionary products. This Jetta as it appears right now does not make that cut.

August 31, 2009 7:33 pm

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BENZian

VW has stated they want a bigger piece of the US car market. The Jetta and Passat are smaller and pricier than their competition in the US and that limits buyers. VW has said the next Passat will grow to match the Accord/Camry/Malibu/Altima in size and that the price will be lowered. The company intends to return to the core values of VW the people car, and offer value along with german engineering. I think VW is more directly positioning their cars to compete in their respective segments. VW is after Toyota and wants to become the world's largest automaker...they are going to have to sell alot more cars and unlike car-0-bar I think German engineering and a lower price will help them do this...If you could choose between a Camry and Passat that cost about the same...which would you pick? I know I would pick the German Car.

August 31, 2009 8:16 pm

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vilivo

Man, this will sell, her highness, VW, may not be exciting, but knows how to run a business, and you gotta respect that!

August 31, 2009 9:59 pm

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Narco

The one comment on this board that understands the bigger picture. Fishes, Narco.

September 1, 2009 5:25 pm

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nederina

i suspect that it's going to look like a previous generation audi designed specifically for the chinese market

August 31, 2009 11:56 pm

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James2911

They need to make the Passat bigger and the Jetta Golf-sized so they don't clash with each other in the market.

September 1, 2009 7:22 am

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archytype

1 word = bulbous. The German version of the Altima.

September 1, 2009 11:13 am

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HEMI426

Weird, the left rear light is white, wich is ugly, and the right ligt is red. Volkswagen should just like audi make cars with lengtwise engines driving the front wheels and a longer wheelbase, so the engine sits farther back in the car.

September 3, 2009 4:52 pm

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