The award-winning Golf GTI just got a new sedan cousin, in the form of the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI revealed at the 2019 Chicago auto show.
Powering the GLI is the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as the GTI hatch, producing 170kW (228hp) of power and 350Nm (258lb-ft) of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels, through the choice of the six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Under the skin, the GLI packs an independent rear suspension design (compared to the normal car’s torsion beam setup), along with adaptive dampers, variable electric power steering, a limited-slip differential, 225mm performance tyres and bigger brakes from the Golf R with red calipers.
Aesthetically, the Jetta GLI features 18-inch alloy wheels, sportier bumpers, black honeycomb grille with a red stripe, tinted LED headlights, rear lip spoiler, dual exhaust tips and loads of ‘GLI’ badges.
Inside, there are sports bucket seats (trimmed in black cloth), GLI-badged flat-bottom steering wheel and red contrast stitching on the seats, doors, steering wheel and shifter.
The Volkswagen Jetta GLI goes on sale in the US this summer.
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