Volkswagen looks set to update the Mk7 Jetta GLI and has been caught testing the sporty compact sedan out in public. Although subtle, the changes may give the model a more purposeful look.
Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2019, this will be the first major update to the Jetta GLI since then but VW seems to be taking an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it approach.” At first blush, hardly anything appears to be different.
On closer inspection, though, we see that Volkswagen has covered the lower section of the front grille, drawing on lines to make it look like the existing model. The wide lower intakes are a feature of many sporty VWs, so it will be interesting to see how they change. There are also appears to be a new chin spoiler right at the bottom of the bumper, which could help with performance.
Read Also: VW’s New ‘Blue Lagoon’ Jetta GLI Is A Concept Built For Enthusiasts
Bigger changes look to be coming at the back of the car. A new bumper with VW’s honeycomb pattern mirrors the front grille and we would expect VW to put a little more effort into the rather unimpressive tailpipes to finish off the look.
Whether the new Jetta will borrow any design cues from the Mk8 Golf GTI or R, which has been leading VW’s design direction in Europe where the Jetta is no longer sold, remains to be seen.
Although Volkswagen U.S. doesn’t report sales of the GLI trim, the Jetta has been doing rather well for the brand earning itself 100,000 sales in 2019 and 82,662 in 2020. That put it up there with the Atlas and the Tiguan and made it by far the brand’s best-performing car in the U.S. That will likely make this an important update for the brand that we’re likely to see transfer over to the standard Jetta, too.
Unfortunately, we haven’t heard if Volkswagen will turn up the wick on the GLI’s engine or not, but the current car makes 228 hp (231 PS/170 kW) and 258 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. Expect the updated model to debut later this year.
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