Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Returns In 2014

by Derek Kreindler

July 18th, 2012 12:11 PM

Members of Generation Why will fondly remember the Volkswagen 1.8T powered Golfs and Jettas of the early 2000’s – or if they don’t, they probably knew someone who swore that the turbocharged Volkswagen mill was a gift from Our Lord and Savior Herr Schmaus himself. Yes, it was plagued with ignition issues and a rather unsophisticated character, but you could chip it, broooo (as one Golf MKIV owner so eloquently put it).

Autoblog got to sit down with Rainer Michel, Vice President of Product Marketing & Strategy for Volkswagen of America, who confirmed the engine changeover. The 1.8T will be replacing the 2.5L 5-cylinder, bought by many but loved by (almost) none. The new 1.8T has nothing in common with the MKIV motor. It is based on the existing 2.0T engine, and make 158 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It’s only a matter of time before there’s a Stateside ECU reflash…

#1.8t #Turbo #Volkswagen #VolkswagenJetta

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Dancote on Jul 18, 2012

Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T Returns In 2014 ... and I should care why? OK, maybe if you own it until the warranty is up. If you still lust after Euro cars, I hope you have lots of money and patience. OBTW, I do own one. And I don't have an unlimited bank account or patience. What in the world was I thinking?

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- J. C. on Jul 18, 2012
  
  I've been there, buddy. The only thing I liked about my VW was the elasticity of its self-repairing bumper... The eighth time it broke down in six months of ownership, I went apeshit on it. Think Cameron Fry and the Ferrari in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". There was a yoga class going on in the building I parked beside, and the entire class pressed their faces against the glass to watch some furious man kick the everliving hell out of his car. I held onto it for another year until the breakdowns went from annoying but inexpensive to outrageously expensive and frightening. While it was in the shop for the umpteenth time, I borrowed my boyfriend's VW (which also broke down while I had it, and twice since) and shopped for a new ride. I've had my six-speed Versa hatch for two months and I couldn't be happier.
  
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TonyJZX on Jul 18, 2012

why would this be any worse than the gm/ford/chrysler turbo fours here and coming? do they have DI? that could be an issue otherwise the 1.4 turbo fours in Europe seem to be fine (but they are port injected i believe) granted they have driveability issues when pushing around 3,000lbs and they only do 120hp 150lb/ft but you can't beat physics

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- Theonlydt on Jul 19, 2012
  
  The VW engines are DI, not port injected. That includes the 1.2TSI, 1.4TSI, 1.8TSI, 2.0TSI and 3.2TSI. Also the 1.0TSI that's due out soon. All the latest TSI engines are doing brilliantly in Europe with none of the carbon build-up issues on in the intake so far and good reliability. The 1.4tsi also has no driveability issues. It's all the engine one would ever need in the Golf. It's just the North American obsession with excess power.
  
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30-mile fetch on Jul 18, 2012

This is probably a good time to introduce this engine; the Cruze with the 1.4 is selling well, and Dodge is introducing two turbos in the Dart. Is the 2.0L 115hp trilobite still going to be the base Jetta engine? I would love to see a thorough comparison of fuel economy, acceleration, drivability, and subjective enjoyment of a 2013 Jetta with the 2.5 and a 2014 with the new turbo.

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- Mik101 on Jul 19, 2012
  
  What's the second turbo engine? There's the 2.0 and 2.4 tigershark engines along with the 1.4L turbo multiair from Fiat.
  
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Fordson on Jul 19, 2012

I thought the the fact that the current (TSI) version of the 2.0L turbo engine (rated 200/207) usually makes about 205 hp and 215 lb/ft of torque AT THE WHEELS on a Dynojet was about the worse-kept secret in the automotive world. Guess not.

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