2000 Volkswagen Beetle/Golf/Jetta

By Bob Storck

Delete the Golf hatchback lid and replace it with two more passenger doors and a trunk in sedan conformation to create the Jetta, which has European tight manners and a comfortable interior with room for five.

Nothing has revived VWs appeal more than the New Beetle, and while they have been a hit here, the Europeans are not as enchanted by nostalgia, thus Beetles are now available in respectable numbers.

VW hopes that some of their traditional buyers have good memories and will steer their progeny to the Wolfsburg wonder.

A new fourth-generation issue of the compact VW three-door Golf coupe and five-door Jetta sedan appeared during 1999 with new standard 2.0-liter four-inline engine rated at 115 horsepower.

A 1.9-liter 90 hp direct-injection turbodiesel is optional, but sport will come from the 174 hp Jetta and Golf GTI-VR6 with twin-cam 2.8-liter narrow angle V-6. The Beetle doesn't get the VR6 yet, but a screaming 220 hp RS sport model is expected during the year.

Most of our VWs come from Puebla, Mexico.