DUBAI, 19 September 2006 — Volkswagen Middle East launched the new Jetta here Sunday amid fanfare with the brand’s regional Managing Director Andreas Prinz promising a driving experience that combines appeal, innovation and a zest for life.
He drove in the lead car of the three-car procession into the Dubai Expo Center to unveil the sedan to a large media group from the region, assembled here for the launch, after a breath-taking ten-minute cameo of juggling (with illuminated batons), stilt walking and dancing by a coordinated group to the rhythmic beat of music.
In his short address, before the media got a feel of the car, Prinz said he was confident that the Jetta would “make an impact in the region.” He also said that the restructuring of the parent group has increased the operating profit 51 percent (2 billion euros) and the company is set to reinvest the profits to improve all brands, especially Porsche, in the next three years. The new Jetta is a highly acclaimed European-brand car, which has now entered the Middle East. He said, “It has significantly developed comfort and space, is dynamic and elegant.”
The new Jetta has already won the European Commission Environment award for being an environment-friendly car and is also top rated in the US, he said.
The design of the Jetta and its drive-trains is adapted to meet a wide variety of everyday demands makes it a distinctly superior class of car, he said, adding that with technical innovations and the highest level of safety and dynamic driving comfort, it sets new standards in its class.
It has a sporty silhouette and a distinctive front view. Its sporty radiator grille and high-quality chrome strips give it an enticing look. The minimal spacing between all the body parts enhances the elevated quality of its appearance. Elegant details such as the rear view mirror casings, door handles and bumpers, all in the color of the car body, stylishly round off the appearance of the Jetta.
Prinz was confident that the sedan would appeal to all following the strides made in the comfort zone. Jetta has made significant gains in terms of size, he said, adding that it now offers significantly more space in both length and width, and thus a level of comfort that sets the benchmark in its class.
The real clincher is the colossal boot space, which can easily accommodate objects of up to 1.90 m in length with the back seat folded down. The interior design of the Jetta also provides comfort. The new Jetta’s innovative functions allow for a very high level of user-friendliness thanks to the intelligent networking. Up to 40 fully diagnosis-compatible control units communicate with each other using the latest CAN BUS technology.
This also contributes to higher and additional safety: The Electromechanical Power Steering (EPS) even works when the ignition is switched off, until the speed and rpm signal indicates that the car has come to an absolute standstill. After making their debut in the Phaeton, the Golf Plus and Passat, LED taillights are now also being used in the new Jetta. The advantage of this innovative technology: The attractive and high-quality-looking “Light Emitting Diodes” are superior to conventional taillights due to their considerably brighter illumination. In addition, they have a faster response time, consume less energy, have a longer lifespan and are not sensitive to bumps.
Prinz said the new Jetta’s V-shaped radiator grille stylishly features the new “Volkswagen Face” and indicates the relationship to the new and highly acclaimed Passat and the legendary Golf GTI making the new Jetta different from other Middle East models in its segment, adding that the car’s elegant rear follows the manner of the current Volkswagen design line and features the extremely quick responding LED lights.
The side view supports the athletic concept of the four-door car. The flat rear windscreen and comparatively short boot lid give the silhouette an extravagant coupe-like shape, he said, adding that multitude of changes and advancement in the new Jetta has given the saloon individualism, character and appeal.
“Our Volkswagen customers certainly value performance, quality, design and reliability. The proportions of the new Jetta are the epitome of modern design, innovation, performance and engineering and embody the Volkswagen feeling and culture and we are very much confident of its success,” said Prinz.
