Volkswagen of Americas CEO, Jonathan Browning, was on-hand at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show to unveil VWs newest addition to its performance lineup: the lighter, speedier and more accessible 2012 Jetta GLI. Available this summer, the GLI comes complete with VWs fun-to-drive 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, 18 alloy wheels, sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex Leatherette seats and the Fender Premium Audio System.
And while a great sound system is amazing turbo AND a Fender system is definitely better, simply because you get to rock out to 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,700 rpm. The Jetta GLI also comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment for the true enthusiast out there.
Not surprisingly, the Jetta GLI is already generating positive buzz. No less than Car Driver calls it an honest-to-goodness German performance sedan. With a starting price of around $23,495, VW has once again upheld its promise to deliver accessible German engineering to its North American audience.
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