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A GTI For The Masses

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

We've given Volkswagen a fair amount of flack for the 2011 Jetta - and justifiably so. All the things we held dear in previous generations - high-end materials, solid driving dynamics and that general sense of premium the Germans do so well - were all nixed in the name of market share.

But as we suspected, it's working. Jetta sales in the U.S. are up 74 percent over last year as consumers view the redesigned, cut-priced sedan as an upmarket contender to the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze. And honestly, more power to them.

What we've really been waiting for is this, the 2012 Jetta GLI. Packing VW's ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a six-speed manual or optional DSG and an independent rear suspension, the GLI is here to assuage enthusiasts' fears that VW has lost the plot in its relentless pursuit of global market dominance. Just as Porsche hasn't given up on sports cars as it expands into un-Porsche-like segments, neither has VW in its efforts to appeal to more people. But unlike Ferdinand's second child, we still have the nagging sense that Volkswagen is leaving something on the table - despite the GLI's potential on paper.

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2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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