VW’s new saloon star has jetted in! These are the first official pictures of the European-spec Jetta. The firm first showed off the car in the US in June, but the newcomer has undergone a number of changes to meet European tastes, including upgraded interiors, different rear suspension and new engine choices.

The Jetta is a big seller in the US, and this time around, VW has worked hard to simplify the car, making it easier and cheaper to build, and thus cheaper to sell. However, the Euro-spec model is more sophisticated than ever before.

Styled by VW design boss Klaus Bischoff, the Jetta takes its inspiration from the NCC concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show last January. It’s a little bigger than the old car, with an extra 70mm in the wheelbase giving more rear passenger room. Euro-spec cars also benefit from a more luxurious interior trim spec than their US counterparts.

The Euro-spec Jetta features the same four-link rear suspension we get on the Golf, rather than the simplified torsion beam fitted to US models. Under the hood, the US car gets 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrols and a 2.0-litre diesel, while Europe will have the choice of 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre TSI petrols and a 1.6-litre and two 2.0-litre diesels.

BlueMotion Technology will be offered on the 1.2-litre petrol and 1.6-ltire diesel units, including stop start. This allows the petrol to return 53.2mpg and 123g/km, while the diesel manages 68.0mpg and 109g/km. A hybrid model will be sold in the US from 2013.

Buyers will have the choice of S, SE and Sport specs, and prices will be announced closer to the on sale date next year, but are predicted to be close to the current car, which starts at €19,544



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