2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI debuts in Chicago – 228 hp from the Golf GTI, six-speed manual, LSD standard

Volkswagen has presented the new Jetta GLI at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, just a few weeks after the standard model made its debut in Detroit. The Jetta GLI is perfect for those who want a sedan body style, but with bits from the more renowned Golf GTI and Golf R.

Focusing on performance first, the Jetta GLI gets the Golf GTI’s 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 hp and 350 Nm of torque, which makes 18 hp and 55 Nm more than the previous Jetta GLI.

Enthusiasts will be happy to know the EA888 mill is mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. The sports sedan also gets Golf GTI’s VAQ electronically controlled, torque sensing limited-slip differential.

Other driving-related features include a sports suspension that lowers the ride height by some 15 mm, along with brakes shared with the Golf R – 340 mm vented front discs with red-painted calipers. The car also gets all-around independent sport suspension, with a strut-type setup at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear.

To ensure the Jetta GLI stands out, a number of sporty styling cues have been applied. These include a black honeycomb grille between the LED projector headlamps, with a red accent line reminiscent of the GTI nameplate.

Around back, there’s a unique rear bumper with a finned diffuser as well as dual chrome, circular exhaust tips. A set of 18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels and GLI badging completes the look.

Moving inside, red accents on a mostly black interior reinforces the car’s sporty nature, and is joined by diamond flag décor trim, leather-wrapped sports multifunction steering wheel and sport multi-info display from the GTI.

Volkswagen of America is also offering a special 35th anniversary model to celebrate the first arrival of the Jetta GLI in the United States in 1984. The model gains a number of additional items on top of the standard trim, including the DCC adaptive damping system, for starters.

The addition of the DCC system expands the list of available drive modes from four – Normal, Sport, Eco and Custom – to five, with Comfort being the fifth option.

The 35th anniversary model also comes with black wheels with a red stripe, a black roof, black mirror caps, black tail spoiler, 35th anniversary badging inside and out, unique seat tags, floormats, and sill kickplates.

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Learn more: 2019 Chicago Auto Show