New VW Jetta revealed

This is the new Volkswagen Jetta saloon, which will go on sale in the UK next spring from around 18,000.

Although it's still based on the Golf, the Jetta is more distinct than ever before.

Volkswagen insists the new look, longer wheelbase, and the fact it no longer shares any body parts with the Golf means it stands apart as an independent model such as the Passat CC or Tiguan.

The new car's styling is closely based on the NCC coupe concept that was revealed at the Detroit motor show at the beginning of 2010.

The wheelbase of the car grows by 70mm, and it is 90mm longer at 4644mm just 121mm shorter than a Passat. That should mean plenty of space in the boot and cabin, which VW says has been totally redesigned. Buyers will be able to customise the cabins by changing interior accents at their dealership.

Engines
Six engines will be available: the petrols are a 104bhp 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI with 121 or 158bhp and a 197bhp 2.0 TSI. Diesels on offer will be a 104bhp 1.6 TDI and 138bhp 2.0 TDI. A more powerful diesel might be added to the range later in the year.

Bluemotion Technology models will emit 123g/km of CO2 and return an average of 53.3mpg. The full-blown Bluemotion version emits just 109g/km and does an average of 68.9mpg.

Will the NCC coupe also be built?
There's no official word on whether a coupe version of the Jetta will be built, but we wouldn't be at all surprised to see the car arriving next year.

Turning out a coupe on the back of the Jetta won't be too complicated, and Detroit's NCC concept car was so well finished it wouldn't have looked out of place in a showroom.