VW debuts Jetta SportWagen at American Station Wagon Owner's Association national convention

Volkswagen of America, Inc. previewed the forthcoming Jetta SportWagen (due this Fall as a 2008 model) at the American Station Wagon Owners Association’s (ASWOA) national convention in Archbold, Ohio. 

The SportWagen is the centerpiece of a display showcasing VW’s long-term commitment to the station wagon body style.  The Jetta SportWagon will be available here in the States with a 2.5l base engine (although power may be bumped to 170hp) and a 2.0T with a minimum 200hp. A 2.0 TDI model will also be offered sometime in calendar year 2008. Expect pricing to start at least $1000 more than current Jetta models.

“We’re delighted that Volkswagen participated in our national gathering,” said Tim Cleary, ASWOA President.   “It is nice to see the station wagon receive the continued commitment that Volkswagen has shown throughout the years.” 

Volkswagen had a display featuring station wagons from throughout the years: a 1973 Type III Squareback, 1980 Dasher, 1987 Quantum Syncro and a 1988 Fox.  In addition, ASWOA members were also invited to test drive a 2.0 T and 3.6L Passat wagon. 

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.  Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.  Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

The styling of this new wagon appears to be a mix of current Golf/Jetta and Saab-esque design ques with large wraparound rear tailamps that are a departure from anything else VW currently offers. Gone too is the slab-sided look of the Jetta IV wagon in favor or a "sportier" looking rear end treatment. Interior volume with the seats folded down is still considerable at nearly 55 cubic feet and larger than the Volvo V50 (46 cu. ft.), the Jetta Wagon's only real competitor in this segment.

The Jetta/Golf Wagon has traditionally been a model that sells fairly well in Germany with more than a million sold thus far. Here in the States the Jetta Wagon is more of a niche model and doesn't traditionally sell in large numbers. We expect the same from this new wagon and VW will likely find the necessary buyers as there are very few alternatives, particularly with a diesel option.

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