Advertisement
Canada markets closed
  • S&P/TSX

    22,167.03
    +59.95 (+0.27%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • DOW

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7388
    +0.0015 (+0.21%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    95,791.98
    +1,642.42 (+1.74%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,124.55
    +10.20 (+0.48%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.2060
    +0.0100 (+0.24%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    18,465.00
    -38.75 (-0.21%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    13.01
    +0.23 (+1.80%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6843
    +0.0038 (+0.56%)
     

VW Is Taking the 2019 Jetta to Bonneville

Photo credit: Car and Driver
Photo credit: Car and Driver

From Car and Driver

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta has a need for speed, so the German compact sedan will attempt to top 200 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah, in August. Competing in the Southern California Timing Association’s BGC/G class (modified coupes, sedans, or sports cars with a gasoline engine), the Jetta in question has been completely reworked by THR Manufacturing, a California-based tuning venture that specializes in prepping cars for running on the salt flats.

To help it hit the two-century-plus mark, the Bonneville Jetta receives a lower ride height, a limited-slip differential, aero-friendly wheels, and tires designed to take on the salty surface and high speeds. Additionally, Volkswagen had the Jetta’s interior stripped and added safety equipment such as a roll cage, a fire-suppression system, a racing seat and harness, and a couple of parachutes to help bring the car to a halt.

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, the most noteworthy change to this Jetta is under the hood, where Volkswagen has slipped in its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. The engine here is modified-it will produce more than 450 horsepower, a Volkswagen spokesman told C/D-and it is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Although the upcoming Jetta GLI is also expected to use a 2.0-liter turbo, figure on something closer to the the Golf GTI’s 220 horsepower for the production version. Other GLI cues worth noting are the Bonneville car’s red-faced gauges and dimpled shift lever, both of which are sure to reach the production GLI.

The Bonneville Jetta hopes to top the current class record of 208.472 mph on the salt. Regardless of what speed it achieves, it already has us eager to get behind the wheel of the upcoming Jetta GLI.

Photo credit: Car and Driver
Photo credit: Car and Driver

You Might Also Like