Following its international unveil earlier this year in Times Square, New York, the latest generation Jetta has made its European debut at an event held at the home of FC Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena.

Styled by Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design, the new Jetta has a fresh look but is instantly recognisable as a Volkswagen.  Drawing inspiration from the NCC concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January, the new Jetta features clean, simple lines and adopts the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s design language seen recently on the new Polo, Passat and Sharan.

Every panel you can touch, both inside and out is new to the Jetta.  At the front, a grille similar to the new Phaeton features strong horizontal fins creating the impression that the vehicle is lower and wider than it actually is.  The clean, simple lines are complemented with intricately styled light units both at the front and rear.

Styling changes continue inside the cabin bringing the design in line with the Golf with a new centre console, entertainment and climate control systems and steering wheel design among the updates.  In addition, the new Jetta has grown in length by 90 mm to measure 4,644 mm with its wheelbase extended by 70 mm to 2,648 mm.  The result is a 67 mm increase in rear legroom over the outgoing car.

In contrast to the US specification Jetta unveiled earlier this year, all new Jetta models in Europe feature the sophisticated four-link suspension system similar to that fitted to the Golf.  This differs from the setup of the outgoing model with the new Jetta featuring a wider track at the rear as well as revised springs and dampers.

The sixth generation of the Jetta offers greater efficiency and fewer emissions with a range of advanced petrol and diesel forced induction engines.  The range includes a pair of 1.4-litre TSI engines, developing 120bhp and 158bhp, and two diesel engines with a 1.6-litre TDI 104bhp and a 2.0-litre TDI developing 138bhp.  The 1.6-litre TDI unit will feature BlueMotion Technology modifications including Stop/Start and battery regeneration.

As with the outgoing Jetta, the new car combines the practicality of being able to seat five adults with a large, 510 litre loadspace and a comprehensive range of standard safety features including six airbags, ABS and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP).

Sales of the new Jetta in the UK will commence in early 2011 with prices and specifications being announced nearer this time.