Volkswagen is revamping its U.S. sedan lineup over the next few years and the 2011 Jetta is a key part of the strategy. Seen here testing in Death Valley, California, this Jetta will join an all-new midsize sedan that's also slated for introduction sometime next year.
From the looks of these prototypes, the new Jetta won't get a radical redesign despite the lackluster response to the current shape. That said, in profile these test mules reveal a hint of Audi A4 in their overall design, which wouldn't be a bad way to go. It would be a substantial improvement over the current model that lost much of the character Jettas were known for in the past.
The size of this Jetta doesn't appear to have changed much, a likely result of Volkswagen's new sedan strategy. After limited success with the Passat, Volkswagen decided to build a larger sedan that would appeal to American tastes. With that in the lineup, the Jetta was free to retain its compact sedan dimensions.
Given the limited increase in size, this Jetta will most likely continue with its current lineup of engines. That means the wheezy 2.5-liter five-cylinder will remain standard on base models, while higher-end versions will stick with the 2.0T. And with solid sales of the TDI models so far this year, there's little doubt that engine will return as well.
Look for the official unveil of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, with sales beginning later that year.