Based on the Volkswagen NCC seen at the NAIAS in January, the new Jetta is much longer than the fifth-gen car. The latest sedan has a wheelbase that is seven centimeters longer, and a body that is nine centimeters longer than the outgoing model. As such, the car measures 4.64-meters long by 1.78-meters wide by 1.45-meters high and has a 2650-mm long wheelbase. Compared to the NCC, the new Jetta appears to have a shorter rear end, with a steeper rear windscreen. Although the car was developed to be more cost effective, the new Jetta will not share body parts with the VW Golf as it had in the past.

In the States, customers will be able to choose from four different engines, including a brand new 138-horsepower 2.0-liter common rail TDI that produces a robust 320Nm of torque. Also new is the 114-horsepower entry level petrol engine. The other two petrol engines available in the US are the 2.5-liter unit producing 168 hp and a 2.0-liter TSI that generates 197 horsepower. Each of the two turbocharged units are available with a six-speed DSG transmission, though a manual transmission comes standard.

Six engines will be available on the Euro-spec Jetta, four of which are new to the model. Two of the new engines are common rail turbodiesels, including the 1.6-liter TDI BlueMotion 103 hp and 138-hp 2.0-liter TDI . Also new are the 103-hp 1.2 TSI and 158-hp 1.4 TSI engines. All four of these will not be sold until 2011. Until then, the car will only be available with two TSI units: a 1.4-liter model kicking out 121 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter 197-hp model. Both 1.4-liter models will be mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission, while the 1.6- and 2.0-liter TDI, and 2.0-liter TSI can be hooked up to a six-speed DSG.

Expect the Singapore spec'ed models to be similar to the existing Jetta sold here. My guess is that the new Jetta will reach our shore some time in 2011.