The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Porsche announces production launch of 718 Cayman

    Porsche announces production launch of 718 Cayman

    Assembly of the new Porsche 718 Cayman is underway in Germany with the comprehensively redeveloped mid-engine sport coupé now boasting more power, increased torque, a higher top speed and a stylish redesign.

    Ahead of its arrival, the new entry-level model for Porsche is being produced at the brand’s historic headquarters in Zuffenhausen.

    The milestone announcement comes soon after the introduction of the newly designated and revolutionised 718 Boxster of which the 718 Cayman features the same new four-cylinder flat engines with turbocharging. The result is a 25 hp increase in both the 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S when compared to their predecessors.

    “The production launch of the Cayman successor models was executed to our full satisfaction,” says Albrecht Reimold, Executive Board Member for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG.

    “After the successful launches of the new 911 at the end of last year and of the new 718 Boxster this year, the team in Zuffenhausen also handled this production launch impeccably. This is further proof that our employees work with perfection and passion on a daily basis to enable a very special Porsche experience for our customers,” Reimold said.

     

    The entry-level 718 Cayman is driven by a newly developed, 2-litre, 300 hp engine with innovative turbocharging. The substantial torque increase of 35 per cent in the new engine of the base model promises driving fun and agility with a maximum of up to 380 Newton metres. Featuring a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG), the 718 Cayman S boasts 2.5 litres of engine displacement and 350 hp, with maximum torque at 420 Newton metres.

    When equipped with Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package, the 718 Cayman accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, whilst the S-version achieves the same in 4.2 seconds. The top speed for the base model is 275 km/h; its sibling tops out at 285km/h.

    The comprehensive rework of the new model has been well documented with a new distinctive design giving a more muscular appearance. Meanwhile, inside the cockpit, upgraded elements create greater sophistication alongside state-of-the-art technology for an enhanced driving experience.

    The new 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S are available for order. The market launch begins on September 24.

  • Kia Motors posts 3.4 per cent rise in global sales

    Kia Motors posts 3.4 per cent rise in global sales

    Kia Motors Corporation has  announced its May 2016 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 261,269 units sold. This figure represents a 3.4 per cent year-on-year increase compared to the same month of 2015.

    In May, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in the domestic Korean market (19.0 per cent growth with 47,614 units sold), Europe (8.5 per cent growth with 53,298 units sold), China (0.7 per cent growth with 51,002 units sold) and North America (0.2 per cent growth with 70,032 units sold).

    Cumulatively through the first five months of 2016, Kia’s global sales totalled 1,201,936 units for a year-on-year increase of 0.5 per cent. Korea (224,244 units sold), Europe (251,129 units sold) and North America (294,533 units sold) have seen a 13.5 per cent, 7.4 per cent and 3.0 per cent rise in sales, respectively.

    Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets during May 2016 was the Sportage compact CUV with 48,798 units sold. The B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) was the second best seller with 36,445 units sold, while the C-segment Cerato (Known as ‘Forte’ or ‘K3’ in some markets), Soul urban crossover and Sorento midsized CUV followed with 31,372, 18,613 and 17,609 units sold, respectively.

  • Ford Middle East & Africa gets new president

    Ford Middle East & Africa gets new president

    Ford Motor Company has announced leadership changes in the Middle East and Africa as it continues to deliver the company’s One Ford plan for profitable growth.

    Jacques Brent, 46, currently Vice President Marketing, Asia Pacific, is appointed President, Middle East and Africa, effective from July 1.

    He will be based in Dubai. He replaces Jim Benintende, who will be taking over the role of director, US Sales Support and be reporting to Mark LaNeve, Vice President U.S. Marketing Sales and Service at Ford’s World Headquarters in Dearborn, from August 1.

    Brent described the appointment as a great opportunity in Ford’s newest region and “I look forward to continuing the growth and momentum we have established in these diverse markets. Jim and the team have done great job establishing the region and it is an honour for me to be able to lead this region as we embark on the next exciting phase of our development.

    “I am also very excited to once again be working with South Africa, and to get to know the employees and dealers in the other regions.

    “We welcome one of our favourite sons back to the region,” said Jeff Nemeth, CEO and President Sub Saharan African Region.

    “Jacqueshas distinguished himself in his assignments in North America and Asia Pacific and understands the workings of South Africa and Africa. He has key relationships with our team and dealer body, which will greatly benefit the company going into the future,” Nemeth added.

  • Hyundai Motors donate learning kits to youngsters

    Hyundai Motors donate learning kits to youngsters

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL) has described basic education as a prime obligation of all children of school age, pledging to continually assist school pupils in line with Hyundai Motor Corporation corporate social responsibility values of ‘Moving the World Together.’

    HMNL made this remark at the commencement of the distribution of this year’s Hyundai-branded educational materials to hundreds of thousands of school pupils across seven states in a campaign tagged ‘Education for Brighter Tomorrow.’

    No fewer than 13 schools in three geo-political zones of South-West, North Central, and South-South are listed as beneficiaries of this year’s campaign, which started in Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo States respectively.

    The campaign which is ongoing moves to Benin, Asaba, Warri, Calabar, Port-Harcourt and Abuja.

    Addressing students and teachers of Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School in Agege Lagos, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Head of Sales and Marketing Jatin Nadkarni said the charitable initiative was a continuation of HMNL commitment to children’s of the less privileged welfare.

    “It is imperative to bridge the gap between children of the rich and poor especially those in basic schools by motivating the less privileged children to learn without fear of discrimination,” he said.

    He pledged the company’s commitment to influencing the enrolment of more children of school age in basic schools through the provision of educational support materials such as school bags, exercise books, water bottles, pens/pencils and mathematical sets among others.

    “With children less than 15 years of age accounting for 45 per cent of the country’s population, the burden on education and other sectors has become overwhelming,” he said.

    Also lamenting that about 4.7million children of primary school age are still not in school despite increase in enrolment rates, Mr Nadkarni said “the branded Hyundai educational materials will not only entice more students but assuage the cost borne by their parents in procuring fundamental basic items needed by the children.”

    Responding, Dairy Farm Secondary School Tutor General, Dr O.A Ayandele hailed HMNL gestures, pledging the school’s commitment to uplifting child development through enhanced learning.

  • Toyota in record Takata recall

    Toyota in record Takata recall

    Toyota Motor Corporation has expanded its Takata airbag recall campaign following a landmark announcement earlier in the month by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) that added 35 million to 40 million inflators to the recall list. The recent expansion will see the replacement of all frontal airbag inflators manufactured by the Japanese part maker that do not use a moisture-absorbing desiccant.

    Toyota will recall the Corolla and Matrix from the 2009 through 2011 model years, the Yaris from 2006 through 2011 model years, the 4Runner from 2010 and 2011 model years, and the 2011 Sienna minivan.

    In addition, Toyota will recall the Scion xB from the 2008 through 2011 model years. Models from Lexus added to the list include the 2007 through 2011 model year ES sedans, the GX from 2010 and 2011, and the IS sedan from 2006 through 2011.

    “The involved vehicles are equipped with a particular type of Takata inflator,” the automaker said in a statement. “According to Takata, a safety defect may arise in front passenger air bag inflators in the involved vehicles due to inflator propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling. This may result in an inflator rupture when the air bag deploys.”

    Two fatal accidents in Malaysia have been linked to Takata-made airbags, bringing the number of worldwide fatalities associated with the defective airbags to 13.

  • Road safety is duty of all, says Buhari

    Road safety is duty of all, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that road safety is not the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government, saying that every Nigerian should see himself or herself as active participant in the collective campaigns.

    The campaign, he said, would ensure safe motoring environment as evidenced by the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy Document (NRSS).

    The NRSS document spelt out the role that all tiers of government, including the private and public sectors as well as stakeholders could play in funding road safety activities in the country.

    “That is why this administration expediently approved the NRSS as recently endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its last sitting.

    “Let me therefore, commend the leadership of the FRSC and the entire staff for the initiatives and commitment to vigorously pursue road safety programmes for safety and security of lives and property on the road,” he said.

    President Buhari stated that the award of the Quality Management System Certification (QMS) (ISO 9001:2008) to the FRSC by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is a further testimony to the success of the reforms which the FRSC has undertaken over the years, saying it must be sustained to further guarantee safety of all road users.

    According to the President, it was to further boost the operational success of the Corps and in line with the administration’s desire to ensure safety and security of lives and property of the citizens that the procurement of two hundred and eighty three (283) operational vehicles was commissioned.

     

    He said: “These vehicles will no doubt boost the operational capability of the FRSC and enhance the capacity of the personnel to face the challenges of enforcing traffic rules and regulations on the nation’s highways.

    “It is our hope that the fleet of vehicles would give impetus to the ongoing global campaign for road safety under the auspices of the United Nations Decade of Action For Road Safety: 2011-2020.

    “I assure the Management of the FRSC that this administration will continue to render necessary support for the success of its campaigns for safety on the nation’s roads for the enhancement of the economic activities and tourist potentials of the people.”

    President Buhari urged Nigerians to support FRSC and other law enforcement agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security of the people.

    He however gave directive to the FRSC to initiate process that could lead to effective control of offences of driving against traffic and overloading which are rampart among drivers, thus constituting hazards to road users.

  • The Hongqi L5 : China’s status symbol

    The Hongqi L5 : China’s status symbol

    The Hongqi L5 is not a commoner’s affair. The car was specially built for billionaire businessmen and super stars who want to show off their Chinese credentials. The car favourably competes with the Bentley Mulsanne and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition

    The Hongqi L5 has been adjudged the most expensive Chinese car. It costs five million yuan or $760,000. Hongqi, Red Flag, is oldest automaker in China. The maker of the car is famous for enormous state limousines and parade cars. The L5 pays respect to this heritage.

    The car succeeded Hongqi CA770 state limousine, which was manufactured between 1966 and 1981 with only 847 samples built. All were sold to the Chinese government, but today many are in museums and in private hands. The CA770 was powered by a Chrysler-sourced 215 hp 5.6 liter V8 engine.

    The Hongqi L5 is aimed at billionaire’s businessmen and superstars, who want to show off their being-Chinese credentials. More than any other local brand, Hongqi is closely connected with China as a country, and many Hongqi owners are sincerely proud of that.

    The Hongqi L5 is part of the Hongqi L-Series. The first car was the gigantic Hongqi L9 parade car which debuted in 2009. It was followed by the Hongqi L7 in 2012 and finally by the Hongqi L5 in 2013. There are three variants of the L5: one for the government, a parade car, and the civilian version.

    The car has a red flag badge on the front fender. The frame is made of metal and the flag is made of glass.

    The Hongqi L5 is a giant car; 5.55 meters long, just over two meters wide, 1.5 meters high, and with a wheelbase of 3.4 meters. To put that into perspective, the current Mercedes-Maybach S600 is 5.2 meters long. The L5 is also very heavy, even in this non-armoured civilian form. It weighs an incredible 3150 kilo, compared with “just” 2390 kilo for the Mercedes.

    The engine that has to move all those kilos is a 6.0 litre V12. Sadly it isn’t very strong. Output is 408 horsepower and 550 Newton meter. Gearbox is a six-speed automatic sending power to all four wheels. Hongqi does not specify top speed and acceleration, likely because it isn’t very fast. Fuel consumption is a mystery as well, but bet, it drinks a lot. Happily, the fuel tank has a capacity of 105 liter.

    The interior is a work of art rose wood panels and cream white leather. The centrally mounted instrument panel is fully digital and measures 15.3 inches. The lower 8-inch touch screen controls the infotainment and various other functions inducing the air conditioning and satellite navigation.

    The inner rim of the steering wheel is for the horn. The secret: you have to pull the rim towards you, instead of pushing it away. The system is a nod to the past again; it was just like that on the CA770.

    The logo in the middle of the steering wheel is a golden sunflower. In Chinese symbolism, the sunflower stands for long life and good luck. Hongqi has been using the symbol for a very long time. There are also small sunflower logos in the centre of the wheels.

    The rear compartment has all the luxuries a high end Hongqi should have, including 1.1 meters of leg room, beige carpets, and a rear-seat entertainment system with television and a Bose sound system. Interestingly, Hongqi said the L5 is also equipped with a 6-disc CD changer, and that is a real rarity on modern cars!

    A massive rear end with an endless trunk. Design of the taillights is taken from the shape of traditional Chinese lanterns. Chrome bars on each side of the license plate area are again inspired by the CA770. The characters above the license plate write Hongqi, supposedly in Mao’s handwriting.

    It has an imposing front with the red flag hood ornament. Design of the heavily chromed grille is a nod to traditional Chinese hand fans and the ultra retro lights are very similar to those on the CA770.

    In the marketplace, the Hongqi L5 competes with cars like the Bentley Mulsanne and the Rolls-Royce Ghost. But in reality the L5 doesn’t really compete with anything. It is so unique, so rare, that it has in fact, created a class all of its own.

  • Enter redesigned Lincoln MKX

    Enter redesigned Lincoln MKX

    The Lincoln MKX has been fully redesigned for 2016. Its highlights include new exterior sheet metal, a roomier interior, higher-quality materials, a new turbo-charged engine option and adaptive suspension dampers for all-wheel-drive models. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO, with agency, reports writes  .

    When the Lincoln MKX first made its appearance in 2007, shoppers apathy towards it was obvious. To them, it lacked what others in its category excelled in. They included cabin quality and overall driving character. However, years later there were some changes to make it attractive to shoppers. But despite these significant changes in the intervening years, the first lacklustre impression remained throughout the first MKX’s long production run.

    But the good news is that the fully redesigned 2016 Lincoln MKX has done more than its predecessor to distance itself from its Ford Edge underpinnings, which it tried to align with when it first came about nine years ago.

    The Lincoln MKX concept may have been based on the Edge, but its 2016 Lincoln MKX is an all-new, second-generation model, and it’s good enough to soften our stance.  Although the Ford’s midsize crossover had a thorough redesign of its own last year, but Lincoln’s version benefits from the new platform’s numerous enhancements. On top of that, the MKX comes very well-equipped with convenience and luxury items, and when one steps up to the higher trim levels, you can get exclusives such as 22-way front seats and a 19-speaker Revel Ultima sound system. Under the hood, a newly optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine boasts 335 horsepower and respectable fuel economy, while the available adaptive suspension delivers a smooth ride in its default mode and can be firmed up for more driver control.

    There are still a few downsides to the redesigned MKX, however, such as the retention of the older MyLincoln Touch interface on some MKXs (the new and improved Sync 3 system debuts halfway through the model year) and some interior materials that do not feel as rich or premium as those found in competing vehicles. This class also happens to be stuffed full of talented rivals that work harder to earn your money.

    The 2016 Lexus RX 350, for example, was also redesigned this year with an aggressive new look and a high-quality interior. If a roomy interior is what you’re after, the 2016 Acura MDX is a great choice, with abundant cargo room and a third row for the little ones. There’s also the BMW X5 and new Mercedes GLE, which outdo the Lincoln in multiple categories, but typically cost more, too. Overall, the redesigned 2016 Lincoln MKX doesn’t do much to raise the bar for midsize luxury crossover SUVs, but it certainly merits consideration alongside the segment’s best, and that counts as real progress.

     

    Body Styles

    The 2016 Lincoln MKX is a five-passenger crossover SUV. There are four trim levels (Lincoln calls them Groups): Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label.

    A variety of options packages are available for the Lincoln MKX. The Cargo Utility package can be ordered with any equipment group, and includes a scuff plate, cargo net and tie-downs, plastic storage bins, a 110-volt outlet and a cargo cover. The climate package adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic windshield wipers and automatic high beams. The Reserve and Black Label versions get several unique packages, including Technology (front parking sensors, 360-degree camera system and automated parallel parking), Driver Assistance (adaptive cruise control plus additional features detailed in the Safety section, below) and Luxury (adaptive LED headlights and the Revel Ultima audio system).

    Stand-alone options include 21-inch wheels, adaptive steering, 22-way-adjustable front seats, a trailer tow package, a 13-speaker Revel audio system (Select and Reserve), inflatable rear seatbelts and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual displays.

     

    Performance

    The base engine in the 2016 Lincoln MKX is a 3.7-liter V6 that generates 303 hp and 278 pound-feet of torque. A new turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 is also available; it produces a healthier 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option. Properly equipped, the MKX can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

    The powerful turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine is new for 2016.

     

    Safety

    Standard safety equipment for the MKX includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, integrated blind spot mirrors, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors. Also standard is the programmable MyKey system, which allows parents to define parameters such as vehicle speed and stereo volume for teen drivers.

    A blind-spot monitoring system (with rear cross-traffic alert) is optional, as are rear parking sensors. The optional Driver Assistance package includes lane-departure warning, lane-departure intervention, forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking (with pedestrian detection) and a driver drowsiness monitor.

     

    Interior Design and Special Features

    The 2016 Lincoln MKX’s cabin is well appointed, with plentiful soft-touch surfaces, a leather-wrapped dashboard and a carpeted cargo area. A variety of trim pieces are available, including aluminium and high-gloss or open-pore wood (providing a more textured look and feel). Amid all this luxury, though, there are a couple of items that look and feel relatively low-rent, such as the transmission shifter buttons and the plastics on the centre stack.

    Materials quality is good overall, but some touch points feel less substantial than in competing vehicles.

    Unfortunately, early production models of the 2016 MKX carried on with the MyLincoln Touch interface rather than the new Sync 3 system. MyLincoln Touch remains a technological tour de force, comprising two driver-selectable information screens, one elegant central touchscreen and a comprehensive voice-control system. However, many drivers will find the learning curve frustratingly steep, and the system can occasionally be slow to respond to your inputs. A better choice is finding a midyear 2016 MKX that has the new Sync 3 interface. It is much easier to use than MyLincoln Touch, with quicker response times and a more user-friendly touchscreen.

    The Lincoln MKX has grown slightly longer and wider with the 2016 redesign, offering even more room than its already spacious predecessor. The backseat is notable for being able to seat three adults in reasonable comfort, thanks in part to the standard reclining rear seatbacks. The rear cargo area measures 37.2 cubic feet, and, with the rear seats flipped down, the maximum capacity expands to 68.8 cubic feet. These are respectable numbers that put the MKX in line with class standards.

  • Facts about tyre blowout

    It is interesting and encouraging that the death of the former Minister of State for Labour and Employment and a top military officer in a car crash along Kaduna – Abuja and Maiduguri roads respectively has brought to fore, some fundamental issues which have hitherto been played down at various levels. In the same week, two pathetic accidents also occurred on Bauchi and Owo – Akure roads which led to the loss of over 20 lives.

    In this article, I will focus on just one of those safety issues, TYRE PROBLEMS. The two sad accidents were caused by tyre blowouts.

    It is expedient for every driver to deeply understand the physical forces (Kinetic energy or Momentum, Centrifugal force, Traction or Friction, road banking etc), how they affect the control of the vehicle (acceleration, steering and braking) and how to prevent the loss of control.

    I would like to classify this piece into 2, The Quality of Tyres and the Handling of Tyres as they affect driving.

    QUALITY OF TYRES – The quality of tyres depend to a very large extent on the chemical compound of the rubber used in manufacturing the tyres, the tyre construction (bias, bias-belted or radial-ply), the tyre thread design (all – weather, snow or conventional passenger tyres). The more the rubber is in contact with the road, the more the degree of traction but the rate of traction reduces when the road is wet. The various types of tyres also vary in terms of their effectiveness in stopping, and cornering.

    There is also a need for the drivers to be able to decode the tyre sidewall information (passenger code, load code, weight – speed code, traction grade, temperature grade, tyre size, construction information, etc).

    In a nut shell, the following handling factors can cause a tyre blowout or allied problems – Quality of the tyres (production error, worn out tyres, tyres without adequate thread depth, expired tyres even if new, twisted tyres, improper tyre rotation, improper or careless mounting of tyres, etc).

    Defects (caused by frequent climbing of road kerb or other objects, frequent scrubbing of the tyre  sideways against road median or road kerbs, wrong patching of punctured tyres), under – inflation or over – inflation of tyres, damage by sharp objects on the road, wheel spinning (especially when the tyre gets stuck in a mud), Speed (the faster your speed, the faster also your vehicle tyres will wear out), the temperature and temperature changes.

    Handling – Every driver and vehicle owner must know the limit of adhesion which is determined by the grip of the tyres to the road. This depends largely on the tyre design as earlier mentioned, the vertical force placed on the tyre (the load or weight), the tyre and condition of the road surface, and the vehicle speed.

    A combination of acceleration, steering and or braking has a lot to do with weight transfer which in turn determines the stability or loss of control of the vehicle.

    In addition to tyre blowout, other factors which can make a vehicle to roll-over or summersault include: cornering at a high speed, over-braking while cornering at a high speed, over-steering while over speeding, faulty suspension system, wide vehicle-  ground clearance and overloading.

    For safety on the road, always obey the speed limit or adjust your speed (according to your skill, vehicle condition and the environmental factors, especially the road surface); avoid speedy take-off, speedy steering and speedy stopping; avoid potholes, stones and sharp objects on the road, avoid climbing road kerbs or scrubbing your tyre walls against road median or kerbs, avoid overloading or load/passenger imbalance in the vehicle, do regular wheel balancing and alignment, and don’t despise expert advice on the right tyres to buy for your vehicles. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure.

  • Unveiling repackaged Volkswagen Jetta

    Unveiling repackaged Volkswagen Jetta

    With the old 2.0-litre base engine replaced by the more powerful and efficient 1.4-litre turbo, the Jetta has the most appealing power train line-up in the segment. Its specs on paper are competitive, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO, with agency reports.

    The Jetta’s slow and inefficient base engine has finally been shown the door, replaced by a modern, small turbocharged four-cylinder in the S and SE trim levels. Every Jetta also gets a new touch screen interface, while advanced accident avoidance tech is added to the options list. Finally, the diesel-powered Jetta TDI will be unavailable for much or all of 2016 as Volkswagen corrects the car’s non-compliant emissions system.

    Volkswagen is still trying to figure out what to do with the diesel-powered engine in the 2016 Jetta TDI model after it was discovered the company has been cheating in emissions testing.

    The new turbocharged 1.4-litre engine replaces last year’s wheezy 2.0-litre four-cylinder base engine. Really, from the new 1.4 all the way up to the GLI’s turbo 2.0-litre and the nifty gas-electric alchemy of the Hybrid, the Jetta’s engine lineup is uniquely sophisticated and compelling in this generally value-oriented segment.

    For 2016, all of the VW Jetta’s available engines are turbocharged to provide excellent power and fuel economy.

    Alas, the rest of the Jetta isn’t quite as great. In the past, the Jetta provided better refinement than the Civics and Corollas. Its interior was of a higher quality and the driver experience was closer to a German sport sedan than a typical “economy” car. The current Jetta represents a shift toward more of a Costco philosophy of getting the biggest product for the least amount of money. Indeed, the Jetta has more cabin and trunk space than its competitors, but it doesn’t feel quite as special as it used to. There’s a whiff of cost-cutting here that was absent from previous models, and that makes the car harder to recommend.

    On the bright side, this year’s Jetta boasts an up-to-date tech interface with Smartphone integration. But given how competitive some other compact sedans have become, it’s hard to overlook the Jetta’s lacklustre handling and bland interior design. Top-rated competitors like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Mazda 3 have aped the old Jetta playbook while in some cases providing more features for the money.

    Body styles

    The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta is available in a variety of trim levels and engine choices: 1.4T S, 1.4T SE, 1.8T Sport and 1.8T SEL. There are also GLI and Hybrid trims available.

    Standard equipment on the Jetta S includes 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, keyless entry, heated mirrors, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split rear seats, cloth upholstery, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a 5-inch touch screen interface, a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. The S Technology package adds a rear-view camera, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, a USB port, a media player interface, satellite radio and VW Car-Net smartphone integration, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

    The Jetta SE includes all of the above plus 16-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, heated windshield washer nozzles, heated front seats and a front centre armrest. The SE Connectivity package adds a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver lumbar adjustment, “V-Tex” premium vinyl upholstery, a rear centre armrest and a six-speaker sound system with an enhanced Car-Net system.

    Aside from the sunroof, 1.8T Sport gets all of the above plus a more powerful engine, a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch wheels and fog lights.

    The 1.8T SEL reverts to standard suspension tuning, but adds different 17-inch wheels, the sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, automatic headlights and wipers, higher-quality interior materials, and front reading lights and vanity mirror lights. The SEL Premium package adds a six-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a cooled glove compartment and an eight-speaker Fender audio system.

    The Lighting package available on Sport and SEL trims adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights and ambient interior lighting. The Driver Assistance package optional on the SEL trims adds adaptive cruise control, frontal collision warning and automatic emergency braking, a blind-sport warning system and rear cross-traffic alert.

    The Jetta GLI is available in SE and SEL trim levels. They essentially line up with the regular Jetta versions, but both have a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, special styling elements, sport seats, the Connectivity package elements, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers, keyless ignition and entry, and the Fender sound system. The SEL differs with 18-inch wheels, a blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert system, LED running lights, adaptive bi-xenon headlights and a navigation system.

    The Hybrid is available only as the SEL Premium. It has the same extras as the GLI SEL, plus extra hybrid-specific styling elements and trip computer readouts. It reverts to the six-speaker sound system.

    Powertrains

    Every Jetta is front-wheel drive. The 2016 Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder good for 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission with hill hold assist is standard; a six-speed automatic is optional.

    The Jetta 1.8T models have a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is standard on the Sport, while a six-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on the SEL. In Edmunds performance testing, a Jetta 1.8T with the automatic went from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, which makes it the quickest compact sedan we’ve tested at the time of this writing. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 29 mpg combined (25/36) with the automatic. The manual gets 1 mpg highway better.

    The Jetta GLI has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 210 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a six-speed automated manual (DSG) is optional. Expect a 0-60 time in the mid-to-upper 6-second range.

    The Jetta Hybrid is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that works in tandem with an electric motor and a seven-speed automated manual. Total output is 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds testing, the Jetta Hybrid ran from zero to 60 mph in a swift 7.8 seconds, making it one of the quickest non-luxury hybrids. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 44 mpg combined (42/48). During an extensive Edmunds fuel economy test consisting of city, highway and interstate driving, the Jetta Hybrid averaged 43.0 mpg overall.

    Safety

    Every 2016 Volkswagen Jetta comes standard with traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. All but the base S without the Technology package comes with a rearview camera. The 1.8T and TDI SEL trims are available with the Driver Assistance package that adds a frontal collision warning and automatic emergency braking, a blind-sport monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert.

    VW’s Car-Net telematics system, standard from SE with Connectivity on up, includes automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, remote vehicle access, stolen vehicle location and geo-fencing (which allows parents to set boundaries for teenage drivers). A Car-Net smartphone app lets owners control many of these functions on the go.

    In government crash tests, the Jetta received five out of five stars for overall safety, with four stars for total front impact protection and five stars for total side impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Jetta the highest possible crash rating of “Good” in its moderate-overlap and small-overlap frontal-offset impact tests, as well as a “Good” score in the side-impact, roof strength and seat/head restraint (whiplash protection) tests.

    Interior design and special features

    Almost every compact sedan today features an eye-catching interior design with edgy shapes and a focus on the latest technology. The key word there is “almost.” The Jetta’s cabin, by contrast, is resolutely conservative in appearance, with materials ranging from glaringly spartan in lower trims (the dash and doors are covered with hard, shiny plastic, for instance) to merely adequate in upper trims (the dash adopts a soft-touch, low sheen material, but the door panels remain unyielding). Volkswagen’s Golf hatchback has a much more attractive, higher-quality cabin, as do the rival 2016 Honda Civic and Mazda 3.

    For 2016, the Jetta gets a welcome injection of technology. Volkswagen’s latest touchscreen interface is standard on every trim level, available in two sizes and offering VW Car-Net as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone app integration. Unchanged, thankfully, is the Jetta’s remarkable spaciousness by segment standards. The backseat dwarfs that of just about every other compact sedan and hatchback (including the Golf), and the remarkable 15.7-cubic-foot trunk is on par with bigger midsize sedans.