Just before the year of the fire monkey set in, Volkswagen Philippines held an appreciation night at the Volkswagen BGC showroom in recognition of the media’s role in the company’s achievements in 2015.
Volkswagen Philippines led by its president and chief executive officer John Philip Orbeta and chief operating adviser Klaus Schadewald ushered in the double celebration, the appreciation party and the launching of the new VW Jetta sedan.
"Volkswagen Philippines enters 2016 a much stronger corporate entity due to the confluence of several things: an enduring and trusted brand, a pedigree of professionalism, integrity and customer service and strong support from our parent Ayala Corporation and your role as our media partners to serve as an indispensable link between Volkswagen and the public,” Orbeta said in his welcome remarks. “The Volkswagen brand has ridden on this unprecedented industry wave, and I express my deepest appreciation to all of you for helping us achieve extensive market awareness for our entire product line-up. I also want to express my gratitude for helping Volkswagen hurdle the challenges along the way, through your balanced, objective and fair reports of the various automotive issues."
Raising the bar, Volkswagen rolled out the Jetta sedan in gasoline and diesel versions.
According to Schadewald, the target market for the Jetta are the upwardly mobile professionals and young executives who demand power, comfort and fuel efficiency in their daily drives. The high-end variant Comfortline features a 2.0 Turbo Common Rail Direct Injection 4-cylinder diesel engine, mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission, with a maximum output of 103 kW (140 Ps) at 4,200 rpm, and maximum torque of 236 lb-ft (320Nm) at 1,750 rpm. The gasoline Trendline variant has a 1.4 TSI engine which is mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission with 118 kW (160 Ps) at 5,800 rpm of power and maximum torque of 177 lb-ft (240Nm) at 1,500-4,500 rpm.
The new Jetta is also loaded with upgraded drive and safety features such as driver, passenger, side and head curtain airbags, Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) with Comfort Brake Assistant, Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Differential Lock and Anti Slip Regulation, Hill Hold Control, and Cruise Control.
VW also announced upgrades to the popular Polo subcompact sedan and compact SUV Tiguan and some surprising news from Germany. Schadewald said that Volkswagen Philippines will introduce in 2016 the following product developments: The Golf Comfortline and Highline variants; the R-Line of the Passat and Touareg, and; the return of the original rugged version of the iconic Beetle – Beetle Dune.
The new Jetta 2.0 TDI DSG Comfortline and 1.4 TSI DSG Trendline retails at P1,498,000 and P1,378,000, respectively and is available in five colors: Pure White, Deep Black Pearl, Ruby Red Metallic, Blue Silk Metallic, and Platinum Grey Metallic (for Comfortline).
Volkswagen also presented an addition to its BGC dealership, an Ilustrado satellite restaurant at a quaint corner of the showroom which serves Filipino dishes.