History of the VW Jetta and Cylinder Heads

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Categories: Cylinder Head Tips

The VW Jetta is one of the most popular vehicles in the world. The Jetta’s success can be attributed to Volkswagen’s willingness to adapt to the market (customer demand) as well as to respond to its competitors.

From Frankfurt to Detroit

The VW Golf, which debuted in 1974, marked a noteworthy shift in VW manufacturing. While most of Volkswagen’s major car lines in the past had rear-wheel drive and rear-mounted air-cooled engines, the Golf had front-wheel drive and a front-mounted, water-cooled engine. The VW Golf symbolized a shift in manufacturing and design that many modern cars continue to utilize to this day.

While the Golf was a commercial success in the coveted American market, Volkswagen saw an opportunity in appealing to consumers who preferred the three-box body style. Volkswagen found a simple, but effective solution in attaching a trunk to the Golf’s tail and modifying the body to accompany that change.

The Jetta was unveiled at the 1979 Frankfurt Auto Show as a modification of the VW Golf hatchback into a sedan. This new model was 15 inches longer than the VW Golf, but nevertheless still compact, and maintained many benefits of the previous model.

The VW Jetta over the following generations gradually shed its Golf roots and came into its own. Volkswagen saw its potential in the American market and focused their efforts on improving not only its design, but also their manufacturing processes to find the perfect middle ground between consumer experience and factory cost.

Volkswagen Mark 2 Success

The Volkswagen Mark 2 was the longest-running Jetta model, sporting a more refined, but not overly different setup from the first generation. It became the best-selling European car in North America by 1991. It even beat out its predecessor, the Golf, at a rate of two-to-one.

In 2007 to celebrate the Mark 2’s success and showcase its sturdiness, Volkswagen held a contest to find the longest-running original engine Mark 2 in America. The winner was a 1986 Jetta Turbodiesel (from Ohio) which had driven a whopping 562,000 miles! More astoundingly, not only was the engine intact, but the muffler too, despite the car being subjected to yearly snow and road salt in the winter.

The Jetta continued to sell extremely well in the American market, with only a few blips every now and again, such as in 1993 when the Mark 3 debuted on a low year due to production delays. The production delays were resolved, and by the end of 1994, the Jetta had reclaimed its place on the market.

Nowadays, the latest edition of the Jetta remains one of the best-selling cars in North America, with awards and positive user experience increasing with every new iteration. Much lies ahead for the Jetta alongside other promising Volkswagen lineups.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup was a single-make sports car racing series that ran each summer from 2008 to 2010 in North America. The racing series was considered by some enthusiasts as a more “eco-friendly” series, featuring diesel-powered European editions of the familiar A5 Jetta model which ensured lasting fuel economy and increased horsepower.

Interestingly, Volkswagen set an age limit on all participants, requiring them to be between 16 and 26 years old. While it was certainly a competition, it was also marketed as a driver development course, with an entry fee of $45,000 and more than $150,000 of prize money and Volkswagen career advancement support on the line.

The age of the participants and the uniformity of each vehicle made for fierce, bold competition that tested each drivers’ personal skills and situational awareness far more than the capabilities of their individual cars. Personal trainers, equipment, and even PR training for each driver was provided, giving many the opportunity to immerse themselves into sports car driving and use the Cup as an early step forward in their career.

Sadly, the Cup was folded in 2011, but its success lives on in its champions.

Volkswagen Jetta Awards and Accolades

Green Car of the Year 2009
Green Car Journal – Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel

Best New Cars for Teens 2019: $20,000 – $25,000 Category
U.S. News & World Report – Volkswagen Jetta (2019)

Most Awarded Brand of 2019
Kelley Blue Book – 2019 Volkswagen Jetta (Also Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Golf)

Wards 10 Best User Experiences Honorable Mention 2019
WardsAuto – 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

2020 Volkswagen Jetta Review

Volkswagen Jetta Cylinder Heads For Sale

As an owner of a VW Jetta, you may be running into cylinder head problems. If you notice overheating, smoke when starting the vehicle, excessive oil consumption, low coolant levels, or poor fuel economy, then your Jetta may require new cylinder heads. Since a cylinder head is a more complex purchase, we encourage you (or your car mechanic) to call us at 1-800-572-1963. We are able to provide product research and guidance over the phone.

With over 25 years of experience and a massive catalog of affordable cylinder heads, we are dedicated to providing professional and friendly support for all of your Jetta cylinder head needs. Feel free to contact Clearwater Cylinder Head Inc. toll-free at 1-800-572-1963 to order over the phone or use the links below if you wish to order a Jetta cylinder head online.

VW JETTA GTI CORRADO PASSAT GOLF 2.8 DOHC VR6 12 VALVE CYLINDER HEAD REBUILT

VW JETTA GTI CORRADO PASSAT GOLF 2.8 DOHC VR6 12 VALVE CYLINDER HEAD No core

NEW FIT VW JETTA GOLF BEETLE 1.9 SOHC TDI ALH DIESEL CYLINDER HEAD 99-03 no core