Unveiled earlier this year, the new Volkswagen Jetta is a big step forward from the nameplate, as it looks more elegant and features a more upscale interior. On the flipside, it lacks the sportiness of its predecessor. This will change soon with the Jetta GLI model, which is rumored to arrive with the same engine and suspension setup as the Golf GTI. Needless to say, this is great news!

The information is not yet official, but it comes from an unnamed Volkswagen representative who told Autoblog that the Jetta GLI won't use the standard torsion-beam rear suspension, which makes the sedan rather soft. Instead, it will ride on a multi-link independent setup borrowed from the Golf. What's more, the four-door will use the turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that pumps out 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the Golf GTI. Granted, power rating might be lower for the Jetta, but it should still get at least 200 horses.

The seven-speed DSG automatic will be standard as expected, but the representative said that a six-speed manual will also be offered for three-pedal enthusiasts. The new Jetta GLI will reportedly arrive within a year, so we could see a U.S. debut as soon as the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. If not, it could break cover in 2019 at either the Detroit or Chicago Auto Show.

As a brief reminder, the new Jetta was unveiled with just one engine, in the form of a turbocharged, 1.4-liter, four-banger. The unit cranks out 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which places the sedan at the top of the compact class output-wise. The range-topping Jetta SEL Premium comes in at $26,945, so expect the GLI model to fetch a bit more than that.

References

Read our full review on the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta.

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Read more Volkswagen news.