Volkswagen Will Add Some Kick With the Jetta GLI At the 2019 Chicago Auto Show [News]

2019 Volkswagen Jetta - Modified Jettas on display at SEMA 2018
Volkswagen’s Jetta builds made their first appearance at this year’s SEMA show.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta will likely hit Chicago with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.

We’ve had a chance to try out the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta, and we found that everything in the new car was just a little bit better. Now, Volkswagen confirmed that it’s bringing along the performance GLI version to the Chicago Auto Show. Autoblog reports the seventh generation Jetta’s halo will be revealed during the show’s press days.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta - tuned Jettas on display at SEMA 2018

So what can we expect from the hot Jetta? Of course, one drawback to the current 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is a lack of power. It is just a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, so you can’t expect massive performance. The little engine moves the Jetta along perfectly fine, but we always want some more grunt. That’s where the Jetta GLI comes in. Based on previous generations, it stands to reason the new GLI will pack a 2.0-liter engine. From it, we should see a similar amount of power to the 220 horsepower in the GTI. That engine also makes 258 lb-ft of torque with premium gasoline. Like the GTI, the 2019 Jetta GLI should mate to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

2019 Volkswagen Jetta - tuned Jettas on display at SEMA 2018
Air Design Jetta SEL.

We did get a little taste of what a Jetta GLI may be like at SEMA, whenVW showed off three modified Jettas. Now, official specs, pricing and availability are still a long way off. But, as it stands, we can expect more oomph and more fun than can be had in the current lineup. Yep, we can’t wait to see it.

Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates!