2001 VW models: Back to the Future - Storied past meets modern-day touch
2001 VW modelsBack to the Future: Storied past meets modern-day touch Volkswagen has made it clear the German-manufactured vehicles
are intended for "The Driver."
Though it may be difficult to
pinpoint the extent to which the "Drivers Wanted"
ad campaign influenced buyers, there?s no denying that
Volkswagen?s impact in the marketplace is growing.
The success of the resurrected Beetle, the sporty Passat and
the popular Jetta is a trend Volkswagen hopes to continue -
and even improve upon ? as the 2001 models hit dealerships
everywhere.
New BeetleIntroduced to the market in 1998, the front-wheel drive New Beetle was changed for 2001 with the driver in mind. Updates include larger side view mirrors, optional High Intensity Lighting and 17-inch alloy wheels (GLS 1.8 T and GLX) and an eight-speaker Monsoon system (standard in GLX, optional in GLS).
Standard items are also impressive, ranging from four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes to an anti-theft alarm system. If more features are desired, a buyer can opt for the GLS trim, which includes power one-touch windows, cruise control, fog lamps and a folding center armrest.
The grandest New Beetle to date is the GLX 1.8 T with standard equipment such as 16-inch alloy wheels, a speed-activated rear spoiler, heated front seats, leather seating and a power glass sunroof.
PassatThe Passat makes safety a priority in the 2001 model year, incorporating a new feature called Side Curtain Protection, a system designed to protect the heads of passengers in the event of side-impact collision. Volkswagen says a protective curtain of air is deployed from the rear pillar of the car and covers the length of both side windows.
Another upgrade for 2001 is the controls for the stereo and cruise control are now mounted on the steering wheel, standard equipment on the GLX and optional on the GLS.
Aside the safety advancement and multifunction control steering wheel, prospective Passat buyers will see familiar mechanical ingenuity that attracted them to the car in the first place.
Two engines are currently available, for instance, just like they were a year ago. The 2.8 liter V6 delivers 190 horsepower and 206 lbs. feet of torque at 3,200 rpm, while the 1.8 T four-cylinder is packed with 150 horsepower and 155 lbs. ft. of torque at 5,700 rpm. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all Passats, but perhaps the most intriguing option is the 4MOTION system. The option, available on both the sedan and wagon, distributes power to all four wheels all the time at all speeds, according to Volkswagen.
For the 2001 model year, the Jetta introduces new interior fabrics and velour on the GL and GLS trims, along with an "improved" cupholder for all vehicles. Also, switching radio stations and activating the cruise control will be made easier with the use of multifunction controls on the steering wheel (standard on GLX, optional on GLS), a first for the Jetta.
Volkswagen says Jetta becomes the first compact sedan to offer its highly advanced side-impact safety system called Side Curtain Protection. It will be available midway through the 2001 model year, according to the company.
A 2.0 liter, four-cylinder engine comes standard on the Jetta and generates 115 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute. But for those craving power, there are a few choices to consider. A VR6, 174-horsepower engine is an option on the GLS, in addition to the efficient 1.8 T four-cylinder engine that cranks out 150 horsepower.
PASSATGLS1.8TGLS 2.8L V6GLS V6 2.8L 4MOTIONPERFORMANCE0-60 mphManual/Auto.8.4/9.68.4/9.68.4/9.6Mileage
city/highwayManual 24/31
Automatic 20/29Manual 20/29
Automatic 18/26Manual N/A
Automatic 17/24Compression Ratio 9.5 : 110.6 : 110.6 : 1Bore (in.) 3.19 in3.25 in3.25 inStroke3.40 in3.40 in3.40 inTransmission 5-Speed Manual; 5-Speed Automatic5-Speed Manual; 5-Speed Automatic5-Speed Manual; 5-Speed AutomaticStandard Engine4-cylinder, in-line6-cylinder, 90 degree V6-cylinder, 90 degree VStandard Horsepower150 @ 5700 (110 kW @ 5700)190 @ 6000 (142 kW @ 6000)190 @ 6000 (142 kW @ 6000)Max Torque (ft.-lbs.)155 @ 1750-4600 (210 Nm @ 1750 - 4600)206 @ 3200 (280 Nm @ 3200)206 @ 3200 (280 Nm @ 3200)CHASSIS/SUSPENSIONFront SuspensionFour link suspension, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer barFour link suspension, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer barFour link suspension, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer barRear SuspensionIndependent torsion beam axle with trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer barIndependent torsion beam axle with trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer barFully independent double wishbone suspension, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer barSteeringRack and pinion, power assistedRack and pinion, power assistedRack and pinion, power assistedBrakesPower assisted, dual circuit, vented 282.5 mm x 25 mm front discs and 245 mm x 10 mm solid rear discsPower assisted, dual circuit, vented 282.5 mm x 25 mm front discs and 245 mm x 10 mm solid rear discsPower assisted, dual circuit, vented 282.5 mm x 25 mm front discs and 245 mm x 10 mm solid rear discsTiresP195/65 R 15 H all weather tiresP195/65 R 15 H all weather tiresP195/65 R 15 H all weather tiresFuel Capacity (gal.)16.416.416.4Wheels (in.) 6 J x 15 steel wheels (optional 7 J x 15 alloy wheels)6 J x 15 steel wheels (optional 7 J x 15 alloy wheels)6 J x 15 steel wheels (optional 7 J x 15 alloy wheels)DIMENSIONSHead roomFront: 39.7" Rear: 37.8"Leg roomFront: 41.5" Rear: 35.3"Shoulder roomFront: 55.8" Rear: 54.6"Length (in.)184.1Body Width (in.) 68.5Overall Height (in.) 57.6Front Track (in.)59Rear Track (in.) 59.1Turning Diameter (Curb-to-Curb) (ft.) 37.4JETTAGL 2.0LGL 1.9L TDIPERFORMANCEEngine2.0L, 4-cylinder, in-line1.9L, 4-cylinder, in-line, turbo-charged, direct injectionBore, in3.253.13Stroke, in3.653.76Displacement, in3121.0115.7Compression Ratio10.0:119.5:1Horsepower (SAE) @ rpm115 @ 5200 (85 kW @ 5200)90 @ 3750 (66 kW @ 3750)Max. torque, lbs. -ft. @ rpm122 @ 2600 (170 Nm @ 2600)155 @ 1900 (210 Nm @ 1900)Fuel RequirementRegular UnleadedDieselFuel Consumption
city/highwaymanual 5-speed: 19/28
Automatic 4-speed: 19/26 0 - 60 mph Manual: 8
Automatic: 8.7DIMENSIONS Wheelbase, in98.9Track, Front/Rear, in59.6/58.8Length, in172.3Width, in68.3Height, in56.9Ground Clearance, in4.1CHASSIS/SUSPENSIONTypeUnitized construction, bolt-on front fenders; Independent McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 23mm integrated stabilizer barRear SuspensionIndependent torsion beam axle, coil springs, telescopic gas pressurized shock absorbers, 18 mm stabilizer barWheels6 1/2 J x 16" alloy wheelsTiresP205/55 R 16 H all weather tiresDrag Coefficient30BEETLE1.9L TDI2.0L1.8TPERFORMANCEEngine1.9L, 4-cylinder, in-line, turbo-charged, direct injection2.0L, 4-cylinder, in-line4-cylinder, in-lineBore,in3.133.253.19Stroke,in3.763.653.40Compression Ratio19.5 : 110.0 : 19.5 : 1Horsepower (SAE) @ rpm90 @ 3750 (66 kW @ 3750)115 @ 5200 (85 kW @ 5200)150 @ 5800 (110 kW @ 5800)Max. torque, lbs-ft @ rpm155 @ 1900 (210 Nm @ 1900)122 @ 2600 (170 Nm @ 2600)162 @ 2200-4200 (220 Nm @ 2200-4200)Fuel RequirementDieselRegular unleadedPremium unleaded (91 AKITransmission5-Speed Manual
4-Speed Auto.5-Speed Manual
4-Speed Auto.5-Speed Manual
4-Speed Auto.SteeringRack and pinion, power assistedRack and pinion, power assistedRack and pinion, power assistedTurning Radius (curb to curb), ft17.8 : 117.8 : 117.8 : 1CHASSIS/SUSPENSIONTypeUnitized construction, bolt-on front and rear fendersUnitized construction, bolt-on front and rear fendersUnitized construction, bolt-on front and rear fendersFront SuspensionIndependent McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 23mm stabilizer barIndependent McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 23mm stabilizer barIndependent McPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 23mm stabilizer barRear SuspensionIndependent torsion beam axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 18mm stabilizer barIndependent torsion beam axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 18mm stabilizer barIndependent torsion beam axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, 18mm stabilizer barAnti-Lock Braking SystemStandard, all four wheels, with EDS(front wheels)Standard, all four wheels, with EDS(front wheels)Standard, all four wheels, with EDS(front wheels)Wheels6 1/2 J X 16", steel, with full wheel covers, 5 bolts (optional 6 1/2 J X 16 alloy wheels)6 1/2 J X 16", steel, with full wheel covers, 5 bolts (optional 6 1/2 J X 16 alloy wheels on the GLS)6 1/2 J X 16", steel, with full wheel covers, 5 bolts on GLS; 6 1/2 J X 16 alloy wheels optional on GLS and standard on GLXDrag Coefficient0.380.380.38DIMENSIONSHead Room, in
Front/Rear41.3/36.741.3/36.741.3/36.7Shoulder Room, in
Front/Rear52.8/49.352.8/49.352.8/49.3Leg Room, in
Front/Rear39.4/33.539.4/33.539.4/33.5Trunk Volume ft3121212Seating Capacity444Passenger Volume ft3858585Check out http://www.nhtsa.gov to see how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated these vehicles.<