First look: New VW Bora jettas in

VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled its latest generation Bora compact sedan.

Set to go on sale in North America next March as the Jetta after its unveiling at the Los Angeles and Detroit motor shows, we will see it in the third quarter of 2005.

Essentially a sedan version of the Golf V, Bora inherits the latest Golf’s sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, with the same greatly increased dynamic abilities and a refinement rise throughout.

VW claims the car is bigger, better, more powerful, safer and quieter than before. Initial cars in the US will kick off with a new 110kW 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic or a six-speed manual.

Later, VW’s acclaimed six-speed automated manual DSG gearbox will arrive.

In Australia, we’ll stick with an all 2.0-litre range comprising 110kW FSI and 150kW turbocharged direct injection petrol engines and the 103kW TDi turbo-diesel engines.

Bora/Jetta features are set to include front, front-side and curtain airbags, improved ABS, stability control, electro-mechanical power steering, collapsible pedals and anti-whiplash headrests.

The Jetta/Bora is the fifth model to use the Golf V underpinnings, following the VW Touran, Audi A3, Seat Toledo and Seat Altea.

An all-new Passat, the (belated) replacement for the VW Golf Cabriolet and Audi’s anticipated TT MK2 will also gain this ubiquitous architecture.

Passat goes on sale here either late 2005 or early 2006.

But before then expect to see the Multivan people-mover, Phaeton luxury car, Golf V GTi and facelifted Polo, as well as Bora.