Volkswagen Releases "Golf Variant" aka Jetta Wagon

Sortof, but to look Japanese, they'd have to shrink the window and expand the metal below it. Glass is cheap, but sheet-metal is cheaper, hence all the toyotas with the "pill-box" styling.

Rear tailights look like a Lancer

ehh, does anyone know why they wouldn't call it a Jetta?

for the European market?

Looks good, not sure about the tail lights but I'll see how they look in real life.

Is this for Euros or Yanks?

Anyways, the rear lights look like they stole them from a Vauxhall or Ford or Mitsu or something.

The front end is nice and the proportions are right, however. I like the name. "Variant." That's a new one.

variant is for continental europe only, i think. In Britain will probably the golf or jetta estate.

It looks great! I would avoid this car due to quality issues in the past and present and the cost of volkswagen parts. Even if they improved the quality and increased the warrantee and reduced parts prices I would probably buy a subaru because that would never happen any time soon.This is a huge improvement! I love the wagon! I think it would do well in north america if it didn't cost too much.

Huh? The parts for my VW (brakes and such) cost less than my friends pay for their Toyotas. And they last much longer. Try NAPA. Integrated rear disc brake rotor and hub for older Passat (my wife's) for CAD$28 (was less than US$20- at the time). Try replacing rear disc brake rotors on a Toyota for $20.

Actually, that was a long time ago. I just searched one site, and rear discs for a VW Golf or Beetle are $23-, and a Camry (same weight vehicle) are $29 from the same supplier. So VW parts are more than 20% LESS than Toyota parts in that example.

There have been Golf wagons for decades, and they have been called Variants for decades. The Jetta (Bora) is just a different front-end, and typically upgraded interior (like Pontiac compared to Chevrolet).
Even in terms of production numbers, Jettas are lumped in with Golfs.
I think the "angry eyes" headlights look pretty Japanese.
But its generally a pleasing design.

Hopefully it will come here with AWD (like the ones in England and Europe), a 150 HP TDI, and choice of DSG or 6-speed tranny (like the little VW MPVs in Germany).

Nah........... that would sell too well. VW won't do it!

Truckman:
I checked Jetta versus Camry FRONT discs.
VW: 288mm diameter $33
Toyota: tiny 255mm diameter rotors are $36
Why do you have to pay more for the Japanese parts, even when they are inferior to the German equivalent?

Steering Racks:
Jetta: $255
Camry: $350

All these prices on year 2000 cars at www.autopartswarehouse.com/
One of the things that I like about VW is the LOW PARTS PRICING compared to other brands!

do you post on bimmerforums by any chance? Theres a guy there with the same name, I think.

DieselRules you have done your homework! Are these American prices? It would probably be the simular here in Canada. I avoid Toyota parts if I can purchase quaLITY AFTERMARKET for the same price and sometimes aftermarket is cheaper.When I buy front end stuff like ball joints I buy Moog which is stronger and cheaper.Range Rover is probably the worst, mu friend spent $10,000. for a tranny rebuild!