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This Cyber Realm is for all Volkswagen Jetta GLI Enthusiasts !!!

WELCOME TO THE GLI REALM !

A brief look at the evolution of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI

The Jetta is Volkswagen's answer to the expensive European family sedan. It offers the same type of sophisticated engineering, a high degree of personal comfort and convenience, plenty room for 4 to 5 full-size passengers, but without the exorbitant price. The secret behind the Jetta GLI's performance prowess is its close ties to the Rabbit/Golf GTI. All the ingredients that turned the lazy hare into a field runner also works on the Jetta, and transforms the sedate sedan model into a real driving machine, thus enter the GLI.

The Mk.2/A2 Jetta GLI chassi was introduced in 1985. It was roomier and more aerodynamic than the previous A1 GLI, but came with increased weight. To compensate for this, Volkswagen gave it a more powerful engine. Hoping to have the same success as the Golf GTI, a.k.a. "The Hot Hatched Pocket Rocket", the GLI came with a number of performance and cosmetic upgrades, 4 wheel disc brakes, a 5 speed close-ratio drivetrain, red/black pinstriping on the trim and dash coupled with a rear lid spoiler gave it a noted performance profile. According to some performance VW fans, the GLI was found to be a better racecar than the early A2 Golf GTI for several reasons. The addition of the trunk to the basic Golf GTI chassi provided a more balanced distribution of weight while retaining the GTI ideals. This one aspect boosted the ability to drift a turn much easier, since the weight in the back aided the rear wheels in braking free while offering 4 doors and a very spacious trunk.

In 1990, VW introduced the Bosch KE-Motronic Complete Engine Management System with their new 2.0L 16V engines. It is a CIS system utilizing a Motronic-based computer controller for both fuel and ignition maps. This was more or less the same Bosch fuel injection system used in 1985 BMW M5 models. Here is where ECU computer chip tuning started for VWs. VW had created a marvel engine by upping the displacement from 1.8 to 2.0 liters that in turn produced 134bhp at 5400RPMs. VW Performance Enthusiasts and Tuner Shops alike went wild with this new technology and were soon offering all kinds of aftermarket parts to make these fast and fun cars all the more intense. Every now and then these cars are seen at VW Enthusiast Auto Shows with such complex modifications that horsepower ranges often exceed 190HP. Sadly VW stopped coupling the 16v engine in all of their US models in 1993 due to the increasing US fuel efficiency demands. Another factor involved was that US pump-fuel formulas didn't give 16v Owners the octane ratings that this type of engine design thrived on. (95 RON and Higher Recommended) Models like the GTI, SLC & GLX would instead get the 12 Valve 2.8L VR6. Consumers were forced to wait until the year 2002 for VW to reintroduce their multi-valve technology back into the US Market with the arrival of the new 24v 200HP VR6, which surprisingly was introduced along with the return of the GLI model now in the A4 Jetta package. The new GLI now boasts an exclusive six-speed manual only option with not quite as close gear ratios as the famed A2 GLI, but with a much taller final drive. It rides on unique sporty 17-inch alloy rims with a very distinguishing dual chromed exhaust tip, GLI badging, a mildly sporty suspension with cloth sport-seats. The new A4 GLI has returned to continue the sporting tradition making up one of the most refined modern sport-sedans in its price class.