Volkswagen Jetta - Second Generation (A2, Typ 16; 1G)

Second Generation (A2, Typ 16; 1G)

Volkswagen Jetta
(A2, *Typ* 1G)

Production	1984–1992 1991-present (China) 1,708,390 built
Assembly	Changchun, China Chengdu, China Lagos, Nigeria Puebla, Mexico Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Uitenhage, South Africa Westmoreland, USA Wolfsburg, Germany
Body style	2-door saloon/sedan 4-door saloon/sedan
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	Volkswagen Group A2
Engine	Europe and RoW: I4 petrol engines 1.3L I4 40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) 1.3L cat I4 40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) 1.6L I4 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) 1.6L cat I4 51 kW (69 PS; 68 hp) 1.6L cat I4 53 kW (72 PS; 71 hp) 1.8L I4 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) 1.8L cat I4 62 kW (84 PS; 83 hp) 1.8L cat I4 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) 1.8L I4 82 kW (111 PS; 110 hp) 1.8L cat I4 79 kW (107 PS; 106 hp) 1.8L cat 4x4 I4 72 kW (98 PS; 97 hp) 1.8L 16-valve I4 102 kW (139 PS; 137 hp) 1.8L cat 16-valve I4 95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) I4 diesel engines 1.6L I4 40 kW (54 PS; 54 hp) 1.6L cat I4 44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp) ECOdiesel 1.6L I4 51 kW (69 PS; 68 hp) Turbodiesel 1.6L I4 59 kW (80 PS; 79 hp) Turbodiesel North America: *I4 gasoline engines (EA827)* 1.8L 85 hp (63 kW) (MY 1985–1987) 1.8L non-cat, Canada only95 hp (71 kW) (MY 1985–1987) 1.8L GLI 102 hp (76 kW) (MY 1985–1987) 1.8L 100 hp (75 kW) (MY 1988–1992) 1.8L 105 hp (78 kW) (MY 1988–1992) 1.8L 16V 123 hp (92 kW) (MY 1987–1989) 2.0L 16V 134 hp (100 kW) (MY 1990–1992) *I4 diesel engine (EA827)* 1.6L Diesel 59 hp (44 kW) (MY 1985–1992) 1.6L Turbo Diesel 68 hp (51 kW) (MY 1985–1992) 1.6L ECODiesel 62 hp (46 kW) (MY 1991–1992)
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,470 mm (97.2 in)
Length	1985-88: 4,346 mm (171.1 in) 1989-92: 4,385 mm (172.6 in)
Width	1,680 mm (66.1 in) 1985-88 base models: 1,665 mm (65.6 in)
Height	1,410 mm (55.5 in)
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The Mark 2 series is the longest running Jetta so far. Introduced to Europe in early 1984 and to North America in 1985, the second generation Jetta proved to be a sales success for Volkswagen. The car secured the title of best-selling European car in North America, Farmers Journal COTY 1991 and outsold the similar Golf by two-to-one in that market. Based on the all new second generation Golf platform, the car was larger, heavier, and could seat five people instead of four as in the Mark 1. Exterior dimensions increased in all directions. Overall length was up by 100 millimetres (3.9 in), the wheelbase grew 66 millimetres (2.6 in), and the width went up 53 millimetres (2.1 in). The suspension setup was basically unchanged from the first generation, although refined slightly, for example by the inclusion of a separate subframe for mounting the front control arms to help noise isolation, as well as improved rubber mountings for all components. Aerodynamics improved considerably, with a drag coefficient of 0.36. With a 470-litre (16.6 ft3) luggage compartment, the trunk had grown nearly as large as some full-sized American sedans. Interior room was also increased 14%, which changed the EPA class from sub-compact to compact.

Cars built in Germany were assembled in a brand new (at the time) plant at Wolfsburg in Assembly Hall 54. The plant was heavily robotised in an effort to make build quality more consistent. New innovations on the second generation included an optional trip computer (referred to as the MFA, German Multi-Funktions-Anzeige), as well as silicone dampened engine and transmission mounts to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness levels. In 1988, a more advanced fully electronic fuel injection system became available. This arrangement is known as the Digifant Engine Management system.

Like the Mark 1, the second generation was offered as a two-door or four-door saloon/sedan. External changes throughout the series' run were few: the front-quarter windows were eliminated in 1988 (along with a grille and door trim change), and larger body-colored bumpers and lower side skirts were added from 1990.

In 2007, Volkswagen of America held a contest to find the diesel powered Volkswagen with the highest distance traveled on the original engine. The winning car was a 1986 Jetta Turbodiesel found in Blue Rock, Ohio which had 562,000 miles (904,000 km). A local dealer verified the odometer reading. Notable on this particular car was that it also had the original muffler despite being located in an area subject to road salt in the winter.

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