Rumor: Volkswagen contemplating R performance version of next Jetta

Yesterday, it was reported that Volkswagen will introduce a new performance division called R GmbH at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. According to Inside Line, one of the fruits from R GmbH will be a R version of the upcoming sixth-generation Jetta. The model will push Volkswagen’s efforts to give the stateside lineup a greater number of image-leading performance models to attract younger buyers.

“Our modular construction and production process make it fairly straightforward. It’s now a matter of formulating a sound business case to ensure the car is profitable,” an executive told Inside Line. “We don’t want to leave the affordable performance sedan market in the US to our rivals but importing sporting models from Europe is proving prohibitively expensive at the moment.”

Power for the Volkswagen Jetta R is likely to come from a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine as used in the Golf R. The engine is good for 265-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The model is rumored to be shown at the 2010 SEMA Show in November.

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Source: Inside Line