Automotive

Volkswagen Jetta tears a new record into Bonneville salt

Volkswagen Jetta tears a new record into Bonneville salt
“It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," said veteran racer Scott Goetz
“It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," said veteran racer Scott Goetz
View 25 Images
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
1/25
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
A modified 2019 Jetta has zipped past the land speed record for its class at Bonneville World of Speed
2/25
A modified 2019 Jetta has zipped past the land speed record for its class at Bonneville World of Speed
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
3/25
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
The record-setting Jetta sedan was modified to produce a higher output of 600 hp (447 kW) at 8,500 rpm
4/25
The record-setting Jetta sedan was modified to produce a higher output of 600 hp (447 kW) at 8,500 rpm
“It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," said veteran racer Scott Goetz
5/25
“It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," said veteran racer Scott Goetz
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
6/25
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
7/25
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
Salt flats veteran racer Scott Goetz brought a modified VW Jetta to a record track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h)
8/25
Salt flats veteran racer Scott Goetz brought a modified VW Jetta to a record track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h)
A modified 2019 Jetta has zipped past the land speed record for its class at Bonneville World of Speed
9/25
A modified 2019 Jetta has zipped past the land speed record for its class at Bonneville World of Speed
The interior of the record-breaking VW Jetta was gutted and configured for racing with a roll cage, racing seat and harness
10/25
The interior of the record-breaking VW Jetta was gutted and configured for racing with a roll cage, racing seat and harness
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
11/25
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
Volkswagen has initially planned to bring its new Jetta to Bonneville Speed Week in August, but experienced technical troubles
12/25
Volkswagen has initially planned to bring its new Jetta to Bonneville Speed Week in August, but experienced technical troubles
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
13/25
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
Salt flats veteran racer Scott Goetz brought a modified VW Jetta to a record track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h)
14/25
Salt flats veteran racer Scott Goetz brought a modified VW Jetta to a record track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h)
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
15/25
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
The record-setting Jetta sedan was modified to produce a higher output of 600 hp (447 kW) at 8,500 rpm
16/25
The record-setting Jetta sedan was modified to produce a higher output of 600 hp (447 kW) at 8,500 rpm
Volkswagen has initially planned to bring its new Jetta to Bonneville Speed Week in August, but experienced technical troubles
17/25
Volkswagen has initially planned to bring its new Jetta to Bonneville Speed Week in August, but experienced technical troubles
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
18/25
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
A modified 2019 Jetta has zipped past the land speed record for its class at Bonneville World of Speed
19/25
A modified 2019 Jetta has zipped past the land speed record for its class at Bonneville World of Speed
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
20/25
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
“It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," said veteran racer Scott Goetz
21/25
“It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," said veteran racer Scott Goetz
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
22/25
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
23/25
After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow
Salt flats veteran racer Scott Goetz brought a modified VW Jetta to a record track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h)
24/25
Salt flats veteran racer Scott Goetz brought a modified VW Jetta to a record track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h)
The interior of the record-breaking VW Jetta was gutted and configured for racing with a roll cage, racing seat and harness
25/25
The interior of the record-breaking VW Jetta was gutted and configured for racing with a roll cage, racing seat and harness
View gallery - 25 images

After experiencing a false start of sorts at Bonneville Speed Week last month, Volkswagen has now returned to the famous salt flats and gone home with a world record in tow. A modified 2019 Jetta zipped past the land speed record for its class, with the veteran racer at the wheel adamant that the hotted up sedan has even more to give.

Volkswagen has initially planned to bring its new Jetta to Bonneville Speed Week in August to partake in the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe class. As reported by Jalaponik, the company chose to withdraw after encountering a "silly transmission issue" and set its sights on the smaller sister event instead, the Bonneville World of Speed.

And it was worth the wait, with salt flats veteran Scott Goetz bringing the Jetta to a track speed of 210.16 mph (338.15 km/h), outstripping the previous record for the class of 208.47 mph (225 km/h) set by John Hanson Sr. in 2016.

A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats
A modified VW Jetta sedan has set a new record for the 2-liter Blown Gas Coupe at the Bonneville Salt Flats

"Achieving this speed at Bonneville is a demonstration of the quality, durability, power, and efficiency of the Volkswagen TSI engine series and the stability and aerodynamic efficiency of the all-new 2019 Jetta," says Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "This record underlines the sporty credentials of our all-new Jetta and also gives a hint at the future of the GLI model, since this car uses a modified version of the GLI's powerful EA888, 2.0-liter TSI engine."

A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt
A pair of parachutes was added to the modified VW Jetta to bring the high-speed car to a halt

The direct injection, turbocharged Jetta was fitted with new rods, pistons, valves, camshaft and exhaust for a higher output of 600 hp (447 kW) at 8,500 rpm. Preparation for the salt flats also involved lowering the suspension, adding specialized wheels and tires and a new slip differential for improved traction. The interior was gutted and configured for racing with a roll cage, racing seat and harness, while a pair of parachutes was added to bring the high-speed car to a halt.

"It was a terrific experience to drive this car on the salt," says Goetz. "The car inspired a lot of confidence at very high speeds. I have no doubt that we could go even faster by running some more boost, but we are very happy to have the record, knowing that there is more to come in the car if we need it."

Source: Volkswagen

View gallery - 25 images
1 comment
1 comment
Evildeer
So - new engine, interior, suspension, wheels and tires. Not much of a Jetta anymore is it?