Volkswagen is considering production of an R version of its upcoming sixth-generation Jetta at its Peubla works in Mexico. The new model is part of the company's efforts to give its U.S. lineup a greater number of image-leading performance models and lure younger customers to the brand.

The new four-door sedan, possibly to be previewed at the SEMA show in November, has been conceived to rival favourite Asian and European performance models such as the Honda Civic Si and BMW 128i.

Volkswagen won't officially confirm the existence of new model but officials at the European launch of the new Golf R in Ellmau, Austria this week indicate production plans for the Jetta R are already well advanced.
 
"Our modular construction and production process make it evenhandedly straightforward. It's now a matter of formulating a sound business case to ensure the car is profitable. We don't want to leave the inexpensive performance sedan market in the US to our rivals but importing sporting models from Europe is proving prohibitively expensive at the moment," said a high level Inside Line source familiar with Volkswagen's North American model strategy.
 

With the Peubla works now the sole producer of the Jetta worldwide, Volkswagen is looking to incorporate production of an R version of its upcoming compact sedan and possibly a coupe sibling, as previewed by the NCC (New Compact Coupe) at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Power for the new car is likely to come from the latest evolution of Volkswagen's turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine, as used in the Scirocco R and Golf R where it delivers 265bhp and 258lb ft of torque.
 
Right now it is not clear whether Volkswagen favors a front- or four-wheel drive solution for the Jetta R. "There is nothing to rule out one or the other," said the Inside Line source. "The standard Jetta will support front-wheel drive and we have also established plans to offer the next Jetta auto with a four-wheel drive option in certain markets."

Inside Line can also confirm Volkswagen plans to build the new Jetta with two different rear suspension designs. Lower end models like the S will receive a simple torsion beam arrangement similar to that used on the Beetle with sportier models such as the SLE set to receive a multi-link set-up similar to that used by the latest Golf - Reporting by Andreas Stahl in Austria.