Volkswagen has released the first pictures of the Jetta, which will be launched in the UK at the start of 2006, replacing the Bora.

The UK will be brought into line with VW’s other European and US markets where the Jetta is the company’s best-selling car.

The Jetta’s most prominent design feature is its chrome grille, whose ‘V’ shape echoes those already seen on the Golf GTI and new Passat. The rear end also reflects current Volkswagen design themes.

The Jetta is a larger vehicle than the Bora. At 4.56m long, it has grown by 18.2cm, while width has increased by 2.5cm to 1.76m. The height has also increased by 1.5cm to 1.46m, while the wheelbase is 6.5cm longer than before, at 2.58m.

The luggage area has also increased in size, now offering 527 litres of space – 72 litres more than the Bora.

The Jetta will be offered to UK customers from launch with a choice of five engines – three petrol and two diesel: a 1.6-litre FSI 115 PS; 2.0-litre FSI 150 PS; 2.0-litre T-FSI 200 PS; 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS; and a 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS.

Both diesel engines will be available with Volkswagen’s DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) system. As with other recent Volkswagens, the Jetta will feature multi-link rear suspension and electro-mechanical power steering for appealing dynamic characteristics.

Standard specification and pricing will be finalised closer to the Jetta’s UK on-sale date, but the car is likely to offer strong value for money and a comprehensive equipment list.

Over 6.5 million of the Jetta’s predecessors have been sold worldwide to date.

The 100 millionth Volkswagen, a Touran 1.9-litre TDI, came off the assembly line in Wolfsburg yesterday, making Volkswagen the first automotive manufacturer in Europe to reach this production milestone.