Under the hood is the same turbocharged, 2.0-liter, direct-injection engine from the upcoming 2006 VW GTI and 2006 Audi A3. In the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, this engine is rated to make 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. Like the A3 and GTI, the Jetta GLI's torque curve is broad and relatively flat, giving it plenty of punch just about everywhere in the rev range.

Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual transmission, but the 2006 VW Jetta GLI will be offered with a sequential manual dubbed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). DSG provides manual shift control via paddles mounted to the steering wheel, or fully automatic mode if the driver desires. We've driven the Audi TT equipped with DSG, and it's gotta be one of the best sequential manuals in the business.