Volkswagen Jetta prepares for Bonneville record attempt

Volkswagen is thinking big when it comes to the next Jetta. The 330km/h type of big.

Okay, that’s not entirely true. Only one Jetta is going to have that number in its sights, and it’s had a little bit of work done. VW’s not saying just how much power it makes.

Volkswagen has announced it’s going to use this particular 2019 VW Jetta to break the Southern California Timing Association’s BGC/G class speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

That record currently sits at 335.4km/h, which is some way north of the capability of most inline four-cylinder turbo engines.

The Jetta is to be modified by a company called THR Manufacturing, which specialises in preparing cars to take to the Flats.

The major factor in VW’s efforts? A lack of drag. The Jetta is said to have a drag coefficient of 0.27.

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This particular car has also been lowered, been fitted with special tyres just for the salt, and had its wheels swapped for chrome ‘discs’.

Underneath, a limited-slip differential had been installed for traction. It’s also now sporting a roll cage and fire suppression, as well as a parachute to slow it down.

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“This was a truly fun project to be involved in,” says Reto Brun, director for the Volkswagen Design Center in California.

“We wanted to highlight the sporty nature of the Jetta and give the car design graphics that would make it really stand out on the alien-like environment of the Bonneville Salt Flats.

“We wish the team luck as they attempt to make this the fastest Jetta—and the fastest production-based Volkswagen—ever seen!”