Volkswagen shows off new 1.8-liter engine for Jetta, Passat, and Beetle

Volkswagen is rolling out a new 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injected TSI engine which will debut in the Jetta, Beetle, and Passat later this year. This thrifty new engine will replace the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine now available in those models.

But the 1.8-liter is no slouch: it produces the same 170 hp as the outgoing five-cylinder engine, while adding 7 lb-ft torque for a total of 184. It is worth noting that the 2013 Jetta hybrid features the exact same power figures. Most importantly, the new 1.8-liter engine will offer a 16 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Jetta and the Passat, and a 17 percent improvement for the Beetle.

The addition of this new engine is a reflection of Volkswagen's move into smaller, more economical gas and diesel engines which are designed to offer savings at the pump, as well as a simpler alternative to hybrid-powered cars made by other manufacturers and VW itself.

The new 1.8-liter engine will first be available in the Jetta model range, and the Passat SEL. The engine will then spread to the entire Passat range, and will later become available in the Beetle.

Speaking of new Volkswagen powerplants, we tried the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid back in November of last year. The 1.4-liter direct injection four-cylinder gas engine in the hybrid model is coupled with an electric motor making 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, channeled through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The hybrid employs a stop/start system as well, saving fuel at traffic lights. We liked the Jetta hybrid, noting at the time that it was one of the sportiest hybrids that we had driven, not including much more expensive alternatives from Fisker which don't compete with the Jetta directly.

The upcoming 1.8-liter engine is slated for 2014 model year cars, so we'll be seeing it in dealerships quite soon.

By Jay Ramey