fter months of talking about Volkswagen's NCS (New Compact Sedan), the car that would replace the Jetta was revealed today, and it is: The new Jetta. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta won't be based on the Golf hatchback--it's moving to its own platform.

the new Jetta measures 182.7 inches long, 57.1 inches tall and 70.1 inches wide. The overall length is 3.5 inches longer than the current model, which results in an unspecified increase in the Jetta's wheelbase.

The engine lineup will remain largely unchanged. For now, Volkswagen has only confirmed the 2.0-liter TSI and 2.0-liter TDI engines that are currently used in the Jetta. Manual transmissions will be standard across the board and a six-speed DSG will be optional on the 2.0-liter engines.

Diesel options will include a 104-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder and a 138-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

There will be five versions of the Jetta in the U.S. — S, SE, SEL, TDI and GLI. Sales are expected to begin in October, with pricing set to start around $16,000, according to Volkswagen.

 

Volkswagen recalled 15,902 Routan minivans because rear-door latches can short-circuit and catch fire, reports Business Week.

"This could result in an overheated latch and a fire within the rear sliding door could occur," the NHTSA said in a statement.

Volkswagen initiated the recall for 2009 minivans, built with Chrysler Group LLC, following a June 7 recall by Chrysler for 284,831 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, according to the National Highway Transportation & Safety Agency.

A sliding-door hinge can wear through wire insulation, causing a short circuit and possible fire, the agency reports. Volkswagen spokesman Kerry Christopher said the automaker was aware of "a couple of incidents" indicating overheating in the minivans and the company contacted Chrysler when it received the reports. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Volkswagen Group on Friday reported an 8.6% improvement in May global sales but stopped short of claiming the struggling industry has finished healing from its dismal slog in recent years.

At Germany-based automaker's commercial-vehicle unit and seven car brands, deliveries rose from 556,500 one year ago to 604,200 this year, the automaker reported. In the previous five months, VW sales have risen by 18 percent to 2.94 million.

That brings its tally for the year up to 2.94 million vehicles across the globe, an 18.1% improvement when compared with the same period a year ago.

Volkswagen is currently reaping greater than average benefits from very good demand in important markets such as China and the U.S.,?said Volkswagen sales chief Christian Klingler in a statement.

China, Volkswagen's biggest market, led the way with a 48.2% surge to 777,800 vehicles year-to-date, while India sales doubled to 13,500 in the five-month period. As a whole, the Asia-Pacific region saw sales jump by 47.6%.