(Detroit, January 11, 2010)  Volkswagen pulled the sheet off its newest concept today in Detroit and it likely provides a good preview of what to expect from the next generation Jetta when it arrives some time in the next two years. The New Compact Coupe features one of VW's most modern gasoline engines and full hybrid drive system.

The concept's sleek two door body is virtually the same length and width as the current Jetta although the roof is two inches lower. The wheelbase is three inches longer than today's Jetta. Various reports have suggested that Volkswagen will add a coupe back to the Jetta lineup for the first time since the 1980s.

The coupe incorporates all of the latest design elements found on the newest Golf and Polo along with some treatments found on models from VW's premium Audi brand. The headlamp clusters feature LED running lights while the tail-lamps have a very similar shape to those on the Audi A4.

Volkswagen will continue offering its TDI clean diesel engines in the next generation but the gasoline engines will be newer more efficient units than the current 2.5-liter inline-five offered in the Jetta. The concept features a 1.4-liter TSI inline-four as used in many of VW's European models for the last several years. TSI is badging that Volkswagen uses for its lineup of turbocharged and direct injected gasoline engines. The 1.4 is offered in several variations with outputs ranging from 120 to 170 horsepower. In the new concept, the engine produces 148 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

The concept also features a hybrid drive system that sandwiches a 20 kilowatt electric motor/generator between engine and the seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission. The motor allows for electric boost, straight electric drive, regenerative braking and automatic start-stop. Energy storage is handled with a 1.1 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack.

The concept powertrain is rated at 56 mpg (US) according the EU combined driving cycle with carbon dioxide emissions of 98 g/km. On the more conservative EPA test procedure, the concept achieves a combined rating of 45 mpg.