It was January 1992 when Volkswagen presented the Vento notchback version as the successor to the Jetta, six months after the launch of the third Golf generation. The saloon was not only technically very similar to the Golf, the CL, GL and GT trim levels were also directly adopted.
The Automobil Revue reported in issue 3/1992 from January 23, 1992:
"Based on the slightly longer 247.5 cm wheelbase of the Golf, which competes in the four-meter class, the Vento is 438 cm long, 169.5 cm wide and 142.5 cm high, which means that its main dimensions are only minimally larger than those of the Jetta. The body shape with lowered front section and high notchback corresponds to contemporary tastes, and the simultaneous development with the Golf ensures more harmonious lines than the Jetta, which followed at the time.
At the front, the Vento, which was only available as a four-door model, stood out clearly from the Golf with its more striking radiator grille and rectangular headlights, while the chassis with spring struts and wishbones at the front and a twist-beam rear axle was the same in both versions. The top version VR6 is also equipped with stabilizers on both axles and also has four-wheel disc brakes, while the other versions are fitted with drum brakes at the rear."
Five different engines were announced. The basis was a 1781 cm3 four-cylinder with 90 hp at 5500 rpm. The 1984 cm3 two-liter four-cylinder with 115 hp at 5400 rpm offered slightly more power. For the comfort-conscious and sporty types, there was the 2792 cm3 VR6 engine with 174 hp at 5800 rpm. And for thrifty drivers, two diesel engines with 1896 and 64 or 75 hp provided propulsion.
Shifting was via a manual five-speed gearbox, but a four-speed automatic gearbox was also available for some versions. Incidentally, all variants were equipped with power steering and a dust/pollen filter. A rev counter and split-folding rear seat were also standard.
While the VR6 had 205/50 VR 15 wide tires, the slower variants were fitted with 185/60 HR 14 tires. The Vento was built in this form until July 1998 and enjoyed good demand in the USA and elsewhere - albeit as a Jetta.
