This is a Volkswagen Jetta CiX, painted in silver with black license plates. The old Jetta was in need of some maintenance, but overall in a decent shape.
[table id=83 /]
Production of the Jetta MK2 in China started in 1991 and continued all the way until 2012. There were two major updates: the Jetta King arrived in 1997 and the Jetta Pioneer in 2010.
Our silver car is a Jetta King. During its 12 year life the King was facelifted once, in 2004. Our car is a pre-facelift example, and thus made sometime between 1997 and 2003.
The King and Pioneer names were used by Volkswagen for marketing purposes, but they were rarely used by the public, which simply calls them all ‘Jetta’.
The interior looked all right for its age, fitted with after-market seat covers and radio.
CiX was a mid-range trim level. Power came from a four-cylinder 1.6 liter petrol engine, good for 85 hp and 135 Nm. The engine was mated to a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
Price of the Jetta CiX in 2001 was exactly 110.100 yuan.
The Jetta MK2 is a part of China’s automotive history. The Jetta was one of the first affordable family cars available in China. Those lucky enough to own one loved it and took care of it very well. It is still a popular car even today, more popular indeed than the new Jetta, which just hasn’t the same appeal that the old one had.
The Jetta was, and is, made by the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture.
Enough space for the kids and grannies.
Black license plates were issued to foreign owned companies from the 1980’s to the early 00’s. These companies could buy a car locally, and they were also allowed to import their own cars.
In the old days black-plated cars had some privileges comparable to diplomatic cars; no police officer would dare to stop them and they could basically park wherever they wanted without fear of a fine.
Nowadays, a black-plated car is counted just like all the others. The government does not issue new black plates anymore but those who have one can keep it until eternity.
The classy Jetta CiX badge, with a red i.
FAW-Volkswagen.
The pre-facelift Volkswagen Jetta King CiX in China.
Have you seen a similar car? Show us! You can upload images in the comments below.