Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah is well known for its high-speed event that takes place every year. For decades the Southern California Timing Association has been hosting speed freaks who have one intention: to go as fast as they can on the salt pan.

Highly modified

VW of America will enter a specially-tuned 2019 Volkswagen Jetta to attempt the Southern California Timing Association’s BGC/G class record in August 2018.

The Bonneville Jetta will be powered by a modified version of Volkswagen’s EA888 2,0-litre turbocharged and direct injection four-cylinder engine. This is the very same engine that will feature in the upcoming Jetta GLI, which is the performance model in the US.

Read about VW’s recent victory and record-setting run at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at this link.

To claim the record the Jetta will have to beat 335,5 km/h. The EA888 will obviously be quite uprated to achieve this figure. Almost as important when trying to achieve such speeds, the all-new Jetta’s aerodynamic shape yields a drag coefficient of just 0,27 in standard form which sets a good base.

Other modifications include a radically dropped ride height, special Salt Flat wheels and tyres, and a limited-slip differential added to aid traction on the slippery surface. The interior has been stripped and outfitted with full safety equipment, such as a roll cage, racing seat and harness along with a fire suppression system. To help slow the car down, the Bonneville Jetta has been fitted with a pair of parachutes.

Unique look

To fit in with the crazy racers that participate in the world-famous event the Bonneville Jetta received a special graphic treatment designed by Volkswagen’s Southern California Design Centre. “This was a truly fun project to be involved in,” said Reto Brun, director, Volkswagen design centre California.

“We wanted to highlight the sporty nature of the Jetta and give the car design graphics that would make it really stand out on the alien-like environment of the Bonneville Salt Flats. We wish the team luck as they attempt to make this the fastest Jetta—and the fastest production-based Volkswagen—ever seen!”