German carmaker Volkswagen is betting big on the refashioned Jetta compact sedan to retain its No. 1 brand position among 30-something drivers ― the largest demographic in the nation’s soaring import car market.

According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, purchases by customers in their 30s made up 38 percent of total import car sales in the first 10 months of this year.

Volkswagen, the fastest-growing foreign carmaker in Korea, is the best-selling brand among these young customers. And its latest model to lure more of them is the 2015 Jetta that was launched in Korea on Dec. 1.

“The Jetta is a key compact sedan in the import car market equipped with fuel efficiency and practicality as well as attractive design and powerful performance,” said Volkswagen Korea CEO Thomas Kuehl.

“The new Jetta, which has secured a mass appeal through technical improvements, is a perfect fit as an entry-level sedan for young drivers.”

The Jetta is one of the best-selling models for Volkswagen. Its accumulated car sales have exceeded the 14 million mark globally.

This year, 3,293 Jettas have been sold in Korea as of October, topping the compact sedan segment with a staggering 65.5 percent market share among foreign-brand cars.

The new Jetta, the best-ever model says the carmaker, has boosted both styling and performance, coming equipped with upscale design, a refined cabin and strong engine options. 

The visual updates include a tri-bar grille, visually linking the compact sedan to its big brother, the Passat. Headlights with LED daytime running lamps are now an option. At the back, the car also gets a new deck lid, taillights, emblem and bumper.

The most drastic changes to the new Jetta are in the cabin, benefiting from a redesigned center stack, new air conditioning controls, a new steering wheel, and higher-quality trim pieces.

In Korea, two trims are available and both of them are powered by a new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine.

The upper Jetta 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Premium model comes with a six-speed automatic transmission that churns out 150 horsepower and a maximum torque of 34.7 kilogram meters. Its fuel economy is 15.5 kilometers per liter.

The lower trim model is equipped with a seven-speed transmission that is more focused on better fuel ratings of 16.3 kilometers per liter. It produces 110 horsepower and a maximum torque of 25.5 kilogram meters.

The base and premium models are priced at 31.5 million won and 36.5 milion won ($283,000 and $329,000), respectively.

With the top-selling model’s latest makeover, the Korean unit said it aims to complete a powerful lineup consisting of the Jetta sedan, the Golf hatchback and the Tiguan sport utility vehicle.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)