WHICH is faster, a Volkswagen or a Ferrari? Any two-year-old knows the answer. But apparently, the dandy owner of a Spider from Maranello didn't.

The other night, the new Volkswagen Jetta I was driving somehow caught the attention of the Schumacher wannabe. I admit I was in a bit of hurry (late for a dinner appointment), and might have given the chap the impression I was goading him.

Well, as chance would have it, our two cars met at the lights. When green came, the flashy towkay floored it. The Ferrari's rear wheels scrubbed the tarmac (you could hear them) and the car shot off.

His insanity must have been contagious, because in that split second, I too forgot I was in a Volkswagen (and not a Lambo). I gunned the Jetta and aimed it at the Prancing Horse.

Surprisingly, the VW did not yield much ground to the Italian in the first few hundred metres. The conclusion beyond would have been foregone, but I eased off to keep within legal limits.

What's more surprising was the way the Ferrari driver acted towards a Volkswagen Jetta (or maybe he too was late for dinner).

Then again, this wasn't any Jetta. It's the 200bhp Jetta 2.0 TFSI, which is essentially a Golf GTI with a boot.

It is a mite slower than the sizzling GTI on account of its bigger body and higher weight, but it still feels mighty brisk. That's largely thanks to the direct-injection turbo engine's excellent spread of torque. From just 1,800rpm, you have 280Nm of pull at your foot.

It also has most of the superb handling prowess of the GTI, except that you do feel its straying tail every time you forget it's not a tight hatchback.

In Sport or DSG manual mode, this Jetta is like a jet. Oh yes, the 2.0 TFSI comes with delicious DSG.

Volkswagen has taken quite a while to launch the Jetta here. The car was unveiled in Europe two years ago. But like they say, better late than never.

Compared with the Bora (the dorky name of the previous Jetta), the new Jetta is a more accomplished product. It has the size, the space and definitely the pace.

It also feels somewhat more grown-up, and substantially better put together. Hopefully, it will be as tough as the Jettas of old.

Coincidentally, I chanced upon a first-generation Jetta recently. It was based on the Mk I GTI. Its 1.6-litre normally-aspirated engine making 110 horsepower (when new) was more than enough for the sub-tonne carriage.

The owner, who has had it for a couple of years, says the 25-year-old car has been relatively fuss-free.

It remains to be seen if the new car, weighing 1.37 tonnes, will do justice to VW's past reputation for durability.

The new Jetta is also available here as a 1.6-litre non-turbo making 102bhp. It has a traditional six-speed autobox; and prices start from $76,600 for the 1.6-litre and $120,900 for the 2.0 TFSI.

Should you pick the 200bhp model (which I recommend you do), try to stay away from Ferraris.

Price: $120,900 with COE
Engine: 1,984cc 16-valve inline-4 turbo
Transmission: Six-speed DSG
Power: 200bhp at 5,100rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,800-5,000rpm
0-100kmh: 7.2 seconds
Top speed: 233kmh
Fuel consumption: 10.7 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Volkswagen Centre Singapore