MK6 Jetta Sportwagen Wheel Performance
The long wheelbase version of the MK6 chassis offers a ton of practicality in a reasonably priced and fun to drive package. However, while these cars have similar tuning potential to that of a GTI, they were never marketed as a “performance vehicle”. With that said, the stock MK6 Jetta Sportwagen wheels and tires tend to be quite underwhelming when driving spiritedly. If you want to maximize the performance of your MK6 Jetta Sportwagen, a chassis-specific set of lightweight wheels in a wider fitment will completely transform your driving experience. We developed our forged VS-5RS and flow formed SM-10 wheels to reduce weight and improve overall traction. If you would like to check out all of our MK6 Jetta Sportwagen fitments, our chassis specific MK6 Jetta Sportwagen Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.
History of the MK6 Jetta Sportwagen
Before checking out our selection of MK6 Jetta Sportwagen wheels, let’s first take a brief look at the history of this car and what has made it so popular amongst everyday enthusiasts over the years.
The MK6 Jetta Sportwagen was first introduced in 2009 and despite its nameplate, was based on the MK6 Golf chassis. However, in international markets, the longroof variant of the MK6 was sold as a Golf Sportwagen. The MK6 Sportwagen was offered by VW during the model years of 2010-2014 and could be optioned with either gas or diesel engine options, both of which were available with manual or automatic transmissions. Much like the standard MK6 Golf, the Jetta Sportwagen was only available with a front wheel drive configuration. In stock form, the Jetta Sportwagen offered plenty of practicality at a reasonable price, while still providing a fun and engaging driving experience. If you want to build upon the handling dynamics of the MK6 chassis, a set of Apex MK6 Jetta Sportwagen wheels will be a great first mod to start out with.
While the MK6 Jetta Sportwagen isn’t exactly the first thing that springs to mind for a performance enthusiast car, you have to give it some credit, especially in comparison to other vehicles at a similar price point. While out of the box performance won’t blow you away in a straight line, you can quickly start to recognize the chassis tuning and overall handling refinement of the MK6 once you pull on to a twisty back road. With a plethora of aftermarket performance parts available, the MK6 offers the perfect “blank canvas” to build a fun and competent street car on a tight budget. Starting off with a set of Apex MK6 Jetta Sportwagen wheels paired with a grippy set of tires is a great way to explore the mechanical grip of the chassis. However, it is always best to make sure your car is up to date maintenance-wise before looking into aftermarket modifications. The Truth About Cars has a great article on what to expect with your ownership experience of a MK6 Jetta Sportwagen: The Truth About Cars: 2010 Jetta Sportwagen Reader Review.
* Designed to fit VW Golf center caps
Our new forgings weigh as much as 120 pounds before machining. To form such a thick blank we require special equipment capable of 10,000 metric tons of pressure. This extreme pressure increases the strength of the aluminum by eliminating porosity and improving the grain structure.
Many companies use 3rd-party blanks intended for non-motorsport wheels which can severely limit sizes, concavity, spoke design, and critical brake clearance. We designed our very own blank profiles from scratch to give us total control over the final product.
To be as light as possible the VS-5RS features extra-deep, side-milled spokes. Any excess material that doesn’t add strength is carved out using a precision CNC ball cutter. Side-milling is often deemed cost-prohibitive by others, but for true performance without compromise we believe it's essential.
Our forged Sprint™ wheels are lightweight without the strength compromises found on typical lightweight wheels. First, we carved out as much material as possible, then we purposefully added one pound back to reinforce critical areas, creating a stronger inner lip and a higher load rating.² What’s the point of a lightweight wheel if it’s fragile?
We conducted extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to reinforce high-stress areas and to remove material where it didn’t improve strength. The result is a wheel that is exceptionally light without the strength compromises found on typical lightweight wheels.²
We don't rely solely on computer simulations or unverifiable in-house testing. We believe independent testing is critical to protect consumers in this unregulated industry. We chose STL, an independent lab in Ohio, to test our Sprint™ wheels far above JWL standards, including increases in testing duration, impact drop height, and total load.
Introducing the Sprint™ spec inner lip, with a unique channel profile that makes it even stronger than our previous designs. So even though our Sprint™ wheels are pounds lighter than comparable flow formed wheels, the inner lip is stronger.
More reinforcement
than our flow formed wheels3
From day one, APEX has been on a mission to build wheels that clear big brakes. Our new forged wheels are the product of everything we’ve developed over the past 10+ years, including an innovative high-clearance barrel design and vehicle-specific spoke profiles.
Our new forgings were redesigned to create extra deep, concave spoke profiles. Their new shape allows us to make any profile, from flat to deep and everything in between. Each one is optimized for a specific application using 3D laser scans of factory and aftermarket brake kits.
Whether it's a day at the track or months of street driving, repeated hard braking and acceleration can make a tire slip along the bead seat and go out of balance, causing vibration. Knurled beads help, but are less effective when painted over. Our forged line features unpainted knurled beads that stay sharp and maximize grip.
Track wheels need track tools. Don’t settle for wheels that require undersized tuner lugs or thin walled sockets. All APEX wheels accommodate over-sized race lugs and impact sockets to make swapping wheels lightning fast.
Socket Diameter Clearance
As track enthusiasts ourselves, we know how frustrating it is to try to locate and decipher wheel specs that have been hastily hammered into the rim or become unreadable over time. With our new Sprint™ wheels, we chose to invest a little extra and laser-engrave the specs on the barrel, in plain sight, making them easy to find and read. (You’re welcome.)
All VS-5RS wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications. Very few applications require centering rings.
All APEX wheels come with our gloss black cap included that is interchangeable with the OE cap. We also offer additional colors for select fitments.
APEX wheels can be used with all OEM mounting hardware, proper aftermarket hardware and most wheel spacers. Wheel locks and stud conversion kits also work perfectly.
All APEX wheels accept OEM and aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors and standard fit valve stems. If you don’t have sensors, then select from our metal stems available in multiple finishes.
All Apex Wheels come with a
lifetime structural warranty against defects in
workmanship and materials, plus a 1 year finish warranty.
Exchanges are fast, easy, and hassle-free.
See terms and conditions.
Curb rash or pothole damage on the street? Make an oopsie at
the track?
We’ve all been there. APEX is proud to offer 50% off replacement
wheels, no matter the damage.
See terms and conditions.
¹ VS-5RS vs. the original EC-7R, comparing side milling of 18x9” ET46 5x130 fitment.
² Strength and weight comparisons are based on an 18” BMW 5x120 wheel.
³ Comparing the amount of material reinforcement in our standard inner lip profile vs Sprint™ spec inner lip profile on an 18” wheel.
⁴ All wheels compared with equivalent 18x10” ET25 5x120mm / 72.56mm fitment