Topic: '08 Jetta TDI expected to get 60 mpg highway!!!

[Boxer2500]

And it's coming to the States... all 50 of 'em. I don't care if it looks like a Corolla, that's just damn cool. Prius who?

When we told you last month about the return of Volkswagen's Jetta wagon, many of you were unimpressed by the car's bland styling and we don't totally disagree.

Now, however, we find out what VW's hiding under those dowdy clothes. Inside Line is reporting that VW expects 2008 Sportwagens ordered with the 2.0 diesel engine to get EPA numbers of 40 city/60 highway. A VW spokesperson also said the diesel Sportwagen will be available nationwide, the first time since 1999 that a diesel Jetta will be sold in all 50 states.

For us, a fuel-sipping diesel combined with an under-$20k starting price makes up at least a little bit for the uninspiring exterior. Looks like it's gonna be a long wait until the diesels hit the lots in January.

Thanks for the tip, Steve!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/08/diesel-vw-jetta-sportwagen-a-real-fuel-sipper

[Ultra]

Good for VW!!! 



Bio diesel is next.

[Boxer2500]

I'm sort of wishing I had been in the market for a car this year instead of last. A quasi-midsize wagon good for 60 mpg would be worth waiting for... and it's supposed to come in under $20k. Plus, that 2.0 TDI should be good for at least 200 lb-ft of torque.

[Jagman]

Uh, I'll bet you a coke this engine is not turbocharged - that's how they get the 60 mpg; which also means it'll be slooooooowwwwww..................the article does not say TDI, just "D"........

[Boxer2500]

Uh, I'll bet you a coke this engine is not turbocharged - that's how they get the 60 mpg; which also means it'll be slooooooowwwwww..................the article does not say TDI, just "D"........

No, this is referring to the common rail TDI. Note the "T" still in there. The reason that the article simply says "diesel" is that it's simply implied that any modern diesel passenger car is turbocharged*. According to posters on VWVortex who seem to be in the know, it's rated at 140 hp/240 lb-ft and uses urea injection to control emissions. According to sources across the pond, an uprated version rated at 200 hp/300 lb-ft pulled down the equivalent of 40mpg on the European combined cycle, so 60 mpg highway is well within the realm. Remember that the previous-generation TDI 1.9 was good for 45-50 mpg, and that motor has been more-or-less unchanged since it was introduced to the European market in 1995.

The new generation of common rail diesels coming online in Europe are truly astounding.

EDIT -- after checking with some TDI fanboys on the Vortex, VW actually *does* offer a 2.0 non-turbo diesel in Europe in the ultra-stripper version of the Golf, however it gets identical mileage to the TDI version that puts out nearly twice the horsepower. The one we're getting in the states is most definitely going to be turbocharged -- I don't think gas prices have become dire enough in the US for the market to even consider a 3000 lb car with 75 hp. It would have been acceptable in 1980 (Benz 240D, anyone?) but not today.

[Jagman]

Well, I hope you're right, 'cause I had one of those Merc 240D(ogs)............I've also owned a couple of early 80's Rabbit PU diesels, and on anything except a downhill, they were sooooooosllllooooooowwww......

[Boxer2500]

As I said before, the only advantage to a non-turbo diesel is cost -- gas mileage is a wash between the two. Bringing the US market a 75 hp Jetta would be suicidal... Europeans are used to mainstream cars with 15-20 second 0-60 times.

The upcoming TDI has been a topic of discussion for a good solid year now on the VW forums. If it shows up without that little whistle under the hood, I'll eat my shirt. 60 mpg is an untested estimate, but the engine WILL be good for at least 140 hp, we know that much.

[lynxd67]

Call a doctor please - urgently. I feel faint and a heart attack coming on. Americans talking dirty, talking - uh - whisper it - diesel. I haven't driven anything but diesel for 15 years over here in Europe and the newer cars are quite simply staggering. Look at the BMW UK site and compare the figures on power and torque for the 530 diesel and petrol; both cars sell at the same price and the figures lead to only one conclusion. I've had two Mercedes and one Audi diesel and the next car will probably be an A6 Audi 3 litre diesel. Economical, fast, and power where you need it. I currently run an old 2000 Merc C class 220D auto, and get regularly 33mpg; even towing the trailer and the D type I get 24mpg. It'll cruise all day at 90mph on cruise control, I get 450 miles to a tank and the car is bulletproof. Even the most expensive service here in France has cost me onlt the equivalent of $600 all in. OK, I will stop the mocking. Quite simply, it is good to see you are getting serious over there about gas consumtion even though your gas is incredibly cheap. In England and here in France gas (95RON) is about $9 a gallon and diesel in France about $6.

NB However, there are worries about the durability of the new flywheel assembly on the VW range but the DSG gearbox is a marvel

[Jagman]

Yes, and over here diesel fuel is more expensive than premium!

Not as much of an incentive to switch...............but now that we're getting low sulfur fuel too, now maybe our diesels too won't stink and smoke like yours have been for a while now, and people may warm up to them. I can still easily tell when I get behind a TDI without seeing the badge, so we're not there yet............

[Boxer2500]

In Ohio, diesel is currently selling for about $.50 less than regular.

[Jagman]

Really? Still higher here in Kansas, maybe it has something to do with how they tax it?