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50 + miles/gallon from a more powerful and cleaner VW TDI. (http://www.wlbz2.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=68768)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/VW_TDI_Discontinued.jpgRhonda Erskine - WLBZ Bangor - Aug. 15, 2007

Powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel making 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with either a six-speed manual or DSG automated manual transmission, the 2008 Jetta TDI will be cleared for sale in all fifty states.

Going green is all the rage in the automobile business, but what if you want to go green and a hybrid car is just not your style? Volkswagen may have just the answer.

They're using a new technology that's actually just a variation on an old standard, diesel engines.

Traditional gas engines run on combustion, but diesels run on compression. Air is compressed until it is very hot, igniting the fuel mixture when it is injected.

"It's a much cleaner burning, much more efficient engine and we're looking to get over 50 miles per gallon," explained Volkswagen's Armando Pardo.

What sets these new diesels apart from older versions is T.D.I., or turbodiesel direct injection?

"The atomization of the diesel fuel, plus the turbocharger, we are getting much more efficient, powerful, cleaner engines out of the diesel technology," said Volkswagen Technical Instructor Juan Galvez.

That increased efficiency has other benefits as well. Engine noise and emissions are also lowered.

"You're going to have a real clean burning diesel fuel car," said Galvez … http://www.wlbz2.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=68768

And they're be a 'Wagen wagon as well. Can't wait!

I hope VW can resurrect the legendary reliability of the old Beetle. I've heard bad things about the electrical systems in the recent models along with quality control issues...

I want a 5spd/6spd? Golf TDI!!!!!!!!!!!! The Golf has the best or near best platform for performance of all fuel effecient cars.

I hope VW can resurrect the legendary reliability of the old Beetle. I've heard bad things about the electrical systems in the recent models along with quality control issues...

I learned to drive on an old Beetle-legendary is right. Today's cars are more reliable! The funny thing about the Beetle (unlike other cars at that time) was that what broke you could usually work around. If you were poor like me you ended up driving a car with no heat, no speedometer, having to learn to shift without the clutch, and learning to stop the car when the brakes went out (had to get that one fixed).

I'm hoping they will shoot for Toyota-like reliability.

Interesting. I never had any such issues with the '70 I learned to drive in. The accelerator cable did break and I fixed it with a paper-clip hook for about 2 weeks, and I did have to rework the foam on the heater flaps... Other than the radio never working, though, I didn't have any other issues. Just changed the oil regularly and cleaned the points every once in a while and it just kept running. That car had 300K+ on it by the time my father sold it and for all I know it is still running somewhere.

I'll agree though that Toyota-like reliability would be a good thing. :)

HAHA. We had a hole in the passenger floor and the passenger had to ride with their feet on the dash.

My father recalled once that the Beetle wasn't so much reliable as it was easy and cheap to repair. He said that the engine had to be rebuilt every 40,000 miles (probably a figure he picked out of thin air), but it was easy to do since the engine was small and easy to access -- that sort of thing can keep labor costs down. The air cooling helped keep it easy to access and relatively simple.

Hi All:

___A guy I used to work with owned a Beetle and he and his sister were out on a joy ride after a heavy T-Storm storm. He described it like this. We saw a huge lake in a K-Mart parking lot and decided to throw some water around. They hit the water and were instantly soaked from inside the car!

___I do not know how believable that one is but I thought it was funny at the time :D

___On a more serious note, with the new ultra high rail pressures and piezo injectors, the new super diesels may just shame the Prius-II and HCH-II on the new EPA test cycles? I don’t think they stand a chance against the Prius on the city cycle(s) but for the tested highway rating, look out!

___Good Luck

___Wayne