Jetta BlueTDI will debut midyear in North America! [xfloat=right]http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_VW_Jetta_TDI.jpg[/xfloat]Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - April 24, 2008 The 2008/2009 US Jetta TDI is only months away and will be the first to use the BlueTDI system. Wolfsburg - At the International Vienna Motor Symposium, Volkswagen will introduce the production version of the 2.0L BlueTDI, the next-generation turbo diesel developed especially for the North American marketplace. The common rail engine is based on the latest TDI first introduced in Europe in 2007 with a rating of 138 HP and 236 Lb-ft. of torque. Five US states including California currently have the strictest emissions standards in the world (Tier II/Bin5 and LEV2). In order to meet these stringent emission requirements, this four-cylinder engine was redeveloped with both internal engine modifications and an external exhaust stream, specialized NOx trap. The internal engine changes include modifications to the design of the injection system as well as the implementation of cylinder pressure sensors. This allows for a completely new type of cylinder pressure-based combustion control, which is both faster and tailored to each specific cylinder. Also new on-board: an optimized high-pressure injection pump. Another unique feature is the combination of a high-pressure EGR (exhaust gas recirculation system) with an additional low-pressure EGR. This dual circuit EGR is an extremely effective means of reducing NOx from the engine by as much as 60 percent all by itself! Outside of the engine, the maintenance-free NOx trap – connected downstream of the DOC (diesel oxidation catalytic converter) and the DPF (diesel particulate filter) – reduces nitrogen oxide to an absolute minimum. Implemented together, these measures reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent. Dr. Ing. Jens Hadler, Director of Volkswagen Powertrain Development comments, "high fuel prices and a dramatic change in environmental consciousness means that diesel is becoming more and more attractive for American drivers every day." Dr. Hadler continues, remarking, "this is why many customers, especially in California, have been waiting for a super-clean diesel like our BlueTDI. I think this motor will help the diesel get its big break in America because it consumes so little and yet can go such long distances on a single fill-up. And in a country as big as the United States, this is a priceless advantage. On the highway, for example, this engine can reach up to 60 mpgUS. This is an improvement of 12 percent over its predecessor, which had less performance and much higher emissions."
The article claims that "this engine can reach up to 60 mpg US". Teamed with an automatic transmission? I hope so. And I hope they will offer a high geared 6 speed manual trany that, if driven by professional hypermilers like those that frequent this forum, could turn that number to 80MPG or even better! THEN it would really temp those who enjoy real power hypermiling to cough up the dabloons necessary. Until then, my very cheap RRSB Saturn, under my divine tutelage just achieved 58.6 mostly highway MPG! Can't beat that with a stick!
Because the American car buying populace has voted overwhelmingly for the automatic transmission equipped car with their dollars. There is a much higher percentage of people participating in these forums who prefer a stickshift -- partly because many are reformed sport driving enthusiasts, but largely because we know how much that manual transmission is worth when it comes to serious FE driving.
If the cost per mile = cheaper than a hybrid I'd rather get this car! Hope it doesn't have the typical VW electrical problems though.
Lets see what real world milage is and what is the cost going to be. With diesel costing .50 to as much as .70 a gal more than reg. gas it's going to have to have fantastic milage over what we get in our HCHI for us to even consider it. IMHO that is. kevin
I can't wait. Bring on the 09 Jetta TDI sportwagon. I love my current sedan, but we really wanted the wagon originally.
the TDI ill have advantages over a Hybrid for certain drivers - As I understand, the Hybrid wins hands down if one driving conditions involve lots of under 30-40 mph driving (ie stop and go traffic ). Hoever, if ones driving activity is significantly more unfettered highway miles, then the tdi is likely s better mpg choice. VW's electrical problems ? I have owned VW's since 1987 and never, ever excperienced an electrical problem. Wanye - do you have any articles on the increase in Diesel supply coming on line in the US ?
Vooch, that depends upon the type of hybrid system. Toyota's HSD lends itself well to the type of driving you are talking about for stop and go -- but only as long as the battery holds out. Honda's system offers no such advantage because of a lack of electric only propulsion, but you can do better than you might expect by making heavy use of FAS with micro pulses for creeping along. I had heard that VWs often have electrical issues due to design choices and parts sourcing. If you have managed to avoid those problems you are lucky indeed to hear my friends (and several online forums) speak!
25,000 miles this week on the 06 Jetta TDI. No electrical problems. The cars runs perfect. Only problem was a $19.00 fuel filter replacement at 18,000 miles. What a pleasure to drive (when my wife lets me). Bring on the new TDI sportwagon.
I have to agree. Many of the electrical problems I read about in MkIV's (my car's generation) come down to bad solder or loose grounds. I also blame dealers for some of VW's reputation, I recently saw a survey where VW dealers were put in last place in terms of satisfaction. The dealers seem especially bad with the TDI's, probably because it's a rare engine that works very differently. Things are improving though, I have heard that the late Jettas and Rabbits are ranking average in Consumer Reports' reliability surveys, instead of below average where they have been for a long time.
