2008 Jetta TDI Bluetec Diesel Revealed at the Washington D.C. Auto Show

Volkswagen showed its 2008 Jetta TDI Bluetec diesel at the Washington D.C. Auto Show that will go on sale next May in all 50 states according to Edmunds Inside Line. The Jetta TDI Bluetec will be powered by a 2-liter common rail TDI that will produce 140 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. Edmunds reports that fuel economy will be in the 45 mpg range. This is excellent fuel economy as the reported figure appears to be for combined city and highway fuel economy. As the Jetta TDI will be a 2008 model year vehicle it will be tested under the EPA's new fuel economy standards that on average will lower fuel economy 8% on the highway and 12% in the city with hybrids having even higher drops. The new Jetta TDI Bluetec is expected to start at around 23,000 dollars.
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mstangpny07 - 1/23/2007 8:38:08 PM

+1 Boost

It also looks like the Jetta got a very minor facelift? (smoked lights, new grille)

chewy - 1/23/2007 8:57:05 PM

0 Boost

No that is the European version that has better tail lights.

chewy - 1/23/2007 10:59:14 PM

+1 Boost

Nope, the electric motor never actually puts out even a decent fraction of its torque. Just like the Camry hybrid electric motor puts out 140 hp but can only use 45 hp.

And what is "premium" diesel? All diesel fuel is 15 ppm ULSD.

Heyhuub - 1/24/2007 11:27:54 AM

+1 Boost

The 1.4 TDI only has 80hp, that would be pretty low for the Jetta.
In Europe you'v got the 1.9 TDI with 105hp, that one gets around 55mpg.

raikkonen - 1/24/2007 2:59:00 AM

+2 Boost

I've been looking forward to the new-gen diesel cars. However, in my area, a gallon of diesel gas runs $2.99 while regular unleaded gas runs $2.19 - which makes diesel gas approx 35% more expensive.

What estimated % gas improvement does it offer over a regular 2.5l Jetta?

chewy - 1/24/2007 3:09:28 AM

+2 Boost

Huge, like 75% or something.

Heyhuub - 1/25/2007 7:17:35 AM

+1 Boost

Yes they are concentrated on torque, thats also a reason why they are briliant for city driving.

For example, the 2.0 TDI with 140hp has 320nm of torque, that's the same amount as the 3.2 V6 you'll find in the Passat.

chewy - 1/25/2007 1:01:09 PM

+1 Boost

140 hp is just as much as the Civic has and out of basically the same displacement, but the Jetta TDI has basically double the amount of torque.

kurtismac - 1/26/2007 3:21:16 AM

+1 Boost

Which planet are you from Heyhuub or watever your name is..diesel costs more in the Uk than regular gasoline..Its not less efficient than a prius it will get the same mpg and in some cases more than a prius (with the equivalent engine and vehicle weight)..now image if it was mated to a battery like the prius it would definately blow it out of the water. If you don't like diesels fair enough but before u go on blowing hot air out of ure arse you need to do more research..So save ure breath for cooling your porridge...

kurtismac - 1/26/2007 3:22:25 AM

+1 Boost

sorry that should be huu 76....heyhuub is the sensible one..sorry...

Heyhuub - 1/29/2007 7:27:39 AM

+1 Boost

In EUrope diesels have been cheaper and getting better milage then the Prius for 10 years.

surrealfeel - 2/6/2007 4:52:10 PM

+1 Boost

One thing all you VW gear heads (I own an '01 Golf GL 2.0 gas btw) are forgetting is: Prius battery life is only 8 years. TDI's? Oh, I've seen VW diesels going on as long at 15+ years! So, in the long run the Prius is dead in a junkyard, unless someone has over $1,000 in labor and battery costs to replace those cells. And lest we not forget the exorbitant costs that Toyota charges at the dealer for those special "Hybrid Maintenance Programs"! I know all this info because I'm constantly bickering with an ex Toyota sales guy over which is better: TDI or Toyota Hybrid.

enp83 - 5/25/2007 6:35:40 PM

+1 Boost

I feel bad huu76 is preaching for the hybrid choir...

Anyway, as for "surrealfeel" and his claim that the Prius battery life is only 8 years...that is a flat out lie. That would be like saying your VW engine and transmission's life is only 4 years (it's only warrantied for 4yr/50k miles right?). BTW the hybrid car batteries in California, and other states that use CA emission standards, all carry 10 year / 150,000 mile warranties. Honda, Toyota, Ford, Nissan wouldn't sell them if they thought they'd have to consistantly replace the hybrid battery within that 10yr/150k mile warranty period.

Let's all just hope the automakers get us "diesel-electric" cars as soon as humanly possible (diesel generator powering batteries & electric motors...think trains).