The 2009 VW Jetta TDI is a saucy sedan that has a starting price of $21,990. And I say saucy, because this car runs on clean diesel (that’s what TDI stands for). The result is lots of torque which translates to ready power that is smooth and quick.



Why Diesel Works

#1 It does not smell. In the past, diesel was smelly because it was made from sulfur for the most part. Clean Diesel low sulfur fuel has 97% less sulfur than other diesel fuel.

#2 The new diesel is not dirty. Advanced emission-capturing technology reduces the amount of C0 2 drastically. The dirty, smelly, smoke associated with old diesel engines resulted from unburned or partially burned fuel. What comes out of tailpipes from clean diesels is clean.

#3 New diesels are no longer noisy. Pilot injection quiets down the engine and provides more torque then equivalent gas-based engines.

#4 Diesels have oomph! The 2009 Jetta TDI has a whopping 263 lbs-fit of torque.

#5 Diesel fuel is not just restricted to truck stops. 42% of US stations have diesel pumps today. That’s about one out of every 2 stations.

#6 Diesel is not cheaper than gas. (Not yet, at least) Cost can be as much as .58 cent more than gas. However, diesel gives great MPG. For example, EPA estimates for the new Jetta TDI are 29 city and 40 hwy; the AMCI real world tests came in at 38 city/44 hwy.

The upshot. Clean Diesel provides around 30% more fuel economy, about 25% less greenhouse gas emissions and about 50% more torque. In other words, diesel is the new hybrid.

 

I wish Volvo would start bringing its diesel cars to the US. I know they have them in Europe. I would sure like to see a C30 diesel in US.

 

I live in Winnipeg, MB. Every winter we see temps reach -35C some days. Diesel hates the cold.

I'm also interested to see how electric cars last in the cold.

 

Diesel engines are one of the most efficient engines currently in production. The cylinders in a diesel engine are always hot and combust diesel completely and instantaneously as it is injected; where as gasoline engines have to wait for a spark, and do not combust 100% of the fuel, thus not taking as much advantage of the fuel. Hybrid engine manufacturers boast unrealistic efficiency and city driving is where they consume the least fuel. The majority of people in the US drive on highways to get to their destinations, so it doesn't make sense to me to own a hybrid. In my opinion, it is a trend among environmentally conscious people, to think they are going to solve the gas crisis by driving a Prius. Where in reality they sacrifice comfort and quality for something that gets the same mileage as a much safer and comfortable diesel. Go clean diesel!

 

I had an 05 Jetta Tdi. I miss it soooo much. Even when I see diesel at 4.00 + a gallon up here. Still.. Made it from Rhode Island to North Carolina on one tank of fuel. 700+ miles.

And I agree with Ahmed about Volvo bringing them back in production. That would be nice.