Thing were looking up with the announcement that low-sulfur diesel fuel would finally become available here starting in late 2006. But before we could all abandon our gas-guzzlers and jump on the Euro bandwagon, the EPA decided that diesel-equipped passenger vehicles would be required to meet a strict new set of emissions standards starting with the 2007 model year. Despite advanced engine technology and cleaner fuel, today's diesels still produce too much particulate matter (soot) and too high a level of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) to meet the new standards. 2006 therefore effectively marks the end of the road for the current generation of diesel cars in this market.

Volkswagen is one of the few carmakers to consistently offer a diesel option here- in fact every generation of the Jetta has been available with a diesel option. For 2006, Volkswagen’s bread-and-butter sedan once again houses... Full Article

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Long Gone- 81 Rabbit, 85 GTI, 94 Golf, 84 GTI, 84 GTI Cab, 00 Golf TDI, 90 GTI

Yawn.....1.9TDI..takes me back 9 YEARS to my 96' Passat.

The 2.0 will bring many more into the diesel fold..I expect many performance tuned TDI's will be built on this platform.

note to sidebar: My father-in-law took European delivery of the E320 cdi sedan last month..the family is traveling to Maine so only one day will keep me from the experience of 380lb/ft !

Amen. The 1.9-liter engine seems like the wrong choice for this new platform. Let's see what they decide for 2007.

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Long Gone- 81 Rabbit, 85 GTI, 94 Golf, 84 GTI, 84 GTI Cab, 00 Golf TDI, 90 GTI

There were a couple of minor inaccuracies in your article that I should point out. Sorry to be a pest but I breathe TDIs if it isn't obvious and I want to ensure readers are getting the full goods.

First thing is a very, very minor point: what you have currently in North America IS low-sulfur Diesel fuel (500 parts per million or 0.05% by weight); by this autumn, the continent will have transitioned to Ultra-low sulfur Diesel (ULSD), which is regulated to a maximum limit of 15 ppm (0.0015%).

Secondly, TDI availability pre-dates the late-90s Jetta, when it was also offered in 1996 and 1997 in the Passat, and 1997-early 1999 in the 3rd-generation Jetta. The TDI engine that powered all of the abovementioned models also developed 90 HP but with a slightly lower rated torque of 149 lb.ft.

Thirdly, the 2.0-liter engine in the latest Passat still has 8-valves, not sixteen, as stated. This seems to be a unique engine for the North American market, which has what appears to be the identical balance-shaft-equipped bottom-end of the European 2.0 16V TDI, but with only 2-valves per cylinder.

While shift quality in VW's manual transmissions can be endlessly debated, this is the first I have heard of what you described as an "incessant throbbing of the clutch pedal under foot." For one thing, I NEVER touch the clutch pedal except for the split second when shifting, or when I'm at stopped at a traffic light. Never in my over 130+ thousand miles of driving my far less refined B4 Passat TDI have I ever experienced such a vibration. This my be a flaw in your own test car, but I do not believe it to be a normal phenomenon.

Relative to the overall engine's rev range, the TDI has a quite broad torque curve, as is the characteristic of Diesel engines. It is this same characteristic that contradicts the need for more gears in the transmission. A narrow, peaky powerplant requires more gears spaced more closely to keep the engine operating "in the powerband;" not necessarily so in a TDI, where a majority percentage of maximum engine power is at the driver's disposal from as little as 2500 RPM. This is the same reason why the Audi R10 TDI LeMans racer has a 5-speed transmission rather than the six that is almost universal in the field.

Cheers,

Anyways, I was very surprised that my wife would go for a diesel, but she loves her new Jetta TDI. We both test drove the manual before ordering the DSG model and i would agree that it comparitively feels a little cheap, but it still gave off a nice impression.

It's been a couple years since I've had my TDI. I knew when I wrote this piece it wouldn't take long to flush out any inaccuracies.

Good point on the fuel issue. I've always heard the ULSD commonly referred to simply as "low-sulfur"

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Secondly, TDI availability pre-dates the late-90s Jetta, when it was also offered in 1996 and 1997 in the Passat, and 1997-early 1999 in the 3rd-generation Jetta. The TDI engine that powered all of the abovementioned models also developed 90 HP but with a slightly lower rated torque of 149 lb.ft.

Frame of reference I guess- after 1996 it was the late-90's to me.

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Thirdly, the 2.0-liter engine in the latest Passat still has 8-valves, not sixteen, as stated. This seems to be a unique engine for the North American market, which has what appears to be the identical balance-shaft-equipped bottom-end of the European 2.0 16V TDI, but with only 2-valves per cylinder.

When I initially wrote this, VW's website indicated that the Passat's TDI was a 16V setup. That info is off their site now. I called to confirm anyway, and you sir are correct! 8-valve it is.

Quote »

While shift quality in VW's manual transmissions can be endlessly debated, this is the first I have heard of what you described as an "incessant throbbing of the clutch pedal under foot." For one thing, I NEVER touch the clutch pedal except for the split second when shifting, or when I'm at stopped at a traffic light. Never in my over 130+ thousand miles of driving my far less refined B4 Passat TDI have I ever experienced such a vibration. This my be a flaw in your own test car, but I do not believe it to be a normal phenomenon.

Trust me, the pedal in our car throbbed more than I've ever experienced in a TDI. It didn't appear to be faulty in any way, it just seemed to transfer the vibration more noticably through the pedal, especially when I had my foot on the pedal just prior to a shift (with little pressure down).

Quote »

Relative to the overall engine's rev range, the TDI has a quite broad torque curve, as is the characteristic of Diesel engines. It is this same characteristic that contradicts the need for more gears in the transmission. A narrow, peaky powerplant requires more gears spaced more closely to keep the engine operating "in the powerband;" not necessarily so in a TDI, where a majority percentage of maximum engine power is at the driver's disposal from as little as 2500 RPM. This is the same reason why the Audi R10 TDI LeMans racer has a 5-speed transmission rather than the six that is almost universal in the field.

TDIs certainly do have fat torque bands, but not very broad power bands. I suspect that the 6-speed DSG feels a tad more conventional in its acceleration because of the additional gear and requisite re-spcaing of the ratios, though I haven't driven one to confirm. I'll report back when I've had that opportunity.

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Long Gone- 81 Rabbit, 85 GTI, 94 Golf, 84 GTI, 84 GTI Cab, 00 Golf TDI, 90 GTI

I would not have considered a diesel if I didn't have the opportunity to rent a bio-golf for a week in Maui - this would confirm the author's premise that only previous vw diesel buyers opt for diesel.

Frankly, my 10-minute local-dealer test drive in the new Jetta tdi was unimpressive, but my faith in the car, the brand, the engine, and the possibility of running b100 (aftter warranty ends, of course) - all backed up by my week-long rental - convinced me to go diesel for the first time.

we love the car and don't regret it at all

A good percentage of Canadian VW buyers select the TDI engine, and the percentage would be even higher if the dealers could get enough cars. For me (and the other 40% or thereabouts of Canadian buyers who select TDI), the gasoline engines are not an option at all; too expensive to feed. VW is going to have a major hole in the lineup in 2007 until they get the new emission situation licked.

ditto.
And,

Is their some conspiracy by the big 3 to keep out the diesels from europe?

There are so many good traits of deisel for our American (and Canadian) driving style and if B20 was avaliable across the board, not only would Iowa soy farmers be rich and driving lamborghinis (like the suadis) - our air would be better.

well, no matter what you say, I believe that there IS a lobby effort funded by big 3 and opec to keep americans away from diesels...

I hope that VWoA will make a stand and offer an uninterrupted supply of diesels in the US market. It's hard to restart that which has been discontinued most of the time for whatever reason, it seems. Besides, the TDI stands as perhaps Volkswagen's last gasp as a marketer of anything remotely resembling economical automobiles. When VW finally abandons fuel-efficiency altogether, that'll be the last time I, for one, will ever walk into a VW showroom again.

Modified by vwlarry at 6:35 AM 2-3-2006

Please read my latest article in Automotive Traveler! Link: http://automotivetraveler.com/jump/1364 Thanx, and leave a comment at the end! ☺

It's the end of the line for the current TDI technology. The next phase will involve additional and more expensive equipment. How soon we see the next generation of VW diesels here remains unknown.

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Long Gone- 81 Rabbit, 85 GTI, 94 Golf, 84 GTI, 84 GTI Cab, 00 Golf TDI, 90 GTI

To the EPA for their misguided attempts to 'clean' the air. Those monstrosities Big Three keep pumping out do much more harm to the environment than any diesel car on the road. I wish they'd invest more resources into Biodiesel - better for the environment, better for OUR economy - not the middle east's...

TSOL
Spreadin' the love all around, and layin' it on THICK!

Quote, originally posted by TheSpatulaOfLove »

To the EPA for their misguided attempts to 'clean' the air. Those monstrosities Big Three keep pumping out do much more harm to the environment than any diesel car on the road. I wish they'd invest more resources into Biodiesel - better for the environment, better for OUR economy - not the middle east's...

The EPA Regulations have messed up the heavy truck industry so bad its not even funny..... The new engines have decreased oil change intervals, small percent reduction in power(efficiency), and a large increase in cost. For what??? The 2007 thing is one of the WORST things the EPA has ever come out with.

There IS a slight engine related 'diesel' vibration that can be felt in the clucth pedal on engagement, but it is slight. I find that to be a characteristic, and not a fault. During actual driving you don't notice anything of the sort. The little engine that could just purrs at highway speed due to the low rpms (where the power is).

I have owned some pretty high horsepower cars in the past, but the peak power was at 4,500 rpms and higher. This TDI is like having a V8, where you just step on it and go. I can even run blended Biodiesel to clean up the act even more until USDL (low sulphur diesel fuel) finally comes out.
A unique blend of economy AND performance.

Lastly that headline 'Last of the dirty diesels' represents a biased point of view in a negative light. May be'Not as clean' as poosible becaue as I understand it, that American fuel is so sulfur laden that VW can't make a cleaner vehicle and sell it here, Like than can in Europe, because the sulfer would kill a particulate filter and other methods to clean the burn. They have low sulphur fuel and Biodiesel as the norm in Europe.
We have the technology, but the big oil companies and the administration that lets then do what they want are dragging their feet so they can rake in more profits for as long as possible. The latest EXon/Mobile earnings profit statements sure woke up alot of people.

Then the $2,500 tax credit for Hybrids and 'clean diesles' purchased in 2006 SHOULD have included current PD technolgy vehicles as it was promoted IMO. Then the EPA jumped in and said that the 'clean diesels' have to meet a new bin 2 standard, (which none do), due to the high sulfur fuel we have, and no particulate filter( due to the high sulfur of our fuel) and this stupid cycle of making a target, that can't be met, because they won't give you the correct fuel, to allow you to meet it.

-Mike

Modified by racecrmike at 2:29 PM 2-4-2006

One piece of info left out in the review: visit http://www.tdiclub.com!

Just like any saftey or emission standard, vehicles built prior to the change aren't required to comply. You can keep driving your 2006 TDI just like normal. But for 2007 (or 2008, or whenever we see the next-gen VW diesel) there will be particulate traps and some form of NOx reduction in order to bring emssions in line with gasoline engines.

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Long Gone- 81 Rabbit, 85 GTI, 94 Golf, 84 GTI, 84 GTI Cab, 00 Golf TDI, 90 GTI

I really like VWs, but I can only afford one if it's a TDI. No TDI, no more VW for me as well. I hope someone's listening.

The reason that they're fighting it is because diesels are lower in greenhouse gas emissions and that's what everyone is clamoring about now. The new technology is going to be costly, and diesels already cost enough. making them more costly is counter-productive... but that's s.o.p. for the government. The massive gains in clean cars have been made. further reducing emissions will be expensive and will gain much less, but that's the way it will be. As old cars die-off, the fleet will continue to get cleaner and cleaner, without even making cars cleaner than they are now. Once the cars from the 80's and early 90's are all but gone, things will be surprisingly clean (assuming the newer cars are maintained, of course)

Back on topic (not that I strayed too far this time) Diesels are better for the environment because...

a: lower greenhouse gasses,

b: you can recylce used cooking oil and use it to make your own fuel, further lowering production of greenhouse gasses.

c: Companies or individuals should be able to make biodiesel out of just about any organic matter that they/you want... algae, corn, soy, biomass - whatever. As with making your own fuel, this would also lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the need to refine crude oil (which is another source for pollution) and finally,

d: there is almost no evaporation from diesel fuel. That's why diesel pumps at your local BP station look nasty. (nearly) All of the spilled diesel fuel is still there. Gas evaporates, adding to pollution (more than you think).

That's why they're mad.

Quote, originally posted by patrikman »

A restoration to me is some sort of exorcism/brainwash for a car. /rant.

But like some have indicated. Cars are only a small part of the total picture. The Bus, Truck, Railroad and Shipping fleets are the real culprits here, and should be running Biodisel NOW if they were really serious about keeping particulates out of our lungs.

I think we should all take a close look at the new Audi Diesel (first ever) 24 hours of LeMans racer, for the next wave of trickle down technolgy.

-Mike

Quote, originally posted by racecrmike »

We have the technology, but the big oil companies and the administration that lets then do what they want are dragging their feet so they can rake in more profits for as long as possible. The latest EXon/Mobile earnings profit statements sure woke up alot of people. Then the EPA jumped in and said that the 'clean diesels' have to meet a new bin 2 standard, (which none do), due to the high sulfur fuel we have, and no particulate filter( due to the high sulfur of our fuel) and this stupid cycle of making a target, that can't be met, because they won't give you the correct fuel, to allow you to meet it. -Mike Modified by racecrmike at 5:05 PM 2-3-2006

I am agreement w/ mike, with most of this anyway.

Our goverment is kept on a friggin leash thanks to big oil...
They don't want people messing with diesels and opening up the market for biodiesel suppliers.

Bill Maher had Willie Nelson on... Bill cut him off as soon as he started talking about his 2 diesels... friggin flake.

- Fab

Quote »

the EPA decided that diesel-equipped passenger vehicles would be required to meet a strict new set of emissions standards starting with the 2007 model year. Despite advanced engine technology and cleaner fuel, today's diesels still produce too much particulate matter (soot) and too high a level of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) to meet the new standards. 2006 therefore effectively marks the end of the road for the current generation of diesel cars in this market.

And

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Perhaps the only other carmaker as committed as VW to offering diesels in America is Mercedes-Benz

Okay, so let me get this straight. The big three are in the process of launching the V8 Muscle car comeback (not to mention SUVs or pickup trucks) and the EPA decides it needs to work on legislation that will effectivly ban diesel passenger cars when there are only two manufacturers even selling them in the US.

How about a big wtf. No seriously. WHAT THE ****?!

Modified by Fahrvergnuugen at 10:09 AM 2-7-2006

Will let you know how it goes. This is my first diesel that isn't in a truck!

David Farmer