When we told you last month about the return of Volkswagen's Jetta wagon, many of you were unimpressed by the car's bland styling and we don't totally disagree.
Now, however, we find out what VW's hiding under those dowdy clothes. Inside Line is reporting that VW expects 2008 Sportwagens ordered with the 2.0 diesel engine to get EPA numbers of 40 city/60 highway. A VW spokesperson also said the diesel Sportwagen will be available nationwide, the first time since 1999 that a diesel Jetta will be sold in all 50 states.
For us, a fuel-sipping diesel combined with an under-$20k starting price makes up at least a little bit for the uninspiring exterior. Looks like it's gonna be a long wait until the diesels hit the lots in January.
Thanks for the tip, Steve!
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
jjpg2000 @ May 8th 2007 1:36PM
Will there be a Golf Counterpart?
Kumar @ May 8th 2007 1:37PM
Now they just have to add their 4motion too and I'll get in line.
James N. @ May 8th 2007 1:43PM
VW Jetta wagon, with diesel and a manual. I want one.
Jim in Tampa @ May 8th 2007 1:47PM
The silver in the article picture looked duller than unsalted grits. But the wagon in bright blue in the gallery is sharp. Throw in the diesel engine and I think these things will be flying off the lot.
et @ May 8th 2007 1:56PM
i bought a 2006 jetta tdi special edition last month. great fuel mileage and better cost of fuel. i am canadian and i drive for over 150 kms / day. thank you vw. and, if all the other car companies start creating diesel, the selection would be great.
Ming of GMI @ May 8th 2007 2:02PM
I like it. But I also think the Suzuki Forenza Wagon looks nice. And a Prius-beating Diesel to boot (with real wagon storage/utility, not hatchback stuff).
MikeW @ May 8th 2007 2:05PM
Now add a 7 speed double clutch transmission.
Hello @ May 8th 2007 2:08PM
Anyone have an idea of the specs on the 2.0 diesel? Also, will this be in the sedan as well?
Brent Schmidt @ May 8th 2007 2:10PM
That's really, really nice to hear. This is now one of the cars we'll be looking at when we purchase our next vehicle in the next 9-12 months.
Joe K. @ May 8th 2007 2:22PM
I have a personal thing against Jettas thanks to the bills my sister's has racked up, but when i saw the wagon at the NY auto show i def. liked it. I've always been partial to small wagons, I own a protege5 right now and with 130k on the clock it is looking for a replacement. If this comes to fruition with prices that are fair, it may make itself into consideration...
dskinner @ May 8th 2007 2:24PM
If Inside Line is correct, that is an amazing accomplishment. What is the purpose of a hybrid when a diesel gets much better mileage, is available in all 50 states, costs only a bit more and uses far less complicated parts?
mike @ May 8th 2007 2:30PM
Now that's what I'm talkin about! I'll keep an eye out for the sedan. Those sedate looks can be cleaned up by a nice set of tasteful wheels and maybe a stainless exhaust.
Yggdrasilly @ May 8th 2007 2:36PM
40-60, you say? Are those by new EPA mileage standards--or old ones?
Mulad @ May 8th 2007 2:56PM
Interesting that they're sticking to the 60mpg highway number. I first saw that number when they were talking about the 2008 Jetta TDI sedan a while back. If they really think it'll do that well, that'll be amazing, considering that the 2006 Jetta TDI was rated 36/41 (a few mpg worse than the fourth-generation cars which were new up halfway into 2005). I've been wondering if that's really what they expect from the EPA, or if they're talking about what the most light-footed 25% or 50% of the drivers will get...
But if it's true, and they've kept the fuel tank about the same size, many folks will be getting 800+ mile trips on a single tankful.
James @ May 8th 2007 2:56PM
I echo the sentiments of 3 and 4.
I'll take one in blue, tdi, manual. Where do I sign up?
asurroca @ May 8th 2007 3:04PM
@Yggdrasilly:
Since the new EPA mileage standards are already in effect and this is a forthcoming model, I'm sure these figures are under the new standards.
Besides, this figure is about what was already expected from the new 2.0L TDI unit from the speculation since VW showed it off a while back.
bobcobb @ May 8th 2007 3:06PM
OMG, a diesel wagon that I can get with a manual? FINALLY! I may have to sell my truck to get this, I've been waiting for so long for this to happen.
jacob @ May 8th 2007 3:13PM
Pretty amazing. I hope they also did some work on its engine's smoothness. While walking on streets, quite often, I turn my head to see what kind of tractor engine is generating such rough engine noise while idle or at low speeds. And what do I see quite a lot? A Jetta!
gouzizi @ May 8th 2007 3:19PM
If, the 2.0 diesel is the same as the one we find under the hood of vw group cars in Europe.
The specs should be 140cv/320nm(235lb/ft)@1750nm for the base model.
An upgraded version is also available which produce 170cv/350nm(260lb/ft)@2500nm
Both are mounted (in trasversal use) with a 6 speed manual or a 6 speed DSG.
European mileage is 35-55 with the stick.
Peter @ May 8th 2007 3:20PM
I am excited about clean diesel as well, though I think those numbers are just a tad optimistic. They are the kind of numbers the eggshell grannies and mileage fiends report, not typical and not EPA. These are the folks who discover that 53 MPH is the ideal Highway speed and never exceed that...
Engine is rated 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. That would be pretty sweet in the smaller Golf.
BTW WTF is up the comment system. I have to submit 5 times before it works. No indication of failures the previous 4 it just silently does nothing.