Rabbit diesel under consideration
When an automaker introduces any kind of expensive technology, one of the first things it does is to try to distribute the cost of production of said tech across its lineup. For Volkswagen, that could include stuffing their new diesel mill into the vehicle-formerly-known-as-the-Golf, the Rabbit. Great news for fuel misers and penny pinchers alike.
The turbocharged two-liter diesel will find its way into the new Jetta TDI come next spring, with sales expected to be between 15,000 and 20,000 units annually.
Although nothing has been firmed up yet, Norbert Krause, VW of America's director of engineering and environment, is well aware of the demand, noting that 40-percent of Jettas sold in 2006 were diesel-equipped. And considering that the crossover segment is expanding rapidly, a diesel-powered Tiguan, like the one shown at the 2007 LA Auto Show, is assured when it goes on sale in mid-2008.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bob cobb 9:13AM (7/09/2007)
DO IT VW! We don't want or care about the jetta. Golf and "golf variant" are all that matter :)
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Mike 9:46AM (7/09/2007)
Who is "we"? I am a Jetta 1.8T owner and I see tons more Jetta's every day than I do Rabbits or Golfs...
enils 9:57AM (7/09/2007)
Since the Jetta is a Golf with a sedan body, there would not really be much of a difference between them in wagon form other than the badge.
Oh, and yeah.. is this article about the 2.0 TDI? That engine has been out for several years already.
Greg A. 1:08PM (7/09/2007)
enils: No, it's about the new-for-2008, 50-state-legal, 2.0 diesel.
bob cobb 10:19AM (7/09/2007)
we is me. The jetta is worthless.
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kevin 11:08AM (7/09/2007)
"consideration"? Shouldn't this be a no-brainer!? I've been hoping and waiting for the announcement of the rabbit diesel ship date. It's quite disheartening that VWoA Is just "considering" it. I guess they're showing just how out of touch they are.
Jason 11:55AM (7/09/2007)
DUH.......I have a 2004 Jetta and am only considering a Rabbit TDI 2.0 Bluemotion...Most likey this is a PR stunt...Consideration...Yeah right...How many TDi golfs were sold in the last 5-7 years????? Too many...
Jason
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Tim UF 12:07PM (7/09/2007)
Well, for its size the current 5cyl USDM Rabbit gets Gawd-Awful fuel mileage (my WRX consistently gets better than what the folks at edmunds got in their tester). So, anything to make that platform a more fuel efficient one can't be all bad...
I'd rather have the Jetta Wagon Dsl though.
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Adam 12:42PM (7/09/2007)
I've been toying with the idea of trading in the Rabbit I bought in April when/if the diesel Rabbit hits the market.
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Louis Duran 1:02PM (7/09/2007)
It would be stupid not to do so.
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Kumar 1:23PM (7/09/2007)
A diesel Rabbit would be an excellent commuter car.
I'd love to get 45-50 mpg in a 15-20k car, even with the 500 buck (or similar) markup for the diesel engine.
Now if Subaru would hurry up with their diesel intruduction to their full line, it would force VW's hand. If it didn't, I'd be happy to buy an impreza or outback diesel style.
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Vexorg 1:33PM (7/09/2007)
So far, I've quite liked my Rabbit (which I've had for a little less than a month now) but the 2.5 definitely isn't the most fuel efficient engine out there. I'm just getting out of the break-in, but I think my last tank showed about 23.5mpg in mixed driving.
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Tim UF 5:13PM (7/09/2007)
I get near 25mpg in mixed in a 2007 WRX... a car as small as the rabbit should break 30mpg with room to spare
Mulad 6:19PM (7/09/2007)
Yeah, I was surprised when looking at the EPA ratings because the more powerful 2.0T engine available in the GTI and Jetta supposedly gets slightly better mileage (whether that translates to better fuel economy in the consumer's experience is hard to say, however).
Peter 1:53PM (7/09/2007)
I'm waiting to purchase one...so hurry up!
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Mulad 1:53PM (7/09/2007)
Meh, considering that the Golf had a TDI option up until the fifth-generation car (Rabbit) was introduced, I think it would be more newsworthy if they *didn't* offer a diesel.
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bill 5:33PM (7/09/2007)
I, too, have been appalled at the miles per gallon being reported upon by the many enthusiast magazines in the U.S. for the latest iteration of the Rabbit. 18 to 25 mpg is simply not acceptable for a sub $20,000 "economy" car.
The 5 cylinder engine being used appears to be a grossly inefficient powerplant with little going for it but 170 lb. ft. of torque at a relatively low rpm.
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Don 3:12PM (7/09/2007)
Why is this even being "considered"? Bring it already!
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Donan Iacovone 5:26PM (7/09/2007)
I think 45-50 mpg is city driving for a new diesel Rabbit. Expect about 60 mpg highway since that is what VWoA has announced for the boxier and heavier 2008 diesel Jetta.
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Guenther 10:25PM (7/09/2007)
VW Germany does not list the mileage of the Golf TDI quite that high. A manual trans 140ps 2l TDI with particle filter comes in at 34City/50Hwy. I beleive that is pretty close to the version that we will see in the states.
http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/de3/modelle/golf/golf0/zahlen___fakten/technische_daten.detail.1.1.html