Autoblog

Today Volkswagen officially introduced the next generation Jetta TDI. The new diesel Jetta features the 2.0-liter BLUETEC diesel four-cylinder we told you about earlier this month, which manages to meet emissions standards in all 50 states without the use of urea injection. Instead it uses a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst controlled by the engine management system, which periodically changes the vehicle's operating mode to treat the nitrogen oxide it's stored up. VW says it reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent. Unfortunately, VW didn't realease any power figures for the Jetta TDI or a price or fuel economy numbers for that matter, though the vehicle's not going to be available all the way until the spring of 2008.

As we've made known, we're excited about diesels making a comeback, and the Jetta TDI is a coup for diesel proponents in the U.S. since it's much less expensive than some of the other early diesel offerings like the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD.

In related news, VW also announced that it's begun a search for the oldest-running and highest-mileage VW diesel in the U.S. As AutoblogGreen points out, it will likely be a diesel Rabbit, as VW has sold the most of those in the U.S. over time, 12,393 in 1977 alone. The engine has to be original and the search will officially begin in March and run through at least August. The owner of the winning vehicle will get to drive a 2007 Touareg TDI for six months, which will no doubt be quite an upgrade.

Check out VW's official press releases for both announcements after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen, AutoblogGreen]