Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Wrap-Up [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-wrap-up-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-wrap-up-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/13/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-wrap-up-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

She Ain't What She Used To Be



Truth be told, we never had any intention of spending a full year with Volkswagen's sixth-generation Jetta. We were enjoying many a happy trail with our 2010 TDI Cup Street Edition - a car that won us over with its excellent mix of sport and efficiency. It was, perhaps, the best model to come out of the Jetta's fifth generation, and we were glad to have it, especially after we first met the controversially redesigned 2011 model that wasn't exactly garnering rave reviews.

But then the TDI Cup Street met a very tragic and mysterious demise. (We still miss you, Heidi.)

To ease our pain, Volkswagen offered up the chance to spend one year with the 2011 Jetta TDI you see here. Sure, it uses the same torquey 2.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-four as the old Jetta, but nearly everything else had been changed... and not necessarily for the better.

So how would a full year with the new Jetta TDI stack up after we had eight lovely months of diesel motoring with Frou Cup Street? Would we still love it like the old model, or would we simply end the year with a resounding... "Meh?"

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Wrap-Up [w/video]

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Wrap-Up [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta tdilong-termlongtermtdivolkswagenvwFri, 13 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20225295/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/13/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-wrap-up-w-video/20225295/article-detail.xml 20225295 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/10-long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/10-long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Diesel sales jump, we ask "how high"? (35 percent)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

It may come as a shock, but diesel cars are doing well outside of their traditional European home. The just-released Mazda CX-5 shows that diesels are selling beyond expectations in Japan, but the real story is that we might be seeing the start of a golden era for diesel-powered cars in the U.S. In fact, clean diesel sales were up 35 percent in the first quarter of 2012 over Q1 2011, a trend - and it is a trend, since diesel sales were up 27 percent in 2011 - that the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) says is due to higher fuel prices pushing people into the efficient oil-burners.

Allen Schaeffer, DTF's executive director, said in a statement that, "I expect clean diesel auto sales to increase further as several new diesel cars are introduced in the U.S. market in the next year."

Right now, it's pretty much all Jetta TDI, all the time.

Once those other vehicles arrive, we'll see how the market shakes out. Right now, it's pretty much all Jetta TDI, all the time. A while back, we spoke with Lars Ullrich, the director of marketing and business excellence, diesel systems North America, for Robert Bosch LLC. He told us that diesel Jettas made up 44 percent of all diesels sold in the U.S. last year, which makes the Jetta sort of the Prius of diesels in America. Last year, Volkswagen had 58 percent of all diesel sales in the U.S.

Does this mean the Jetta TDI is "the" diesel in the U.S.? Ullrich said it depends on how you look at the numbers. About 60 percent of all Audi A3s sold in the U.S. in 2011, for example, were diesel, but the A3 sells in smaller numbers overall than the Jetta. When you have diesels available in high-volume models, he said, you end up selling a lot of diesels.

Diesel-powered passenger cars and medium-duty pick-ups had around three percent market share in the U.S. in 2011.

What does the big picture look like? Overall, diesel-powered passenger cars and medium-duty pick-ups had around three percent market share in the U.S. in 2011. That may not sound like a lot, but compare it to the hybrid market share, which has gone from 2.7 to 2.4 to 2.1 percent over the last three years, Ullrich said. Today, there are 25 clean diesel models available in the U.S. By 2014, that number will double, he said, which gives us an indication of where the market is moving. Echoing Schaeffer, Bosch's prediction is that the U.S. will see diesels grab 10 percent of the market by 2015.

While increasingly popular, diesels are not perfect. There are issues like the $32-a-gallon urea liquid, for example, and a fossil fuel is a fossil fuel. But it's clear that Americans are considering diesel more than they used to. The question is what happens when the diesel Chevrolet Cruze and Jeep Grand Cherokee arrive? Or more of Mazda's Skyactiv-D models? And, further down the line, when we see more merging of electric and diesel powertrains, where the diesel - perhaps renewable diesel - is burned in an efficient generator to generate electricity. That's when things get even more exciting.

High gas prices are helping plug-in vehicles and hybrids do quite well in the U.S., too. The Diesel Technology Forum says hybrid sales increased 37.2 percent while plug-in electrics jumped 323 percent. Overall, vehicle sales were up 13.4 percent. For more number-crunching details, see our monthly green car sales charts for January, February and March of 2012. The DTF has compiled a list of all the diesel-powered vehicles available in the U.S. here.

Continue reading Diesel sales jump, we ask "how high"? (35 percent)

Diesel sales jump, we ask "how high"? (35 percent) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi dieselcruze dieseldieseldiesel salesdiesel technology forumjeep dieseljetta tdilars ullrichmercedes-benz dieselvolkswagenvw dieselWed, 18 Apr 2012 19:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20218848/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/18/diesel-sales-jump-we-ask-how-high-35-percent/20218848/article-detail.xml 20218848 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2011-jetta-tdo-lt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2011-jetta-tdo-lt.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: February 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-february-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-february-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-february-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI interior

Two months with our long-term 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is enough for me to know that history will not look back kindly on this generation of VW's long-running compact sedan. As has been covered, rather exhaustively I might add, the 2011 refresh of the Jetta brought with it a significant reduction in interior fit, finish and overall quality. Sadly, the more time you spend in the Jetta, the more its interior bits and pieces wear on your senses, as does the dour black color palette.

Perhaps the interior deficiencies of the 2011 Jetta wouldn't be so noteworthy if Volkswagen hadn't set such a heady precedent in past models, offering an upscale alternative to its competitors at a slightly higher price. As you're likely aware, VW's latest strategy puts its products on an equal footing with more mainstream brands while boasting a highly competitive price. Based on the brand's recent profit margins and record sales, the plan is working to perfection.

We hate to harp on the point, but have to wonder if moving downmarket will have long-lasting repercussions with diehard VW fans.

Keep your eyes locked on the official Autoblog Facebook page for the majority of our updates, as well as the official Autoblog Twitter account (@therealautoblog, look for the #ablongterm hashtag).

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: February 2012

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: February 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta tdilong termvolkswagenThu, 08 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20189296/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-february-2012/20189296/article-detail.xml 20189296 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-interior-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-interior-2.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: January 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-january-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-january-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-january-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Stellar fuel efficiency is still the name of the game when it comes to our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI, as it's averaging well over its EPA-estimated 30 city and 42 highway miles per gallon in our hands. In fact, with a deft throttle foot, it's not terribly difficult to crest the 50-mpg plateau on long, steady-state trips.

The oil-burning steed recently made the trek from Southern California to the Phoenix, Arizona area so that our resident photographer, Drew Phillips, could make sure we got all the right shots as we lead-footed our way around the Bondurant circuit with the Chevy Camaro ZL1.

Parking the Jetta TDI next to the Camaro ZL1 was an interesting exercise - it's hard to imagine two vehicles more diametrically opposed than these. And, needless to say, moving directly from 580 supercharged horsepower in the ZL1 to just 140 horses in the VW took a bit of right-foot recalibration.

The good news is that, with 236 pound-feet of torque on tap, the Jetta TDI is fun to drive in its own right. Short-shifting the six-speed manual gearbox to keep the diesel mill in its sweet spot produces the most satisfying experience in the Jetta, and it allows you to feel the rush of torque as the turbocharger gets a hold of the spent diesel fumes, pushing your body into the seatback.

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: January 2012

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: January 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta tdilong termlong-termtdivolkswagenMon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20165313/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-january-2012/20165313/article-detail.xml 20165313 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2011-jetta-tdo-lt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2011-jetta-tdo-lt.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: December 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-december-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-december-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-december-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



After spending the first half of December up in the San Fernando Vallery with Drew Phillips, our long-term Jetta TDI made its way back into my care for a holiday road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Old Blue saw some great American icons on the trip, such as Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Sonoma Valley and the Golden Gate Bridge. Come to think of it, the Jetta and I have seen a lot of the country's splendor together. After all, my last run with the Volkswagen involved driving it 2,000 miles from Detroit to LA.

Since that long road trip in the Jetta this past summer, the interior seems to be more broken-in, though it isn't showing any noticeable signs of wear. That said, it still isn't a very pleasant place to be. I didn't love it on my cross-country journey a few months ago, and while it's more comfortable now that more butts have been in the driver's seat, there simply isn't anything to rave about.

Fuel economy, however, is as great as ever - I commonly see numbers over 40 mpg. The car's much-disliked gearbox is still tricky, and we broke a sweat trying not to stall while starting out on some of those steep San Francisco hills (especially when cars were behind us). But with some serious concentration, we managed with minimal problems.

All-in-all, the Jetta TDI continues to get the job done, though never quite in the refined manner that we're looking for. I've put thousands of miles on this Jetta TDI myself, but have yet to completely bond with it.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: December 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta tdilong-termvolkswagenvwFri, 06 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20141751/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/06/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-december-2011/20141751/article-detail.xml 20141751 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/08-long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/08-long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: November 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-november-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-november-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-november-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

It's been a little over six months since the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI joined our long-term garage, and since then, we've put more than 17,000 miles on this Tempest Blue sedan. After spending much of the summer in Detroit, the Jetta TDI was road-tripped out to Los Angeles where the Autoblog staff in Southern California have been tending to the car.

Even after half a year, we are still amazed at how easy it is to get excellent fuel mileage in the Jetta TDI. Official EPA ratings for the car are 30 city and 42 highway, but rarely do we fall below that average. Twice we have averaged more than 50 miles per gallon for a tankful, and only occasionally do we drop below 40 mpg on average. Apparently, only lead-foot Michael Harley, last month's caretaker of the Jetta TDI, knows how to get mediocre fuel mileage out of the 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder, averaging around 35 mpg during his time with the car.

This admirable fuel mileage translates to well over 500 miles per tank (we went 608 miles in between our last two fill-ups), a pleasant change compared to the frequent stops necessary with other vehicles.

Of course, there's more to the Volkswagen Jetta TDI than its fuel mileage. Follow the jump to read more about how the other aspects of the car have fared during the past month.

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: November 2011

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: November 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdijettajetta tdilong termlong-termlong-termerlongtermtdivolkswagenMon, 05 Dec 2011 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20119883/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/05/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-november-2011/20119883/article-detail.xml 20119883 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: October 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-october-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-october-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/04/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-october-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



October proved to be a busy month for our long-term 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Unlike September, where it bounced between our Los Angeles editors, the keys to the Tempest Blue sedan were in my hands through Halloween. During the past month, it has traveled all over Southern California and taken more than a few trips to Los Angeles Airport loaded with my suitcases.

It's hard not to be impressed with the diesel engine and its fuel economy. Displacing 2.0-liters, the turbocharged inline-four generates 140 horsepower. While that first figure isn't particularly impressive, the 236 pound-feet of torque is. Even with five passengers and a full load of soccer equipment in the huge trunk, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI pulls confidently and has no trouble maintaining speed regardless of the grade. The EPA rates the Jetta at 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway - figures that aligned nicely with my overall average of about 36 mpg for the month of October. The TDI's frugality is maximized on the highway, where I have seen better than 50 mpg more than once.

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: October 2011

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: October 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 jetta tdi2011 volkswagen jetta tdigriotgriotsjettajetta dieseljetta tdilong termtdivolkswagenvolkswagen jetta tdivwFri, 04 Nov 2011 19:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20098158/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/04/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-october-2011/20098158/article-detail.xml 20098158 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/jetta628lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/jetta628lead.jpg <![CDATA[VW and Audi recall nearly 170,000 TDI diesel models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/vw-and-audi-recall-nearly-170-000-tdi-diesel-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/vw-and-audi-recall-nearly-170-000-tdi-diesel-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/vw-and-audi-recall-nearly-170-000-tdi-diesel-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Volkswagen Golf TDI

Volkswagen has officially announced a recall of 168,275 Jetta TDI and Golf TDI models as well as certain Audi A3 TDI vehicles after a recent stop sale. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem stems from the fuel line that feeds injector number two. Over time, the resonance from the injector could cause the line to fail, potentially leading to an engine fire. Volkswagen will replace the line with an improved piece and fit each injector with a vibration damper to prevent the failure from occurring in the future free of charge.

The recall covers certain 2010-2012 Volkswagen Golf TDI and Audi A3 TDI models as well as certain 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Jetta Sporwagen TDI models. Volkswagen will notify owners affected by the issue and work is expected to begin in November. Hit the jump for a look at the recall notice.

Continue reading VW and Audi recall nearly 170,000 TDI diesel models

VW and Audi recall nearly 170,000 TDI diesel models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3a3 tdiaudiaudi a3golfgolf tdijettajetta tdiNational Highway Traffic Safety Administrationnhtsarecalltditdi recallvolkswagenThu, 06 Oct 2011 14:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20075616/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/06/vw-and-audi-recall-nearly-170-000-tdi-diesel-models/20075616/article-detail.xml 20075616 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/volkswagen-golf-tdi-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/volkswagen-golf-tdi-628.jpg <![CDATA[Stop-sale issued for Volkswagen Jetta and Golf TDI diesel models, recall imminent?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/stop-sale-issued-for-volkswagen-jetta-and-golf-tdi-diesel-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/stop-sale-issued-for-volkswagen-jetta-and-golf-tdi-diesel-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/stop-sale-issued-for-volkswagen-jetta-and-golf-tdi-diesel-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI Badge

According to a post by TDI Club, Volkswagen has issued a stop-sale on all 2009-2012 Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen and Golf TDI vehicles equipped with the company's 2.0-liter TDI turbo-diesel engine pending a voluntary safety recall. It's unclear whether or not the 2012 Passat will also be impacted. In a written communication attributed to Volkswagen, the problem stems from the fact that the fuel injector pulse rate happens to occur at the same natural frequency as injector line number two. Over time, the line could fail. That's especially true on certain lines manufactured with tube material that contains scratch marks from a grinding process. Volkswagen says that the inferior piece can't stand up to the stress of the injector pulse rate.

Vehicles manufactured in December 2008, January through February 2009, April 2010 and October through December 2010 all contain the faulty part. The document states that the automaker is currently working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish a recall.

Autoblog spoke with a Volkswagen representative who said that in order for any recall to be official, it will have to go through NHTSA (though we're thinking the same can't be said of a stop-sale).

Stop-sale issued for Volkswagen Jetta and Golf TDI diesel models, recall imminent? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>golfgolf tdijettajetta sportwagenjetta sportwagen tdijetta tdistop salevolkswagenvolkswagen golf tdivolkswagen jetta tdiWed, 05 Oct 2011 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20074399/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/05/stop-sale-issued-for-volkswagen-jetta-and-golf-tdi-diesel-models/20074399/article-detail.xml 20074399 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/volkswagen-golf-tdi-badge_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/volkswagen-golf-tdi-badge.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: September 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-september-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-september-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-september-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

While our long-term Jetta TDI covered thousands of miles in August, mostly thanks to a cross-country jaunt with Michael Zak at the controls, things settled down in September as the blue sedan became accustomed to its new California residence.

Bounced around between the team, the frugal four-door went to Autoblog's Director of Photography, Drew Phillips, first. The bugs were scraped off, the windows cleaned and the Jetta prepared for its official photo shoot (check out the photos laced throughout this post, or click here to see the full gallery). After a week with Drew, it motored across Los Angeles and was soon dropped off at an LA airport parking garage with the keys in an envelope bearing my name (I was arriving back in town after a flight from the Frankfurt Motor Show).

My first order of business was to give the Jetta TDI a quick mechanical inspection...

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: September 2011

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: September 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettajettajetta tdilong-termvolkswagenvwMon, 03 Oct 2011 16:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20071549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/03/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-september-2011/20071549/article-detail.xml 20071549 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/long-term-2011-vw-jetta-tdi.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: August 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-august-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-august-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-august-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

August was quite the month for our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Not only did our diesel darling roll over the 10,000-mile mark, it did so while making its journey across the United States - Detroit to Los Angeles - with AOL Autos' Michael Zak behind the wheel.

Before hitting the road, we took the Jetta in for its first scheduled maintenance appointment, all of which was covered under Volkswagen's carefree maintenance program (no-cost scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles). We had the oil changed, tires rotated, fluids topped off, and other key points inspected. Simple stuff. Upon dropping the car off at the dealership, though, we found out that there was an open recall on our car for - wait for it - wind noise. The service technicians told us that the driver door's sound deadening materials would be inspected and replaced, and to be honest, there wasn't any noticeable difference in wind noise when we picked the car up from service later that day.

In any case, the Jetta was now primed and ready for its cross-country voyage, which meant saying goodbye to the Jetta as we handed the keys over to Michael Zak. After four months of service with our east coast staff, it was time for the Jetta to head west. Click through the jump to read more.

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: August 2011

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: August 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta tdilong-termvolkswagenvwFri, 26 Aug 2011 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20027603/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/26/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-august-2011/20027603/article-detail.xml 20027603 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/eco-comparo---12_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/eco-comparo---12.jpg <![CDATA[U.S. diesel vehicle sales up 38.5% in 2011, VW Jetta TDI leads pack]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/09/u-s-diesel-vehicle-sales-up-38-5-in-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-leads-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/09/u-s-diesel-vehicle-sales-up-38-5-in-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-leads-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/09/u-s-diesel-vehicle-sales-up-38-5-in-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-leads-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Through the end of July, sales of diesel vehicles in the United States were up 38.5 percent, compared to the same seven-month period in 2010. Led by the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Golf TDI, diesel vehicles appear to have escaped the quake-related supply issues that crippled hybrid vehicle sales for months, though they're tally of 8,653 vehicles sold in July still only represents 0.82 percent of the total market.

Sales of the segment leader, the Jetta TDI, were 5,206 last month, bringing the diesel sedan's year-to-date total to 56,717. The oil-burning Golf didn't enjoy nearly the same level of demand, but its sales of 966 units in July landed the hatchback in second place among all diesel vehicles. In third, with sales ringing in at 562 units was the diesel-fueled BMW X5 xDrive35d.

Looking for more details? Head over to Hybrid Cars for a model-by-model breakdown of diesel vehicle sales for July 2011.

U.S. diesel vehicle sales up 38.5% in 2011, VW Jetta TDI leads pack originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clean dieseldieseldiesel vehicle salesdiesel vehiclesjetta tdivolkswagenvwTue, 09 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20013174/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/09/u-s-diesel-vehicle-sales-up-38-5-in-2011-vw-jetta-tdi-leads-p/20013174/article-detail.xml 20013174 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/eco-comparo---09_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/eco-comparo---09.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI being investigated over potential fuel leak]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-being-investigated-over-potential-fuel-leak/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-being-investigated-over-potential-fuel-leak/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-being-investigated-over-potential-fuel-leak/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching an investigation concerning 40,000 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI models. This is the result of NHTSA receiving seven complaints from Jetta TDI owners citing leakage from the fuel line to the fuel injector. If an official recall is issued, both the 2011 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen will be affected.

NHTSA's report states that the common rail fuel system in the Jetta TDI operates at extremely high fuel injection pressure - up to 26,000 psi - and that the seven complaints involved vehicles that had between 2,470 to 7,764 miles on the odometer

Additionally, NHTSA says that it has received a similar complaint regarding a Volkswagen Golf TDI, which uses the same 2.0-liter diesel engine as the Jetta. The investigation was officially opened on August 2.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI being investigated over potential fuel leak originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdi2011 volkswagen jetta tdi sportwagenjettajetta tdinational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsasportwagenvolkswagenvwMon, 08 Aug 2011 09:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20011598/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/08/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-being-investigated-over-potential-fuel-leak/20011598/article-detail.xml 20011598 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/jetta630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/jetta630.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: July 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-july-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-july-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-july-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

If the Volkswagen Jetta TDI featured in our Battle Of The Eco Compact Cars comparison test looked familiar, that's because it's our long-term tester. In fact, you might say that the arrival of our Jetta TDI is what sparked the idea for the comparison test, especially after Editor-in-Chief John Neff took the car on a few long highway trips and recorded well over 50 miles per gallon. And while the Jetta - spoiler alert! - may not have won our eco-warrior comparison, its 2.0-liter diesel engine continues to impress us with its effortless efficiency.

Just how effortless? We enthusiasts tend not to be the most efficient drivers, and yet our recorded average fuel economy over the past 8,500 miles is 43.4 miles per gallon. That's right, our average combined number is 1.4 mpg higher than the EPA's highway rating for the Jetta TDI. In fact, we've recorded as high as 53.5 mpg on the highway, and even under the most spirited driving, the lowest number recorded in our logbook so far is just 36.7 mpg.

Keep your eyes locked on the official Autoblog Facebook page for the majority of our updates, as well as the official Autoblog Twitter account (@therealautoblog, look for the #ablongterm hashtag).

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: July 2011

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: July 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta tdivolkswagenvwMon, 25 Jul 2011 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19999232/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/25/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-july-2011/19999232/article-detail.xml 19999232 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/eco-comparo---09_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/eco-comparo---09.jpg <![CDATA[Honda Civic Hybrid takes on Chevrolet Cruze Eco and Volkswagen Jetta TDI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/honda-civic-hybrid-takes-on-chevrolet-cruze-eco-and-volkswagen/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/honda-civic-hybrid-takes-on-chevrolet-cruze-eco-and-volkswagen/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/06/honda-civic-hybrid-takes-on-chevrolet-cruze-eco-and-volkswagen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Battle Of The Eco Compact Cars

Battle of the Eco Compact Cars
Battle of the Eco Compact Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you wanted a highly efficient compact car five years ago, you bought a hybrid. Diesel was still a dirty word commonly reserved for heavy-duty pickups and the occasional Euro import, and 30 miles per gallon was just becoming the new industry benchmark. The Chevrolet Volt was still just a concept, all-electrics like the Nissan Leaf were barely a blip on our radar, and if a car was turbocharged, it was for go-fast reasons, not fuel-sipping ones.

Fast forward to 2011. Times have changed.

Now, 40 mpg is the new 30 mpg, and we're quickly approaching the days when 50 mpg won't be such a lofty number. After all, there are quite a few cars that already crest that mark without breaking a sweat (including one or two of the cars in this test...).

Enter the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco and 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - a trio of cars that all boast fuel economy figures of 42 mpg or higher on the highway, and all have price points within the $18,000 to $24,000 range. All three fuel-sippers take a completely different path towards overall efficiency - traditional hybrid, turbocharged gasoline and clean diesel.

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid badge2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco badge2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI badge


We're here to put these three eco compacts through their paces - testing not only economy, but general drivability, quality, comfort and value. The winner won't be based simply on its miserly ways - all three cars are pretty darn close in that regard. Instead, we're looking to see which car represents the best overall package, regardless of powertrain. We're here to find out which eco-warrior is the one we'd open our wallets for.

Continue reading Honda Civic Hybrid takes on Chevrolet Cruze Eco and Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Honda Civic Hybrid takes on Chevrolet Cruze Eco and Volkswagen Jetta TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet cruze eco2011 volkswagen jetta tdi2012 honda civic hybridchevroletchevychevy+voltchevyvoltciviccivic hybridcomparisonscruzecruze ecofeaturedgeneral motorsgmhondahonda+civichondacivicjettajetta tdijetta+2011jetta2011volkswagenvwWed, 06 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19983825/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/06/honda-civic-hybrid-takes-on-chevrolet-cruze-eco-and-volkswagen/19983825/article-detail.xml 19983825 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/01-eco-comparo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/01-eco-comparo.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, June 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI long-term vehicle
Click above to view the Jetta TDI's long-term updates on Facebook

Our long-term 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI started its year-long journey with us last month and spent the most amount of days in June under my care, so while I've already passed on its keys to a number of other editors, it's my job to tell you how it fared in its first weeks.

As we mentioned when introducing our long-term Jetta TDI, this 2011 model is vastly different than the 2010 model we had last year. The most noticeable difference is that, unlike the 2010 Jetta and many model years before that, the 2011 doesn't give a very good first impression. The exterior design is anonymous, the interior feels cheap, and every noise the car makes, of which there are lots, is anything but confidence inspiring.

The new Jetta, particularly when powered by diesel like our long-termer, impresses in ways that take more time to bubble up to the surface. You're not going to know right away that it can easily clip along at a Prius-smacking 50+ miles per gallon on the highway, like it did for me on the numerous trips from Cleveland, OH to AOL's offices in Dulles, VA. On my first trip to Dulles with the Jetta TDI, I was so shocked by the trip computer displaying an average of 53.2 mpg that I stopped near the end to fill up and manually calculate the fuel economy. The trip computer turned out to be conservative; I really averaged 53.31 mpg.

Keep your eyes locked on the official Autoblog Facebook page for the majority of our updates, as well as the official Autoblog Twitter account (@therealautoblog, look for the #ablongterm hashtag).

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, June 2011

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, June 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredjettajetta tdivolkswagenThu, 30 Jun 2011 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19979783/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/30/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-june-2011/19979783/article-detail.xml 19979783 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/img8486-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/img8486-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI joins Autoblog's Long-Term Garage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/31/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-joins-autoblogs-long-term-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/31/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-joins-autoblogs-long-term-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/31/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-joins-autoblogs-long-term-garage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you had told us last year that this year's most controversial redesign would be the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, we would've politely walked away and laughed at your outrageous claim behind your back. We're like that. But here we are, and the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is, arguably, the most controversial redesign of the year.

The reason is not so much how the designer's hand has changed the car's look, but rather how the bean counters and product managers have completely changed what the Jetta is. It's no longer a premium compact sedan with a price to match. Now it's a near-mid-size four-door with an ultra-competitive base price.

Jetta fans and auto journalists have been less than enthused with the changes. Buyers, however, apparently disagree. Sales of the new Jetta through April are up 68.8 percent. So which camp is right?

After the untimely demise of our last long-term Jetta (follow the jump for the whole story), a 2010 model year TDI Cup Street Edition, we were offered a 2011 model to take its place. Driving these two diesel Jettas back-to-back will help us craft a before-and-after snapshot of what the car has gained and lost with this latest redesign.

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI joins Autoblog's Long-Term Garage

2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI joins Autoblog's Long-Term Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiablongtermablongterm-jettafeaturedjettajetta cup street editionjetta tdilong-term jetta tditdivolkswagenvwTue, 31 May 2011 14:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19946221/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/31/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-joins-autoblogs-long-term-garage/19946221/article-detail.xml 19946221 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/01-2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-long-term630opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/01-2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-long-term630opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ad Spotting: VW Gets Serious About Pushing Diesel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Can I Drive ad
Volkswagen Jetta TDI "Can I Drive" - Click above to watch the video after the break

Company: Volkswagen of America

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Deutsch/LA

Product: 2011 Jetta TDI

Campaign: "Can I Drive"

What We Like: That VW is putting some money behind marketing its clean diesel models. VW's sister company, Audi, has long been pushing its diesel offerings, while VW seemed to be mostly letting its enthusiast audience do word-of-mouth for the TDI line. The focus of this ad is on the fuel economy, 42 mpg on highway, which is simple, told through a brief story about a teenager who wants to take his turn driving.

What We Don't Like: Not much at all. We see the data point on 42 mpg, which is an eye-catcher. But maybe ad agency Deutsch could have dialed in an extra graphic or data point that shows how far one can drive on a full tank.

Strategy: Clean diesel is much misunderstood by the general consuming public, as well as 99 out of 100 legislators who, it seems, would rather be caught in a New Orleans hotel room with an escort than photographed promoting diesel cars. Hybrids, electrics and even hydrogen cars we will never drive? Members of Congress flock to those photo ops faster than they do a Wall Street hedge fund manager with his checkbook open. But diesel, their campaign managers, tell them doesn't sell. To hell with them. TDI vehicles rock, and get much better mpg than a Camry Hybrid.

This ad is squeaky clean and is as sparkly and wholesome as a hybrid ad. The 42-mpg figure is meant to get TV viewers to search on the car when they see it on TV. There, they will see several links to VW-created content before they get to a Car and Driver review of the car. They'll have to go a lot further into Google to find carping from anti-diesel bloggers or belly-aching from the uninformed who think if they gave a diesel car they will find themselves stranded in the middle of Idaho with no way to fuel up. Good job on the search-engine-optimization VW!

Grade: A -

Watch the commercial after the jump and give it your own grade below.

View Poll

Continue reading Ad Spotting: VW Gets Serious About Pushing Diesel

Ad Spotting: VW Gets Serious About Pushing Diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 volkswagen jetta tdiadspottingdavid kileyjettajetta tditdivolkswagenThu, 19 May 2011 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19944032/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/19/ad-spotting-vw-gets-serious-about-pushing-diesel/19944032/article-detail.xml 19944032 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/vw-jetta-tdi-can-i-drive_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/vw-jetta-tdi-can-i-drive.jpg <![CDATA[2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition: Cold Weather Start [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/2010-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-cup-edition-cold-weather-start-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/2010-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-cup-edition-cold-weather-start-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/2010-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-cup-edition-cold-weather-start-w-vid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition: Cold Weather Start
2010 VW Jetta TDI Cup Edition: Cold Weather Start - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2.0-liter turbo diesel in our long-term 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition is a very modern mill, so we were curious how it would handle starting in the frigid clime of northeastern Ohio this time of year.

Diesel engines typically have three vulnerabilities when it comes to cold weather starts: the fuel, the battery and their glow plugs. First, the new Ultra Low Sulfur diesel fuel we all use begins to gel at a higher temperature than the old fuel. Sulfur is also a lubricant, and with less of it, the fuel pump has to work harder in cold temperatures to keep the thicker diesel fuel flowing. Fortunately, most diesel fuel sold in colder areas has ant-gelling additives mixed in already.

Batteries are also less efficient when cold, while at the same time having to work much harder to crank the engine more times. Finally, diesel engines use glow plugs to heat the point of combustion in each cylinder, which is a much tougher job when the mercury drops below freezing. Optional block heaters can help a diesel engine start in cold weather, but Volkswagen has enough faith in its 2.0-liter TDI that it doesn't even offer one.

So how did our Jetta TDI Cup Edition do when being started in 25-degree weather after sitting for over 24 hours? Follow the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition: Cold Weather Start [w/video]

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition: Cold Weather Start [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 volkswagen jetta tdi cup editionjettajetta tdijetta tdi cold weather startjettatdi-longtermvolkswagenMon, 13 Dec 2010 17:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19757233/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/13/2010-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-cup-edition-cold-weather-start-w-vid/19757233/article-detail.xml 19757233 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/jetta-tdi-cold-weather-start_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/jetta-tdi-cold-weather-start.jpg <![CDATA[By the Numbers: The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/by-the-numbers-the-great-long-term-vehicle-swap-of-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/by-the-numbers-the-great-long-term-vehicle-swap-of-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/20/by-the-numbers-the-great-long-term-vehicle-swap-of-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Like two ships passing in the night, our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT and 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street edition briefly met in person last Saturday morning before their driver - myself and Senior Editor Lavrinc - swapped keys, turned around and headed back to our respective ends of the country.

The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010 went off without a hitch, and because we know more than a few of you are curious, you'll find a table after the jump that shows fuel consumption results for each vehicle on my own portion of the trip. But first, here are some other interesting factoids.

Miles Traveled: 4,938 total for both vehicles
Days: 4
Hours Driven: 10+ per day, per person
Starting Points: Cleveland, OH (Neff in Legacy), San Francisco, CA (Lavrinc in Jetta)
States Neff Traveled Through: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming
States Lavrinc Traveled Through: California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
Meeting Point: Cheyenne, WY

Continue reading...

Continue reading By the Numbers: The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010

By the Numbers: The Great Long-Term Vehicle Swap of 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 subaru legacy2010 subaru legacy 2.5gt2010 volkswagen jetta tdi2010 volkwagen jetta tdi cup editionfeaturedjettajetta tdijettatdi-longtermlegacylegacy-longtermsubaruvolkswagenWed, 20 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19682264/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/20/by-the-numbers-the-great-long-term-vehicle-swap-of-2010/19682264/article-detail.xml 19682264 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/jettatdisubarulegacyfacingopt2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/jettatdisubarulegacyfacingopt2.jpg -1 2