SEMA 2008: VW Jetta TDI Street concept, live from Vegas

Our team of crack journalists at SEMA have located the Jetta TDI Street concept, so we can now bring you some live shots of the car along with all of the assorted details. As we expected when we first heard that VeeDub was working up the concept, there are no powertrain changes to speak of. That's not surprising given all of the development that went into making the TDI engine meet emissions standards in the U.S. and the fact that it's a great engine just as it is. There are some mechanical changes to the underpinnings, though, with brakes and sway bars from the sporty GLI model and the wheels are alloys. On the bodywork front, a large gaping opening at the front makes the cars look like their racing siblings as do the extended rocker panels and rear valance. A sticker package completes the look.

Volkswagen hasn't decided for sure whether to offer the concept for production. The German automaker will be polling for consumer reaction. We think it looks great, especially in the blue from the GLI, but would want to know just how close to $30K the automaker plans to sell it for.

[Sources: Volkswagen, Autoblog]

PRESS RELEASE

2008 SEMA: VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI CUP "STREET" EDITION
The performance of the Volkswagen Racing Jetta TDI is now available

LAS VEGAS – With the conclusion of the successful 2008 Jetta TDI Cup Volkswagen of America is bringing the race car to the people with their Jetta TDI Cup "Street" edition special model unveiled at the 2008 SEMA show.

The similarities to the race car are evident at first glance – the Jetta TDI Cup edition features the front bumper, side skirts and rear valance that are on the Jetta TDI Cup cars. However, the upgrades on the Jetta TDI Cup "Street" edition go beyond cosmetic with the addition of the brakes and sway bars found in the performance-oriented GLI sedan combined with a European sport tuned suspension.

The TDI Cup "Street" is powered by Volkswagen's powerful 2.0L clean-diesel TDI producing 140 hp and 236 lbs. ft. of readily available torque, mated to the six-speed DSG transmission with Tiptronic® and Sport mode. The TDI Cup Street edition rides on Yokohama 225/40R18 ADVAN sport tires and 18-inch multi-spoke wheels.

The TDI Cup "Street" will be available in similar GLI colors and feature "TDI Cup Edition" appliqué for the vehicle side and branded door sill inserts. The interior brings upgrades that include a race-inspired three-spoke steering wheel with the TDI Cup logo and interlagos cloth sport seats.

Based on consumer feedback, the Jetta TDI Cup Edition may be available as early as 2010 with a price starting under $30,000.