VW to drop 3 diesel models for '07

[Concept1]

Just a small article about how VW is dropping 3 of their Diesel models for 2007. It's ridiculous how the Touareg is the one Diesel allowed them because it's clasified as a truck. Fortunately new Diesels that meet emissions requirements for all 50 states are due in 2008 starting with the Jetta.

LINK

[hestersu]

This only confirms what our dealers have been saying for months now. I wish we had all been wrong. Hopefully, they will put the new diesel in the Rabbit/Golf and Beetle as well in '08.

Thanks for the confirmation.

[kcfoxie]

Do a TDI SUV and no cars? I hope they import them, I'd buy one. V10 TDI... mmmmm!

[Whitacre]

I am thinking there wont be anymore diesel bugs. Its just a thought, but wouldnt it be awfully convienent to just slash the bug while they update a few things for the whole company family? The bug will have one engine option, and hardly a difference in packages now...I am thinking that this is the last year you can get a TDi bug, or any diesel for that matter...

[Concept1]

VW is commited to bringing the diesels back. They have a tremendous amount money and labor invested in this. The Jetta will be first as it is the best seller and they may have a limited supply of the new diesel engines at first. No need for all the doom and gloom.

[Dorado]

For VW is not a big problem to skip a year on the TDI's in the US, but I hope they do advertise the TDI here when it comes back. People still look incredulous when I tell them my bug is a diesel: "Do they still make them?" And they tell me diesels are smoky and noisy, until I turn the car on for them.

The US emissions laws are ridiculously implemented, when they prevent 40-50 mpg cars from being sold here. Even US companies (Ford, Opel) sell 40-50mpg turbodiesels in Europe.

At the same time, the oil refiners are having it easy by not having to produce gasoline and diesel as clean and as advanced as in Europe. The supercharged and turbocharged Golf GT that produces 150 hp and close to 50 mpg, on gasoline!, can't be sold here because it requires close to 100 octane. The small diesels can't be sold because they can't meet emissions while running on low cetane high sulfur US fuel.

So Americans right now for 2006 cannot buy any 40+ mpg new car other than the Japanese hybrids!

[DR.billZ]

Thank Clinton and your local environMentalists!

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by DR.billZ

Thank Clinton and your local environMentalists!

At Capitol Cadillac, just inside the Beltway, SUVs are flying off the lot. Last week, former White House chief of staff Andy Card dropped by to pick up a new SRX, Caddy's midsize SUV, says dealer Daniel Jobe. But Jobe's hottest seller, by far, is the newly redesigned chrome-encrusted Cadillac Escalade, an incredible hulk that gets 13mpg in the city. "My biggest problem is not gas prices," says Jobe, "it's getting enough of these trucks."

You can just as easily blame Bush. If it wasn't for all the exceptions and extentions he has given the Oil companies we would have clean fuel. Better yet, blame the American public for buying into the SUV craze like a bunch of lemmings. Far too many Americans are lazy and apathetic. They don't care about advancing technology, improving efficiency or protecting the environment unless they are dragged into it kicking and screaming. If it takes an energy crisis to get things moving then so be it.

Thanks to cleaner fuel (ULSD) we are seeing more car manufacturers announcing plans to bring diesel models to the US. Even Honda is doing so. Volkswagen plans to have the Jetta available in both diesel and hybrid versions for 2008. Perhaps we will see a diesel-electric hybrid from VW by the end of the decade.

[Fowvay]

If VW had the 2.0 16V TDi in it's lineup right now.. I would be driving one. I am a serious diesel lover and have been waiting for a 2 Door Golf Diesel for quite some time.

I didn't much see the point of buying another MK4 when I allready owned a New Beetle but the MKV is very exciting to me. The rumor mill states that a 2008 Rabbit 2.0 TDi is on it's way. God I hope that comes true. I will be driving one... thats a fact.

[Dorado]

Originally Posted by Concept1

At Capitol Cadillac, just inside the Beltway, SUVs are flying off the lot. Last week, former White House chief of staff Andy Card dropped by to pick up a new SRX, Caddy's midsize SUV, says dealer Daniel Jobe. But Jobe's hottest seller, by far, is the newly redesigned chrome-encrusted Cadillac Escalade, an incredible hulk that gets 13mpg in the city. "My biggest problem is not gas prices," says Jobe, "it's getting enough of these trucks."

You can just as easily blame Bush. If it wasn't for all the exceptions and extentions he has given the Oil companies we would have clean fuel. Better yet, blame the American public for buying into the SUV craze like a bunch of lemmings. Far too many Americans are lazy and apathetic. They don't care about advancing technology, improving efficiency or protecting the environment unless they are dragged into it kicking and screaming. If it takes an energy crisis to get things moving then so be it.

I agree, the American public, not just one party is to blame for not being aware of our dependence on foreign oil (now 60% of daily consumption) and the long term consequences for our disregard for energy efficiency:

[Dorado]

Good news is that clean diesel is on the horizon:

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsst...6627/story.htm

The catch is that you will probably get to see another NASA shuttle launch before you can walk into a dealership and drive out on a new 50mpg turbodiesel or a twincharger 50 mpg gasser! So save your pennies for a year or two of this period of "diesel prohibition". The borders will be sealed to prevent bootleg 50mph cars from being illegally sneaked into the country!

[ChristopherC]

Originally Posted by Concept1

VW is commited to bringing the diesels back. They have a tremendous amount money and labor invested in this. The Jetta will be first as it is the best seller and they may have a limited supply of the new diesel engines at first. No need for all the doom and gloom.

I agree. I'd be quite surprised if the Beetle & Golf DIDN'T return. They can't retrofit all models at once - it's a matter of priorities. Jettas are VW's bread and butter.

I'll bet the recent spike in fuel costs is making VW kick themselves for deciding to include the Touareg in the first wave. Ahh, the benefits of hindsight.

[TommyK8]

Originally Posted by Dorado

For VW is not a big problem to skip a year on the TDI's in the US, but I hope they do advertise the TDI here when it comes back. People still look incredulous when I tell them my bug is a diesel: "Do they still make them?" And they tell me diesels are smoky and noisy, until I turn the car on for them.

The US emissions laws are ridiculously implemented, when they prevent 40-50 mpg cars from being sold here. Even US companies (Ford, Opel) sell 40-50mpg turbodiesels in Europe.

At the same time, the oil refiners are having it easy by not having to produce gasoline and diesel as clean and as advanced as in Europe. The supercharged and turbocharged Golf GT that produces 150 hp and close to 50 mpg, on gasoline!, can't be sold here because it requires close to 100 octane. The small diesels can't be sold because they can't meet emissions while running on low cetane high sulfur US fuel.

So Americans right now for 2006 cannot buy any 40+ mpg new car other than the Japanese hybrids!

I predict that diesel cars are eventually going to catch on here in the United States in a very big way. The old stereotypes die slowly, and it's amazing how many people still have the firm perception that diesels are smelly, smokey, noisey, and difficult to start in cold weather. But those perceptions are slowly being changed as more people learn about modern diesel technology. I wish I could make an investment in the stock market on diesels, because after owning 2 TDI's, I am firmly of the belief that they are going to sell briskly here very soon. Once people understand that you can actually and realistically get more than 40 mpg, with plenty of low-end torque to make the car plenty quick, that the engine will last more than 300,000 miles if properly maintained, and that the cars are quiet and don't smell, there is going to be a demand for these cars like no one has ever anticipated.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by ChristopherC

I'll bet the recent spike in fuel costs is making VW kick themselves for deciding to include the Touareg in the first wave. Ahh, the benefits of hindsight.

Technically the Touareg isn't actually part of the first wave. It is simply the one diesel they are allowed to sell right now with the old (current) diesel engine. Why? Because it is classified as a truck and so is not subject the the same emissions requirements. Their cars on the other hand have to meet the new emissions requirements and this requires the ULSD fuel and new (future) diesel engines. Does it make sense to place stricter requirements on diesel cars than diesel trucks? Actually it does but only if you ignore the popularity of SUVs in recent years.

The Jetta is supposed to be the first to get the new diesel engine in late 2007 as a 2008 model. A hybrid version of the Jetta is also planned. It should move to the Mk VI platform and receive another redesign at this time.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by TommyK8

I predict that diesel cars are eventually going to catch on here in the United States in a very big way. The old stereotypes die slowly, and it's amazing how many people still have the firm perception that diesels are smelly, smokey, noisey, and difficult to start in cold weather.

It's already starting. Many auto manufacturers are annoucing plans for diesel models. Most are SUVs and large sedans but it's a start. Even Honda plans to join the diesel crowd in the US. Here are some more plans for future diesel models. I really think we are going to see some significant advancements in diesel, gas and hybrid vehicles over the next few years. It's about time.

[Putttn]

So what's the implication for us who own TDIs now? Is there going to be a cleaner fuel and will we be able to burn it and get about the same economy or better?

[Atjoer]

Volkswagen can only blame itself for this, instead of looking into common rail technology years ago to replace the VP they decided to go to the PD setup which cannot meet todays standards for pollution, they finally gave up now but they're behind with the common rail technology so VW has to catch up.
The Jetta will be the first diesel with this technology in North America and will be on the market late 2007, other models to follow soon.

[Concept1]

Originally Posted by Putttn

So what's the implication for us who own TDIs now? Is there going to be a cleaner fuel and will we be able to burn it and get about the same economy or better?

The new fuel will work just fine in existing TDIs and will burn cleaner with less smell and a bit of a performance boost. In other words it will be better all around.

[jpdeuce]

Originally Posted by Concept1

Here are some more plans for future diesel models.

What the heck do they all keep talking about high diesel prices in the US for? Especially as a barrier to bringing the technology here? Do they mean for ULSD? Even if the price was 50% more than regular it would still be an advantage for the fuel economy they are talking about. A Grand Cherokee that can get 35mpg...that's at least 50% better, closer to 100% better fuel economy than the small V8 we owned.

Just curious why every article talks about diesel prices being too high in the US for their technology.

[mgwerks]

Originally Posted by Concept1

The Jetta is supposed to be the first to get the new diesel engine in late 2007 as a 2008 model. A hybrid version of the Jetta is also planned. It should move to the Mk VI platform and receive another redesign at this time.

Almost anything will be better than the chrome-faced Corolla clone that the Mark V Jetta is now.