Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen
Volkswagen launching diesel offensive
Volkswagen has long been a proponent of diesel engines and they are accelerating those efforts. Starting early in 2008 the company will launch new diesel engines in the US market using the CleanTDI branding. The first models available will be the Jetta Sportwagen and sedan which will be fifty-state legal and Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant. The new diesel four cylinder will have an output of 140hp and meet all the standards without urea injection. The Touareg will also get a CleanTDI V-6 but that one will require urea injection.
Overseas, VW has a range of TDI engines that already meet the 2009 Euro-5 emissions standards. The big Phaeton sedan gets a 233hp 3.0L V-6 while the new Tiguan crossover gets a pair of four cylinders with 140hp and 170hp. By next year, Volkswagen will have nine BlueMotion models in their lineup including six that will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
[Source: Volkswagen]
07 September 2007
VOLKSWAGEN'S DIESEL OFFENSIVE
- USA 2008: Golf Variant, Jetta and Touareg will meet the world's strictest emissions standards with CleanTDI
- Technology leader: Common Rail TDI in the Tiguan and Phaeton fulfill the Euro 5 standard already today
- Europe 2007: BlueMotion range being continually developed – six new BlueMotion models at the IAA
Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen is expanding its range of clean and economical TDI models worldwide. In the USA, for example, the first CleanTDI will be launched in 2008 in the Golf Variant and Jetta. The high end diesel has been specially developed for the USA and has been designed to also meet emissions regulations in California – the strictest in the world. In Europe Volkswagen is introducing not one but six new BlueMotion models at the International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) in Frankfurt. Two of the world's most modern TDI are also making their debut in the new
Tiguan. They fulfill, as the Phaeton V6 TDI already does, the Euro 5 emissions standard which doesn't come into force for another two years.
In spring 2008 Volkswagen will launch one of the world's cleanest diesel engines – the CleanTDI – in the USA. The new Common Rail engine is capable of 103 kW / 140 hp and will celebrate its premiere in the Jetta, America's most successful diesel vehicle. The new Golf will also be launched as CleanTDI on the American market in 2000. Background: California and the four states of Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine have the strictest emissions values in the USA. The new Jetta CleanTDI and the Golf Variant CleanTDI will be able to fulfill these values as two of the first diesel vehicles.
To be able to meet these strict US standards, Volkswagen has also developed two emissions purification systems especially for the USA. The so-called NOx storage catalytic converter is in the Jetta and Golf Variant CleanTDI. A key element here is a considerable reduction in nitrogen oxides which Volkswagen achieves with measures inside the engine and new converter technologies. Result: up to 90 per cent less nitrogen oxides (NOx).
For the larger and heavier model series, there is the so-called SCR catalytic converter (SCR = Selective Catalytic Reduction). This will also make its debut, still in 2008, in the Touareg. A liquid called AdBlue which is in an additional tank plays a key role here. This is continually injected via a dosing valve in front of the SCR catalytic converter into the exhaust tract. NOx values decrease significantly also here – by up to 90%.
Euro 5 emissions standard: Volkswagen TDIs are miles ahead
Innovative TDIs have been defining Europe's roads for many years. In the latest generation Phaeton which has just been unveiled, there is a 171 kW / 233 hp powerful V6 TDI with Common Rail injection which meets, already now, the Euro 5 standard which doesn't come into force until 2009. Volkswagen is also presenting two more of these Euro 5 TDI at the IAA: the new, four-cylinder Common Rail engines with 103 KW / 140 hp and 125 kW / 170 hp will make their debut in the Tiguan.
BlueMotion fleet: nine extremely economical models by 2008
In addition to this, Volkswagen will also present the next stage of the BlueMotion offensive at the IAA. Not one but six new models with economical and equally environmentally friendly technology will be unveiled in Frankfurt. A highlight here: the Golf BlueMotion (77 kW / 105 hp). With only 4.5 liters diesel for 100 kilometers, fuel consumption is reduced by a generous 0.6 liters as are CO2 emissions which go down from 135 g/km to 119 g/km. The German market launch of the Golf BlueMotion is planned for the end of the year. Already on the market are the Polo BlueMotion (consumption: 3.8 liters) as well as the Passat and Passat Variant BlueMotion (consumption: 5.1 and. 5.2 liters).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Metcalf 9:43PM (9/08/2007)
If not too expensive, this may be my next car. Hope quality is good. VW hasn't gotten good marks of late. There's also new technology worries. Maybe better to wait a couple years.
Darn, I do want one.
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Colin McCullough 10:14PM (9/08/2007)
VW will have their work cut out for them trying to convince Americans that diesels do not equal smog and sooty tailpipes. Hmmm... a sedan that gets 55 mpg and has clean emissions? John Q. Public would believe the Prius, but a diesel? VW's PR folks will be working overtime.
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mike 10:42PM (9/08/2007)
They also better "educate" the public about the difference between Torque and Horsepower. The horsepower Understates the actual power the public will be enjoying.
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Raider007 11:13PM (9/08/2007)
The new Golf will also be launched as CleanTDI on the American market in 2000...
2000? 2008?
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:42AM (9/09/2007)
Advertising doublespeak. Tier 2 bin 5 is the average of the fleet of cars sold outside the CARB area. It's the most polluting car classification allowed for sale in the CARB areas.
How can one legally advertise something as "clean" when it is dirtier than average or the dirtiest car class on the road?
mike:
They'd do well not not educate the buying audience about torque and HP. Because HP the measure of performance. Torque doesn't mean anything, with reduction gearing (like a gearbox) I can make unlimited torque from even human hand crank input! Measuring torque means nothing without also measuring the speed (rate, i.e. RPM) it is developed at. HP measures both and thus HP measures the ability to do work, it's THE measure of performance.
Perhaps what you meant is VW needs to educate people that Diesel has somewhat better access to power at low revs. So if you drive your car at a leisurely pace, a Diesel will perform as well as a gas car even though its potential output (max HP and thus absolute performance) is far lower.
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rgseidl 9:43AM (9/09/2007)
@why not the LS2/LS7 -
if it makes you feel better, call T2B5 "clean enough" rather than "clean". If emissions at that level were considered unacceptable in terms of the risk to public health, such vehicles would not be allowed at all. Btw, one old diesel-powered bus or commercial vehicle will emit many, many times the pollution of a single T2B5 diesel.
As for the HP vs. torque argument, you are correct. However, large reserves of low-end torque let you increase power almost instantly without changing gear. The associated step change in acceleration increases the fun-to-drive factor, which I believe is what Mike was referring to. Blown engines of any type can be configured to deliver substantially more low-end torque than a naturally aspirated engine of the same type and rated power.
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Benson Leung 7:02PM (9/09/2007)
"if it makes you feel better, call T2B5 "clean enough" rather than "clean". If emissions at that level were considered unacceptable in terms of the risk to public health, such vehicles would not be allowed at all."
I think this is a good idea. I will start calling these new diesels "clean enough diesels" instead of "clean diesels" to reflect reality...
These new diesels will consume less fuel, and produce consequently less CO2 emissions, so are better for climate change, but in the area of NOx, which forms smog and is a public health concern, they are average compared to gasoline burning cars.
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steven.prince 10:33PM (9/09/2007)
When VW announced the 2008 TDI Jetta in April of 2006, they anticipated delivery in Ocober of 2007. Now its "spring 2008." What is the delay?
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Raider007 12:04AM (9/10/2007)
@ steven.prince
they had a factory fire that took out 25,000 engine blocks if i remember correctly...
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mfortmann 6:51AM (9/10/2007)
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/news,view.spy?artid=89011&pg=1
A little article on the new diesel...
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Henry 9:57AM (9/10/2007)
Businesses are allowed to burn anything that they want and throw anything that they want into our rivers. They are allowed to use last decades diesel trucks and pickups on our roads.
But the average American citizen cannot clean their lawnmower engine or have a bonfire in their backyard.
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steven 11:30AM (9/10/2007)
@Benson: Not trying to be disrespectful, but this issue seems to keep coming up....Can you provide a bit more info (facts, objective references..., etc) to support your "opinions"? Though we do respect your opinions, it would help to clarify (no pun intended) the issue if they were indeed backed up by something more just your strong feelings on the subject.
Also keep in mind that the US B5-T2 is a mere 6 times tougher the the Euro-5 std for diesels (per Bob Lutz)....
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Architeuthis 3:58PM (9/10/2007)
Ricardo has demonstrated a T2B2 diesel (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/08/ricardo-announc.html). The reasons diesel has been slow to clean up are twofold:
1. Cost. Diesel exhaust treatment is new technology. Cats were expensive in the early days as well (and one of the criticisms of requiring their use was cost). It's new technology because
2. Low fuel quality. ULSD only started rollout last year and isn't required to be complete until 2010. No current exhaust technology can handle the sulfur in the older fuel standard.
Actually, the reason is onefold -- extreme foot-dragging on removing sulfur from fuel.
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66coronet 7:37AM (9/11/2007)
Now that VW jetta and soon Jetta wagon & rabbit with have the 2.0Lcrd. I'm still waiting for Chrysler to ask VW if they can sell diesel motors in the north american market too. Since they use the same motor in over seas markets in the dodge caliber & avenger, jeep patriot & compass, Chrysler sebring. Soon also the dodge Journey. All reviews show that the diesel version is the best driving version.
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Robert Lankering 9:17AM (9/16/2007)
WHY ISN'T ANY COMPANY SERIOUSLY DEVELOPING A HYBRID-DIESEL THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF 90 mpg.
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inge 12:00PM (9/17/2007)
If you are a high-strung "leadfoot" and enjoy to max out cars with high-strung gas engines, a diesel (any diesel) is not your ticket (also there are cars which "lurch" much faster and "scream" much louder per Dollar than any Jetta). If you want "everyday" high performance, and don't want to scare the wits out of your mother-in-law, who may be riding with you, with fussy lurches and screams from engine and transmission, the powerful locomotive-like character of a TDI, may be indeed be your ticket to glory. This car is not a screamer, but a fast car, which moves with authority and exemplary fuel economy. Your mother-in-law may never be aware of how fast she is actually being driven by you!
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hansi 12:29PM (9/18/2007)
The 140 hp tdi goes like hellfire (just drove one in Germany with the 6 speed auto)! You truly are one of the fastest on the Autobahn, if you care to be, no excuses! There is no substitute for turbocharged diesel-torque in the 40 to 110 mph range, astonishing from such a small engine; also there are no fussy, screaming downshifts if you apply "the pedal", just gobs of grunt! Top speed is about 130 mph. Fuel economy is just amazing. In normal driving (and this includes everything but the most determined flat out lead foot runs on an empty Autobahn -but where do you find one today?), the tdi is at least as fast as its gas engined brother. The gas engined car may be a few ticks faster when it comes to the the very top speed (when the very last freaky ponies finally wake up), but who cares! Make mine a 6 speed auto wagon! THIS IS A HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR (at 45 + mpg)! Who wants a dull hybrid! I can't wait!
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hansi 11:21AM (9/20/2007)
AHHH and the sound this new TDI engine makes! No fussy shriek, no moan (as a high-strung gasoline engine), no clatter (like an old diesel), but an entirely new "power"-sound: a distant grrrrrrowl; not loud, more like a tiger, purposeful and grrrrravelly! Unmistakeably!
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Eric 3:44PM (1/10/2008)
Turbo diesels rule. If you have not personally driven a GOOD diesel you just don't know. Horsepower determines top speed, torque determines how quickly you get to that top speed.
Look up the Audi diesel racing cars that won at Le Mans and other races. You will be seeing a lot more racing diesels in the future. And eventually California will wake up to the advantages that diesel automobiles have for our future.
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JD 9:57PM (1/11/2008)
What nobody seems to get, is diesels get better fuel mileage, more power, and hence less pollution for fuel used. With the new low sulfur fuel there is even less pollution. Why is anyone surprised that diesels get such good mileage. I have a 3500 Dodge Dually that gets 20 Mpg on the hiway running 70 MPH with A/C. Of course that is with an after market exhaust and intakes.. GO DIESEL.. Go VW....
JD
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