Volkswagen is expanding its BlueMotion lineup again, this time moving to its people movers. BlueMotion versions of the Golf-based Touran and the larger Sharan will follow the same pattern of similarly-badged VWs. High efficiency diesel engines will be combined with some usual aerodynamic tweaks, taller gearing and low rolling resistance tires. The Touran will be powered by older 104 hp 1.9L "pumpe-duse" TDI engine. That's good enough to achieve 43.5 mpg (U.S.) on the EU test cycle, an improvement from 39.9 mpg. The larger Sharan gets the latest 2.0L common rail diesel as used in the new Jetta TDI. In that package, the result is 39.2 mpg (U.S.) along with 138 hp. Both MPVs are now on sale in the UK.

[Source: Autocar]

Volkswagen is reporting that its new 50-State legal clean diesel Jetta TDI has already sold out. U.S. dealerships had an allotment of 1,300 TDIs and those have all been spoken for. The good news is that VW of America is likely to get some more due to the popularity of the model in the States. Initial expectations were for 25-percent of sedan buyers and 33-percent of wagon buyers would go for the new diesel. In actuality, those numbers are a bit higher, with nearly a third of sedan buyers and half of all wagon buyers opting for the oil-burner.

VW says it isn't competing with the hybrid Toyota Prius, but in truth they are likely competitors in the eyes of many consumers. Though the two models run on different fuels, they are both sold primarily on the merits of their fuel savings and low emissions. What's more, they are priced fairly close to one another and both of them were efficient enough for the Feds to offer tax credits on them, though Toyota's hybrid credits have run out. In any case, VW will begin offering the TDI engine in the Rabbit sometime next year and more may be on the way after that.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Volkswagen dealerships are reporting strong demand for the brand-new 2009 Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Some dealers have even sold out before their first TDI even showed up on the lot, despite the fact that customers won't actually be getting their cars for at least another month or so. The two-thousand dollar premium buyers are asked to pay along with diesel prices, which are hovering in the $4.70 to $5.00 range, have not hampered buyers' hankering for a new fifty-state diesel passenger car. It probably doesn't hurt that VeeDub oil-burners have a reputation for über-reliability, with a number of sales coming from past TDI owners.

In contrast to strong Jetta TDI sales, VW's other recent model, the Tiguan, is not doing as well as hoped. How about adding a diesel engine option to the little crossover? Apparently, dealers are asking and they may get what they want. After all, the Tiguan's engine bay readily accepts the TDI engine from the Jetta since the two vehicles share a similar Golf-based platform. Our affection for the oddly-named mini-ute would surely increase exponentially if it were granted the turbo-diesel.



[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

For Episode #22 of the AutoblogGreen podcast, Sam and Sebastian recap the AVFI show in Las Vegas, and enter into a discussion focusing on diesel. Still on the diesel tip, Sam talks excitedly about the Volkswagen TDI Cup racing series before moving on to the much more charged topic of EV infrastructure. Our interview this week isn't so much a one on one as it is a speech from T. Boone Pickens, he of oil magnate status, about how oil is not going to last forever. Thanks for listening, see you again soon!

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I won't go in depth telling you all the specifications of the new diesel engine that is going into various VW's with the TDI moniker starting early in 2008, if you are interested in knowing more about them, click here. What I will mention is that these vehicles will mark the first Jetta's sold with diesel engines in all 50 states since '99. And it will be available in a wagon body style! Woo hoo! Could these vehicles be exactly what the middle-class green market is looking for? Could be, and I am looking forward to seeing how they drive. Stay tuned!

[Source: Autoblog]

It is getting to be rather common these days to see a tuning company add ridiculous amounts of power to already high-performance vehicles. Some companies have earned quite a reputation for taking German designed and engineered cars and adding superchargers, turbochargers or just really big engines, such as RUF with Porshces and Brabus with Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

What is usually left by the wayside in these conversions, however, is fuel economy. High performance tuning company 9ff has decided to tackle that angle, in addition to their stable of power modifications. When you think about it, many of the same modifications done to increase the acceleration of a vehicle can also increase its efficiency, mostly by reducing weight. 9ff has started with a Golf 1.9 TDI, then fitted lightweight components wherever possible and changing out the wheels and tires for low-rolling-resistance models. The progress of the vehicle can be tracked as part a ten-part segment on Auto Motor und Sport TV, which begins airing on May 6th. Click here for their own page dedicated to the project.

[Source: German Car Scene via Autoblog]