In case you haven't noticed, Volkswagen of American has a new spokesbug in their commercials. A couple of weeks ago, the German brand started running a series of ads featuring a black fifties era Beetle as the host of a talk show with the likes of Heidi Klum and German pop idol David Hasselhof as guests. The latest edition features the Bug in a debate with Napster creator Shawn Fanning about the relative merits of free music and clean diesel. Fanning makes it clear that since clean diesel is legal (in all fifty states) it is definitely cooler than free music. The Beetle seems unconvinced. We're waiting patiently for our crack at one of the Jetta TDIs that are due to start arriving stateside in June so we can make our own judgment. The real question may of course be, why can't we have both? While you ponder that check out the video after the jump.

In conjunction with the kick off of Volkswagen's Dieselution tour, the assembled media got an opportunity to take a brief drive in one of the Jetta diesels. The prototype Jetta sedan that was on hand had the latest 2.0L CleanTDI engine mated up to a six-speed DSG gearbox. DSG is Volkwagen's branding for the dual-clutch gearbox that has been available in the GTI, R32 and Audi TT previously.

The Jetta is a relatively compact car but it still held three full-sized auto writers and a VW engineer in reasonable comfort. Adding a third adult passenger to the rear seat is one of those fallacies, similar to the idea of any human with full-size legs using the back seat of a Lexus SC or Porsche 911. It probably wouldn't be the ideal choice for four adults on a long road trip due to lack of stretch out room, but a cross-town jaunt to lunch or dinner shouldn't leave anyone feeling grumpy.

Post continues after the jump.

Volkswagen of America kicked off their big cross country DIESELUTION tour at the Auburn Hills MI headquarters this morning as they prepare for launch of their new CleanTDI vehicles, next March. New VWoA CEO Stefan Jacoby unveiled the 53 ft long, expandable DIESELUTION trailer which is filled with interactive exhibits extolling the virtues of diesel and alternative fuels. The primary focus is explaining the efficiency benefits and CO2 reductions that come from the clean diesel technology that debuts on the Jetta sedan and SportWagen.

Displays inside the trailer will highlight emissions technology, the racing successes of Volkswagen's Touareg TDI in off-road competition and the amount of money drivers can save on fuel. There are also exhibits on fuels including current biodiesel fuels and Sunfuel. Sunfuel is a next generation biofuel that VW is working on with a German University that involves biomass-to-gas conversion. The gas can then be converted to diesel fuel. Accompanying the trailer will be a group of diesel VWs including the oldest Rabbit diesel that was recently found, a Polo Bluemotion, Touareg and the new Jetta. The truck leaves today for Boston where it will be on display at the AltWheels festival this weekend. After Boston the tour will continue on with stops at universities, auto shows and other events around the US before arriving at the Super Bowl next February.

Update: The tour schedule so far is now posted after the press release on the other side of the jump. There are some gaps in their around the LA and Detroit Auto Shows where tour may stop as well.

[Source: Volkswagen]

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]