CD Article: 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

VW's current 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine doesn't meet stricter 2007 diesel emission standards, so there will be no 2007 model year Jetta TDI, Rabbit TDI, or New Beetle TDI models, reports Editor, Greg Wilson.  However, Volkswagen's 'Plan B' is to crank out as many 2006 Jetta TDI sedans as they can in their factory in Puebla, Mexico, and sell them well into 2007.  That's a good thing, says Wilson, as the Jetta TDI has a lot going for it, and no real competitors.       More...

[tpl]

I am surprised that VW did not negotiate a deal with the Canadian Gov for a years leeway on diesels.... and then get the new body Jetta Wagon and the Rabbit tdi into the showrooms while working on the common rail engine.

[jww]

 

VW sells tons of diesels around the world - and here in Canada they depend on the diesel sales quite a bit to make their sales quotas. Once CRD is in place, however, it should be clearner running, quieter (yes more so that the current engine), produce better mileage and more power than the current 1.9l unit.

[tpl]

I agree with that...all the more reason to have kept the diesel momentum up now we have the clean fuels.  As it is we will have the clean fuel for 18 months or so with nothing available that can take advantage of it all beacuse of the EPA which, for all its good points IS a foreign organization not a Canadian one and has a different set of priorities.

[articsteve]

Does the 1.9 TDI have a timing belt and if so how often is the change?   

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Yes, timing belt - change every 96K or so.

There's a few things to note from the article:
- Tested was a true 2006 model. When the '07MY Jettas started production the '06MY TDIs got the new single-colour alloy wheels too (in the US the TDIs always got the single colour wheels to differientate from 2.5's) which the test car doesn't have. I like the non-painted new wheels myself. Other running changes were made as well (AUX input deleting glovebox light, silver buttons on the head unit, deletion of cooling vents for glovebox and arm-rest, whip antenna now vs integrated, 8 speaker vs 10, etc etc) so best to shop for the features you want to see if you prefer an '06 or '06.5MY.
- It's possible the new engines for 2008MY and beyond will be BLUETEC, although that's not a definite
- The trunk is 16cu ft, not 14.1cu ft. Not sure where that's coming from.
- The bi-Xenon HID option for $750 is unavailable on TDI's, only 2.0T's.
- Under pricing, the tested vehicle is not as much as quoted (thankfully). The Luxury Leather Package includes all the features of the Luxury Package plus some as one package - you don't add the two together. Therefore, $2,075 can be lopped off the as-tested price.

What I learned:
- The 2.5's and TDIs have 'Rack & Pinion steering electro-mechanical with power assist' vs 2.0Ts/GLIs which have 'electromechanical with speed-dependant power-assist'. Previous to this I believed both were the same unit which was electronic, but programmed differently. Guess not. It also has a supposed anti-crosswind function which seems to work when I was driving on the highway last weekend. 

Even tho the author isn't a diesel fan, I think he described the benefits well (don't think he had the vehicle long enough to truely test the fuel economy) and got the impression he walked away relatively satisfied.

[JSCC]

Hey SAM, being a VW expert. I'm supposed to point out all the corrections. 
Well, I guess I got a free ride. 

Frieght is now $695 instead of $615.

Half of our MKV Jettas on the lot are Diesels.
I think we have 2 2007 2.0Ts and maybe 15 2.5s

The focus on the "Cities" have been too strong, we're almost out of stock and the next supply is coming in Jan.

[nowcar]

I can't beleive this car ends up being $34 000. That is a lot of cash.

I would hope the newer  ones 2006+ are bigger in the back, I was always amazed by how tight the 1999-2005 version were.

[JSCC]

I can't beleive this car ends up being $34 000. That is a lot of cash.

I would hope the newer  ones 2006+ are bigger in the back, I was always amazed by how tight the 1999-2005 version were.

Should be $32000, since the luxury package was added up twice.
Yes they are a lot bigger in the back now.

[Mike]

The climate system is automatic which is why the A/C is not marked, i.e. it comes on automatically.  thus the econ button.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The climate system is automatic which is why the A/C is not marked, i.e. it comes on automatically.  thus the econ button.

I initially thought that too - it would only come on if defrost was selected or if the temp outside is warmer than the desired one inside. However, that's not the case. Using the MFDisplay in my car, even if I set the temp to 18dC and it's 5dC outside, I know the A/C comes on as I can see the fuel economy increase accordingly at idle.

I wish it were as you state (it'll generally keep the temp you set and turn on the A/C if necessary, or if you want to conserve fuel you can select 'Econ'), but it appears not   Climatic tries to keep the temp you set, but you have to select whether or not you want the A/C on or off/Econ.

[H-IMA]

...

[JSCC]

Still assembled in Mexico eh?  Oh well, so much for reliable quality - the ever elusive target for VW.

I really hope VW refocuses its engineering goals. 
There would be nothing more sad than having Honda arrive with a quiet and clean diesel compact in 2009 (or even earlier) and take over this traditionally VW market segment.

Let the battle begin!!!!!   

[Julie]

Impressive that, for a relatively low HP car, it has great torque when most people want it most (from stop, for merging onto highways).

Looks real nice too, both exterior and interior (except the rear lights look too much like the Corollas).

[Loudpedal]

There would be nothing more sad than having Honda arrive with a quiet and clean diesel compact in 2009 (or even earlier) and take over this traditionally VW market segment.

Why would that be sad?

[jww]

Impressive that, for a relatively low HP car, it has great torque when most people want it most (from stop, for merging onto highways).
...

And there you have one of the true beauties of diesel - low end torque abounds. CRD technology is even more "tourquey" when mated with a turbo.

[UDB]

I really hope VW refocuses its engineering goals. 
There would be nothing more sad than having Honda arrive with a quiet and clean diesel compact in 2009 (or even earlier) and take over this traditionally VW market segment.

I think we going to see a lot of diesel models coming up in 2009-2010.   All manufacturers are planning to jump in the market for North America.   I know Honda is suppose to come in 09 with the Accord.   Chrysler will offer the 3.0 CRD in the Grand Cherokee next Spring.  Ford and Chrysler are working on smaller versions of the Cummings and PowerStroke diesel engines.

I would like to see the come back of the Passat TDI.

[johngenx]

The player with an AWD diesel wagon will probably win my next car purchase... (and not a $90K MB, but a $35K Subaru etc)

[carman]

I don 't get all the fuss over vw diesel

TDI is rated at 54 mpg hwy

cost about 30 grand

compare to toyota corolla

rated at 53 mpg hwy

cost about 20 grand

reliabilty for corolla excellent and much lower maintenance cost than vw TDI

corolla also has better acceleration than the 1.9 tdi

[DanYanoff]

Hi everybody!!! this is my first post!

I like diesels for their "indistructible" image. They have been very popular lately,.. up untill now, when diesel fuel csts more than gas and the cars are still sluggish, heavy and smelly. Last time I checked diesel was 88 cents in Toronto vs 75 for gas. So it seems to me the American market doesnt want to be flooded and share its nieche with euro and japanese diesel cars, not yet anyway.
Cheers.