Greenformance

Ask It: 2009 Banks Power "Sidewinder" Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:36:38 -0500

We at Winding Road are big fans of the idea of performance-oriented green cars, and the folks at Banks Power have teamed up with the Robert Bosch Corporation to create something really cool. This "Sidewinder Jetta" takes a standard Jetta TDI sedan and boosts the level of driver involvement by adding better front and rear stabilizer bars, sport springs, a ram-air intake, and an in-car computer where the driver can control different levels of performance. Oh, and there's an oh-so-subtle graphics package, too.

We named it "Bruce." And like Mr. Springsteen, one could say that this is The Boss of Jetta TDIs.

We'll have the hotted-up Jetta TDI in our Ypsilanti office for the next week, so head over to our Ask It forum and post whatever questions you have about the Sidewinder. We'll do our best to respond, and be sure to stay tuned for the full review coming in the not-so-distant future.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Banks Power Sidewinder VW Jetta TDI

Audi Prices 2010 A3 TDI at $30,750

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:49:48 -0500

Audi has announced pricing for its upcoming A3 TDI model, starting the pint-sized derv-burner at an MSRP of $30,750 with destination, tax, and fees. The car will begin arriving at dealerships in the last part of November.

That not insignificant sum will buy what we’re expecting to be a tidy luxury small car, and a frugal one, at that. EPA estimated fuel economy for the A3 TDI is 30 miles per gallon in the city and a whopping 42 mpg on the highway. It’s worth noting that EPA estimates for diesels have often proved pretty low for diesels in the real world, and we wouldn’t be overly surprised if the Audi managed mid to high forties on the freeway. Time will tell.

The Volkswagen family 2.0-liter diesel will be in service for the A3, providing 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque for the five-door hatch. Audi specifies only the S tronic transmission and front-drive in its press release, but don’t be surprised if a six-speed manual and Quattro find their way to the U.S. A3 TDI in later editions.

A3 TDI

Audi sets pricing for 2010 MY A3 TDI® clean diesel
- Second U.S. clean diesel offering from Audi within a year
- EPA estimated highway 42 mpg offers unmatched efficiency in luxury car segment
- Luxurious features and amenities without compromise

HERNDON, Va., Sep 3, 2009 - Audi today announced pricing for the 2010 A3 TDI, its second U.S. clean diesel offering launched this year. Expected to begin arriving at U.S. dealers in late November 2009, the 50-state certified A3 TDI delivers the highest highway fuel economy in the luxury car category – 42 mpg, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (excluding $825 destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges):
A3 TDI clean diesel with S tronic front wheel drive $29,950

Audi launched its first TDI clean diesel model, the Q7 TDI, earlier this year. The Audi Q7 TDI built awareness with American luxury car consumers that modern clean diesel technology is markedly improved in emissions, quietness, ride comfort and overall performance. Both the A3 TDI and Q7 TDI clean diesel vehicles share several common attributes that include 50-state clean diesel technology, 30% better fuel economy and a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas than gasoline engines of comparable size.

In fact, the EPA calculated that if only one-third of the vehicles on American roads ran on clean diesel, the U.S. would use 1.5 million fewer barrels of oil each day. Audi was the first German car manufacturer to combine turbocharging with diesel engine technology in 1989, and has continued to evolve its technology ever since. Audi Sport has helped prepare the way for TDI clean diesel in the United States by racing the R10 TDI sports car from 2006-2008 in the American Le Mans Series and sweeping the major endurance races at the 12 Hours of Sebring (Sebring, Fla.) and the 10-hour Petit Le Mans (Atlanta, Ga.). In addition, the R10 TDI won all three 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance races in which it competed from 2006-2008. The R15 TDI continued the TDI clean diesel performance tradition by winning the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race in March 2009.

The Audi A3 TDI offers the same sophistication, styling, operating efficiency and ride comfort that has distinguished Audi throughout its model range. Standard amenities include lighted vanity mirrors for drivers and front passengers within the sun visors, leather seating surfaces, cargo nets behind front seats, split folding 40/60 rear seats, rear seat arm rest with dual cup holders. Distinctive options include Audi Navigation plus with RDS traffic, Bluetooth® hands-free phone preparation, Audi music interface (integration for iPod® and related technology), BOSE® premium sound, the Titanium package with dark grey wheels and black grille, leather/alcantara seating, wood trim, rain/light sensors, auto-dimming exterior and interior rear-view mirror with integrated compass, and LED daytime running lights.

The pulling power of torque is the signature performance feature in all diesel models, and the A3 TDI clean diesel is no different. Offering 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, this model performs briskly and efficiently with unmatched performance with its EPA-estimated 30/42 city/highway fuel efficiency.

The competitive set for the A3 TDI clean diesel is unique. Only one competitor is currently playing in the field of fuel-efficient compact luxury vehicles, but does not offer the driving experience or the 5-door flexibility that includes 40/60 split rear-folding seats. The Lexus HS 250h offers similar combined fuel economy with hybrid technology, but not superlative highway mileage range. The A3 TDI offers more superlatives in value, including a standard S line exterior sport appearance for 2010, a tighter steering turning circle, a top speed of 130 mph, as well as a 12-year limited warranty against corrosion.

The Audi approach toward efficiency is not only catered toward TDI clean diesel vehicles. Audi is also the first car company in the United States to equip 100% of its gasoline engines with FSI direct injection technology beginning with model year 2010. Audi began racing with FSI direct injection technology in 2000 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and American Le Mans Series with the R8 FSI prototype racing sports car. Once this technology first became available for U.S. Audi customers in late 2004 with the introduction of the 2005 A6 3.2 FSI quattro, the list of Audi vehicles sold in the U.S. with FSI direct injection technology has continued to grow.

Ask It: 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 V-6 TDI

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:59:33 -0500

Our Austin team just received Volkswagen's latest clean diesel offering, the 2009 Touareg 2 V-6 TDI. And while there's a lot to like already about Volkswagen's trusty Touareg, the addition of a diesel engine can only add to the car's goodness.

Click over to our Ask It forum and post whatever questions you have about the Touareg TDI. We'll do our best to respond over the next week, as well as post driving impressions.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 V-6 TDI

Editor's Note: All of us in the Detroit-based office are a bit jealous that our Austin team received such a nice-looking Touareg. The one we drove recently was, well, significantly more noticeable.

The Application Of Power: 2009 BMW 335d vs. 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Seyth Miersma — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:47:43 -0500

At first blush, a comparison test between the BMW 335d and the Pontiac G8 GXP is kind of a non-starter. The first; a premium, mid-sized, diesel-powered, German sedan—purpose built for high-speed, high-MPG motorway cruising with exceptional road holding and manners. The second; a brutal, full-sized (massive rear seats here), chromed out, American (née Australian) V-8, burnout machine. But while origin, intent, and execution for these two driving devices may be wildly varied, they do share one delicious commonality—huge, steaming piles of torque delivered to the rear wheels. A magnificent amount of twist, produced by two powerplants that differ just as much as the vehicles they propel.

CLICK HERE to continue reading this story.

Ask It: 2008 Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi Diesel

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:31:19 -0500

We often have the chance to drive European-spec vehicles not sold in the United States. For the past week, the folks at the Robert Bosch Corporation have lent us a diesel-powered Honda CR-V, complete with Honda's 2.2-liter oil-burning powerplant, good for 138 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque.

Because of this rare automobile (we're told it's the only one currently in the country), we've decided to offer it up for a round of Ask It. Head to our forum thread and post whatever questions you have about this high-MPG Honda and we'll do our best to respond.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2008 Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi

Report: Audi Pulls The Plug On The R8 V-12 TDI

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:33:47 -0500

We've had news left and right of mildly interesting cars being killed off due to the financial state of the global automotive marketplace. But now here's one that hurts -- reports are now showing that Audi will be canning its plans to bring forth a production version of the R8 V-12 TDI, or TDI Le Mans.

Originally unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, the R8 V-12 TDI Concept featured a 5.5-liter turbo-diesel V-12 -- a complete monster, what with its 500 horsepower and 740 pound-feet of torque output numbers. But as you can imagine, it's not cheap to engineer or produce something to this caliber, and Audi thinks that its money is better spent on more sensible projects.

No official word has been given from Audi on this matter, but we're crossing our fingers in hopes that this V-12 oil-burner isn't headed for an early grave.

+ Motor Authority: Audi abandons plans for R8 V12 TDI

Ask It: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen

NextAutos Staff — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:03:42 -0500

In addition to our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI sedan, we also have a Jetta TDI SportWagen in the test fleet this week. With excellent fuel economy and a capacious cargo bay, this Jetta should not only prove to be a high-MPG cruiser, but a useful hauler, too.

Go to our Ask It forum and post whatever questions you might have for the TDI SportWagen. We'll do our best to answer while the car is in our possession.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen

First Look: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:58:45 -0500

They may not all be featured attractions at the New York Auto Show, but Mercedes-Benz has been splashing new models out nearly faster than we can keep track of them over the last few days. This morning’s S-Class orgy followed the E63 AMG announcement this weekend, and now the E250 BlueTEC has rolled out onto the Javits Center floor. While the M-B power machines mentioned above are certainly tempting fare, but consider us early proponents of the new diesel. We’ve always been BlueTEC fans, and this one sounds like a doozy.

The 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder won’t lack for power, with 369 pound-feet of torque available at a super-low 1600-1800 rpm. It’ll also be remarkably clean. M-B’s AdBlue urea injection system is at work here to lower nasty NOx emissions, and the company is also offering a Selective Catalytic Reduction exhaust system to clean up the tailpipe. All in, the E250 engine will be 50-state-legal in the U.S., and ready to meat Euro emissions standards as far out as 2014. EPA ratings are expected to run around 28 mpg in the city, and 39 on the highway.

Scroll down to read the entirety of the Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC press release or check out our gallery of images, above.

Cleanest diesel technology, excellent fuel economy, great fun to drive

    * E250 BlueTEC
    * Unique combination of a highly efficient four-cylinder diesel engine and SCR exhaust technology
    * 50-State Bin 5 compliance
    * Refined power delivery makes concept car great fun to drive
    * Technical data

BlueTEC is the keyword for the future of diesel engine technology. Thanks to the highly- efficient exhaust treatment system developed by Mercedes-Benz, BlueTEC vehicles fulfill the strictest global emissions standards to make them the cleanest diesels in the world. With the E250 BlueTEC concept, which was created specifically for the North American market, Mercedes-Benz is now demonstrating how BlueTEC technology in the E-Class can be combined with a four-cylinder engine with optimized fuel consumption. When fitted to the seven-speed automatic transmission, the E250 BlueTEC boasts fuel economy of 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway (estimated). The E250 BlueTEC concept fulfills the strictest emissions standards, including Bin 5, and would even meet the considerably toughened limits laid down in European EU6 legislation not due for implementation until September 1, 2014. The EU6 standard specifies maximum nitrogen oxide emissions that are less than half of those permitted by the current EU5 standard. The following is an overview of the current and future limits for diesel vehicles in the EU*:

EU 5 All new vehicles after 09/01/2009 EU 6 / All new vehicles after 09/01/2014

CO (g/km): 0.50 / 0.50
NOx (g/km): 0.18 / 0.08
HC + NOx (g/km): 0.23 / 0.17
Particulate emissions (g/km): 0.005 / 0.005

Group M1 - passenger vehicles with no more than eight seats plus driver. Max. total permissible weight 3,500kg. Test procedure NEDC 2000.

For the E250 BlueTEC, the modern 2.2 liter four-cylinder CDI engine underwent a detailed redevelopment program in order to further reduce the internal raw emissions generated by the engine and to fulfill the legislative requirements for on-board diagnostics (OBD), as well as other factors. The power unit hardware incorporates features from the series production engines, such as four-valve technology, fourth-generation common-rail piezo direct injection, 2-stage turbocharger and exhaust gas recirculation. A highly sensitive electronic engine control system reacts precisely across the full range of operating conditions to optimize the combustion process. The exhaust gas treatment system incorporates an oxidation catalytic converter mounted close to the engine, as well as a diesel particulate filter, which is located at the rear bulkhead in order to shorten its regeneration time.

At the heart of the BlueTEC system are two SCR catalytic converters (Selective Catalytic Reduction) with an "AdBlue®" injector positioned upstream. "AdBlue®" is a synthetic, aqueous urea solution that enables the nitrogen oxide (NOx) to be converted into harmless nitrogen gas in the SCR catalytic converters. The monitoring and diagnosis of the sophisticated exhaust gas treatment process is handled by several sensors, including a differential pressure sensor, a Lambda probe plus NOx and temperature sensors.

For on-board storage of the "AdBlue®" solution, the E250 BlueTEC has a 25 liter tank equipped with a membrane pump, valve, pressure and temperature sensors. The tank volume is sufficient for the duration of a full service interval and is refilled as part of the regular maintenance schedule. The "AdBlue®" tank is integrated into the spare wheel well in the trunk.

E250 BlueTEC combines environmental awareness, driving fun and comfort The combination of the powerful four-cylinder engine with SCR technology makes a convincing argument not only in terms of fuel economy and emissions, but also with impressive performance and the associated fun factor. Thanks to a pair of Lanchester balancing shafts, the concept vehicle's powertrain boasts the exceptionally smooth characteristics expected of a Mercedes-Benz.

Summary technical data for the E250 BlueTEC:

Engine/cylinders - Diesel/I4
Transmission - 7-speed automatic
Displacement - 2143 cm³
Nominal power output - 204 hp
Nominal torque - 369 lb-ft at 1600-1800 r/min
U.S. fuel economy* City Highway - 28 mpg 39 mpg
U.S. emissions compliance - Bin 5
*preliminary figures

In Europe, this BlueTEC technology is available in a series production model starting fall 2009 with the E350 BlueTEC. Under its hood is a V6 diesel engine with 211 hp and 540 Nm of torque. This means that Mercedes-Benz will very soon offer a series production passenger vehicle that complies with the EU6 emissions standard not scheduled for implementation until 2014.

Driven: 2008 BMW 123d

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:38:33 -0600

America would really like this car. The BMW 1-Series is a fantastic little creature, and we like it so much that it earned the honor of being one of our favorite cars in 2008. Furthermore, the American automotive marketplace is in dire need of more fuel-efficient vehicles, and we’re slowly starting to see clean diesel cars trickle into our pond from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. Looking past the oil-burning powerplant, the 1-Series hatchback configuration is incredibly more useful than the lonely coupe and convertible options that we have currently. Americans are finally starting to warm up to the idea of hatchbacks and small wagons—it’s now a well-known fact that SUVs are not the only useful tool for $200 grocery loads. What’s more, we think America would find much more to like about a small, useful five-door than the seemingly unnecessary BMW X6 or even the upcoming 5-Series GT, which don’t provide much in the way of space or utility, and carry ultra-premium price points.

That being said, how could we possibly not fall in love with a diesel-powered, three-door 1-Series? It’s astonishingly fun to drive, surprisingly fuel-efficient, and actually has usable cargo space. Oh, and it’s quite adorable, too—especially in bright blue.

(Click through the post to continue reading this review.)

BMW just launched their new 335d and X5 xDrive35d, both of which are powered by diesel straight-sixes. And while their fuel economy is decently impressive, hitting around the 30 miles per gallon mark, the engine found in our three-door 123d was a real honey and warrants some close attention. Power comes from a 2.0-liter twin-turbo-diesel four good for 201 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. To put it in perspective, that’s roughly equal horsepower to a Volkswagen GTI, but with about 90 more torques that come on in full swing between 2000 and 2250 rpm. As far as dimensions go, the 123d is roughly the same size as a GTI both inside and out. The portly little Bimmer weighs in at 3274 pounds, which puts it in the same weight class as the Volkswagen.

The four-cylinder diesel engine’s driving characteristics are quite different from what Americans are used to in both the 128i and 135i which use six-cylinder powerplants. On a particularly engaging twisty road, we found ourselves using fourth gear for the most part, allowing us to keep the engine’s revs planted around the 2200 rpm sweet spot, even moving into fifth gear while exiting turns. There’s no need to rev the engine past 3000 rpm, as the power band really starts to cut off the closer you get to the 4500 rpm redline. The maximum 201 horsepower may be fully delivered at 4400 rpm, but we preferred to leave the gear lever in place during passing situations, since the torque thrust is just so rewarding. BMW says that the 123d will scoot from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in just 6.9 seconds—a number we were nearly able to achieve without even coming close to the redline in each gear.

Our test car was optioned out in M Sport trim, which is standard fare on the North American 135i and will soon be an available option for 128i cars. The combination of a slightly stiffer suspension and attractive seventeen-inch wheels was greatly welcomed, and the 123d always felt poised and planted while being tossed around. The little BMW has very direct and on-point steering which was only aided by the fact that the M Sport steering wheel is one of the best-feeling, nicest-diameter helms we’ve worked with in quite some time. We can’t wait for American consumers to be able to experience this on their own 128is, especially since steering feel is one of the most valuable sense points found in any automobile. The diesel power is really only half the story with this 1-Series—the fact that it is so nimble and so eager to be tossed about makes it a very attractive choice for spirited driving. Having nearly 300 pound-feet of torque ready at just 2000 rpm is simply the icing on the cake.

M Sport hotness aside, the interior of our 123d was a fresh change of pace compared to the overly-loaded BMWs that line American dealer lots. It was really a treat to have supportive cloth seats, turn-dial HVAC controls, no iDrive, and not a single cup holder anywhere in the car. (Okay, maybe that last one got on our nerves once or twice.) If BMW could bring over interiors like these in the 1-Series and offer it at a lower price point, it would indeed be quite a treat.

When the folks at Bosch handed over the keys to the 123d, we were told that our combined fuel economy would be somewhere in the area of 45 mpg. And while our recorded average (39 mpg) may not be as high as the numbers printed on the spec sheet, we must admit that we weren’t exactly driving for the sake of fuel efficiency. Even so, we can’t find much fault with being able to get 39 mpg while still being able to drive in a way that left smiles plastered on our faces.

As BMW moves forward with their small car and diesel plans for America, we would really like to be earmarked for a four-cylinder 1-Series hatch, potentially with the model’s upcoming refresh predicted to happen around 2011. Who knows, maybe America won’t be so salty about diesel power, and maybe hatchbacks won’t just be for trendy college kids who use MacBooks anymore. If the 123d taught us anything, it’s that there’s a lot to like about this sort of product packaging. After hearing all the buzz that surrounded the Volkswagen Jetta TDI in this past year, it would be a shame for the folks in Munich to miss out on an opportunity like this. America is finally ready for small diesel cars, and we can’t think of a better way for BMW to feed our demand than in the 1-Series.

2008 BMW 123d M SPORT
Engine: Twin-turbo-diesel inline-4, 2.0 liters, 16v
Output: 201 hp/295 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual
0-62 MPH: 6.9 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 148 mph
Weight: 3274 lb

70 mpg for $7000? Top Gear America’s Sexy Green Solution

Hardy Shen — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:06:41 -0600

Ambitious but rubbish? Or will this little project actually work? The folks over at Top Gear America website have taken on the task to save the world— with a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel. Their Goal? To achieve a 70 mile per gallon mark, at a price of $7,000, and still be able to do a nippy 0-60 run in less than 7 seconds. For the cherry to top this mission, the car will also have to be completely road legal. This means a plate, registration, and hardest of all an emissions test and inspection.

The ol’ Rabbit will begin its quest in New York City and trek all the way out to Regina, Saskatchewan, crossing thousands of miles of “frozen tundra” on its way. There, wizards at CWS Tuning will rip out the dying heart and replace it with a modern, computer controlled, turbocharged VW TDI engine. But the journey will not yet be over. The next stop is Southern California, where a UCLA aerodynamics professor John McNulty will aid in the Rabbit’s aero package.

That's their idea so far.

The rest of the plan sounds pretty solid, but the TGA crew does still need to come up with a name for their new-meets-old diesel. Click through the link below to add your own best guess.

+ TopGear.com (America): We Build a 70 mpg Car

Video: Volkswagen Shows Off the BlueSport Concept

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:55:20 -0600

Volkswagen unveiled its new BlueSport diesel roadster concept at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this week, and while we had dozens of still photos, VW has released an accompanying video to show the little sportster in action. While there's still no word if the BlueSport will ever see the light of day, we can only hope that Volkswagen will move forward with its plans to bring some sort of oil-burnig roadster to life, and this video gives us all the moor reason to get excited.

+ YouTube: VW BlueSport Mid-Engined Roadster Concept with 180HP Diesel

Detroit 2009: Audi Set to Bring A3 TDI to the U.S.

John Beltz Snyder — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:21:08 -0600

Audi announced today the launch of another clean diesel car bound for the U.S. market, the 2010 A3 2.0 TDI. The small, sporty member of the Audi family will be capable of over forty miles per gallon, and is already rated a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS. Audi's newest green machine will not be forsaking its sporty genes, and will provide 140 turbocharged horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, as well as the optional Audi Magnetic Ride used in the TT.

The A3 2.0 TDI puts this luxury car in competition with a new, and growing, green market, including the Mini Cooper, BMW 1-Series, Toyota Prius, and all-new Honda Insight.

This announcement from Audi follows an earlier U.S. TDI clean diesel announcement of the Audi Q7 TDI, which we should see in dealerships around April.

Scroll down to view the official press release from Audi.

2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDI clean diesel: Quick Reference: USA Data
VERSION DATE: January 11, 2009
INFO IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Key Summary Points
• The freshened Audi A3 launched in September 2008 (2009 MY).
• The 2009 model year freshening expanded the A3 lineup with quattro all-wheel drive on the efficient 2.0 TFSI engine (200 hp / 207 lb-ft torque).
• Audi A3 moves into a market space presently unoccupied in the luxury segment, that of a highly efficient diesel small luxury car.
• Audi’s TDI clean diesel technology expands the A3 lineup in the direction of efficiency, providing over 40 mpg highway.
• A3 holds a unique position in the Audi family, targeting buyers who need a small but versatile package without sacrificing luxury and sportiness.
• A3 2.0 TDI is Audi’s second U.S. TDI clean diesel announcement. Audi Q7 TDI is expected to be on sale at U.S. dealers around April 2009.
• A3 is already rated a “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS for top frontal/side/rear crashes (source iihs.org).

Market
• Key competitors are BMW 1-series, Mini Cooper S, Volvo C30 and S40, and now Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

Design
• Audi signature LED daytime running lights with optional xenon lights.
• Unique tail lights with LED light guides
• Enhanced exterior and interior design, new wheel program.
• Versatile interior design, providing unmatched utility for urban environments.

Dynamics
• Sporty McPherson front suspension and multilink independent rear suspension for high lateral rigidity.
• Speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering
• High rigidity due to the use of tailored blanks for adapting steel grade and thickness to the material stresses.

Powertrain
• 2.0 TDI clean diesel engine with S tronic (dual clutch) and front-wheel drive
    o Specifications: 140 hp, 236 lb-ft torque, in-line 4 cylinder turbocharged clean diesel with common rail direct injection and piezoelectric injectors
    o 50-state legal, with no after-treatment system required
    o Exclusively with S tronic (dual clutch) transmission with front-wheel drive

Standard Equipment Features
• Hill-hold assist (already standard on S tronic models)
• Sirius satellite radio - standard on all
• Leather seating surfaces - standard on all
• Leather steering wheel - standard
• Aux audio input – standard
• Dual-zone climate control
• 17” alloy wheels

Launch Timing and Pricing
• USA Audi A3 2.0 TDI clean diesel goes on sale by the first quarter of 2010 as a 2010 model year vehicle. Pricing is expected to be released close to the time of the U.S. launch.

Detroit 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport Diesel Roadster Concept

Seyth Miersma — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:53:10 -0600

It seems that diesels are set to play a big part at this year’s North American International Auto Show, and oily fingered engineers at Volkswagen would be remiss if they didn’t have a big part to play in all of that. Enter stage right, the rather handsome BlueSport Concept, a VW roadster that looks to further push the boundaries of how America views new diesel technology.

The full press release won’t be available until VW pulls the wraps off the BlueSport later today, but early reports specify a pretty impressive package. The roadster has got a version of Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel mounted amidships, producing something like 180 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That mill will move the car all the way up to 140 miles per hour at the top end, while still returning an amazing 57 miles per gallon while in Eco mode. Good stuff.

Be sure to check back with NextAutos later today, when we’ll have live images and even more info about the BlueSport.

+ Autoblog: Detroit 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport concept, turbodiesel done right

2009 International Car Of The Year Winners Announced

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:07:45 -0600

We just got back from a very snowy trip to Detroit's MGM Grand casino where the thirteenth annual International Car of the Year Awards were held, hosted by Road & Travel magazine's editor-in-chief, Courtney Caldwell. The ballots had all been tallied, and from the original list of nominees, the following winners emerged.

International Car of the Year: Nissan GT-R
International Truck of the Year: Dodge Ram 1500

Additionally, the ICOTY jury presented their first-ever Earth, Wind & Power awards, which specifically shine the spotlight on fuel-efficient vehicles which have really taken our marketplace by storm. Those winners are:

EW&P Car of the Year: Volkswagen Jetta TDI
EW&P Truck of the Year: Ford Escape Hybrid

Click through our small gallery above to see photos of all the winners and stay tuned for all of our coverage from the 2009 North American International Auto Show, starting bright and early tomorrow morning.

Quick Drive: Honeywell BMW X5 3.0d

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:12:37 -0600

It's no secret that we American automotive journalists are anxiously awaiting the arrival of BMW's new U.S.-spec diesel offerings, the 335d and X5 xDrive35d. In the meantime, however, the folks at Honeywell (who specialize in turbo technologies) provided us with a Euro-spec X5 3.0d for a week in order for us to experience BMW's current diesel offerings.

While it's not as powerful as the upcoming twin-turbo-diesel X5 35d, our test car put out a very adequate 235 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This means the X5 3.0d can scoot from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 8.3 seconds and -- under normal driving habits -- can achieve fuel economy ratings around 26 miles per gallon. Honeywell tells us that if we would have been a bit lighter on the throttle, we could have achieved up to 33 mpg on the highway.

(Click through the post to continue reading this review.)

We can easily see Americans liking the X5 35d for its power, especially consumers who frequently tow campers, boats, and other recreational devices. The X5's all-wheel drive manages all that torque rather well, though our test car's summer tires weren't necessarily the best choice for our mix of snowy/icy conditions. Still, we noticed very little slipping and sliding. We've had a few other experiences involving xDrive in the snow and we must commend BMW for making an exceptional AWD system.

Interior refinement was nothing shocking -- typical BMW fare, though we feel that the Bimmer's cabin is growing a bit old and could use a refresh in the coming years. We've seen some really nice interiors from Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Hyundai (you heard right) over the past few years, and it's time that BMW stepped it up a bit. A fun anecdote: Our test car was imported directly from Europe, so all of the iDrive controls could only be displayed in French, German, or Italian, making things a bit more interesting.

While no pricing information was available for this vehicle, we'd assume that it falls below the starting price of the upcoming X5 35d ($52,025). We like the match of X5 capability with diesel power and hope that American consumers will warm up to the diesel love, as well.

2007 HONEYWELL BMW X5 3.0d
Engine: Turbo-diesel inline-6, 3.0 liters, 24v
Output: 235 hp/383 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-62 MPH: 8.3 seconds
Fuel Economy, city/hwy: 21/33 mpg

2009 International Car Of The Year Nominees Announced

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:23:47 -0600

Each year, a jury of well-seasoned automotive personnel give out the International Car of the Year awards in a big ceremony to kick off the North American International Auto Show festivities. This year will be no different, and the final nominees have officially been announced. The Dodge Challenger, Ford Flex, and Nissan GT-R will do battle for the International Car of the Year title, while the Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150, and Subaru Forester duke it out for the International Truck of the Year honors.

In addition, the jury will be presenting their first-ever Earth, Wind & Power awards, showcasing cars that help to reduce global warming and promote a cleaner environment. For this new award, the BMW 335d, Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and Jetta SportWagen TDI are the nominees for Car of the Year, and the BMW X5 35d, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec are in the runnings for Truck of the Year.

Which cars will reign supreme? We'll have to wait until the official awards ceremony set to take place on January 10 at Detroit's MGM Grand casino. In the meantime, click through the above gallery to see all of the nominees and stay tuned for the winners.

+ ICOTY

2008's Ten Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:56:56 -0600

If there was one positive factor about 2008's energy crisis, it's that it forced consumers to put more weight on fuel economy when making car-buying decisions. And while we may have moved away from $4-per-gallon gasoline, fuel efficiency still places high on the "must have" list for a lot of new car shoppers. Now that we know how easily these price hikes can happen, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

We've seen major manufacturers expanding their ranges of hybrid offerings, and for the first time, clean diesels are starting to make their way onto American soil, proving that you don't have to sacrifice performance for the sake of fuel consumption. Scroll through the gallery above to see out list of the ten most fuel efficient cars for 2009.

Note: This information is based off of the 2009 FuelEconomy.gov listing.

Test Fleet Roundup: Our Turkey Day Rides

NextAutos Staff — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:50:47 -0600

When we took some time off for the Thanksgiving holiday, it meant that our usual rotation of switching cars each day would be put on hold. Instead, we all had the chance to spend five days with a particular car in the test fleet; our choices being a 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8, 2009 Infiniti M35 Sport, Bosch Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and a 2008 Kia Sportage.

Click through the gallery to read our individual thoughts about each vehicle.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Named 2009 Green Car of the Year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:54:13 -0600

Our long-term Jetta TDI has 4300 miles on it now, and even though it's been in our local VW dealer's service department twice due to faulty seatbelt sensors, today's news of the Jetta's win as Green Car Journal's 2009 Green Car of the Year gives us another reason to smile when we see our blue TDI sitting in the parking lot. We've been achieving fuel economy numbers around 41.5 miles per gallon so far under our normal driving habits, and we're impressed with how powerful this engine is while still being quite economical.

“The Volkswagen Jetta TDI rose to the top as Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year for some very important reasons,” says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal. “Hybrids have dominated the discussion of environmentally positive vehicles in recent years. The highly fuel efficient, 50 state emissions certified Jetta TDI shows that advanced clean diesel has arrived and is poised to change this dynamic. With its affordable price point, refined ride and handling, and high fuel economy, the Jetta TDI shows that hybrids now have a strong competitor in the marketplace.”

Congratulations, TeDI. Click through the post to read Volkswagen's official press release.

VOLKSWAGEN’S 2009 JETTA TDI CLEAN DIESEL AWARDED GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR

HERNDON, Va. – The 2009 Jetta TDI clean diesel has been awarded the 2009 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal. The editors at Green Car Journal nominated five vehicles that represented the year’s best-of-the-best 2009 green vehicles, and today announced that they have chosen Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI clean diesel as the best-of-the-best and awarded it their 2009 Green Car of the Year.

“It is a tremendous honor to have our Jetta TDI awarded Green Car of the Year,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We believe our Jetta TDI’s truly offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience that provides our customer the best of both worlds—excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience. With more than 8,000 units already sold since its mid-August market introduction, it’s clear that a Volkswagen clean diesel is what the people want.”

“The Volkswagen Jetta TDI rose to the top as Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year® for some very important reasons,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Hybrids have dominated the discussion of environmentally positive vehicles in recent years. The highly fuel efficient, 50 state emissions certified Jetta TDI shows that advanced clean diesel has arrived and is poised to change this dynamic. With its affordable price point, refined ride and handling, and high fuel economy, the Jetta TDI shows that hybrids now have a strong competitor in the marketplace.”

Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen showcase the best of both worlds, an alternative fuel vehicle with no compromises. Fuel efficiency, performance and convenience come standard with the 50-state compliant Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen models, which meet the most stringent emissions standards in California.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 30 mpg City, and 41 mpg Highway. Volkswagen went a step further to evaluate the real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway.*

Earlier this year the Jetta TDI set a new Guinness World Record for Lowest Fuel Consumption as it averaged 58.82 miles per gallon as it traveled through the 48 contiguous states. EPA research has concluded that if diesels were to power one third of all light duty vehicles in the United States, the shift would save approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil a day—equal to the daily shipments from Saudi Arabia to the U.S.

The Jetta TDI models come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, the Jetta TDIs also come standard with Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Jetta with their highest safety rating, a Top Safety Pick.

Providing even more value to the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen, a $1300 Federal Income Tax Credit is available. The Internal Revenue Service issued a certification letter affirming that both vehicles qualify for an Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Federal Income Tax credit.

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance Program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance detailed in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.