Unguzzle

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.

BMW Announces Pricing for 335d and X5 xDrive35d

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:18:01 -0600

BMW has officially announced pricing details about the 3-Series and X5 diesels which will be making their way into American showrooms within the next few months. The 335d will be priced at $44,725 (including a $900 tax credit) while the X5 xDrive35d will command $52,025.

Both of these cars are powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six which will pump out 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. These cars will use urea injection and a particulate filter to clean up the NOx emissions. BMW says that the urea tanks can hold 5.5 gallons of fluid which will last about 15,000 miles. The urea will be replenished at the regular 10,000-mile service intervals (which are free of charge for the first 50,000 miles).

As far as fuel economy goes, the 335d is rated at 23/36 miles per gallon with a range of around 560 miles and the X5 35d should be able to go for 585 miles obtaining 19/26 mpg ratings.

+ AutoblogGreen: BMW officially announces new 335d and X5 xDrive35d diesels

Hyundai Announces Diesel R-Engine for European SUVs and Sedans

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:30:44 -0600

If there's one automaker who seems to be on an increasingly upward trend lately, it's Hyundai. The Koreans took the world by storm with their eight-cylinder, rear-drive Genesis sedan, and the Hyundai folks have now released another bit of engineering to compete more closely with other worldwide automakers.

Hyundai's new four-cylinder diesel R-Engine will be available in both 2.0 and 2.2-liter displacements. The 2.0 produces 181 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque while the 2.2 puts out 215 horses and 398 pound-feet. Both engines are more powerful than Audi's new 2.0 TDI engine (170 hp/258 lb-ft).

The first vehicles to get these engines will be SUVs and large sedans sold in Europe, since the R-Engine meets Euro-V emission standards. No word on if this engine will ever make its way to the States, mostly due to our stricter emissions requirements. And to think, we'd love to see a Genesis Coupe with one of these powerplants under the hood.

Report: Acura TSX Diesel Delayed Indefinitely

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:59:01 -0500

Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced at the last North American International Auto Show that his company would bring its first ever diesel engine to the USA in 2009, with most speculating that Acura’s TSX would be the first application of the powerplant.

Now various sources are reporting that the i-DTEC TSX has been put in the cooler indefinitely, presumably because the automatic transmission-equipped version of the has been unable to pass emissions testing. While the same source says that the six-speed manual-equipped car was able to cut the EPA mustard, Acura believes that offering the diesel TSX without an automatic option would greatly hurt demand for the vehicle.

Meanwhile the V-6 version of the car is reportedly being “fast-tracked” to make up for the diesel lack. That’s potentially good news for TSX fans but doesn’t do much for the growing legions of diesel-lovers in North America.

+ Vtec.net

Cadillac Considering V-8 Diesel Option for CTS?

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:17:31 -0500

The folks over at Motor Trend have gotten word that GM is currently talking about the possibility of fitting its 4.5-liter Duramax V-8 turbo-diesel under the hood of the Cadillac CTS. Their sources say that fitting the engine would be relatively easy, so long as Cadillac uses the raised hood found on the new-for-2009 CTS-V.

GM says that this engine is capable of producing more than 310 horsepower and around 520 pound-feet of torque. This engine is also said to meet the tough 2010 emissions standards, making it legal in all fifty states. If the V-8 were fitted in the CTS, this would be a good way to bridge the gap between the base car's 304-horsepower V-6 and the 556-horsepower supercharged V-8 in the CTS-V.

Since this engine already exists, as does a transmission capable of managing all of the torque, little investment would have to be spent on this endeavor. A move to a diesel CTS would also make sense in light of the proposed CAFE regulations mandating that automakers have a 35 miles per gallon average by 2020.

+ Motor Trend: Scoop! Cadillac CTS May Get V-8 Diesel Option

Audi Mileage Marathon: The Rules and Regulations

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:03:27 -0500

Since the Audi Mileage Marathon is essentially a contest to see which team of journalists can achieve the best fuel economy out of each vehicle, it's only fitting that some rules and regulations are put into place. Each car is fitted with a data logger that tracks the fuel consumption and average speed of each car, so even if we were to reset the in-dash trip computer, our overall results would not change. Points are awarded for the best fuel economy and the highest average speed, with more weight put on economy.

A team of IMSA officials traveled along with the Audi folks and monitored all fuel stops. Teams are not allowed to add any fuel themselves, and only one tank of gas is allotted per day. Just before we reach the hotel each night, we stop off at a Shell station where the IMSA folks fill the tank, record how much fuel was used, and seal off the fuel door with a signed sticker.

As for car modifications, we were told that the tires were inflated to the maximum pressure to give the best fuel economy. Bob Massa, a Michelin spokesperson, told us that even if we over-inflated the tires, it wouldn't do us any good, as the specific low-rolling-resistance tires outfitted on these cars were made for optimum economical driving. One team did, however, tape up the front end of a Q7 to eliminate any sheetmetal gaps, though these modifications did not improve their numbers in any way.

Click through the gallery to see some of the IMSA folks regulating our drive, and stay tuned for more impressions from the Mileage Marathon.

Audi Mileage Marathon: Denver to Durango

Chris Paukert — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:20:39 -0500

After having taken over for my colleague Steve Ewing here at the Audi Mileage Marathon, we have successfully embarked on our first day of travel here in Wave 3, having journeyed from downtown Denver to Durango. Along our day of driving, my new co-driver, Roosevelt Gist and I clambered aboard Audi Q7 #1, a number that would sadly not prove to be prophetic for our first day’s mileage.

Throughout our day’s journey we remained at higher altitudes, a factor that inevitably came into play even with forced-induction engines like our fleet of Audi TDIs. That said, our mileage struck us as very impressive, as we eeked out an unofficial figure 29 miles per gallon—this, despite basically spending the entire day above 6000 feet and as high as about 11,000 feet. Although official mileage results have not been tabulated through the use of the mysterious black boxes mounted beneath the load floor in the cargo hold (we’ll learn our day’s ranking later this morning), we hear that others have garnered average highs of as 30-31 mpg on their dashboard readouts.

(Click through to read on)

Our driving strategy has been to get our gearbox into sixth gear as quickly as possible, lugging the Q7 away at low revs and taking advantage of our engine’s 400+ foot-pounds of torque. This has worked well, though there were a few points in our ascents of the higher peaks of the San Juan Mountains where we had to suck it up and drop a couple of gears to maintain pace and safely pass the big rigs lumbering skyward at under 20 miles-per-hour. Incidentally, the descent was arguably the most entertaining part of our all-day drive, as it not only provided some beautiful vistas, it also allowed us to keep our feet off the gas pedal entirely for well over seven miles, with our coasting speeds climbing so much that we were frequently forced to get on the brakes in order to drive safely.

Beyond that, we erred in the first portion of our day’s drive by neglecting to put the Q7’s suspension in “Dynamic” mode, which drops the whole vehicle a skosh, improving aerodynamics. This likely contributed to our disappointing 26.1 mpg observed fuel economy before lunch.

We’re getting set to pack it up and do it again shortly, and we’ll head today for the mysterious red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. As much of our drive figures to be a gradual downhill descent, we’ll be looking to achieve some more impressive figures by day’s end.

Audi A3 2.0 TDI Confirmed for U.S. Sale

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:41:00 -0500

Hard at work racking up high mpg numbers on Audi’s epic TDI drive across the country, our own Chris Paukert has managed to sniff out some juicy details regarding a new derv-burner that’s headed State-side.

Audi officials have confirmed that the A3 2.0 TDI, in front-drive configuration only, will be headed to the U.S. market as soon as next fall for the 2010 model year. The A3 diesel will run the same basic engine as can be found in the current Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which manages to get away with not using urea injection technology because of lower NOx emissions.

We’ve also been hipped that Audi may be bringing the A4 TDI to our market, though that deal hasn’t yet received final approval. Both the 3.0-liter and 2.0-liter diesel engines could be in play for this application, though the higher loads on the smaller powerplant could necessitate urea to clean up the NOx. Having spent some time with a European specification A4 3.0 TDI, we can safely say that we’d be in favor of having that sedan in the States – A3 diesel sure sounds like a winner in today’s car buying climate as well.

We Drive the 2009 Audi TT 2.0 TDI

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:33:44 -0500

This was indeed a nice surprise. After spending the past four days behind the wheel of a Q7 3.0 TDI in the Audi Mileage Marathon, we were given the opportunity to drive around in the not-for-America TT 2.0 TDI.

Audi has talked a lot about how they want to convey the message that diesel-powered cars can be sports cars, too. If the TT isn't enough proof for all of the nay-sayers, just look at the R10 TDI Le Mans car which takes home win after win. In fact, the Audi folks are running the R10 on pure bio-diesel these days.

The 2.0-liter turbo-diesel is the same engine found under the hood in our long-term Jetta TDI which just arrived. This powerplant is good for 170 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. In our test TT, the power is routed through a six-speed manual transmission and is put to the pavement via Quattro all-wheel-drive. The Audi folks claim that the TT TDI will go from a stand-still to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds and that observed fuel economy will be somewhere around the area of 44.3 miles per gallon. Judging by the numbers we've seen in the A3 2.0 TDI this week during the Mileage Marathon, we think that under conservative driving, MPGs could rise up to as high as 50.

(Click through the post to read more.)

Acceleration in the TT TDI is best served above 2200 rpm. This car doesn't have a lot of oomph off the line, mostly due to the Quattro system and the fact that all of the torque lives around 2000 rpm and the horsepower is best used north of 3000. However, our test car felt nimble and quick on its toes while we scooted it in and around downtown Denver. Nothing as far as suspension geometry has changed between the gasoline and diesel models, so it's still as fun to drive as any TT you could buy in the States.

Audi has no plans to bring the TT TDI to the States at this time. As their diesel initiative slowly unfolds in America, we can't say that we'll never see this TT (or some other version), but until that day comes, our mouths will continue to salivate.

2009 AUDI TT 2.0 TDI QUATTRO

Engine: Turbo-diesel inline-4, 2.0 liters, 16v
Output: 170 hp/258 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual
0-60 MPH: 7.5 seconds
Fuel Economy: 44.3 mpg (combined, est.)

Audi Mileage Marathon: Amarillo to Denver

Steven J. Ewing — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:04:44 -0500

It's a cold, windy, rainy day as we head out of Amarillo on our way to Denver -- the final leg of Wave 2 of the Audi Mileage Marathon. After our stop in the mile-high city in Colorado, Editor-in-Chief Chris Paukert will take over for the NextAutos team, while my co-driver (Sam Abuelsamid from AutoblogGreen) and I head back home.

Yesterday's stint was a mostly uphill drive from Dallas to Amarillo. In fact, we climbed nearly 2000 feet, but surprisingly, overall fuel economy wasn't hurt too much. The leading Q7 driven by Jim McCraw and Kevin Kelly took the top ranking of the day, with 29.5 miles per gallon at 62 miles per hour. The NextAutos Q7 wasn't too far off, though, averaging 29.1 mpg at 60 mph. The top A4 team achieved 40.6 mpg, the best Q5 got 35.3 mpg, and the sole A3 came in at 48.4 mpg.

Today's drive from Amarillo to Denver is also an uphill adventure, so we'll see how the teams' fuel economy numbers are affected by this. As always, stay tuned for more updates.

Audi Mileage Marathon: Traveling Through Texas

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:48:38 -0500

Yesterday's drive took us west from Memphis, passing through Arkansas and making our way into Texas. After a night at The Joule hotel in downtown Dallas, we're back on the road. This time, however, we will not be following major interstate expressways, and will instead be driving on rural highways to get to our final destination in Amarillo.

Yesterday showed some pretty impressive numbers from all vehicle classes. The leading Q7 was able to obtain fuel economy numbers of 30.3 miles per gallon with an average speed of around 59 miles per hour. The NextAutos Q7 didn't do quite as well, only managing to get 28.6 mpg with an average speed of 58 mph. When we asked the winning team what their secret was, they mentioned that driving the Q7 in manual mode and using the wheel-mounted paddle shifters let them keep low revs in each gear. Also, they were fortunate enough to find a semi truck driver who was willing to play along and let the team draft behind them for over 100 miles.

For the rest of the cars, the winning A4 achieved numbers of 43.3 mpg at 58 mph with the number one Q5 observing 37.9 mpg at 60 mph. The little A3 made the trip at an average of 60 mph, averaging 48.4 mpg along the way.

As always, we'll have more updates later. We've got a few tricks up our sleeve which might make today's drive a bit more interesting (and efficient), so we'll be sure to let you all know how everything works out.

Audi Mileage Marathon: Off to Dallas We Go!

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:02:09 -0500

After a lovely dinner at B.B. King's in downtown Memphis and a good rest, we're back on the road with the Audi Mileage Marathon. Today's drive will take us from Memphis to Dallas by way of Little Rock, where we will stop for lunch.

So far, our Q7 has averaged fuel economy numbers of 28.8 miles per gallon. One other car got the same readings, so we're tied for best fuel economy. Our average speed, however, is a bit below the curve. We've averaged 60 miles per hour thus far, though our attempts at drafting behind semis and using the adaptive cruise control have indeed aided our MPGs.

As for the other cars, the leading A4 is averaging 44.8 miles per gallon at 61 mph, the leading Q5 is averaging 38.5 mpg at 59 mph, and the (only) A3 is getting readings of 41.1 mpg at 59 mph. Stay tuned to see how these numbers change throughout the rest of our drive.

Audi Mileage Marathon: On the Way to Memphis

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:50:26 -0500

We've now driven about 250 miles on our way from Chicago to Memphis in the Q7 3.0 TDI and things are going well. We haven't made any attempts to draft behind eighteen-wheelers or do any other sort of fuel-saving techniques, and we've been able to observe fuel economy numbers of 28.6 miles per gallon. This seems to be in line with some of the higher MPG numbers that the Q7 groups achieved on the first wave of the event.

We'll be sure to give more updates as we continue on with the Audi Mileage Marathon, and hopefully the NextAutos team can win the first place rank for fuel consumption in the Q7.

Audi Mileage Marathon: We've Arrived!

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:36:53 -0500

We've landed in Chicago and are eagerly awaiting the start of the second leg of the Audi Mileage marathon. So far, the Q7s, Q5s, A4s, and A3s have traveled from New York to Chicago by way of Washington, D.C. and Cleveland. We depart tomorrow morning for our first stint of the drive which takes us from the Windy City into Memphis, Tennessee.

We'll be sure to post more updates from the road about our time in these Audi diesels, including how our fuel economy figures are holding up. Stay tuned.

Name Our Long-Term Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:31:11 -0500

Great news! We took delivery of our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI this morning, and we're quite excited about spending the next 365 days with the little diesel-burner. Since we normally only keep cars in our test fleet for a week or two, it will be interesting to see how our Jetta holds up after one year of driving. More importantly, we're curious to see what kind of overall fuel economy numbers are observed.

Since the Jetta will indeed become a trusty steed for our staff, we'd like to give it some extra personal touches, including a name. Thus, we're looking to you, our readers, for suggestions on what to name our Laser Blue Jetta TDI. Leave a comment with your best suggestion for a name, and if your name is picked, we'll send you some free Winding Road swag, including a couple of t-shirts, mugs, pins, and keychains.

Click through the images in the gallery above to see a bunch of shots of our new long-term Jetta TDI.

Audi Mileage Marathon Flaunts Clean Diesel Power in Cross-Country Drive

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:18:48 -0500

Today marks the start of the 2008 Audi Mileage Marathon, a cross-country drive featuring the latest clean diesel offerings from Audi, including the U.S.-bound Q7 3.0 TDI set to hit dealerships next year. This drive will cover more than 4800 miles between October 6th and 20th and twenty-three Audi TDI vehicles will participate in the rally.

Other vehicles included in the Mileage Marathon are the new Q5 3.0 TDI, A4 3.0 TDI, and A3 2.0 TDI Sportback. While it's not confirmed if any of these models will be making their way to the States, we're looking forward to experiencing the performance and fuel efficiency that these TDI cars offer.

The NextAutos team will be jumping on board the Mileage Marathon later this week. We'll be posting pictures and impressions live from the road, so stay tuned for further updates. In the meantime, click through the post to read Audi's official press release -- and check the list of towns we'll be stopping through, as well.

… AND THEY’RE OFF!
AUDI’S CLEAN DIESEL VEHICLES BEGIN U.S. BARNSTORM

Top U.S. executive kicks off cross-country drive of Audi TDI vehicles
The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, a clean diesel SUV, hits American roads
Coast-to-coast rally to show TDI answers today’s energy challenges

New York, NY – Nearly two dozen Audi clean diesel vehicles began a coast-to-coast rally today, giving America its first glimpse of Audi’s landmark TDI technology. With sealed tanks filled with diesel fuel, the revolutionary vehicles pulled away from restaurant Tavern on the Green in New York City, kicking off the first leg of the real-world driving test, dubbed the Audi Mileage Marathon.

Marking the first U.S. test of the forthcoming Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, the Marathon will cover more than 4,800 miles from October 6-20 to showcase the efficiency, ultra-low emissions, and performance of Audi’s TDI clean diesel engines. Audi enlisted its top U.S. executive to lead the two-week drive, which will conclude in Los Angeles. The vehicles are scheduled to make their first pit stop tonight in Washington, DC.

Audi of America chief Johan de Nysschen will lead the rally of 23 Audi TDI vehicles along America’s city streets and highways to illustrate how Audi’s clean diesel technology answers concerns about fuel prices, energy dependence and global warming.

“The Mileage Marathon truly is where the rubber meets the road and driving Audi’s TDI vehicles across the country is the perfect way to show the amazing improvements we have made with clean diesel.” said de Nysschen, Audi of America's executive vice president.

Spotlight on the Audi Q7 TDI
The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI doesn’t just recast diesel for an American audience, it also represents the ultimate progress in SUV engineering.

“The Audi Q7 TDI makes driving a luxury SUV socially acceptable again because of its notable fuel efficiency and ultra-low emissions,” said de Nysschen. “The Q7 TDI will be one of America’s first clean, highly efficient, 7-passenger SUVs, providing a luxury option for U.S. drivers who are conscious of the environment and fuel economy.”

The Mileage Marathon’s TDI fleet will recast outdated perceptions of diesel vehicles. Gone are the days of loud, smoky, under-performing diesel engines. Due to its EPA estimated 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI offers highway driving range of more than 600 miles, far more than a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. It also provides 406 lb-ft of torque, more than most exotic sports cars.

Audi TDI
By reducing up to 90 percent of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) from a vehicle’s emissions, the Audi TDI exhaust purifying system complies with the world’s most demanding emissions law – California’s LEV II Bin 5. The TDI system also meets the upcoming Euro 6 norm limits planned for implementation in 2014. Compared with the fleet average of gasoline engines typically found in the U.S., the TDI achieves a fuel-efficiency advantage of up to 40 percent. This means that today’s diesel technology is designed for tomorrow’s challenges and can make a greater contribution to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels than any other type of engine.

Just the Facts
Audi has now sold more than 4.5 million cars with TDI engines.
Audi’s first American TDI diesel introduction under the new 2008 emissions guidelines will be the company’s luxury Audi Q7 3.0 TDI sport-utility vehicle.
The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI sets a new standard for acceleration and power with 221 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, while seating seven.
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI is designed to meet emissions regulations for all 50 U.S. states.
Diesel vehicles typically get 20-40 percent more miles to the gallon than gasoline vehicles.

Efficient and Low-Emission System
Perfecting the TDI is just one part of Audi’s integrated technology strategy to further reduce CO2 and the emission of pollutants in all models. Audi has built this strategy on its state-of-the-art combustion engines and on the components of its modular efficiency system, including direct injection and turbocharging, the TFSI gasoline engines and TDI diesel engines. Audi’s powerplants provide convincing performance with comparatively low consumption now, while their innovative technologies form a solid basis for significant fuel consumption reductions in coming years.

The TDI Traveling Fleet
Along with the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, the brand new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI debuts in the Mileage Marathon. The Audi A4, the sportiest sedan in its class, appears with the 3.0 TDI engine. The Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI – equipped with the innovative and efficient S tronic transmission – adds yet another highlight to the Mileage Marathon’s efficiency story.

The cars will be monitored during each leg of the journey and evaluated by speed, distance and fuel economy. Adding to the fuel-efficiency equation, each Audi vehicle on the Mileage Marathon is equipped with Michelin Green X® energy saving tires as standard equipment. Michelin tires carrying the Green X sidewall designation – including the Latitude® Tour HP and Primacy™ HP featured on the marathon – guarantees a level of energy efficiency among the highest in the market and reduced CO2 emission while maintaining all the advantages of long wear, safety, and other performances.

The Mileage Marathon is working with four sponsors throughout the program. The fuel sponsor for the drive is Shell, a global leader in diesel technology and technical collaborator to Audi. The marathon is fueled with ultra-low sulfur diesel and participants will refuel at Shell-branded stations along the route. However, two vehicles kicked-off the marathon fueled with Shell GTL, a synthetic fuel made from natural gas and one of the components of Shell V-Power Diesel race fuel, which fuels Audi in the Le Mans series.
The two vehicles will test this revolutionary gas to liquid technology, which is synthesized from natural gas and has outstanding cetane quality and exceptional purity to burn more clearly and efficiently than conventional diesel. Additionally, Michelin is supplying all of the tires and will provide Michelin Maps & Guides Products as in-car and online reference sources for the event. The European clothing company Belstaff is sponsoring the staff clothing. Lastly, Sirius Satellite Radio is a sponsor and Audi installs Sirius exclusively in all of its vehicles sold in the United States.

Coming to a City Near You
The route of the Mileage Marathon leads across America from New York to Los Angeles, passing major cities like Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas as well as vistas, including the Rocky Mountains, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon.

The route includes a realistic mix of city driving and rural driving on urban streets, interstate highways and country roads. In this environment and under conditions that mirror everyday driving, the TDI will be able to clearly show off its superiority over every other efficiency technology.

Driving enthusiasts are welcome to follow Audi’s Mileage Marathon online by visiting www.audimileagemarathon.com <http://www.audimileagemarathon.com> and media can find more information at www.audiusanews.com <http://www.audiusanews.com> .

Mileage Marathon Cities & Dates:
New York, New York: October 6 Start
Washington, D.C.: October 6 - 7
Cleveland, Ohio: October 7 - 8
Chicago, Illinois: October 8 - 9
Memphis, Tennessee: October 9 - 10
Dallas, Texas: October 10 - 11
Amarillo, Texas: October 11 - 12
Denver, Colorado: October 12 - 13
Durango, , Colorado: October 13 - 14
Sedona, Arizona: October 14 - 15
Las Vegas, Nevada: October 15 - 16
Mammoth Lakes, California: October 16 - 17
Monterey, California: October 17 - 19
Los Angeles, California: October 19 - 20