2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Preview

What it Is

Jetta TDI Preview – Washington D.C. Auto Show: Volkswagen has sold TDIs on and off in the U.S. for the past several years, and with the 2008 Jetta TDI, it’s on again. Thanks to a better particle scrubbing system, nitrogen oxide reducing technology and new low-sulfur clean diesel fuel that debuted last October, the new Jetta TDI will meet strict Tier 2/Bin 5 emission requirements, meaning that Volkswagen’s latest TDI diesels are a far cry from the smoke-belching Rabbits of the ‘70s. The 2008 Jetta TDI, in fact, is expected to be 50-state legal for the first time since five states adopted tough California Air Resource Board (CARB) emissions standards.

Why it Matters

Carmakers and consumers are searching for alternative energy sources that achieve high fuel economy and reduce emissions. For American and Japanese manufacturers, hybrids are the answer, but Volkswagen is hoping the 2008 VW Jetta TDI will yield comparable mileage while remaining cost-effective. VW isn’t new to diesels, and says that when they’re available about 20 percent of its U.S. sales are diesel models. Beyond that, the Jetta TDI is part of a new generation of European diesels charged with changing the image of diesels as stinky and under-performing to clean, modern and high-performance powerplants desirable in their own right, not just as a fuel-conscious stopgap solution.

What’s Under the Hood

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the 2008 VW Jetta TDI’s hood produces an estimated 140 horsepower and a whopping 235 lb.-ft. of torque. Getting it to burn diesel cleanly requires some sophisticated technology, and a key component to the system is a nitrogen oxide (NOx) reservoir catalytic converter. This device extracts approximately 90 percent of NOx emissions into a sponge-like network before exhaust exits the vehicle. The engine periodically switches modes, burning off the NOx into harmless nitrogen and water. The exhaust is further filtered by a particulate trap, which reduces soot content. Unlike the AdBlue technology used by other manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, VW’s emissions equipment is self-sustaining and does not require a urea additive.

What it Looks Like

When the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI goes on sale in the spring of 2008, it won’t look much different from the current Jetta lineup. The BlueTec badges signal VW’s collaboration with Daimler Chrysler’s Mercedes-Benz and Audi in developing the clean diesel technology, signifying that the Tier 2/Bin 5 emissions standards have been attained. This leaves the rest of the Jetta’s styling to speak for itself, which is largely a good thing. The most striking styling element of current small Volkswagens is the large grille that extends into the lower bumper. Tasteful applications of chrome signal the Jetta’s upscale aspirations.