2009 VW JETTA TDI WAGON: Fuel economy + power

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This article was published 29/05/2009 (6295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — Talk diesel and one of the first names to surface is Volkswagen. Over the years, roughly half of all Golfs and Jettas sold have employed the engine patented by Rudolf Diesel more than 100 years ago. The reason and allure of the compression-ignition cycle is not difficult to grasp: economy.

The current City Jetta and its 2.0-litre gas engine consumes 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.0 L/100 km on the highway. The new-for-2009 Jetta TDI and its 2.0L engine sips its diesel at 6.8 L/100 km in the city and returns a stellar 4.9 L/100 km when cruising the highway. For anyone with a longer than average commute, the annual cost differential is enormous.

I managed to wring a test average of 6.2 L/100 km from the Jetta. Even when factoring the higher cost of diesel, the Jetta still whips every other gasoline contender in terms of its cost of operation.

Of course, the best fuel miser in the world isn’t worth beans if it lacks a rewarding drive. Puttering around while flogging the living daylights out of an engine just to keep up with stop-and-go traffic is not fun.

The Jetta TDI uses VW’s latest diesel engine — a 2.0L, turbocharged, common-rail unit. The beauty is that along with the wonderful fuel economy comes plenty of power. It is not the 140 horsepower that impresses, although this number is up 40 from that of the outgoing TDI. Rather, it is the gobs of torque on tap — try 236 pound-feet of torque at just 1,750 rpm (again, the outgoing engine twisted out just 177 lb-ft). Hammer the accelerator from a standstill and the turbo comes on line immediately. The total lack of lag is very much appreciated.

When pushed, the Jetta runs to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. It’s not the quickest time in its segment, but it’s more than adequate — the torque actually makes the car feel so much faster.

The other place this new engine impresses is its cleanliness. When compared with the previous TDI, this latest version reduces particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 90 per cent and so meets all prevailing standards. It is also noteworthy that it does not require the now-usual urea injection system to meet the regulations.

As for the rest of it, there is absolutely no compromise. Where diesels have earned a reputation for being noisy, this engine is commendably quiet. Once through an early bout of diesel clatter, it is difficult to tell this engine from its gasoline counterpart.

The TDI’s power is relayed to the road through either a six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG (direct-shift gearbox) twin-clutch manumatic. I found the DSG a better drive.

Heresy, some might say, but this transmission does it all in fine style. It rev matches on downshifts, bringing the desired engine braking, and it’s faster than Michael Schumacher on the way up through the gears. The twin-clutch box delivers the easy driving demeanour of an automatic transmission with the mechanical efficiency of a manual box.

In terms of its handling, the Jetta is pretty good for a compact family car. The front struts and multi-link rear suspenders do a good job of dialing out body roll without upsetting the ride quality. When pushed, the response to driver input is quick and predictable, yet, on the highway, all but the largest frost heaves slip by unnoticed.

If long distance comfort is paramount, the TDI wagon delivers. On one side, the ride quality is first rate and the seats are comfortable. On the other, a full tank of diesel will have the Jetta ferrying its occupants 887 km based on my test average.

— Canwest News Service

THE SPECS

TYPE OF VEHICLE: Front-wheel-drive compact wagon

ENGINE: Turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder diesel

POWER: 140 hp 4,000 rpm; 236 lb-ft of torque 1,750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manumatic

BRAKES: Four-wheel disc with ABS

TIRES: P205/55R16 winter (optional)

PRICE: base/as tested: $23,475/$30,125

DESTINATION CHARGE: $1,360

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 6.8 city, 4.9 hwy.

STANDARD FEATURES: Air conditioning, power locks, windows with auto up/down, heated mirrors, cruise control, heated cloth seating, eight-way manual driver’s seat with power recline and adjustable lumbar, height adjustable passenger seat, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, compass, premium VII AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and 10 speakers, 60/40-split/folding rear seat, intermittent front wipers, rear washer/wiper, roof rails and rear spoiler, side mirror turn signal repeaters, electronic traction/stability control systems, engine immobilizer and anti-theft system.

OPTIONS: Direct Shift Gearbox ($1,400)