TDi Jetta REsets the mpg world record

fsstnotch · #1 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 01:10 PM

The couple that previously set the Guiness book record in a 2009 TDi Jetta at 58.82mpg were contacted by goodyear. Goodyear claimed they would have gotten better mpg if they had used Goodyear tires... SO, on Goodyears dime, they tested again. On a 9505mi road trip, all highway, within 5mph of the speedlimit. And the new world record is......

67 MPG!!!!!

Add to the great fuel economy the fact that VW is currently offering 3yr 36k FREE service package. You won't even pay to have the oil changed!

No expensive batteries to replace, no brand new technology to battle, getting better mpg in the city that the Fit... Price $26k fully loaded. Base price $21k

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 01:21 PM

...and it does 0-60 mph sometime before the next full lunar eclipse is scheduled.

Impressive mpg.

jams · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 02:07 PM

That is impressive.

I think too much time, effort and expense is being put into hybrid technology. Look at the results, hybrids get their butts kicked by a regular engine.

fsstnotch · #4 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote from motortrend...

Quote:

The popularity comes for good reason as the TDI scoots from 0 to 60 in 8.4 seconds....
Our Car
Base Price $23,090
Price as tested $24,190
Vehicle layout Front engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
Engine 2.0L/140-hp/236-lb-ft turbodiesel SOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmission 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Curb weight (dist f/r) 3346 lb (61/39%)
Wheelbase 101.5 in
Length x width x height 179.3 x 70.1 x 57.4 in
0-60 mph 8.4 sec
Quarter mile 16.4 sec @ 83.6 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 125 ft
Lateral acceleration 0.82 g (avg)
MT figure eight 28.2 sec @ 0.58 g (avg)

Prius 10.37
Fit 9.00

Beats both of the above in a 1/4 mile by 2 seconds. Comparable to your everyday gas powered civic.

Mine was $25k with leather, moonroof, heated seats, mp3, 17" wheels, arctic white with charcoal leather.

jams · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 04:23 PM

Those numbers are hard to argue with!

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 05:36 PM

8.4 to 60 mph, while not burning up the highway is a lot faster than I thought it would be!

Interesting numbers indeed...

SP01715 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 05:50 PM

I ordered a 2010 TDI Jetta wagon last week. Should be here in 2-4 months. I drove the 09 version and it actually moves out pretty well with the torque of the turbo diesel. It has a sport mode that you can put it in that changes the shift points for even better acceleration.

map · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 08:33 PM

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Diesel 58.9 mpg

http://www.stevelarkins.freeuk.com/f...dci_review.htm

fsstnotch · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 11:07 PM

Ya, I was pretty surprised by the acceleration. It's got 236ft-lbs tq and it will spin the tires off the line if you try.

You will love the wagon. I know a few people on the TDi forums that switched from the smaller economy cars and they were amazed to find themselves getting better mpg than thier old cars and have WAY more space.

This Small engine turbo diesel is a good answer right now.... imagine a hybrid in the future!

Ron61 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 05:57 AM

That is an impressive set of figures and the acceleration does surprise me. I see a new Jetta around here every day or so and if I happen to see it parked I am going to ask the owner how he likes it and what his mileage figures are. I doubt if they will quite equal those, but if the Good Year tires help that much, they would be a worthy option.

Ron

SP01715 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Ya, I was pretty surprised by the acceleration. It's got 236ft-lbs tq and it will spin the tires off the line if you try.

You will love the wagon. I know a few people on the TDi forums that switched from the smaller economy cars and they were amazed to find themselves getting better mpg than thier old cars and have WAY more space.

This Small engine turbo diesel is a good answer right now.... imagine a hybrid in the future!

I have owned diesel trucks for ten years, and I wanted a diesel for my wifes new car because we put about 20k miles a year on it. After all the research it came down to the VW and the Audi wagon (we need the extra room). The Audi is 10" shorter than the VW, so the VW was the choice for me. I am surprised more car companies are not going the diesel route. They are popular in europe, but not so much here in the U.S.

427sharpe · #12 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 03:19 PM

But why buy a diesel? Fuel is ridiculous (priced same as or higher than gas for far less refining), comparative parts are generally higher and the 'home mechanic' is unfamiliar with their operation. Add in that diesel can be hard to find in some places, and you have a problem. I like diesels for the very reasons you list, but it will take a tidal wave to get people to switch.

SP01715 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427sharpe

But why buy a diesel? Fuel is ridiculous (priced same as or higher than gas for far less refining), comparative parts are generally higher and the 'home mechanic' is unfamiliar with their operation. Add in that diesel can be hard to find in some places, and you have a problem. I like diesels for the very reasons you list, but it will take a tidal wave to get people to switch.

Diesel has been cheaper than gas for the past year. The only time the market flipped was when gas was at 4-5$ a gallon last summer, and before that it was always cheaper than gas.

Diesel motors will last a lot longer than a gas motor.

Diesel is not hard to find at all. I have driven my diesel trucks all over the U.S. and I have never had a hard time finding fuel.

The torgue of a diesel makes them very easy to drive.

I owned an automotive repair facility, and my mechanics had no problem working on diesel vehicles. I have done all the typical home maintenance on my diesels, and they are no harder to work on than gas motors.

The new TDI that VW and Audi uses does not even sound like a diesel (which is another complaint I hear). You can stand next to the car when it is running and you can't tell the difference between it and a gas motor. Same goes for driving it, very quiet.

No smog requirments here in Califoirnia.

Will beat a gas motor vehicle in fuel mielage of the same size, and will get about the same as a small hybrid without the expensive battery technology.

On top of all this you can get a lot more performance out of a turbo diesel motor with a programer if wanted. I will leave the TDI alone, but I have a programer on my 2500 HD Duramax, and I am putting out 375 hp and about 660 ft lbs of torque.

I am a huge fan of the new diesel technology.

bomelia · #14 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 04:21 PM

I wish I could find one, but nobody has any.

Mike

Maurice Johnson · #15 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 06:32 AM

"say it ain't so"

In the vein of the kid, to ShoelessJoe Jackson, Cobra freaks (me too) extolling the virtues of --uhhhh--you know, those other velocipedes.

Dan40 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice Johnson

"say it ain't so"

In the vein of the kid, to ShoelessJoe Jackson, Cobra freaks (me too) extolling the virtues of --uhhhh--you know, those other velocipedes.

Well ya gotta have a rainy day car, dontcha?

427sharpe · #17 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 12:08 PM

I don't know why everybody jumps up and down about 'new' fuel saving cars. Honda had them 20 years ago; no diesel, no turbo.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/5263.shtml

50 Hwy/ 41 city for a combined 45 MPG and the cars were FUN.

In light of our current situation, I think we will go the way of Europe. Last time over, it seemed EVERYTHING new was diesel.
Now if we can get the fuel mfg's. to bring diesel down in $ to where it should logically be....

DAVID GAGNARD · #18 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 12:16 PM

A while back while talking to a lady about her daughter's Honda hybrid, I asked how she liked the car. She said it was fantastic and the bestest thing ever....She was very proud of the fact that her daughter had just drove home my college (4.5 hour drive) and had averaged a whopping 34 mpg..........

I get 38 to 39.5 mpg on the highway and never less than 35 mpg overall in my 11 year old Corolla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

Wayne Maybury · #19 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 01:22 PM

My daughter has had a TDI for several years and it now has almost 300,000 km (175,000 miles) on it. The only problem has been the rear brakes that just do not seem to last very long. The timing belt has been changed twice and she just had to have the head gasket replaced. Other than that, it has been a great car that continues to give very good mileage.

Wayne

Aussie Mike · #20 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 10:34 PM

We bought one of these for my wife about 3 years back. It gets great economy but not at the expense of performance.

It runs a 2.0L turbo diesel motor that makes 138HP and 236ft pound of torque. The trick is that it makes it all by about 2500RPM. Combine that with the 6 speed DSG sequential box and it gets up and goes. I test drove it back to back with the regular 2.0 petrol Jetta and it spanked the petrol engine version. Turbo lag off the mark is noticeable but once it gets on boost it really hauls. The traction control regularly kicks in off the mark. A re-flash of the ECU will add 25HP and 30 ft pound of torque with no real negative impact on economy.

It's very civilized to drive and the only time you can even guess it's a diesel is at idle. Once it's going you hear very little diesel engine noise.

It gets about 600 miles to the tank on a long trip but even driving to work and round the city it still get 500 miles from a tank. It's not even a particularly big tank at 55Litres (14.5Gal).

We are very happy with it.

Cheers