Cleaner VW Diesels Coming in 2008

Volkswagen is ready to bring back the TDI in 2008 as part of an alliance with Audi and DaimlerChrysler. In order to meet new stringent U.S. standards for diesel engines in passenger cars, the three companies got together and came up with a system that uses a series of filters and catalytic converters.

There’s also a solution called AdBlue, which is injected into the exhaust system. All of this cleans the exhaust, reducing up to 90% of nitrous oxide emissions. The problem for owners is that they have to get the AdBlue refilled. Even with two AdBlue tanks installed in each TDI, the solution will need to be checked and topped off at every other maintenance check. We’re not sure of VW’s recommended maintenance schedule but this sounds a bit too frequent to be convenient. The price of being clean and green … or blue, we guess.

Update: The VW Jetta TDI will not need the AdBlue system that is used in other VW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz models because of its smaller size.

Comments

"We’re not sure of VW’s recommended maintenance schedule but this sounds a bit too frequent to be convenient."

The TDI calls for a 10,000 mile oil change interval, so the AdBlue service would only need to be done every 20,000 miles. I think that's reasonable.

This AdBlue stuff is urea, isn't it? Hmm, I think I could minimize rest stops if there was a hose for me to fill the tank, have a little processor convert urine to urea...

But it's still a dirty, clattery diesel, as opposed to a clean, quiet hybrid...

Ah, but ive heard diesel powered Jettas and they are fairly quiet and not clattery, though i did heard clicking.

Now only if VW could make a reliable diesel. I've been down this road and have had other VW cars. I thought it was normal to be invited to a Service Managers wedding. Now that I've been driving a Toyota for the past three years I couldn't name one person if my life depended on it. My wife now sees more of me than the car dealer. I would never buy another VW.

Well its obvious Toyota needs to develop diesel tech, maybe that would show those infernally unreliable VWs...

I'd like to know when VW plans to make the diesels available in California, particularly the Rabbit.

Toyota Troll: But at least is looks better than any hybrid on the road. Not to mention it'll last decades longer than the battery in a hybrid, and that real life every day highway driving diesels get better mileage than hybrids. And last but certainly not least, diesel's have an amazing amount of torque. A pure electric car like the Tesla could probably top it for torque, but nothing by Toyota or GM will.

2008 can't come too soon for us. Our 2001 Jetta TDI has 170k km and going STRONG with minimal maintenance. We'll keep her for another half dozen years or so as our 2nd TDI.

"But it's still a dirty, clattery diesel, as opposed to a clean, quiet hybrid..."

Hmmmm. If the TDI gets more mpg than the hybrid, isn't the hybrid the dirtier car...? Don't believe everything everything the EPA tells you...

When those hybrid pushers have to spend 6 to 7 THOUSAND dollars on batteries we will see who's the dirtiest bird.....

I had a neighbor who bragged about his Honda hybrid - until the batteries crapped out after less than 4 years to the tune of 6k!!

That makes a Hummer appear to be a bargain........

You couldn't pry our two Jetta TDI's out of our hands... unless VW finally reintroduces the Passat TDI !!

what about a diesel/electric Hybrid? Would such a Hybrid be possible or is that even a good idea?
Hybrids batteries R recyclable, right?
*News Flash*
Toyota makes cars for the whole planet just like VW and Honda!!!!
And just like VW, Toyota and Honda also make diesel engines! Why not for the USA? :-(
VW also offers several TDi configurations (I discovered this about 3yrs ago) but not for the good ol US of A!!!! What is that all about?

I had a 1995 Mercedes-Benz for 10 years that always was in the shop. I traded my Benz in on a 2005 VW convertible. I have had three VW's over the past 6 years and don't have near the problems that I had with my Benz. I will never buy another Benz as I have changed to driving VW's and Hondas.

Peugeot is set to show a diesel hybrid @ next months Frankfurt Auto show & it may go into production for Europe. It's estimated 2 get 69 MPG!! That would rock!

It's all about progress in technology.

Complaining about the battery life and weight of a "portable" computer you owned in 1985 is about as relevant to today's laptops as complaints about past diesel technology is to modern cars.

If you had something pre-2005, it's not relevant. Forget about it. The next generation of diesel is even more impressive because the technology/research investment is exponentially higher.

I run a 2005 Passat TDI in California today and it gets 35mpg average. I drove SF to Vegas on a single tank of gas. It makes less noise than gasoline cars and far less than the all-too-common guzzlers with exhaust "enhancements". My mother was wary when I told her I bought a diesel, but she soon described it as "purring".

Bottom line is it's about the technology and diesel is the best future technology engine available today. It has the best torque for comfortable hiway driving, best mileage, least emissions, and highest duty-cycles (thanks to the navy!). The only thing better would be a diesel-hybrid, but that market is just getting started...