Volkswagen Jetta TDI Priced at $21,990

Volkswagen is trumpeting both the pricing and fuel economy of the new Jetta TDI, which starts at $21,990. This is the much-anticipated new clean-diesel version of the Jetta, and although it's pricier (the gas-powered version starts at $16,990), Volkswagen hopes the vehicle's fuel economy will make up the difference in the minds of car buyers.

Whereas the gas-powered Jetta averaged 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, the TDI is rated at 29/40 mpg city/highway by the EPA. Volkswagen also claims that in real-world testing, the TDI rated even better, coming in at 38/44 mpg.

With the average price of a gallon of diesel at nearly $4.80, it will be interesting to see if the TDI has many takers.

VW Jetta TDI Diesel Mileage Announced

Diesel and VW fanatics have been anxiously awaiting mileage numbers for the first-ever clean-diesel Jetta, and here they are courtesy of the U.S. government: The four-cylinder TDI will get 30 mpg city and 41 mpg on the highway. That’s 36% better than the current four-cylinder and 41.7% better than the current five-cylinder gasoline engines.

The bad news is that the current cost of diesel fuel is 19.7% higher than regular unleaded. Add in the fact that the TDI is expected to cost more than the base Jetta, and the savings aren’t as great as many may have hope for.

Let us know if you think the TDI will sell well when it debuts later this summer.

Official EPA numbers posted for the '09 Jetta TDI - 30/41mpg (Autoblog)

New Minivans Included in Chrysler Sale

The Chrysler Event of a Lifetime might be hyperbolically named. After all, anyone who considers a year-end car manufacturer sale the event of their lifetime probably needs to do some serious self-examination. Therapy might even be in order.

While they're getting those issues sorted out, though, the rest of us can take advantage of the deals Chrysler's event entails. The automaker is offering a variety of savings on 2008 models, including $3,000 on a 300C (excluding the SRT8), $2,000 on Sebring convertibles, $1,000 on a Town & Country, and $1,500 and $2,000 on five- and six-passenger Pacificas, respectively.

Dodge and Jeep are in on the act, too. Dodge trucks get the highest discounts — $3,000 on the 2008 Durango and $4,500 on certain Ram trims — while the 2008 Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee get $3,000 each.

A variety of long-term financing deals are also available.

Time is of the essence: current deals expire Monday, Dec. 3, and Chrysler has yet to announce any incentives past the current expiration date. Though surely Chrysler would want to extend the Event of All Our Lifetimes, right? 

Check out Cars.com's Incentives page for a full list of deals.

VW Delays Release of Clean-Diesel Jetta

With diesel engines virtually extinct in the U.S. market, we’ve been looking forward to the debut of Volkswagen’s clean-diesel Jetta TDI, slated for the spring of 2008. It now looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer.

Volkswagen pushed back the release of the TDI due to a “technical issue that was found in the late stages of durability testing,” according to a recently released memo acquired by Brandweek. The TDI now appears poised for its debut in late summer 2008.

Part of Volkswagen’s trouble lies in the 50-state test. The U.S. has some of the strictest emissions standards for diesel vehicles, and in order for automakers to sell their cars in all 50 states, it must meet emissions standards set forth in every state, including California and its stringent Air Resources Board.

With a number of automakers hoping to re-introduce diesel engines to the American market in more-environmentally-friendly form, all eyes are on Volkswagen and its new Jetta. Consumer interest certainly seems piqued, though. We’ve already written about the enthusiasm for VW’s diesel vehicles, and Brandweek reported the claims of one VW dealer who says three out of every five calls he receives are inquiries about the clean-diesel Jetta.

VW Launch of New Diesel Delayed (Brandweek via Autoblog)

Cars.com Reviews 2007 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Fahrenheit

The Jetta GLI Fahrenheit is a limited-edition version of the highest-performance Jetta in Volkswagen’s stable, but that doesn’t mean a review of the car is limited. Anyone interested in a GLI can glean something from Kelsey Mays’ review of our bright yellow test car. The differences truly are skin deep. On all other levels, the Fahrenheit treatment doesn’t impact the car’s overall appeal. There’s also a handy video if you want to check out the yellow GLI in motion. 

2007 Volkswagen GLI Fahrenheit Expert Review

Volkswagen Recalls 340,000 Jettas, GTIs, Rabbits

On Friday, Volkswagen announced it was recalling 340,000 cars due to faulty headlights. Jetta, Rabbit, GTI and R32 cars from the 2005-2008 model years are included in the recall. As of today, any owner can bring their car in to get the problem fixed.

Faulty headlights can be a hazard in night or daytime driving. No injuries have been reported, and concerned owners can call 1-800-822-8987 for more information.

Volkswagen Recalls 340,000 Cars (CNNMoney)

VW Goes Diesel Happy: Jetta TDI Coming in '08

One of the surprising things about this job is hearing about cars people love with a passion you wouldn’t necessarily anticipate. Possibly the top car on that list is the Jetta TDI -- or any diesel VW, for that matter. Readers have commented that they go to extreme lengths to keep these machines running, even after they would have otherwise traded it in, simply because there is no new replacement.

Come the spring of 2008, there will be. Volkswagen is bringing its new clean-diesel 2009 Jetta TDI to the U.S., and we’re anxious to hear what KickingTires readers think about it.

The news comes in conjunction with VW’s new promotion called The Dieselution Tour, aimed at informing American consumers about clean diesel … and, presumably, to put their butts in VWs. Currently, the only VW diesel on sale in the U.S. is the Touareg 2 V-10 TDI, at a cost of $68,320. Think no one would buy it? We saw one in our parking garage this morning. As for the Jetta, we haven’t gotten full specs on the 2009 TDI yet, but we’ll keep you posted.

2008 Jetta and Rabbit: More Power, New Trims

We always like it when the base trim level for a car gets an upgrade — it’s often the model more people buy. Such is the case for Volkswagen, whose 2.5-liter five-cylinder has been retooled for 2008. Output jumps from 150 to 170 hp in the Rabbit and Jetta, while the New Beetle keeps the old 150-hp version.

The extra power should give the Jetta some much-needed oomph, as the current base model is a bit underwhelming. The lighter Rabbit, in contrast, is already something of an unlikely athlete. But hey, we won’t argue with extra power — especially when it comes with better gas mileage. With the EPA’s revised ratings system, Volkswagen reports that both the 2008 Jetta and Rabbit get 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with an automatic, versus 19/28 for automatic-equipped 2007 models (using 2008 EPA calculations). The EPA reports slightly different mileage figures for the Jetta, as well as that it now uses premium fuel. Volkswagen says it can run on regular gasoline.

There’s one more amusing detail: Both cars shed their old trim levels for new ones — the Rabbit is now the Rabbit S, and the Jetta dons S, SE and SEL badging. In the alphabet soup of trim levels, even this phenomenon is rare — the Blue Oval uses nearly identical delineations for the Fusion, Focus and Edge. A Fordian slip, so to speak? Weigh in below.

2007 VW Rabbit Shown

VW Jetta SportWagen on the Way

When Volkswagen unveiled the polarizing design of the new Jetta in early 2005, we in the media expected a wagon version to arrive a short time later. Fast forward more than two years, and the wagon is finally here. Don’t be confused by the European name “Golf Variant,” that’s just the silly way they name the Jetta wagon over there.

After a quick look at the new wagon, we can’t really say it was worth the wait. Sure, the front and profile seem to be in proportion, but VW just lost us with the bland back end. It looks like every other car on the road, not something unique. Many may not like the design of the sedan, but at least it stands out.

We do like the utilitarian functionality of the wagon, though, with its fold-flat floor expanding the cargo area to 55 cubic feet. The Jetta SportWagen will arrive in the U.S. around September as a 2008 model, with the same base engine as the Jetta sedan — an inline-five-cylinder — and the peppy 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder we’ve driven extensively in other VWs and Audis. A diesel version will probably go on sale alongside the Jetta TDI sedan in 2008. Photo gallery below.

VW Recalls 790,000 Jettas, Golfs, GTIs and Beetles

Volkswagen today announced a recall involving a defect in the brake light switch; the switch could either not function, or remain on at all times. In either case, that could send the wrong signal, literally, to other drivers. The recall involves more than 790,000  1999 – 2006 Golfs and GTIs, 2001 – 2005 Jettas, 2001 – 2007 New Beetles and 2004 R32s.

This recall comes after the same problem was discovered on other Jettas and New Beetles last year. That recall involved 362,000 vehicles. The sheer number – 1,150,000 – of cars involved in the two recalls is immense.

VW will begin the recall in April; owners can contact VW at (800) 822-8987.

[Volkswagen Recalls 790,000 Cars to Fix Brake Light Switch, The Detroit News]

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.

Wolfsburg Bites Back: The New VW Special Editions

Volkswagen has had great success with special edition vehicles in the past. The Wolfsburg limited edition Cabriolets and Trek mountain bike Jettas are both memorable examples that gained a strong following for the brand. Now, VW is looking to return to some of that limited edition glory with four new offerings.

The Wolfsburg Edition Jetta is basically a 2.5 L Jetta with an assortment of popular options — like 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof and a cold-weather package — at a price almost $2,000 less than a similarly equipped Jetta. Prices for the Wolfsburg are $19,360 for the manual and $20,435 for the automatic. The limited edition part comes in with unique badging and only five color choices.