November 23rd, 2008

VW Jetta TDI Gets Green Car of the Year Nod at LA Auto Show

Posted by GreenOptions.com

Written by Nick Chambers, courtesy of Gas2.org

Considering the fact that diesel cars have been nearly non-existent in the US for the last decade, the Green Car Journal’s choice of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI as the Green Car of the Year comes as a bit of a surprise — especially because its competition included two hybrids, and a Smart fortwo.

This is the first time that a clean diesel car has won the annual award since it was initiated in 2005. According to Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com:

The 2009 Jetta TDI “raises the bar significantly in environmental performance with its EPA estimated 41 mpg highway fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and extremely low tailpipe emissions. This is all the more impressive when you consider the Jetta TDI is a clean diesel, achieving the kind of fuel efficiency offered by gasoline electric hybrids but in a more affordable way.”

The car has a 2.0 liter turbocharged direct injection engine that uses clean diesel emissions-reducing technology developed in partnership with Audi and Mercedes-Benz. To reduce NOx emissions, the Jetta has a temporary NOx-storage catalyst that holds the emissions until they’re combusted later in the engine.

Even though it’s listed at 41 mpg highway and 30 mpg city, many people are reporting that if they drive a bit slower on the highway and don’t accelerate too hard, they can see nearly 50 mpg on the highway. And, while stingy on the fuel, the car doesn’t sacrifice on performance, boasting huge amounts of low end torque and a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds.

The Jetta TDI starts at $21,990 and is available now — but good luck finding one. I was quoted a 9 month waiting list from my local dealer.

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