Just when you thought there wasn’t a 40-plus-mpg car available for $20K other than the pipsqueak Smart Fortwo, we happened upon this timely little tidbit on the EPA’s website: the 2009 Jetta TDI is officially rated at 30 mpg city, 41 mpg highway for the six-speed-manual model and 29 city, 40 highway when equipped with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automated manual.
The previous 2006 Jetta TDI was rated at 30/37 for the five-speed manual and 30/38 for the six-speed DSG (according to the EPA’s new methods), which means the ’09 model improves its highway figure roughly 10 percent while at the same time boosting horsepower by 40 to 140, bumping torque by 59 lb-ft to 236, and making the oil burner clean enough to be sold in all 50 states.
VW is quick to suggest that it expects the new Jetta TDI to outperform the EPA’s figures—by as much as 20 percent—a diesel phenomenon we don’t totally discredit due to real-world economy as high as 25 mpg in our long-term Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI (rated at 18/24). And even though diesel prices are currently hovering about 20 percent higher than gas, the Jetta TDI’s ratings out thrift gas-powered Jettas by about 40 percent.
Why are the numbers so low?
Why are the numbers so much lower than the older TDI's? Is it the new EPA testing and standard system? Is it the emissions updates to make the exhaust cleaner? Or is Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel have less bang for the buck?
1997 Jetta TDI - City 39.8 mpg / Highway 48.7 mpg
1999-2003 Jetta TDI - City 42.0 mpg / Highway 49.0 mpg
Are we going backwards VW or is it the EPA? Because I know that some of you out there who have a Jeta TDI have gotten more than 50 mpg. I have in my 1997 Passat TDI.
"Everything is possible, it is just a matter of whether it is feasable with today's technology" Hintertux
Found this from the EPA:
Beginning with 2008 models, all fuel economy estimates based on new test methods, which EPA finalized in December 2006. The new methods better account for actual driving conditions that can lower fuel economy, such as high speed, aggressive driving, use of air conditioning, and cold temperature operation. The new estimates will give drivers a more accurate estimate of the fuel economy they are likely to achieve on the road. Because of the new methods, the estimates for most 2008 models will be lower than their 2007 counterparts. To aid consumers shopping for new cars, EPA has also redesigned the fuel economy window sticker posted on all new cars and light trucks to be easier to read and understand.
EPA has finalized new methods used to determine the City and Highway estimates that appear on the window stickers of new cars and trucks. The city and highway miles per gallon (MPG) estimates help consumers compare the fuel economy of different vehicles. Although no single test can ever account for the wide variety of driving conditions and styles, the new methods will bring the MPG estimates closer to the fuel economy consumers actually achieve on the road by taking into account conditions such as higher speeds, cold temperature operation and use of air conditioning. The new MPG estimates will take effect with 2008 models.