Priced too high, too low, just right? Perhaps we'll have to see how well the American built Passat is equipped and how well it drives? Check out the Car and Driver article.

The Passat TDI, which has VW’s outstanding 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel, making 140 hp and 236 lb-ft, starts at $26,765. At that price, buyers get a six-speed manual, 17-inch wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, some nicer-looking interior trim, and leatherette seats (one of which, if your name is “the driver,” is heated and power-adjustable). Want an auto with your diesel? The six-speed dual-clutch automatic comes with a mandatory sunroof; the bill will be $28,665, please. More options are available for, you guessed it, even more money.

Those curious as to what previous TDI owners think of the new 2011 lighter, larger and cheaper Volkswagen Jetta TDI, check out this review from Corey at TDIBlog.com.

2011 Jetta TDI Review – First Drive

The 2011 Jetta TDI is the first model in the new VW campaign to make less-expensive vehicles.  The MkVI Jetta reached a very impressive starting price of under $16,000, but at the expense of some standard features on the previous generation MkV Jetta.  For now, this 2011 Jetta is a US market only vehicle, and VW moved the Jetta away from a European sports sedan into a comfortable 4-door cruiser at a better price point.  As TDI enthusiasts, we naturally wanted to road test this new Jetta, one equipped with the, now very popular, 2.0 liter, common-rail TDI.  We walked away  with overall good feelings but with some hesitations and confusions.

READ Review

Biodiesel is now available on a regular basis at Jatrodiesel's
Miamisburg, OH plant. Pricing fluctuates on a regular basis. Today's
pricing is, $3.51/gal (4/18/2011)  for on-road B99. Call 937-847-8050 ext.201 for updated
pricing or send email to biosales@jatrodiesel.com
www.jatrodiesel.com

Visa/MC accepted at 845 N.Main St, Miamisburg, OH. Phone numbers are below. Hours of operations: currently week days between 8:30 and 4:30.

Painful comments from Consumer Reports -- "a shadow of the agile, well-finished car it once was" ... although their love has generally been reserved for Asian vehicles, with internal statistics to back it up I might add. Still, for those of us appreciating the traditionally fine handling and premium fit and finish of the Volkswagen Jetta, the new advice to consumers about buying the lower priced and "cheaper" Volkswagen Jetta is a bitter pill to swallow. Let's hope the new American built 2012 Passat makes a better impression.

The new for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta received a new, far lower base price tag of $15,995, but Consumer Reports evidently feels that the more affordable sticker has come at too high of a cost to the vehicle itself. The buyer-centric organization ranked the Jetta dead last among 11 small sedans tested for the April edition of its magazine.

David Champion, senior director of the group's Auto Test Center says, "In an effort to bring the car's starting price down, VW cheapened the previous Jetta's interior and suspension, making it less sophisticated and compromising handling."

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Reposting email list post from Jon' Auto LLC for Saturday, April 2, 2011 session. Sign up if you are interested in a performance chip for your VW TDI.

Jon's Auto LLC is proud to present the return of Jeff from "Rocketchip" (www.rocketchip.com) to our shop.  Jon Hamilton, shop owner and ASE-certified mechanic, still holds the record for the fastest diesel up Pikes Peak with his 2000 Golf TDI because of Jeff Robertson's custom tune.  With over 25 years of experience in performance tuning, Jeff is a nationally recognized tuner and is well-respected in the TDI community.  Rocketchip has a number of different levels of chip-tuning to suit individual preference and goals.  Since 2005, Jon's Auto has hosted this event receiving 100% positive feedback. This semi-annual event will be held on Saturday April 2, 2011 @ 8 AM.  We will be doing chip tuning, injector installs, FREE VAG-COM computer scans, and other minor work if necessary.  Due to space and time constraints, we are reserving this event for individuals who wish to be tuned. This is a "first come, first serve" event or you may drop your vehicle off Friday evening or Saturday morning to avoid the wait.  Please contact us via e-mail or phone to confirm your attendance.  Because I would like to provide Jeff with an approximate tune count, please confirm your attendance with us via e-mail or phone.

The Inside Line reports that Volkswagen may send over the upscaled Euro Jetta in 2014 ...

Just the Facts:

• New U.S. Jetta is deliberately less sophisticated than the Euro Jetta to meet cost targets.
• If the Jetta performs well, the U.S. could get the upmarket Euro version at the model's midlife point.
• The upcoming GLI trim level with multilink rear axle is the closest to the Euro Jetta that we'll get for now.

NICE, France— Volkswagen North America has made clear the strategy for the new Jetta and Passat. It is entirely different from the strategy for these cars in Europe.

After a recent drive in both a Jetta SLE with port-injected 2.5-liter five-cylinder and five-speed manual shifter around Detroit and then, right after that, the Jetta 2.0 TDI (turbocharged direct-injection diesel) in top Highline trim with six-speed dual-clutch automatic in France, the qualitative differences became even clearer. Inside Line promptly grilled Jetta Global Technical Project Leader Frank Donath.

READ entire article

Maybe it's not a "just" a dream car ... as according to Autoblog Volkswagen has "taken another step towards making the one-liter car a reality, and this 200 mile-per-gallon dream could be on the roads within the next few years."

The Formula XL1 Concept combines a 2.0-liter TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km – just over 260 mpg to us Yanks. The included plug-in system, along with the XL1's low drag and extensive use of lightweight materials has the potential to make the concept the most efficient vehicle to ever grace public roads.

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For those who might be interested in what is happening in transportation here in Ohio (and the nation), Clean Fuels Ohio is hosting a lecture and a facilities tour at the Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research. The February 16th lunch will be a great opportunity to hear about the changes coming to the vehicles that we’re all accustom to driving as well as the fuels we will be using. A reservation is requested so be sure to contact Jill if you would like to attend … click on the image below for a PDF version of the flyer.