VW Polo BlueMotion

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 19 2007, 01:57 AM) [snapback]392724[/snapback]</div>

Who said that the Prius is slow? I think the Prius is quite peppy. I also have a VW Jetta TDI that does 0-60 in 12 seconds. I don't recall ever wishing that it was faster. I would love to be able to buy a slow Polo TDI in the US but of course the Lupo gets even better milege

 

It's a shame they can't start building the Lupo 3L again (or the Audi A2 3L).

That got 78 mpg (US).

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ecotech/a2.htm

 

Seems like Europe has stricter diesel fuel purity requirements ... forcing them to refince WAY more sulpher out ... whereas our purity of diesel requirements are in the Toilet. Aren't Oil lobbyists jobs to make sure the industry makes it a cheep as possible so the profit is as big as possible? Our fuel standards have to get cleaned up so we can enjoy this VW, right?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Feb 20 2007, 01:42 PM) [snapback]393343[/snapback]</div>

They have been, just this year. And it's amazing the difference clean diesel makes.

2008 Jetta TDI Review

The '08 Jetta is now 50 state clean (no Urea, but nice try John ), makes more power (40hp more) and gets better mileage to boot (altho VW is keeping quiet on the exact figures). Since the old TDI was already in Prius territory... this could push it over the top in terms of economy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Feb 20 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]393356[/snapback]</div>

"50 state clean" is the minimum criteria to be eligible for sales here. That's very disappointing... well below the SULEV emission rating, definitely nothing to label as green. It is a step in the wrong direction, dirtier than the average gas vehicle in fact. NOx (smog) and Particulate emissions at that level are something to be concerned about.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Feb 20 2007, 06:03 PM) [snapback]393527[/snapback]</div>

But we can both agree it's more efficient, more powerful, and definitely cleaner than the old TDI.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Feb 20 2007, 04:53 PM) [snapback]393559[/snapback]</div>

Being an improvement over the older model still does not make it a good choice.

Relative measure like that is how people get greenwashed. The emission rating labels of SULEV and PZEV are what keep discussions constructive. This new TDI isn't that clean, period.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Feb 20 2007, 05:58 PM) [snapback]393563[/snapback]</div>

Let's look at the actual regulations:

---------------NOx-------NMOG------CO-------PM--------HCHO
T2 Bin1 -----0.0-----------0.0--------0.0-------0.0---------0.0
T2 Bin2-----0.02--------0.010--------2.1------0.01-------0.004
T2 Bin3 ----0.03--------0.055--------2.1------0.01-------0.011
T2 Bin4-----0.04--------0.070--------2.1------0.01-------0.011
T2 Bin5-----0.07--------0.090--------4.2------0.01-------0.018

Diesels no longer have a special category, they are required to meet the same emission standards as gasoline vehicles. The Prius is SULEV and the CARB Rating of SULEV is equal to EPA T2-Bin2. The 2008 Jetta TDI is rated T2-Bin5. The amount of PM isn't different from T2-Bin2 to T2-Bin5. For T2-Bin5 the CO is double that of T2-Bin2 but that is for the gasoline vehicles, diesels have always had low CO emissions. The sticking point is NOx. However, the new TDI meets T2-Bin5 standards without Urea injection, so it could be rated lower if they decide to add Urea in a future model.

Look at some gasoline cars that currently only meet T2-Bin5 in the 45 state form:

Toyota Camry
Toyota Solara
Toyota Corrolla
Toyota Matrix
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Avalon

So every gasoline car sold by Toyota in the 45 state configuration only meets T2-Bin5. It looks like VW isn't that far behind with their new diesel. The only Toyota cars that exceed T2-Bin5 are their hybrids.

So purchasing a 2008 Jetta TDI would be a "Greener" choice than purchasing a Corolla because they fall into the same emissions class and the TDI gets better fuel mileage.