Jetta TDI Throws Down with the Prius
I was in Miami recently and had the opportunity to rent a Toyota Prius. I’ve never driven a Prius before and once I actualy figured out how to drive it, it was quite fun. But as gas prices continue to climb in the wake of Memorial Day, I was most impressed with the gas mileage. So when I saw the new Jetta TDI commerical this weekend where the car is compared to a Prius I found it quite amusing.
The Jetta TDI claims that it gets 58 miles per gallon (mpg), breaking the record for all current “gasoline” fueled cars, even beating the Toyota Prius - a hybrid. I might have grown skeptical in my old age, but I’m having a hard time swallowing this claim to fuel economy. What, were they driving 20 mph on the highway and never stopping?
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It is interesting to note that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists the vehicle as getting an estimated 30 mpg city/41mpg highway - and that’s running the air conditioner (a claim of the commercial). Do you want to take bets on a “false advertising” campaign circulating in the blogosphere?
I know this car appeals to a lot of people. According to the commercial it’s fun to drive and makes a great “vroom, vroom” sound that is “missing” in the Prius. For those who are concerned about fuel economy this car, comparably speaking, gets good gas mileage. It could also be argued that it’s ahead of the curve of the new fuel economy standards that were passed last week. This new policy will go into effect in 2012 and ramp up through 2016 and will require passenger cars and light trucks to get an overall average of 35.5 mpg by 2016 (it is currently 23.1) while cars are expected to average 39 mpg (currently 27.5) and trucks will be required to get 30 mpg.
Interesting policy considering hybrids like the Prius already exceed these new standards. I’m not going to debate the new fuel economy standards but I will say that it doesn’t go far enough on reducing our use of fossil fuels. America needs to support technologies that have a greater impact on reducing our dependence of oil like flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in, flex-fuel hybrids, hydrogen, and others.
I wonder what car company will go after hybrids next….
These are the hypermillers that were able to achieve the 58 mpg record (http://www.fuelacademy.com/world_record_drives.html) using a stock Jetta TDI.
One other point is the Jetta also still gets you the federal tax credit.
Its pretty rediculous how Diesel cars are ignored in the US. The Jetta and the European Ford Fiesta are both diesel and kill any hybrid they go against. This kind of thinking is why american auto makers are going to all die out soon!
I had an 85 Jeep Cherokee with a 2.1L Renault TDI 70L tank that would get around 700k city and 1000k highway. No 0 to 60 times in 3 seconds, but an amazing overall performer. I believe that the whole fuel economy issue comes down to peoples ridiculous expectations with the family minivan. We DO NOT need daily drivers with the raw power that they currently have today. Save the sport car specs for sport cars.
Automakers and consumers need to put more focus on vehicles that go from A to B Safely, Cleanly, and Economically, not the fastest. I also had an 81 VW Rabbit Diesel that would get 1200k per tank. It can and has been done.
My current 2005 Honda CR-V AWD 70L tank gets 300-350k city and 550k highway. What happened to the last 20 years of automotive efficiencies?
The Commercial stated “The Volkswagen Jetta TDI SET A GUINESS WORLD RECORD 59 MPG.” It didn’t say it routinely gets 58 MPG. On a highway trip I average 45-48MPG, running around town and to work I average 38-40MPG
I find it odd that anyone would think 58 mpg is a great improvment over the 1980 VW Rabbit was pulling 53 HWY and 42 City fully loaded with passengers from
the showroom floor.
The current ‘09 Pruis is greatly reduced in mpg when a few fatties crawl inside of it and forget the range and mileage when you add gorceries or a suitcase. Dollar per mile per weight, we’d be better off with a Dodge Durango or Chrysler Aspen if we can’t find a surviving ’80’s era VW Rabbit.
Just keep in mind, we are seeing nothing new and nothing innovative in EVs today. The first all electric vehicle in 1832 has not changed much excluding the modern rechargeable batteries (1859), and hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells in 1839. These breakthroughs are not new and not the least bit in new groundbreaking technology.
The MEALER Automobile is different and we hope to offer our system to the EV manufacturers for a recharging option. Simply because if you buy an EV you need the MEALER any way you look at it.
JL Mealer
Mealer Companies LLC
http://mealercompanies.com
America’s Next Major Automaker
& Renewable Energy Source MFG