AWESOME!

We went and visited Chapman VW to take the 2009 Jetta TDI for a spin. This will be more of an engine review since we are all diesel buffs here right?  I won’t be talking much about the tranny, or the suspension, etc.

First…the major difference…QUIET!!! This engine, seriously, is quieter than a lot of gassers I’ve heard. Outside with the hood down the radiator fan drowns out the engine…hows that for a change? No more clatter here. Inside the engine can’t be heard over the A/C fan and the radio.

Now for power…I have a chipped (performance tuned) 2006 Jetta, and this new common rail felt just a tad more powerful. So for those migrating from the old VW diesel engines this will really be a big power jump! The difference though between my tuned care and the new common rail TDI was smoothness. The new engine is just a wave of smooth torque from beginning to end that moves the car down the road. You would not even guess this was turboed. There is no turbo lag, and you cannot hear any turbo whine.

Cruising at 65MPH on the Loop 202 freeway with the A/C on brought between 45 – 50 MPG on the instant MPG readout.

Oh yeah…call me a diesel nerd but I had to smell the tailpipe!  It was smell free! The days of any chance of having a “stinky diesel” are gone with this car. Also, not a particle of soot to be seen behind this thing.

So what’s the verdict? We put down our deposit to for our new 2009 Platinum Gray Metallic with Anthracite Interior Jetta SportWagen with the DSG transmission.

Here’s a couple of videos for your viewing:
Interior (everything is off, no fan, no radio)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luL353r8fcg

engine bay/exterior
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpDJ2yaI7F4

The audio from the camera is louder than “real life.” The microphone was pointed right at the engine.

Thank you to Mike Grady at Chapman VW for indulging our diesel addiction and taking lots of time to chat with us.  Go to your local VW dealership and take the demo car for a spin…it’s worth your time just to see the major leap in diesel technology.