Our beloved Jetta TDI turned 15,000 miles over the weekend. I would've caught the exact moment, had I not been cruising along the 10 freeway at 70 mph (a rare occurrence on a Friday afternoon that I didn't want to disturb).
Feeling nostalgic (as I often do about the '80s), I thought it would be interesting to see how far the Jetta diesel had come since it debuted in 1980. Let's compare the specs of a first-generation model with the latest...
1984 Jetta turbodiesel:
Eng size: 1.6 liter
HP and Torque: 68 hp / 96 lb-ft
0-to-60 performance: How much time ya got? About 16 sec
EPA fuel estimates (using new methodology): 31 city / 41 highway / 35 combined
Wheelbase: 94.5 in
Length: 167.8 in
2009 Jetta TDI:
Eng size: 2.0 liter
HP and Torque: 140 hp / 236 lb-ft
0-to-60 performance: 8.9 sec
EPA fuel estimates: 29 city / 40 highway / 33 combined
Wheelbase: 101.5 in
Length: 179.3 in
The new Jetta turbodiesel is: nearly twice as quick, gets about the same mileage (actually we're averaging 35 mpg!), has a roomier cabin, has power windows, is much quieter and is much cleaner (trust us, you don't want to be stuck driving behind an older diesel).
Gotta like progress.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 15,130 miles
audisport says:
10:07 AM, 05/18/09
I don't know how much diesel costs per gallon now on the west coast, but here in MI its only about $2.25 a gallon and reg gas costs about $2.35. Assuming that gas will go well over $3.00 a gallon I think that I will seriously consider this car or a 2010 A3 when it will have a diesel option. You can't beat 35mpg with the way you guys drive in socal. I could probably get 40mpg.
firstwagon says:
12:20 PM, 05/18/09
I think the 35 mpg for the 84 is quite a bit low.
Back in those days I was driving an 83 Colt that averaged 40 to 50 mpg (US gallons). I knew several people with VW turbo diesels and they all beat my mileage. I could easily out run them but to be fair they never felt that slow (gotta love torque).
johnnyturbo says:
12:40 PM, 05/18/09
firstwagon,
That's impressive mileage all around! But unfortunately I only had the EPA numbers to go by as I didn't know anyone with one of the old Vee-dub turbodiesels. It's funny cuz back then, cars usually didn't hit the EPA numbers (which is why they recently revised them) but those old Jettas and Rabbits beat them.
firstwagon says:
01:09 PM, 05/18/09
A big part of those mileage numbers come from the really light weight of those cars in those days. (My Colt weighed only 1850 pounds)
I looked up the 84 Jetta (1986 was closest I could find) and the diesel weighed 2348 lbs. The 2009 Jetta TDI weighs about 3300 lbs.
Over the years it's gained 1000 lbs and it still only seats 4 1/2 people. Sure it has more safety features and gadgets but it also a quarter century of improved engineering behind it.
I just can't help thinking it could be so much better if it weighed 500 to 600 lbs less and still had the same engine.
johnnyturbo says:
01:46 PM, 05/18/09
firstwagon,
I know what you mean - I can't believe how much modern cars weigh. A Honda Element (which is shorter than a Civic) weighs 3,600 pounds. That's as much as an old Chevelle SS! I had a Subaru Justy in the late '80s that weighed only about 1,700 lbs but it sat four and averaged 40 mpg the whole time I owned it (new to 100k miles).
As far as the Jetta's (or any modern car, for that matter) weight gain, that can be attributed to a number of factors:
1) Bigger size (it's a foot longer than the old one) which provides greater rear seat room.
2) A tougher, more safety-oriented structure
3) A lot more luxury and safety features -- thicker seats, more sound insulation, multi-speaker audio systems, full power accessories, airbags galore, etc.
SnakeDoctor says:
02:18 PM, 05/18/09
John -
Great nostalgic post. BTW, you left your A-ha CD in the car.
mortal says:
08:09 PM, 05/18/09
One question I have about this car, and I've asked else-where...
What is the passing acceleration for the jetta tdi?
Car and driver marks 50-70 in 6 seconds. This is faster than quite a few 7s 0-60 cars I've been looking at, and it seems a bit unbelievable. How can a diesel jetta out accelerate a gti, mini s, miata, and c30 at highway speeds?
Does anyone have another source for passing acceleration for the jetta? If it really is this good, the golf tdi (same engine obviously) will be my next car.
Thanks
dino6 says:
12:53 AM, 05/19/09
mortal, having owned several diesel and gasoline cars and trucks, I'm not surprised by those 50-70 figures. It's called torque.
redserge says:
09:13 PM, 05/19/09
Also, don't forget that all modern diesels are turbocharged.
jbaustian says:
12:26 PM, 05/21/09
Ignore the horsepower rating -- pay attention only to the 236 lb-ft of torque available from around 1900 to 3000+ rpm.
TDIs are not quick off the line, but they are very quick in traffic. And they love to climb mountains, so if you are planning a cross-country trip be sure to take I-70 through Colorado.