Reviewed 2014 VW Jetta Hybrid: The Diesel Is Vastly Superior

We’ve had the chance to drive just about every version of Volkswagen’s Jetta.  We’ve driven the GLI with the Turbo motor, the now discontinued 5 cylinder, the excellent TDI, and now the Hybrid.

The big question with the Jetta Hybrid, is, is it the better value, and the better choice over the TDI.  As you can tell from the title of this video, the answer to that is a resounding NO!

Why is that?  Well, we break it all down for you on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive.

Reviewed 2013 Chevy Cruze Diesel: 45+ MPG Is Easy Like Sunday Morning

 

The auto enthusiast community has been clambering for a small diesel car, from a U.S. manufacturer, for quite some time.  Chevy has answered their call by bringing the 2.0 Turbo Diesel engine from Europe to the U.S. and placed it in the Cruze, and it is set to go head to head with the Volkswagen Jetta.
The Cruze on it’s own is a pretty solid car, however, once you put the clean diesel engine in the car, does it make it better, worse, or the same?  Will American’s take to a clean diesel car from a U.S. manufacturer that gets 30mpg in the city and almost 50mpg on the highway?
That is what we find out on this episode of Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive.

 

Reviewed: 2013 VW Beetle TDI, Having Your Cake And Eating Too

A little over a year ago we had the VW Beetle in for a week of testing, it was the 2.5L 5 cylinder with an automatic. We never published a review on it, because we flat out didn’t like it, though it was for personal reasons more than anything else. It felt like a pure nostalgia play, and it wasn’t enjoyable to drive.

When our VW rep called and asked if we wanted to try the Beetle with the TDI Clean Diesel, we said, “sure, why not”. We wondered if Volkswagen’s terrific TDI engine could be a saving grace. Turns out it absolutely transformed the car!

This TDI Beetle with a manual was not only a hoot to drive, it returned 47-48mpg on the highway at 80mph! Sit back and have a look as Rumblestrip.NET and Ten Minute Test Drive have a go with the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI.


Reviewed: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to spend a week with the all new Jetta, in this case the 2011 2.5 SEL model, and came away with some good impressions.  We also got some great feedback from that post which was most appreciated.  What we really wanted to try though was the TDI Clean Diesel version of the car.

Recently we got to spend a week with the TDI Jetta and these our our thoughts:

The Latest Audi Clean Diesel Commercial

My fellow RoundAboutShow panelist Zack Bowman posted this video on the ExhaustNote blog.  I can almost guarantee that thanks to lawyers and special interest groups, you won’t see this on TV in the US because it will offend three people in a country of 300 Million!

Also in this era of “Green” where the politicians and leaders of Social Conscience who preach “green” fly in private aircraft and are driven around in SUV to all their speeches.  Also the same IDIOT’S prevent cars like this from being sold in the US at affordable prices  because they think technology that’s not ready for primetime for 7-10 years is a better idea then technology available TODAY than can cut petrolium use in the US by 20+% in a very short period of time.

Anyway have a look at this very funny Audi commercial.

Audi’s Now Pushing Clean Diesel

We got a press release from Audi this morning with a new commercial they will be running promoting their clean diesel technology in their cars.  As long time readers of this blog and readers of the podcast know, I have, for 15+ years been a big proponent of turbo diesel technology and it’s benefits, especially in cost over the much hyped hybrid option.

First VW comes out with an add that’s fun and snarky, now Audi, comes out with their message that is pretty straight forward, and makes it’s point very directly.  Have a look.