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More grunt for diesel Jetta
VW's frugal flyer is a parsimonious performer
By Richard Russell
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Volkswagen's Jetta is not only one of the more attractive compact family vehicles on the road, but one of the more popular. In fact, in the Canadian car market's biggest segment, the Jetta trails only the Civic, Corolla, Protegé, Cavalier, Focus and Sunfire yet runs ahead of such noted names as Elantra, Matrix, Dodge SX and seven others in the class.
The Jetta has earned its place among the players in this price-sensitive segment on merit, not cash and/or other incentives.
The reasons for this success are simply appearance, value and longevity.
Like its Golf sibling, the Jetta is usually associated with long life and high mileage. The German engineering that prepares it for life on the high speed and snaky roads of Europe, makes it suitable for much of Canada. A softer suspension for our different frost-heaved roads and lower sustained speeds trades off improved ride comfort for slightly less prowess over the twisty bits.
While the initial price may appear higher than the competition, studying the standard equipment list reveals that, similarly equipped, it may in fact be less expensive. Our test '04 Jetta GLS TDi sedan looks a bit pricey against some of its competitors. But add ABS, front, side and side-curtain airbags, air conditioning, a power sliding sunroof, power windows, locks and heated mirrors, cruise control and 4-wheel disc brakes to the others and the comparison swings in the Jetta's favour. Some of this equipment can't even be had on other cars at any price.
It also has a 12-volt trunk outlet, 8-speaker stereo system with CD player, tie-down hooks, height adjustable front seats and a steering wheel adjustable for height and reach. Other neat touches include remote power window operation from outside the car via the key, plus one-touch up and down front windows.
Volkswagen owners tend to keep their vehicles longer than most. They drive more and are more likely to opt for a manual transmission. Which explains our tester - a diesel Jetta with a 5-speed manual gearbox - the ultimate combination of operating economy and efficiency in the affordable range.
A few minor upgrades and alterations for '04 include new taillights, grille and side mouldings. Inside there's a new instrument panel and cloth seat covering. Trivial changes indeed. The big story is the upgraded 1.9-litre TDi PD turbo-diesel engine. The last two letters indicate the difference.
They stand for Pumpe Duse (pump-ah du-sah) or pump injector. This revolutionary system (see side bar) injects a fine, high-pressure fuel spray directly into each cylinder, resulting in more power, improved emissions and a quieter engine.
The current 1.9 TDi turbo-diesel engine has earned a reputation for incredibly frugal operation while providing decent performance. In fact, this engine has accounted for quite a few converts to diesel - me included. No longer smelly, noisy, gutless boat anchors, modern diesels like this have become a true alternative. Noise, vibration and odour have been all but eliminated and the production of torque - the turning or twisting force produced by an internal combustion engine - clearly surpasses that of similarly-sized gasoline engines.
Torque is a measured quantity that determines acceleration and towing ability. Horsepower is derived through a calculation based on torque, and although useful at higher engine and vehicle speeds, is relatively useless in judging vehicle performance in this part of the world. Torque is what gets you up to speed, while horsepower determines top speed only. And getting up to speed is what the new PD diesel is all about. Posted speed limits are exceeded so easily this Jetta should come with a speed warning system. The wonder of torque is that you don't have to wind the engine to some silly speed to generate power, it's there from idle onwards. With the 1.9 TDi PD our Jetta accelerated with gusto in any gear once engine speed reached 1,200 rpm - and we mean gusto. Passing was a breeze, usually accomplished in fifth gear, as was climbing hills. Performance like this usually costs an arm and a leg at the pump. But once you locate a diesel outlet, you'll be pleasantly surprised to discover how little the Jetta requires.
The numbers tell the story:
Our '04 Jetta 1.9 with Pumpe Duse puts out 100 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. That's an improvement of 11 per cent and 14 per cent respectively over the 2003 model's 90 hp and 155 lb-ft.
In fact, the PD Jetta's 177 lb-ft output tops the '04 Jetta's 1.8-litre turbo gasoline engine by 4 lb-ft of torque and generates a remarkable 55 lb-ft more than the Jetta's 2.0-litre base gasoline engine.
So the new diesel has more useable power than either the base or optional turbocharged gas engines and uses approximately half as much fuel! Depending on how much you drive, that can be a major consideration. And let's not forget the penalties and perceptions traditionally attached to driving a diesel - noise, smell and dismal performance - have been all but eliminated.
Another factor long-lifers take into account when considering a diesel is the almost complete lack of maintenance required. There is no electrical system - eliminating the most common cause for service. As long as you change oil and filters on a scheduled basis, these engines, which have been built far more ruggedly to withstand the extra stress of the diesel cycle, last hundreds of thousands of miles. There's a reason the high-mileage workhorses of the truck industry are virtually all powered by diesels.
So, if you're a high mileage driver with a hefty commute or have a job that requires racking up long distances of travel, the new '04 Jetta diesel might just be your cup of tea. If you get paid mileage, you'll be further ahead. Just watch your speed!
Immediate competition:
Acura EL, Ford Focus,
Honda Civic,
Mazda3,
Toyota Corolla
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