The new Volkswagen TDI diesels are beginning to show up around the U.S. and orders are being taken at dealerships now for the 2009 models. I’ll also mention that a good place to talk diesel would be the 2008 TDIFest in Mason, Ohio over Labor Day weekend (Registration info and Conference Hotel info).
The new TDI pricing has been announced with the Jetta TDI sedan starting at $21,990 and the SportWagen starting at $23,590. The fuel efficiency is exceptional considering the performance has been enhanced with substantially more power while also becoming 50-state compliant. Yes they meet the stringent emissions standards of California. Mark Barnes, COO of Volkswagen of American, Inc. stated, “Our clean diesel vehicles offer consumers a true value with the fuel efficiency that drivers are looking for while providing power, utility and performance. The Jetta TDI’s offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience.” While the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway, Volkswagen went a step further to show the true fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, has tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway.*
The Jetta TDI’s come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Jetta TDI’s include six airbags, with optional rear side airbags, and like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, Jetta TDI’s also feature standard Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety.
Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s carefree maintenance program. With this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty — three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
We should have the 2009 TDIs at this years TDIFest OH8 … register and come to Mason (Cincinnati) Ohio over Labor Day weekend.
Sort of rainy here in Cincinnati today, but my wife is working and I’ve got chores around the house to do anyway. I’m going to prep for painting the kitchen ceiling this afternoon. (We had a water leak from upstairs last week. I patched and primed … it just needs the final painting)
This has nothing to do with the Fourth of July, our rainy day or painting the kitchen ceiling … but it was funny enough to post. (just wondering about the ‘fever checking’ function?)
Oil is up again nearing $146/ barrel due to declining U.S. inventories and escalating concerns over the possibilty over conflict with Iran. The Saudi’s oil minister made comments that they would not be boosting production also added to the rise in price. With continued weakness in the U.S. dollar and concern that the European Central Bank might raise interest rates later today (Thursday) also is contributing to the trading up of oil. In Europe, light, sweet crude for August delivery rose $2.28 to a record $145.85 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
I just noticed that my friend Donna Lange (see previous posts) was pictured on the cover of Ocean Navigator Magazine last month. The photo was taken as she was heading into Bristol, Rhode Island after completing a solo circumnavigation aboard her small 28 foot sailboat ‘Inspired Insanity’ in the spring of 2007. Way to go Donna!
Every once in a while, an engineering idea comes along that offers an idea which improves on current ideas, one such idea is being worked on by an Australian company called Revetec. They have created an improved internal combustion engine that is smaller, lighter and cheaper to manufacture than traditional engines. It also has lower emissions and offers nearly twice the fuel efficiency as a traditional gasoline engine of the same horsepower.
Currently Revetec is “road testing” their engine and have found that their engine offers low end torque much like a diesel engine. Utilizing this lower end torque helps to improve both the efficiency and the emissions particularly if it were to be fitting into devices and vehicles which take advantage of low end torque. Keep and eye on the news coming from “down under.”
Too lazy to post from in the house tonight as the cool quiet evening out on the backporch is far more desirable. I did get a second primer coat of paint o new repair, but that was about the extent of the evening. It has been an exceeding nice couple of days temperature wise for the end of June in Cincinnati.
PRESS RELEASE – Sagunto, Spain, 27 June 2008, 13.24 GMT:
Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat, has smashed the world speed record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, knocking almost 14 days off the previous record.
The boat crossed the finish line in Sagunto at 13.42 GMT on Friday 27 June having traveled around 24,000 nautical miles fuelled by biodiesel to demonstrate and draw global attention to the potential for alternative fuel sources.
“This fantastic team of people and our astonishing boat have broken the record by a massive margin, said Pete Bethune, New Zealand skipper and owner of Earthrace, “I finally feel that all the sacrifices made, especially by my wife and daughters, have been worth it. I don’t even know how to begin to thank all the individuals and companies that have supported us along the way, some of them since the very beginning over five years ago. Without them, none of this would have been possibleâ€.
As oil rises the stock markets fall creating double the pain for those who are invested in the stock market as investors, college planning or retiring. Those hoping real estate is safer, think again as housing continues to get pinched in most U.S. cities. All in all the economy is suffering and with it, almost every American. Top on the “who’s to blame” list ‘was’ the excessive credit being loaned (and borrowed) a few years ago, but now it has to be the price of energy. With oil now trading above $142/barrel, stock market suffering additional declines (link) and regular unleaded gasoline prices at the pump currently averaging $4.06/gallon nationwide — and heading higher with $142/barrel oil, U.S. citizens are feeling the pinch.
I’m not an economist, but as more and more discretionary dollars are needed for energy, fewer and fewer are left to keep America at full employment. Most of us can eliminate the cup of Starbucks, reduce our spending for entertainment and cut travel to a minimum (previous post), but eventually we’ll no longer be just be eliminated the ‘luxuries’ and just cutting fat … we’ll be cutting in bone.
I had planned on pre-purchasing travel tickets for October, but I’m noticing slowing in my current business (even more than a normal summer slowdown). I’ve had more clients than usual asking what we can do to reduce their current budget amounts for regular projects. In the printing and publishing world that means lessor grade papers, leaner graphic artist hours and reduced mailings. It isn’t something I enjoy seeing since it will seriously impact my company’s and my personal income. One can only hope that the slowdown is minimal and short lived. As usual, we look to government for a fix — as if they hold a super magic bullet???
Let’s say you live along the Mexican border and know that fuel is subsidized to your south (diesel is half the price), so you’re tempted to fill up a spare tank in Mexico and drive back to the U.S. Illegal? Yes and no, depending if the tank is “connected” to your fuel line … according to this article. Hmm … might be worth having a larger fuel tank?
Texas man fined for bringing Mexican diesel to U.S. By LYNN BREZOSKY, June 25, 2008, 11:59AM
In a sign of the times for a federal agency that routinely announces million-dollar cocaine and marijuana busts, Customs and Border Protection has announced that a man was fined $400 because of an extra tank of fuel.
The fine was levied Sunday against a 22-year-old Edinburg man who crossed the border with an extra tank of diesel in the bed of his pickup.
Because of Mexican government subsidies, diesel fuel currently sells at about half the U.S. price across the border. Customs agents have noticed a sharp rise in the number of people trying to bring full containers back to this country.
While it’s not illegal to import fuel, anything that’s not hooked up to the vehicle’s fuel line must be declared and brought in through commercial lanes. In Hidalgo County, that would mean the Pharr International Bridge.
CBP spokesman Felix Garza said the man’s extra tank was not connected to the pickup truck’s fuel lines and, therefore, was determined to be “commercial,” which made the driver subject to the fine.
Garza said this was one of the first instances of someone being fined for fuel. But he said people were always asked what they were bringing in, and it was assumed they would know they are required to declare an extra, unattached tank of gasoline or diesel.
“Diesel fuel is a foreign commodity,” he said. “Anything you buy or acquire or obtain as a gift is a foreign commodity and must be declared.”
While the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway, Volkswagen went a step further to show the true fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, has tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the City and 44 mpg on the Highway.*
Every once in a while, an engineering idea comes along that offers an idea which improves on current ideas, one such idea is being worked on by an Australian company called 
Currently Revetec is “road testing” their engine and have found that their engine offers low end torque much like a diesel engine. Utilizing this lower end torque helps to improve both the efficiency and the emissions particularly if it were to be fitting into devices and vehicles which take advantage of low end torque. Keep and eye on the news coming from “down under.”
