AutoBlog.com recently published an article that caught our eye – “Diesel benefits shrink as gas engines get more fuel-efficient, torquier”
The title of the article says it all, really, about the writer’s opinion. We found it interesting that they published this article when they did, right after many new diesel powered models were introduced at the New York Auto Show. We think this writer misses the point of diesel technology altogether.
Continued…
Posted in TDI News, TDI Reviews.
– April 9, 2013
I remember when driving a 2003 Passat 1.8T I used to own. This car was equipped with “ASR”, or anti-slip regulation. Practically speaking, this meant that when the front wheels started slipping, a light on the dash would start blinking frantically, the engine would cut power to near zero and a whole bunch of noise would come from the front end. It was not a comforting system and it didn’t do a great job of keeping the car moving forward.
Enter 2013, ten years later, and these systems are nothing a like. In 2003 the world was still using StarTAK flip phones from Motorola – color screen? Please. Today, smartphones and tablets can get access fast, reliable internet nearly anywhere. Similarly, electronic stability systems are much improved.
Posted in TDI Reviews.
– January 30, 2013
Years ago Volkswagen sold Vinyl covers for the front grills on the MkIV Golf and Jetta. These originally were only available in Canada, though VW USA had them for a short time too. These were great on the TDI models during the cold winter months, allowing the car to heat up faster & keep some of the grime from winter roads out of the engine bay. Sadly these were discontinued a few years ago, but they could be available once again…
Posted in TDI Do It Yourself.
– December 21, 2012
Looks like our TDI-expert friends at IDParts.com are going to be busy this year. Audi, finally, officially announced that a wide range of models will be receiving the well-liked 3.0L V6 TDI motor currently used in the Q7, VW Touareg & Porsche Cayenne. The 3.0L has proven to be a fantastic motor in the Touareg, and for 2013 it has been tweaked to make more power too! Power is up to 240hp from 225hp.
Buying a new Audi? Let us know how you like it!
Posted in TDI News.
– November 28, 2012
First, we should apologize for the long gap between updates on our 2012 Golf. We’ve accumulated 13,000 miles, made a few mods, gotten the car on the dyno, and are looking forward to year two of ownership.
Posted in TDI Reviews.
– October 3, 2012
In a previous article we lamented how VW Diesels Don’t Make Cents. We were frustrated that VW does not offer an entry level TDI model, and found it hard to justify the $5,000 premium that the TDI equipped models get over their entry-level, gasoline powered counterparts. Well, we decided to put our money where out mouth was, buy a new Volkswagen and see what we ended up with.
Posted in TDI Reviews.
– October 1, 2012
Over time the rubber lines that transport diesel fuel to the engine develop dry rot cracks and loose their ability to seal on the connections on the fuel filter & injection pump. This creates problems, including:
Any of these situations can cause huge headaches. Read more for some simple solutions… Continued…
Posted in Uncategorized.
– September 14, 2012
TDBlog writers talk all day long about the benefits of diesel technology. TDI enthusiast site TDIClub phrases it perfectly, a well tuned turbodiesel is about fuel economy, longevity, and performance. There are not any real diesel alternatives that meet all three things. Fuel economy? Try matching a TDI’s fuel efficiency with a turbocharged gasoline motor. Longevity? 300,000 miles without breaking a sweat. Performance? Lets say that driving a hybrid or a fuel-sipping four cylinder gasoline motor doesn’t leave the same impression.
It is for these reasons the writers at TDIBlog are so passionate about TDIs. At the heart of it we are passionate about cars in general, and we recognize that the TDI is the most attractive option on the market today for a fun to drive, daily ride for those that cover a lot of miles.
Recently, however, the diesel argument has been weakened. Car buyers in the United States have extremely limited diesel options – Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes. The only car maker in that list that is a mainstream (non-luxury) maker is Volkswagen. Volkswagen, however, has failed to properly market their diesel offerings. Today, making the case to buy a diesel is more difficult than ever.
Posted in TDI News, TDI Reviews.
– August 10, 2012
In this 5 part series, TDIBlog will pit two dominant fuel economy technologies against each other – hybrids vs. diesels. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and TDIBlog will determine which deserves to go on. One must succeed, one must fall, and we will do our best to be as objective as possible…we promise.
Part 1 – Fuel Economy
Posted in TDI News.
– August 3, 2012
Volkswagen recently announced that worldwide, profit rose 36% during the first 6 months of the year, largely driven by strong North American and China sales.
TDIBlog believes that much of the US growth comes from VWs focus on the efficient TDI drivetrains. The availability of the 2.0L TDI motor in the 2012 Passat was perhaps the largest factor in the car’s 2012 Motortrend Car of the Year award. The combination of 40+ mpg, advanced emissions systems and a near 800-mile range makes the Passat a very unique and attractive option in the midsize sedan segment.
Sales numbers for other TDI models, especially the Sportwagen TDI, are through the roof. In fact the TDI Sportwagen model vastly outsells the standard, 2.5L Sportwagen. The Jetta TDI meanwhile has also been selling quickly.
We are thrilled that the new generation of TDIs are being accepted by both new owners and TDI veterans. We’ve always wondered how long it would be until the previous generation TDIs were replaced by the newer models, and this seems to have just happened. The experts at IDParts.com confirmed this – sales of maintenance items for the new cars recently surpassed sales of all other platforms combined.
Long live the TDI!
Posted in Uncategorized.
– July 26, 2012
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