2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Gets New Look, Engine

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf is all-new from the ground on up, but it’s not the only Vdub getting a makeover this year. Perennial favorite of sorority sisters and practical fuel economy enthusiasts, the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta has a new look and a new TDI engine to go along with its $21,640 price tag, a $345 increase of the 2014 TDI model.

The base Jetta starts at $16,215, and engine options still include familiar names like the 1.8T, 2.0, and 2.0T, which offer between 23 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. For those who want even better gas mileage, but don’t want to spring for the $27,645 Jetta Hybrid, there’s the Jetta TDI. For 2015 a new 2.0 liter TDI Clean Diesel engine, which VW is saying will return a high of 46 MPG with a manual transmission.

That’s nearly as good as the 48 MPG of the Jetta Hybrid, though city fuel economy ratings haven’t been revealed just yet. That’s about a 10% increase from the 2014 TDI model, which offered just 42 MPG in comparison. Helping the TDI (and the 1.8T) achieve better fuel economy are active grille shutters, which close off the grille at highway speeds to improve airflow. The TDI engine has also received a 10 horsepower boost, now making 150 ponies and 236 lb-ft of torque.

For the $21,640 price tag (plus another $810 destination fee), TDI buyers will also get Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, and heated exterior mirrors among other standard features. Volkswagen knows as well as anyone else that manual transmission sedans just aren’t that popular these days…but for 46 MPG, a few people might just make the effort to learn.

TDI drivers regularly report higher-than-rated gas mileage too, so if you drive it right, the 2015 Jetta TDI might just be a hybrid replacement when it hits dealerships later this year.

Source:  Gas 2.

Forbidden Fruit: 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen TDI might be close to perfect, and the sporty Volkswagen GTD may be even better, but neither will be coming Stateside anytime soon. That’s a bitter pill for American enthusiasts to swallow, but the bitterest pill that Wolfsburg is serving to its American car buyers may be something altogether else: the 205 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan.

It may not have the slinky curves of Mazda’s 6 wagon, but the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan set to go on sale next month features more cargo and passenger room than any of its VW/Audi brethren, and … are you sitting down? The Golf Sportsvan can be had as an all-wheel drive diesel with a manual-transmission.

When it goes on sale, the 2015 Golf Sportsvan will do battle against cars like the less-exciting Ford C-Max and more expensive BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. In addition to a lower starting price (about 21,000 Euro, give or take) the VW should offer superior MPG than the Ford’s “revised” 40 MPG (BMW ain’t even tryin’), thanks to the latest Volkswagen TSI/TDI clean diesel engine tech.

In addition to the high MPG, Volkswagen’s Golf Sportsvan promises superior high-roof practicality. Cargo capacity is a massive-sounding 1520 liters, which is great for 2-kid families, even if the Sportsvan does lack the 7 seat capacity of the larger minivans.

In a major city, though? The 5 passenger 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan’s smaller footprint means easier parking and more maneuverability, and the high, comfortable seating means everyone will have a great view of the world around them.

What do you think, dear readers? Would something like the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan do well in the US? Would it out-sell the C-Max and the Mazda 5? Would it make a difference if you could get it in brown? Let us know what you think of this latest forbidden fruit from Frankfurt in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

Source | Photos: Volkswagen, via Motorpasion.