HERNDON, Va.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that their all-new, and highly anticipated 50-state compliant clean diesel Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen are now available for customer delivery.

“We’re proud to be the first manufacturer to offer a clean diesel vehicle for sale in all fifty states,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO/President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We believe our Jetta TDI’s truly offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience, that provides the customer the best of both worlds—excellent fuel efficiency combined with a dynamic driving experience.”

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg City and 40 mpg Highway. Volkswagen went a step further to evaluate the real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, 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.*
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LIME ROCK, Conn. – The fourth race in the competitive Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup will take place on Saturday, August 16, at 10:30 a.m. as part of the NASCAR Camping World East Series weekend at Lime Rock Park. Series points leader David Jurca, Federal Way, Wash., will look to solidify his lead among the field of 30 racers driving the clean diesel vehicles. The previous three races have resulted in a different winner each time, proving how unpredictable this field of young drivers truly is.
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• The world’s most successful business sedan just got better
• New engines – High efficiency and power
• Suspension refinements and new high-tech features

A winner always builds on his strengths: That’s why Audi has again upgraded its luxury class A6 model. Efficient engines have been added to the drive-train lineup, with innovative technologies cutting fuel consumption by about 15 percent across the whole model range. An improved suspension and new high-tech assistance system give the driver even greater control over the car. And the new-generation MMI control system is out-performing itself. The revamped A6 will be launched in the German market in late summer.
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From Carandsuv.co.nz

Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking has confirmed that the Cayenne will feature a diesel engine option and arrive sometime in 2010.

The diesel unit is expected to be dropped into the Cayenne unchanged from its Audi Q7 origins so that means the 3.0-litre V6 TDI derv unit will have around 240bhp and 540Nm of torque.
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From the Houston Chronicle

MEXICO CITY — Authorities in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Acuna have started a program to discourage Americans from crossing the border to fill up extra drum, tanks or barrels with subsidized Mexican diesel fuel.

The city government says it has fined Americans in four cases and would impound their vehicles until they pay the fines. Ciudad Acuna is located across the border from Del Rio, Texas.
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No other car in its class is better qualified to meet the challenges of escalating fuel prices, benefit in kind taxation and environmental concerns. With 214hp (157kW) at 4,100rpm, the new D3 Bi-Turbo unit is especially powerful and unusually high-revving with a massive 450Nm (332lbs-ft) of torque from 2,000 to 2,500rpm. As such, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is operating in V8 or large-displacement six-cylinder diesel engine territory. The exceptionally smooth power delivery can be enhanced further with the optional SWITCH-TRONIC automatic transmission, with the capability of switching instantly to manual utilising buttons on the back of the steering wheel.

The manual version will get you 5.4l/100km (in US that’s about 44mpg), while the auto still pulls a respectable 5.6l/100km (or 42mpg). A few more pictures after the break.
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BMW will launch its 3 series diesel in November as a 2009 model. Production starts in September so expect them to be pretty scarce until at least early 2009. The X5 35d will also be launching in November, but a little later than the 335d.

Both the 335d and X5 35d will be powered by the same 3.0L twin turbo inline-six. The engine makes 265hp and 425ft-lb of torque at a low 1750 rpms. Bmw claims a 0-62mph time of only 6.2seconds!
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The falcon has always been a born fighter, the bird of warriors and a status symbol of the
mighty and powerful. The peregrine falcon, with a dive speed of more than 200 km/h, is
the fastest bird in the world. With its broad “wings”, the new Falcon by AC Schnitzer
also presents a majestic aura. The new widening kit for the front and rear wings
perfectly harmonises with the existing accessory range from the Aachen-based tuner.
Especially in combination with the front skirt element with its spoiler corners and
indicated drive-under protection, at first sight it gives the SUV the supremely confident
aura of the fighter. The image of the “bird of prey” has been further emphasised by
Designer Michele Viandante by the two triangular metal-rimmed air intakes in the
bonnet.
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From autonews.com

Volkswagen has given its next Golf a fresh design, new technology and a competitive price in a bid to maintain the car’s position as Europe’s top-selling lower-medium model.

The sixth-generation Golf will be unveiled at the Paris auto show in October and will go on sale in Europe shortly after.
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From VW Media

Los Angeles, CA – Volkswagen of America, Inc. teamed up with FOX Television and TEEN CHOICE 2008 to support the initiative to “green” Teen Choice. Young Hollywood showed their support for the environment by arriving at the eco-friendly TEEN CHOICE 2008 in Volkswagen’s fleet of highly-anticipated 2009 Jetta TDIs - the newly released, clean diesel sedan. Over fifteen members of the elite Young Hollywood chose to be the first to ride in the new TDI’s including Chase Crawford, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Drake Bell, Katharine McPhee, Brittany Snow, JoJo, James Marsden, Jerry O’Connell, Rachel Bilson and Sophia Bush among others.
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