Conventional diesel fuel has been in the market for decades and used successfully to run diesel engines of all sizes in many applications. In order to reduce emissions and to foster energy source diversity, new fuels such as alternative and renewable, as well as new fuel formulations have entered the market. These include biodiesel, gas-to-liquid, and alternative formulations by states such as California. Performance variations in fuel economy, emissions, and compatibility for these fuels have been evaluated and debated. In some cases contradictory views have surfaced. 鈥淪ustainable鈥? 鈥淩enewable鈥? and 鈥淐lean鈥?designations have been interchanged. Adding to the confusion, results from one fuel in one type of engine such as an older heavy-duty engine, is at times compared to that of another fuel in another type such as a modern light-duty engine. This study was an attempt to compare the performance of several fuels in identical environments, using the same engine, for direct comparison. Results of a large-scale fleet test and emissions test to evaluate the performance of several diesel fuels in a modern heavy-duty diesel (HDD) engine were presented in an earlier technical paper. That study was followed by a more recent article describing the results of emissions and performance of the same fuels in an older heavy-duty industry-standard engine. Federal Test Procedure (FTP), Highway Fuel Economy Test (HwFET) Procedure, US06 Test Procedure, and 0-to-60 mph wide-open-throttle (WOT) were utilized for emissions, fuel economy, and power effects evaluation.
Clinton Quan: The top three I would definitely say the interior design. I really liked the sporty three-spoke steering wheel. I think the three-spoke steering wheel is my favorite feature of the car. Love the large, sporty gauges. Tom Smith: What鈥檚 the movie? Clinton Quan: Volkswagen does a really good job with the design of their three-spoke steering wheel. Tom Smith: Okay. So back to top three, sorry to chop you off there. Clinton Quan: Yeah. The the interior, as we mentioned. The drive, it鈥檚 a really fun car to drive. I think it handles really well. And the power, 210 horsepower 207 pound-feet of torque. Tom Smith: Nice. So do you have 0 to 60 on the top of your head and quarter mile, or anything like that, or 0 to 100? Tom Smith: And you didn鈥檛 time it yourself? Clinton Quan: I didn鈥檛 do a 0 to 60 test or a quarter mile test. Tom Smith: All right. Anything else to add about the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta GLI from our good friends over at Ontario Volkswagen? Clinton Quan: Well, I would just say that this is the last year of this generation. So if this is something that you鈥f you want a compact car and something that鈥檚 sporty and fun to drive, now is a great time to get one. Tom Smith: Now鈥檚 the time to pull the trigger. Clinton Quan: Now鈥檚 the time to pull the trigger, absolutely. Another shout out to Earl Reed, Scott Reed, and Randy Halcomb of Ontario Volkswagen, very excited to have you guys on board and working with us, so thanks again, fellas. And that brings us to the end of another fantastic vehicle review from 鈥渢he Professor鈥? Clinton Quan. For iDriveSoCal, I鈥檓 Tom Smith.
Volkswagen released the new Golf back in 2012 as one of the first cars to use their new modular MQB architecture. The Jetta, the sedan version of the Golf, hasn鈥檛 really changed much since 2010. Unlike the Golf, the current model is still using the same PQ architecture as its predecessor which is rather old at this point. Things are about to change though. Not that long ago they showcased a teaser for what it looks to be the upcoming 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. Even though the details are still scarce, there are a few things we know about this future model. For starters, the new Jetta is going to boast VW鈥檚 MQB architecture, so it will be more structurally sound than before while also being lighter. This should translate in better NVH levels, a nicer set of driving characteristics and hopefully a more comfortable ride. With the new platform, VW is also going to change the suspension system of the car. As the new platform is stiffer, it looks like VW will now start using a torsion-beam rear suspension on some of the lower end models of the Jetta.
This will reduce the car鈥檚 cost but it will also make it less comfortable than otherwise. Even so, it should still be well above the average of its class which is what matters at this point. The new platform is also likely going to bring a longer wheelbase but unfortunately VW decided not to confirm this just yet. Even so, from the render they showcased it is quite clear this is true. The new car also looks taller and wider which should help it with the interior space. It looks like the manufacturer will release the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The car will then go on sale in Europe in a short while and it should hit the US market pretty soon too. 18,000 for a base model, thus making it cheaper than a Golf. Even though the teaser shot isn鈥檛 as well lit as we would have hoped, we can still see a few interesting details about the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta.
