Price, looks and size… these are the few factors that used to decide what vehicle you’d park in your driveway. Looking for a cheap and small car? A Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic will do. Need something bigger, perhaps a mid-size Hyundai Sonata or an SUV. Things used to be pretty easy.

With increasingly high gas prices and an overall movement towards green, fuel efficient vehicles, fuel economy has become more important. In fact, for many price, looks and size are now completely trumped by fuel economy.

“Buyers just look at the MPG on the sticker,” says IHS Automotive Analyst Devin Lindsay commenting that car buyers are now completely mesmerized by the EPA sticker label.

Take a look at the Toyota Prius, for example. It’s not terribly big, is fairly expensive, and looks… well… weird. But that didn’t stop three million of them from being sold, all thanks to a hybrid gas-electric engine that provides excellent fuel economy.

The Prius isn’t the only option for someone looking for a fuel efficient car, however; especially those in search of a more engaging driving experience. If you want to cut down on trips to the pump, and still drive a fun, powerful, good looking car, your best bet might just be in a diesel powered vehicle. That does mean you’ll almost certainly have to drive German, although a flood of new diesel-powered vehicles are about to hit our shore.

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Audi unveiled the 2013 A3 hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show today, showcasing a lighter and more efficient version of the company’s small three-door car, despite remaining almost exactly the same size.

The car will be available with two TFSI engines or a turbo diesel. All three engines were newly developed for the car and bundle efficiency technologies including direct injection, thermal management and fuel shutoff to discourage fuel thirst.

The TFSI engines offer customers the choice between a more conservative 122-hp 1.4-liter engine or sportier 180-hp 1.8-liter engine. TDI fans sit squarely in the middle in term of power, getting 150 hp from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

Efficiency is further helped by a chassis that loses more than 176 lbs as well as a covered underbody and engine compartment that reduce drag.

Customers will also enjoy the use of Audi connect, the company’s modular infotainment system which makes its debut in the new A3.

Aside from entertainment, the A3 comes with safety technology features like adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist which monitors traffic behind the vehicle and active lane assist.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi A3

The publication Race Engine Technology has given Audi Motorsport the “Race Engine of the Year” award for their 3.7L V6 TDI powerplant. The engine, which was vital to Audi capturing its 10th title at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, produces more than 540-hp through the use of a single turbocharger.

Compared to its V10 TDI predecessor, the 120-degree, extremely compact V6 TDI is 25-percent lighter and uses a single turbo rather than the twin-turbo the V10 TDI used. The single turbocharger sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the roof-mounted air scoop. The setup was the result of a collaboration with Garrett, one of the leading manufacturers of turbochargers.

“Audi invented the TDI engine and is convinced that this technology remains one of the most efficient and modern forms to power a car – especially at Le Mans where engines with high specific power, low fuel consumption and low emissions are a necessity,” explained Audi Motorsport’s Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

Volkswagen is recalling 168,000 diesel engine vehicles produced from 2009-2012 over a possible leak from the fuel injectors that could start a fire.

The vehicles in question are Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and Golf models as well as the Audi A3 TDI. 161,144 VWs and 7,131 Audis are involved in the recall, while no injuries or accidents have been reported so far. Volkswagen says that about 20 percent of the vehicles in question have fuel injector lines that could be potentially faulty. The company will begin notifying dealers and owners in November.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Diesels are starting to make a serious push in the U.S. marketplace and while both the Japanese (Mazda) and Americans (General Motors) are planning oil burners for our shores, it’s the Germans that have always cornered the market on diesel options for passenger cars.

While VW has offered diesels for years, its Audi luxury brand has only had the A3 TDI on the market for a relatively short while. Audi is now looking to expand its diesel lineup, adding a TDI option for the new A6 luxury sedan.

According to the latest reports the A6 will get a 3.0-liter turbo diesel making between 225 and 250-hp. But that’s not all. Audi is also looking to introduce a 313-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel that would produce well over 400 lb-ft of torque and deliver a 0-60 time of around 5.5 seconds.

Audi has not given any indication of when this diesel A6 might hit our shores.

[Source: Car&Driver]

General Motors has officially confirmed that there will be a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze compact car in the U.S, planned for introduction in 2013. The current Chevrolet Cruze Eco is rated at around 40 mpg on the highway, so the diesel would have to deliver significantly better fuel efficiency than that to justify a higher-price. GM CEO Dan Akerson commented on the diesel variant, ”I drove it the other day. It is great, these new diesels are quiet. Should make it in the low- to mid-40s, and that’s with an automatic,”.

Diesel engines on average get 20 percent to 40 percent better mileage than similar-sized gasoline engines but lately, diesel fuel in the U.S has averaged 5 percent to 10 percent more than regular gas. Diesel engines are also costlier than gas engies, and require complex emissions gear, upping the price of diesel vehicles. GM wouldnt release anything pertaining to the price or give other details about the diesel Cruze because production is more than a year away however, a Jetta diesel with an automatic costs $24,865 so  the Cruze is likely to be competitively priced.

Check out Cruze Talk forums for more info

[Source: USA Today]

On July 13, Rainer Zietlow and his team set a new world record for driving the length of the Pan-American Highway covering nearly 16,000 miles  through 14 countries in a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel SUV.

The team set off on this journey to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the legendary Pan-American Highway. The team began their adventure on July 2 at the southern-most tip of Argentina where the Pan-American Highway begins, then travelling through Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Canada. The team drove day and night, taking five hour shifts throughout the trip.

Zietlow chose the Toureg TDI Clean Diesel for its durability, high-performance and long-range fuel efficiency. The Touareg features a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine that produces 225-hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The clean diesel SUV consumes  30 percent less fuel and produces up to 25 percent lower CO2 emissions than comparable gasoline vehicles.

The journey was to benefit charity organizations that work in 48 developing countries. Zietlow will donate 10 Euro cents for each kilometer that was driven to two villages in Latin America managed by Plan International.

Zietlow will travel to VW dealerships across the U.S from August 1-30 with the record setting Touareg so the public can learn about the record setting journey.

GALLERY: 2011 Volkswagen Touraeg TDI

In this 14 minute video, Audi takes the viewer through all that goes into competing and winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The video takes an in depth look into the all-new sophisticated R18 TDI race car and all the people working for the Audi racing team. The video is very entertaining whether hearing from Audi’s top executives or the race car drivers themselves and features some great slow motion shots of the Audi race car going airborn and some terrific angles of Le Mans car crashes.

Check out the video after the jump!

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Audi is set to abandon its Q7 V12 TDI due to slow sales and rapidly advancing diesel technology in their smaller displacement motors. The current V12 TDI makes 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft, and is widely considered to be one of the most impressive SUVs on the market.

But with Audi’s V6 TDI making a more-than-adequate 313 horsepower (compared to the 4.2L V8s 340 horsepower), Audi is moving to drop both the V12 and V8 TDI motors in favor of the newer, more efficient V6. Mercedes-Benz and BMW abandoned large displacement diesels long ago, so such a move wouldn’t be out of character for Germany’s third luxury brand.

[Source: Car and Driver]

According to a recent report by Car and Driver, Audi will be offering a diesel option for the soon to be released 2012 S6 and S7 Sportback models.

Official details have yet to be released, but there is speculation that the diesel variant will likely have a 3.0-liter TDI powerplant rivaling the gas engine in power. The diesel will have less horsepower but more torque; somewhere around 350-hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

The gas engine is expected to be a 430-hp turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, which Audi will share with the Bentley Continental GT.

Designed for the European market, it’s unclear (and unlikely) that the diesel S6 or S7 Sportback will be offered in North America.

[Source: Car & Driver]

With consumers in search of higher fuel economy from their vehicles, diesel sales are projected to rise drastically over the next few years. That, at least, is the opinion of Peter Marks, CEO of Bosch operations for North and South America, a supplier of diesel engine parts and one that has significant stake in seeing this prediction come true.

Speaking at an Automotive Press Association lunch in Detroit on Thursday, Marks said that diesel vehicle sales could account for up to 10 percent of new vehicle sales in the U.S. by 2015, an incredible jump from the current 3 percent.

Touting the benefits of diesels, he indicated that such engines could get more than 54 mpg by 2015, and that while diesel cars would likely cost $1,200 to $2,800 more than a conventional gasoline engine, the significant savings at the pump could make the technology pay for itself in just 14 months.

By 2015 Marks said he expects the current number of diesel cars on offer by automakers in America will double, rising from roughly 20 right now to 40. While European brands have been pushing diesels for decades, several other automakers are about to join in, with Mazda announcing recently it would offer a diesel-powered car, while Chevrolet has also said a diesel-powered Cruze will make its way to America. In addition Jeep is believed to be mulling the return of diesels.

[Source: FreeP]

NHTSA is investigating certain Volkswagen Golf and Jetta TDI cars, as well as the Audi A3 TDI for a suspected fuel pump defect that could cause vehicles to stall at highway speeds and render them unable to restart.

The agency claims that it has received 160 complaints and one accident report relating to the defect. The TDI diesel vehicles uses high pressure fuel pumps which may fail and clog the fuel system with debris. Volkswagen is co-operating with NHTSA as it investigates the 97,272 cars sold between 2009 and 2010 which may be prone to the defect.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Consumer Reports released their ranking of fuel efficient cars in their upcoming January issue, and their rankings may come as a shock to conventional wisdom.

Scoring highest was the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, a car that previously had a reputation for anything but reliability(although it was less about reliability than overall performance). The Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 took second and third place respectively, while Honda’s CR-Z came in fourth, with the consumer mag stating “the ride is choppy, noise levels are high, and on-limit handling can be tricky.” The CR-Z’s score was so low that Consumer Reports was unable to give the vehicle a “recommended” rating.

Although the Jetta costs about $27,000, its 36/49mpg city/highway rating was unbeatable, and the vehicle performed well in other objective tests. Chalk up yet another win for turbo-diesels.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Audi is launching a revised version of their 3.0 TDI in the German market that sees a slight reduction in power in exchange for improved efficiency.

New new Q7 TDI will pump out 204 horsepower and 332 lb-ft through an 8-speed transmission and return 33 mpg, comparable with some four-cylinder sedans. 0-60 will take 9.1 seconds, compared to the standard 240 horsepower Q7 TDI that only takes 7.9 seconds. With a marginal reduction in mileage, the faster TDI will likely stay on our shores as the sole Q7 TDI, with the slower, more efficient car confined to Europe.

[Source: Left Lane News]

A little sad that you’re stuck with a Volkswagen Touareg now that you’re a family man and having to haul around your kids to their weekend soccer games? Variety is the spice of life, and JE Design has released a very clean widebody kit for the new VW Touareg that does a fantastic job transforming the mundane commuter to a (surprisingly) good looking SUV.

It all does come at a price though with an MSRP of around $6,425. That gets you the complete widebody kit including a new front grill, front spoiler, front and back wheel arches (to widen the vehicle), rear diffuser, roof spoiler and rear hatch blend. A new set of blacked out headlights gives the front end of the Touareg a tad more aggressive look. Given that the full kit is constructed in polyurethane and primed when it gets to you, we can understand the price.

JE Design also points out that the rear bumper design is made to fit any sort of exhaust tip, just in case you have some sort of package on your Touareg. For $765, you can grab yourself a JE Design exhaust for the Touareg.

In addition to the performance offered from the exhaust, JE Design offers an ECU remap that increases horsepower of the 4.2L TDI from 340-hp to 410-hp. Torque also jumps from 590 ft-lbs to 685 ft-lbs. The ECU remap is available for $3,850 and comes with a one-year warranty for the powertrain. For $255 more, the warranty can be extended an additional two years.

Lowering the vehicle 1.35-inch or so is an electronic module offered at $1,830. 21×10-inch wheels are available in several finishes along with spacers to match the widebody conversion for $6,665.

You can get the complete package for $25,350 or so that includes paint and installation. Quite a chunk of change, but we’re digging the results.

GALLERY: JE Design Widebody Volkswagen Touareg

Official press release available after the break.

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NHTSA is investigationg the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI after a handful of reports suggest that the vehicle can stall and lose power while driving.

While NHTSA only received 7 complaints out of nearly 38,000 vehicles sold, other forums, including the extremely popular VWVortex and TDIClub have reported a series of complaints surrounding this issue.

So far, causes are being thrown around, with poor quality diesel fuel and a problem with the fuel delivery system are being cited as culprits, and some repair estimates run as high as $10,000. We’ll be following the issue closely and updating you on new developments as they appear.

[Source: Autoblog]

At last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, Volkswagen gave us the first look at the new Polo BlueMotion and released a tiny bit of info on the new model. Now, VW has released just a little more, including official torque and horsepower numbers, debuting the new 1.2-liter 3-cylinder TDI engine at the Vienna Motor Symposium.

We already knew that the new 1.2 TDI engine made 75-hp, but now VW has confirmed a total of 180 Nm (133 ft-lbs of torque) available from just 2200 rpm.Impressively, the VW Pololo BlueMotion achieves 71.3 mpg on the more generous European test cycle and when equipped with a 12 gallon (45 liter) tank it has a theoretical travel distance of 847 miles (1,363 kilometers).

In addition to the Polo, VW also sells a BlueMotion Golf and Passat in Europe. The BlueMotion Golf gets 61.9 mpg while still producing 105-hp and 185 ft-lbs of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph in 11. 3 seconds and top out at 120 mph (190 km/h) on the German autobahn. The BlueMotion Passat gets 53.5 mpg and while it does take 12.5 seconds to hit 62 mph thanks to the same 105-hp engine as found in the Golf, it can travel 989 miles (1,591 km) on a single tank.

GALLERY: VW Polo BlueMotion

Official release after the jump:

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Audi has just unveiled the complete version of its 2010 SuperBowl ad featuring the A3 TDI. The gist of the commercial is that the Green Police are out arresting regular folks doing regular things that are bad for the environment, like throwing out compost, using plastic bags for groceries or using incandescent light bulbs.

At a traffic stop to look for environmental offenders, the Green Police see an A3 TDI and let the driver go, while everyone else is stuck in traffic.

While we did get a chuckle over the Green Police pulling over the actual police at the end (and the Cheap Trick “Green Police” song is pretty darn catchy), this certainly isn’t up to Audi’s usual standards and the company’s green diesel diatribe is getting a little old. Who knows, the whole thing might backfire, with its Orwellian-like universe run by Al Gore. Yawn…

See after the jump for some other 2010 SuperBowl ads from Kia and Hyundai:

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After much anticipation Volkswagen has finally released the fuel-economy numbers for the 2010 Golf TDI, with the DSG equipped model achieving a rating of 31/42 mg (city/highway). Manual transmission TDI models are rated at 30/41 mpg. As for the standard gasoline-powered Golf with the 2.5-liter engine, it is rated at 22/30 mpg.

The Golf starts at $17,490, while the TDI is priced from $21,990. The price increase for the TDI is based on VW’s decision to take it slightly more up-market, by equipping it with standard features like a stiffer and lower suspension and a touch screen audio system (like in the new 2010 GTI.. reviewed here). DSG models will get steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and expect to pay an $1,100 premium for VW’s advances DSG automatic transmission.

GALLERY: 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Volkswagen showcased the 2010 Golf TDI at this year’s New York Auto Show but since then the German automaker has been quiet about actually bringing the fuel-efficient diesel back to the U.S. Now it appears that decision has been made as Volkswagen U.S.A. has now put up live pages on its website giving full details of the new 2010 models – including the Golf TDI. (Those pages aren’t linkable from the home page however, and likely won’t be until the official announcement from VW).

Much like its Jetta sibling the Golf TDI will get VW’s 2.0-liter turbo diesel motor with 140hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway with either the six-speed manual or VW’s incredible quick-shifting DSG automatic. Interestingly, however, the EPA actually has the TDI listed at 30/42 mpg. As for performance, the serious amounts of torque help this fuel-miser hit 60 mph in a reasonable 8.6 seconds.

Standard features include a 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, cruise control, power locks/windows/mirrors, 17-inch wheels, ABS, stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system and six airbags.

The 2010 Golf TDI will be available as both a two-door and four-door model, priced at $21,990 and $22,590 respectively.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Today Volkswagen officially launched the return of the Golf GTD – a Golf that is high in both performance and fuel economy, thanks to its diesel engine. With 170hp it outstrips the TDI model by 30 ponies. The real difference, however, is in the torque where the GTD makes 258 ft-lbs of the good stuff.

Volkswagen claims a 0-62 mph sprint for the GTD takes 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 138 mph, making it the diesel-powered sibling to the GTI (reviewed here).

At the same time, because it is a diesel, fuel-economy is impressive with an average rating of 44.4 mpg. This means a single tank of gas will go 600 miles.

With a standard six-speed manual the GTD will be available with VW’s impressive DSG gearbox.

Outside this diesel gets a GTI treatment with chrome striping (as opposed to red on the GTI) on the grille, 17-inch wheels, smoked tail lights, chrome tail pipes, a new sporty rear diffuser and a chassis that sits 15mm lower.

Inside, there cabin will be a considerable upgrade over the TDI with the same seats found in the GTI (but in black and silver). Leather is used for the three-spoke steering wheel, as well as for the gearshift-knob and parking brake handle, while the instruments and door trim will get gloss black accents.

There is no word on if the GTD will make it to the U.S. market and while it’s unlikely, if it does, it won’t be until after the new TDI hits showrooms.

GALLERY: Golf GTD

Official release after the jump:

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On June 8 auto journalist Gerhard Plattner and co-driver Franz Doppler will attempt to set a world record, driving from Africa, through Europe to Asia in just 72 hours. The duo will depart from Rabat, Morocco in an Audi A3 TDI e, traveling 3,044 miles (4,900 km) through 13 countries before the adventure ends on the Asian side of Istanbul.

The small 105hp Audi will undergo a genuine torture test while en route, testing its safety, efficiency and comfort. “The A3 has ideal characteristics for all three continents. Nevertheless, any attempt to break a record also requires a lot of good luck, especially regarding the weather and traffic,” said Plattner at a press conference during the  Audi Forum Ingolstadt.

The route will take both Plattner and Doppler by ferry to Spain, where they will drive along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, France and Italy before crossing the Alps into Germany. There they will proceed on to the Balkans and then over the Bosporus to arrive on the Eastern side of Istanbul.

Plattner already holds several records, including the fastest drive around the world (in an Audi S2).

In total he has driven more than 4.3 million miles.

Official release after the jump:

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Volkswagen has just released some initial information on the upcoming Golf Estate, which the company confirmed at the sixth-generation Golf’s debut at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, will make its way to North America.

The Golf Estate is a compact car and yet as a wagon it offers plenty of cargo room – as much as 52.8 cubic-feet with the rear seats folded flat.

In Europe the Golf Estate will be available with six different engine choices, however, North American models will most likely only have two or possibly three options.

In the diesel category, the base engine is a 105hp 1.6-liter TDI that gets 52.3 mpg on average. A larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel will make 140hp and achieve 47 mpg.

In the gasoline department, 80hp and 102hp naturally aspirated gasoline engines will be available as will a 122hp TSI and 160hp TSI motor. These engines will get 37 and 36.8 mpg respectively.

Both of the top-level gasoline engines (as well as both diesels) can be purchased with the optional DSG transmission, which improves fuel economy further to 39.2 and 38.6 mpg.

It is expected that the 160hp TSI gasoline engine and 2.0 TDI engine will be offered in North America.

In Europe the Golf estate will be offered with VW’s Park Assist program and a rear-view camera.

The Golf Estate goes on sale tomorrow in Germany for a starting price of 18,500 Euro, with initial deliveries starting in September. There is no word yet on U.S. or Canadian pricing.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf Estate

More on the New Golf Estate after the jump:

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If you are looking at purchasing an Audi A4 (or A3 or TT for that matter) with the 3.2-liter V6 engine, now is the time to act. Come next year Audi has made the decision to cut the V6 engine from its lineup on those three models.

The move comes as Audi has noticed a serious drop in demand for the V6 engine. Apparently for every 3.2-liter V6 A4 sold, Audi sells nine of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder units.

Audi Corporate Communications boss Bradley Stertz told Autoblog that the move has less to do with the drop in demand for that particular engine and more to do with other options that have been added to the Audi lineup recently.

Those looking for a more powerful A4 can always opt for the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (offered at a serious premium in the S4). As for the A3, it will be offered with a TDI turbo-diesel powerplant soon, while the TTS gives TT owners a peppier version of the base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, that produces 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque, matching the V6 in horsepower and beating it in the torque category.

We won’t particularly miss the V6 either, as mentioned in our review of the A4, especially as the turbo 2.0 is such a strong engine and delivers excellent performance with better fuel-economy for significantly less.

Audi did not comment on if the TTS’s engine might replace the V6 in the near future.

[Source: Autoblog]