New Polo confirmed for the USA, with TDI

[PeterV]

There IS a Polo here in NH. I did make a long journey from Greenland to Danville, NH.

It is a T Red Polo Wagon...... 1.9 L..



I guess you need to know it is a 1999.

 

[PeterV]

pic

 

[TornadoRed]

I disagree that a new mid-size is necessary or even makes sense. If they are going to Americanize any model they are turning off their base. I think priority should be on getting the Polo here first and improving their dealer network's repair competency. I guess I won't pre-judge a midsize I haven't seen.

VWoA barely sold any Passats last year; I think the total was less than 10,000. If Jacoby is to meet his goal of selling 800k VWs annually by 2018, then it needs a big seller in that category... 150k or 200k vehicles, not 10k.

 

[eb2143]

VWoA barely sold any Passats last year; I think the total was less than 10,000. If Jacoby is to meet his goal of selling 800k VWs annually by 2018, then it needs a big seller in that category... 150k or 200k vehicles, not 10k.

B6 is also almost 5 years old, who wants a car that hasn't changed in 5 years. Plus they took away the manual trans and no diesel ever offered.

VW has done more to kill the Passat then anything necessarily wrong with the size and price.

 

[dubStrom]

There IS a Polo here in NH. I did make a long journey from Greenland to Danville, NH.

It is a T Red Polo Wagon...... 1.9 L..



I guess you need to know it is a 1999.

HA!

Well that is not quite what I meant of course. If it were a 2010 Polo with less than 500 miles on it, that would be a different story. Congratulations on the journey! Nice looking Vwagen

 

[donDavide]

VWoA barely sold any Passats last year; I think the total was less than 10,000. If Jacoby is to meet his goal of selling 800k VWs annually by 2018, then it needs a big seller in that category... 150k or 200k vehicles, not 10k.

I see quite a few Passats and CC on the road.

 

[TornadoRed]

I see quite a few Passats and CC on the road.

In some neighborhoods, they are quite popular.

Here are the 2009 sales totals:

Rabbit/Golf 7681
GTI 7932
R32 139

Jetta Sedan 90,208
Sportwagon 18,219

New Beetle Coupe 9581
New Beetle Convertible 4504

EOS 7204

Passat sedan 8824
Passat wagon 2314

CC 23,872
Tiguan 13,903
Touareg 4392
Routan 14,681

Total: 213,681

FWIW, I have seen one Routan, a couple EOS, and one or two CC's. But I don't drive as much as I used to, or at least I haven't been lately.

Golf/GTI/R32 sales declined 55% for the year. The dealers sold all they could get, I think, but they are just not receiving very many.

Jetta sales were up 11%

New Beetle sales were down 47%

Passat sales were down 63%

Total VW sales were down 4.3%

 

[donDavide]

I pretty sure the CC has caused the Passat sales to drop.

 

[TornadoRed]

I pretty sure the CC has caused the Passat sales to drop.

Bad owner reviews hurt too. Passat owners get tired of taking their cars back to the dealership every month and not getting any satisfaction. So they tell their families, friends, and neighbors.

Plus, no Passat TDIs. And no manual transmissions, only DSGs.

 

[wolfskin]

All I can say is that I have my own priorities.....
I don't mind tossing an extra $10k into the decision if it spews less carbon dioxide, and Turbo Diesel BlueMotion is indisputably right near the top on that score...

I can understand your point of view, unfortunately it's not what you could call mainstream in the US. I suspect it wouldn't be in the EU either but for the taxation system favouring low-CO2 cars.

Re. the BlueMotion's base price, my bad, I missed that it included VAT. Still, I'm really not convinced that many Americans (except you, dubStrom ) would even accept a car with 75hp, much less pay that kind of money for it.

Maybe if the Polo is offered with the 1.2TSI and the 1.6TDI for a while people will warm to it (it really is a superb car for your daily run-arounds), and VW can risk the BlueMotion as well. Fingers crossed, and all the best to y'all!

 

[LRTDI]

I'm puzzled why VW doesn't bring the Passat tdi in. It uses the same diesel engine after all.

Could some marketing guy who thinks he knows best have interferred? I'm not looking for much, just a TDI stick wagon.

 

[wolfskin]

It has been (credibly) speculated that the heavier Passat would need the urea-based SCR for NOx reduction as the engine would work harder on average and therefore produce more NOx.
That would make it too costly for it's segment.

 

[donfromnaples]

Weren't most car companies experiencing slow sales in 2009? Didn't we lose two nameplates due to poor sales?

 

[Helmut3]

70mpg polo for us at $15K and vw can start a revolution, but they not going to do it.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

B6 is also almost 5 years old, who wants a car that hasn't changed in 5 years. Plus they took away the manual trans...

No they didn't. It's still available in Canada across all 2.0T trim lines.

They also now use the DSG as the auto tranny on the 2.0T trims.

No diesel though, but the 2.0T holds its own for a gasser. It has near-diesel torque (207 lb-ft from 1800-5000 rpm), better horsepower (200 hp vs 140 in the N. American TDI), and still manages (verified by my experience) 37 mpg highway with 600+ mile highway tank range. Not quite diesel territory but with the extra power and smoother engine, it's very pleasant to drive. By way of comparison my wife's B5.5 Passat TDI manages on a good day, 42 mpg highway. In really ideal conditions, 44.

I wasn't expecting to be happy with the car when it replaced our wrecked Jetta TDI wagon, but it's turned out to be a winner for us. I honestly didn't expect to get the fuel efficiency I have been seeing. Even in a Quebec winter, I still average about 28-30 mpg, and get over 500 miles per tank, and in summer I average 34 mpg and get just shy of 600 miles per tank. I've even seen a period where, using premium fuel, it cost less per mile to fuel our 2.0T than it did our TDI (when diesel prices were sky high).

 

[frugality]

No diesel though, but the 2.0T holds its own for a gasser. It has near-diesel torque (207 lb-ft from 1800-5000 rpm), better horsepower (200 hp vs 140 in the N. American TDI), and still manages (verified by my experience) 37 mpg highway with 600+ mile highway tank range. Not quite diesel territory but with the extra power and smoother engine, it's very pleasant to drive. By way of comparison my wife's B5.5 Passat TDI manages on a good day, 42 mpg highway. In really ideal conditions, 44.

I wasn't expecting to be happy with the car when it replaced our wrecked Jetta TDI wagon, but it's turned out to be a winner for us. I honestly didn't expect to get the fuel efficiency I have been seeing. Even in a Quebec winter, I still average about 28-30 mpg, and get over 500 miles per tank, and in summer I average 34 mpg and get just shy of 600 miles per tank. I've even seen a period where, using premium fuel, it cost less per mile to fuel our 2.0T than it did our TDI (when diesel prices were sky high).

I've always appreciated your posts regarding your 2.0T, Mike. It's made me wonder if it might not be worth going back to a gasser, if the cost differential was close. I have wondered if your mileage numbers were typical, or if you are unusually blessed, though. The few Fuelly numbers for 2.0T Passats shows more like low 20's for 2007 models (which is really more where I'd expect a car of that size to be), upper 20's for 2008-2009 models.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/volkswagen/passat/gas%20l4

Just for kicks, I checked and found that the Passat Wagon weighs only 100# more than a Jetta Sportwagen. 3331# vs. 3228#. Interesting.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

It all boils down to driving techniques. I drive for efficiency, follow speed limits, attempt to coast to lights and stop signs, basically a very zen style. I find on my typical trips (most up to about 100 km) the time difference between going the limit and "20 over" is negligible. So I don't speed. Even on an 800 km trip, I find that speeding typically only gives you half an hour to 45 minutes less.

Also keep in mind that most Passats on the road are automatics. Mine is a 6-speed manual. Also my driving mix is heavily biased towards highway/rural; you'd be surprised how economical the thing is on a warm day at 50-55 mph. In the city I get right on the advertised consumption, about 22 mpg (also, Canadian official figures are better than EPA numbers, but I still have no problems beating the Canadian numbers).

 

[Smithers]

Do 55 on the highway around here and you'll be getting your rear clip replaced on a fairly regular basis.

 

[QuantumRallySport]

I took a pic of a 4dr TDI Polo at the Washington Auto show last night. the rep said that they would be here mid 2011 as a 2012 model.

Pic is posted on our FaceBook Fan Page

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Quantum-Rally-Sport/281129179600?ref=ts

 

[mxs]

Do 55 on the highway around here and you'll be getting your rear clip replaced on a fairly regular basis.

Yeah but what's your posted speed limit, 130km/h? Come here and do the same on regular basis (where speed limit is 100km/h and much better roads) and you will be soon paying quite bit more on insurance. Different culture (speed kills culture unfortunately ...) my friend ...

 

[PlaneCrazy]

Yeah but what's your posted speed limit, 130km/h? Come here and do the same on regular basis (where speed limit is 100km/h and much better roads) and you will be soon paying quite bit more on insurance. Different culture (speed kills culture unfortunately ...) my friend ...

When saying I do 55 mph it's on roads posted for... 90 km/h. Which is 55 mph! It's pretty easy to do. You get the odd tailgater. When gas was a buck fifty a liter, it was really easy do to 55!

 

[unseenthings]

There is so much to hope and dream for, uber-efficent TDI's, quattro TDI's, manual TDI's, but for the moment, that's all they are, hopes and dreams
I look at my mother-in-laws 09 Q7 TDI and go "want!" with all the shiny bells and whistles that new cars offer, but I simply can not justify the price, not on a 60k audi, or even the 30k audi or golf, for what I actually get for my money. The cars are getting bigger and heavier, fuel mileage is marginally better than what is was 10 years ago, if not worse, and cost of ownership is sky rocketing. I bought a 2000 NB TDI 5spd 3 years ago with 234k for $5000. The car was in mint mechanical condition, The PO did nearly 5k worth of repairs and service before he sold it. The car now has nearly 300k miles on it, and I have spent maybe $1500 to keep it on the road, oil changes, set of tires, shocks/struts and turbo replacement. Last Nov I bought myself a scratch and dent 04 Jetta Wagon TDI GLs 5spd for $4k with 135k. It gets 40+ mpg, it has heated leather seats that are comfortable for 10 hours road trips, I have real time internet updated navigation and POI via my Verizon Droid (better than current in car nav options imo), satellite radio and bluetooth in the car added by aftermarket options. The parts and fluids for the car are "cheap" and readily available, and don't require the dealership to install or repair. I drive the wagon, the wife drives the bug. We drive about a hundred miles a day between the both of us. I feel that the bug has already paid for itself, especially back when fuel was sky high, and the wagon will probably pay for itself soon enough. for less than 10k, I have my needs meet, and my money can be spent elsewhere. Now back to hopes and dreams, maybe in another 6+ years Audi will have had a quattro manual TDI wagon on the market for a few years and I can pick up a used one to replace my current wagon. If not, maybe I can build one like the 4motion 6spd passat wagon that was built on here. sorry for long post, wanted to share my thoughts.

 

[dubStrom]

Incentive for NA Polo release????

There is so much to hope and dream for, uber-efficent TDI's, quattro TDI's, manual TDI's, but for the moment, that's all they are, hopes and dreams...
...The cars are getting bigger and heavier, fuel mileage is marginally better than what is was 10 years ago, if not worse, and cost of ownership is sky rocketing. ... more

Please pardon my truncating your message. I truly appreciate the fact that you recognize the real value of older TDI models that are simpler, often lighter, and do nicely in maintenance/fuel economy stats. My 03 ALH Jetta is an excellent case in point.

Polo is a real possibility. A base model Polo TDI might sticker under $20k (though I doubt it). Used vehicles often come with headaches that provide ample evidence of why the previous owner sold it! The question is...

Will Toyota's problems with this recall have any effect on Volkswagen's plans for the North American Polo TDI release? Could it add impetus to the release?

 

[donfromnaples]

I can see a base Polo TDI stickering at right at $20,354. When you say base and TDI in the same model, that means a well equipped car minus perhaps upgraded stereo/navigation and other non-necessities. The price sounds reasonable to me compared with other compacts that achieve poorer fuel mileage, lower resale values and feel less substantial while driven.

 

[sparke]

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone was experince their car when slowing down for a stop sign. I would do a rolling stop the dsg would go to first and when I step on the gas to get going the rpm would jump up and when I shift 2nd gear it would jerk? Would like to hear if anyone else knows a bout that thks.

 

[sparke]

Sorry wrong post

 

[DrSmile]

I saw what was clearly a Polo today in the NYC area. It had a TDI sticker on the hatch, couldn't be sure it actually was a TDI though because I was going 75mph in the wagon and it had to be going almost 90. If the 1.6 makes it here I will totally purchase one!

 

[Peter Cheuk]

I've always appreciated your posts regarding your 2.0T, Mike. It's made me wonder if it might not be worth going back to a gasser, if the cost differential was close. I have wondered if your mileage numbers were typical, or if you are unusually blessed, though. The few Fuelly numbers for 2.0T Passats shows more like low 20's for 2007 models (which is really more where I'd expect a car of that size to be), upper 20's for 2008-2009 models.

My current car is an 6MT '06 Jetta GLI and I regularly get mileage of around 31-32MPG on my hilly commute of 30 miles each way. Best trip so far averaged 37MPG, according to the trip computer, driving with a light foot. Granted, I don't know how accurate the trip computer is compared to real world, but, it's encouraging. With the '98 Jetta TDI I used to regularly get 40's for the entire tank and I was beating on it, too. I could have easily gotten better mileage had I driven less aggressively. The instantaneous mileage reading on the MFA helps remind me to keep my foot out of it.

Going back on topic, I'd gladly buy a Polo TDI for my commute, if they ever bring them over. Like others have said, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[dlai]

Hey Peter, long time no talk! Hope you're doing well...

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I kept stats for the B6 for the first few months and found the computer very accurate indeed. The B6 is essentially a stretched A5 with the same electronics so yours should be similar. On 27 tanks the average error was less than 1%, with some tanks overestimating and some underestimating, suggesting that it wasn't a consistent electronic error but was just fuelling variation.