New Polo confirmed for the USA, with TDI

BeetleGo

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
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Oct 21, 1998
Location
Cambridge, MA
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5-door, 5-speed Golf GLS replaced BeetleGo.
Peter,

So you bought a gasser, huh. Coming back to the diesel world any time soon? Nice to see you post though, despite your (current) car choice...! :p
 

Peter Cheuk

Gasser :P
Joined
Aug 31, 1998
Location
Daly City, Calif., USA
TDI
'06 Jetta GLI
My wife has become "anti diesel" and refuses to even talk about getting a TDI. Going from a TDI to a gasser can be dangerous as I've almost run out of gas a few times because I've grown accustomed to waiting a week or two to even look at the fuel gauge, waiting for the idiot light to remind me to get fuel. With the TDI I could drive about 60 miles after the light has come on, with the GLI it's more like 35. Now that my job has me starting work at 6 AM the last thing I need is for the reminder to come up when starting my drive to work as that would leave me going to an expensive gas station near work to fuel up. OTOH, diesel prices in this area is pretty crazy, about $4.15 per gallon, the last time I looked. Costco doesn't sell diesel so I would be stuck with paying the higher prices at neighborhood stations. I'm seriously thinking about getting a second car for myself for commuting or even trading in the GLI for something more personal/frugal. It almost doesn't make sense to drive a 4-door sedan to work when I'm the only one in it when I can get a smaller car that burns less fuel. Yeah, I know about the cost/savings of trading in a paid off car. The flip side to this is that my GLI is a 6MT and I want to get an automagic tranny car so that my son can drive it in a few years when he gets his license. It's either that or I have to torture my clutch teaching him to drive a manual.
 

Marley

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Location
TN
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none
So, if VW brings(?) the Polo here with TDI will it have the same HPFP as that being discussed in a nearby thread that has reached page 45, with 663 entries of concern and speculation and some evidence ?
 

740GLE

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NH
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2017 Alltrack SE; Totaled 2015 Passat SEL, BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat SE w/ Nav,
hold on one second . . . let me get my crystal ball
 

domboy

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Location
Wilmington NC
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2003 Golf GLS TDI 5spd
The flip side to this is that my GLI is a 6MT and I want to get an automagic tranny car so that my son can drive it in a few years when he gets his license. It's either that or I have to torture my clutch teaching him to drive a manual.
A tortured clutch is worth training another manual transmission driver in this country... there are so few of us left! :D
 

Peter Cheuk

Gasser :P
Joined
Aug 31, 1998
Location
Daly City, Calif., USA
TDI
'06 Jetta GLI
Trust me, he's going to learn how to drive a manual tranny no matter what, and, along those lines, so will my daughter. It's whether or not I trust him with a 200 HP car that I'm worried about. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Mk VI Golf to use until he gets his license, but, the 170 HP seems excessive for him. Maybe I should be looking for a used Mk IV Golf TDI? I sure don't want to get a, gulp, Yaris or Fit, though the CR-Z looks intriguing.
 

PlaneCrazy

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Location
Province of Quebec, Canada
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Gone...
Trust me, he's going to learn how to drive a manual tranny no matter what, and, along those lines, so will my daughter. It's whether or not I trust him with a 200 HP car that I'm worried about. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Mk VI Golf to use until he gets his license, but, the 170 HP seems excessive for him. Maybe I should be looking for a used Mk IV Golf TDI? I sure don't want to get a, gulp, Yaris or Fit, though the CR-Z looks intriguing.
My two driving-age kids learned on my 2.0T and it was pretty painless. Only one funny story, we were waiting to turn left at an intersection with a protected left turn light, and the left turn arrow turned green. My middle son (16 at the time), tried to launch but stalled it under the pressure of the short light and cars behind him. By the time he'd fired it up again, the light was red. So we waited 'till it turned green again but he was getting really flustered and he stalled it a second time. With a long line of irate drivers building behind us I figured we'd better swap drivers before the next green. Just as I got settled, a cop (about 3 or 4 cars back) came up to see what the problem was. I explained we'd just swapped drivers as my son was having a bit of clutch problems at the moment, we shared a laugh, and I launched us through the next green.

I did pull over a bit down the road to let him take over for the remaining rural drive, so he didn't lose too much confidence.
 

atc98002

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Auburn WA
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2014 Passat TDI SEL Premium (sold back), 2009 Jetta (sold back), 80 Rabbit diesel (long gone)
Trust me, he's going to learn how to drive a manual tranny no matter what, and, along those lines, so will my daughter. It's whether or not I trust him with a 200 HP car that I'm worried about. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Mk VI Golf to use until he gets his license, but, the 170 HP seems excessive for him. Maybe I should be looking for a used Mk IV Golf TDI? I sure don't want to get a, gulp, Yaris or Fit, though the CR-Z looks intriguing.
Both of my daughters learned to drive a manual, and it's still their first choice. However, I have a son-in-law who doesn't care for them, so her TDI is a DSG. My other daughter's Beetle is a manual, though.

I taught her to drive a manual in a 68 Beetle I had restored. Can't get in trouble in that!
 

atc98002

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Nov 24, 2006
Location
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TDI
2014 Passat TDI SEL Premium (sold back), 2009 Jetta (sold back), 80 Rabbit diesel (long gone)
Now that's a thought! Going retro and air cooled! I like it!
That old thing was fun, but you really come to appreciate a modern car. I changed the generator to an alternator, and added blower fans to the heat channels under the rear seat. It was the only way to even stand half a chance to defrost the windshield! :D

Other than the alternator, I did nothing to improve engine performance, and you really notice you only have 40-50 HP. Still, it was a fun project, and I'm keeping my eyes open for a Karmann Ghia in need of love. :p
 

sassyrel

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Location
aplington,iowa
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passat,96,black-metalic
That old thing was fun, but you really come to appreciate a modern car. I changed the generator to an alternator, and added blower fans to the heat channels under the rear seat. It was the only way to even stand half a chance to defrost the windshield! :D

Other than the alternator, I did nothing to improve engine performance, and you really notice you only have 40-50 HP. Still, it was a fun project, and I'm keeping my eyes open for a Karmann Ghia in need of love. :p
40-50 hp--reminds me of my old escort diesel--48 hp,,and NO blower--needed mucho distance to pass anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but was a fuel sipper!!!
 

donDavide

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Location
Severna Park, Maryland USA
TDI
2003 Jetta ;2006 Golf; 2015 Jetta S
Trust me, he's going to learn how to drive a manual tranny no matter what, and, along those lines, so will my daughter. It's whether or not I trust him with a 200 HP car that I'm worried about. I'm seriously thinking of getting a Mk VI Golf to use until he gets his license, but, the 170 HP seems excessive for him. Maybe I should be looking for a used Mk IV Golf TDI? I sure don't want to get a, gulp, Yaris or Fit, though the CR-Z looks intriguing.
For a teen, A gasser A3/A4 (2.slow)is a good start, easy to get parts, easy to work on and does a teen really drive enough for a TDi?
 

Marley

Well-known member
Joined
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Location
TN
TDI
none
Update. Page 55, 818 entries of concern and speculation and some evidence, mainly shrapnel.
 

percha

New member
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Mar 22, 2011
Location
UK, South East
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Audi A3 8P TDI 140 Chipped to 175
Hi all,

I work on the software for the FIE on the VW Polo 1.2 CR TDI (bluemotion) I can confirm this is not going to be released in USA.

Europe + India.

Andy
 

spoilsport

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 3, 1999
Location
Houston TX
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2000 Golf GLS Silver (Sold). 2005 Jetta TDI Wagon Tiptronic (daughter's)
Hi all,

I work on the software for the FIE on the VW Polo 1.2 CR TDI (bluemotion) I can confirm this is not going to be released in USA.

Europe + India.

Andy
I'm shocked, shocked... to see no Polo coming stateside! :D
 

BeetleGo

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 21, 1998
Location
Cambridge, MA
TDI
5-door, 5-speed Golf GLS replaced BeetleGo.
Be careful, I don't think that he's saying that no Polo is coming stateside. Just the bluemotion model.
 

wolfskin

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Location
Timisoara/Romania
TDI
Skoda Fabia Combi TDI
VW is going to watch closely the sales of other small cars being introduced in the US. (e.g. Fiat 500).

Probably they will bring the Polo to the US eventually. But they won't go radical and bring the 1.2TDI. They'll go with the 1.2TSI and maybe even the old 1.4 gasser, possibly the 1.6 TDI if things go really well in the showrooms.

Which is a shame, because I think those Americans who would consider small cars would do so for high fuel economy and the environmental factor, not many other advantages in the US in driving a small car.
Take the 500, Fiat really screwed up the US offering IMO, bringing only the 1.4 101hp gasser which is overkill from the power perspective and ended up offering unimpressive fuel economy. Now the American public may conclude that small cars don't really achieve siganificant fuel savings. And they never have the chance to look at the figures of the same car with the 1.3l diesel (95hp!!) or the 0.9l TwinAir gasser(85hp!) both of which offer ample power and stellar fuel economy compare to the 1.4 aspirated gasser, which was really designed for the sportier end of the car's customers (Europeans have a passion for sporty small cars - see Mini Cooper S, Fiat 500 Abarth, Renault Twingo Gordini, VW Polo GTI, etc...)
 

German_1er_diesel

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Location
Ratzeburg
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BMW 118d
...Fiat 500...And they never have the chance to look at the figures of the same car with the 1.3l diesel (95hp!!) or the 0.9l TwinAir gasser(85hp!) both of which offer ample power and stellar fuel economy compare to the 1.4 aspirated gasser
The 1.3L diesel is niiiiice in the 500. Even sounds good.
The 0.9L TwinAir gasser is cheaper than the European 1.4... while doing 0-60 in the exact same time.
Review of the 1.3L here: http://bit.ly/cVrO92
 

wolfskin

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Location
Timisoara/Romania
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Skoda Fabia Combi TDI
The 0.9L TwinAir gasser is cheaper than the European 1.4... while doing 0-60 in the exact same time.
The TwinAir has more torque at 1900rpm (145Nm) than the 1.4 MultiAir's peak at 4000rpm (135Nm).

At high rpms the 1.4 does deliver more power, but in everyday driveability the two-cylinder TwinAir beats it hands down. I mean, who likes driving at 4000rpm day in / day out?

And I don't agree with the comment about the rear seats being only adequate for small children. I think interior space is impressive for what the car is. I'm by no means big (172cm tall), but I'm no "small child". I once tried this out: I adjusted the front passenger seat so I could sit comfortably in the front, but not wasting space, than I got in the back behind the passenger seat and found roughly the same knee-level legroom as I had adjusted in front. Headroom will be a problem for taller people in the back, and the car's obviously not meant as a family car, but for short trips in the city interior space is adeqate for four medium-sized adults (well not in the Netherlands or Serbia ;) ).

P.S. Oops, going waaay off topic, sorry about that...
 
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2slowtdi

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Dallas Tx
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2003 ALH Bora gone. 2006 Benz CDI 235hp 420ftlbstq
I learned to drive in a Fiat 850 and it was much faster than the 500.
Those are much different cars back in the day.

If they bring the High Preformance 500 to the US it will be like having the first VW GTI back , that may happen as they maybe looking at the Mini and how it have been a hit.
 

German_1er_diesel

Veteran Member
Joined
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Location
Ratzeburg
TDI
BMW 118d
If they bring the High Preformance 500 to the US it will be like having the first VW GTI back , that may happen as they maybe looking at the Mini and how it have been a hit.
The 500 has a tall, upright, minivan-like seating position. Not really a classic "hot hatch" feel.
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
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2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
Here's what I just received from VW on the Polo. No promises, but at least "they are considering it". I may have to buy some ice skates so that I can start sharpening them.

Dear Kent,

Thank you for contacting the Volkswagen Information Center. We are
pleased to see your enthusiasm for the fun and economical Polo!

We recognize that in this current economic climate, the desires of the
driving public have changed. Many consumers have realized that
efficiency and economy are the true values of an automobile. For this
reason, Volkswagen is currently considering building versions of the
Polo exclusively for the US market.

We have no additional information at this time regarding engine
availability or possible production date. We encourage you to keep
checking back with the website, especially the Upcoming and Concept Cars
Blog at http://blogs.vw.com/conceptcars/, as information is subject to
change without notice.

Thank you again for visiting vw.com. We truly value your appreciation
for the Volkswagen Brand!


-----Original Message-----
From: Kent
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 3:21 PM
To: VIC Web Responses
Subject: CONTACT US

Contact Us

The Topic: Marketing / Public Relations
The Name: Kent
The Email:
The Comment: Imagine the accolades with VW offering a car in North
America capable of 70+ mpg! Imagine the people making VW a household
brand instead of the niche brand it is today. All VWOA and VWAG has to
do is to bring over the blue motion cars, like the blue motion Polo. A
car with the best mileage in the US
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
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Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
I think those Americans who would consider small cars would do so for high fuel economy and the environmental factor, not many other advantages in the US in driving a small car.
Take the 500, Fiat really screwed up the US offering IMO, bringing only the 1.4 101hp gasser which is overkill from the power perspective and ended up offering unimpressive fuel economy.
That's the same issue I have with Mercedes and the Smart car. Bring a small city car over with a gas engine that requires premium instead of the economical diesel available in Europe and then wonder why they don't sell better. Americans would not be so diesel-phobic if there were more options and a much better marketing campaign. I haven't seen a VW or Audi TDI commercial in a long time and don't know that I have ever seen a mercedes or BMW diesel commercial.
 

El Dobro

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NJ
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BMW seems to be pushing their diesel hard, lately. I see the commercial every day, now.
 

PlaneCrazy

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 3, 2000
Location
Province of Quebec, Canada
TDI
Gone...
That's the same issue I have with Mercedes and the Smart car. Bring a small city car over with a gas engine that requires premium instead of the economical diesel available in Europe and then wonder why they don't sell better. Americans would not be so diesel-phobic if there were more options and a much better marketing campaign. I haven't seen a VW or Audi TDI commercial in a long time and don't know that I have ever seen a mercedes or BMW diesel commercial.
The first-generation Smart (or at least first-gen for Canada) in Canada had the CDI diesel. It was rated for 3.8 L/100 km highway (62 mpg US) on the highway. The current Smart (gas) is rated at 4.8. When even a Hyundai Elantra is rated better, the whole point about the Smart is lost on me.
 

donDavide

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The first-generation Smart (or at least first-gen for Canada) in Canada had the CDI diesel. It was rated for 3.8 L/100 km highway (62 mpg US) on the highway. The current Smart (gas) is rated at 4.8. When even a Hyundai Elantra is rated better, the whole point about the Smart is lost on me.
Maybe in 2007 MB had an E320 CDI race an Eclipse or something similar. (shouldn't it have been called a E300?? Lets see, E350, 3.5 gasser,E500, 5.0gasser)
 
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wolfskin

Veteran Member
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Location
Timisoara/Romania
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Skoda Fabia Combi TDI
When even a Hyundai Elantra is rated better, the whole point about the Smart is lost on me.
Agreed.
Consider that the Polo bluemotion is rated at 2.9L/100Km highway (EU rating of course) and it has four full-sized seats and a boot. The 500 diesel is rated 2.8L/100Km, the Fabia GreenLine is rated 2.9L/100Km and it's a wagon. This is the state of the art today!
Heck, my MY 2005 Fabia wagon is rated 4.1L/100Km highway, but I regularily get 3.8L/100Km if I'm not on a motorway.
 
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