2004 VW SUV With V10 TDI?

[wxman]

As a VW TDI owner, I hope we get the V10 TDI SUV over here:





http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/65358/article.html

The other multi-cylinder engine is the V10 turbo diesel Volkswagen has recently developed. As if its 313 peak horsepower isn't enough, the engine boasts 553 pound-feet of torque. That's good enough to propel the approximately 4,900-pound SUV (final specs haven't been set for much of the Touareg including final weights for the specific models) to 60 mph in fewer than 8 seconds. And while the W12 guzzles gas to the tune of 15. 4 mpg, the turbo diesel gets an econocar-like 23. 8 mpg. Whether we get it will depend on whether VW can clean up its exhaust particulates to California's liking and more crucially, according to new CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder, the acceptance of the American public for any diesel engine, no matter how sophisticated.

The V8 would also find commendation if it weren't for the exemplary performance of the 5. 0-liter turbo diesel. Wonderfully smooth and tremendously powerful at low rpm, the V10 is one diesel that feels more sophisticated than its gasoline equivalent. In fact, because it's turning far fewer rpm at peak power than the gasoline-fed V8, the TDI actually makes less noise. Only at idle does the typical diesel clatter intrude and even then, it's mostly heard by those outside the cabin rather than the Touareg's passengers. Besides, maybe a butch engine like the V10 TDI is just what Volkswagen needs to convince the American motoring public that its new SUV is the real deal. And though we didn't try the W12-powered Touareg, we did sample that engine in the Phaeton sedan, and the V10, at least for SUV purposes, was still our motor of choice.

Wow! Quite an endorsement for the TDI from an American publication!

 

[lschultz]

That 90 HP TDI(50+mpg) is enough for me now.

 

[LarryB]

I just wish they sold the TDI pickup here in the US. I might be convinced to let go of my old diesel Rabbit PU. 50mpg is hard to give up after you get used to it. I really like the 700 miles on a 14 gal tank.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Thanks to GM..

We Americans can thank GM for our current lack

of diesel powertrain options throughout the

automotive market. Remember the 5. 7 diesels?

I'm sure ya do. EVERYBODY does. But that's only

part of the problem. Most misinformed folks in

the US see diesels as dirty, stinky smoky noisy.



I'd love to get my hands on some of the European

intercooled TurboDiesel cars, pickups and SUV's!



Right now it is very hard to find a VW TDI on the

used market. I'm looking for one so my wife does

not have to drive our GMC Yukon XL 8. 1 2,000

friggin miles a month at 12 MPG! back and

forth to work.