SEMA 2008: VW Jetta TDI Street concept, live from Vegas
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Jetta TDI Edition Street Concept
Our team of crack journalists at SEMA have located the Jetta TDI Street concept, so we can now bring you some live shots of the car along with all of the assorted details. As we expected when we first heard that VeeDub was working up the concept, there are no powertrain changes to speak of. That's not surprising given all of the development that went into making the TDI engine meet emissions standards in the U.S. and the fact that it's a great engine just as it is. There are some mechanical changes to the underpinnings, though, with brakes and sway bars from the sporty GLI model and the wheels are alloys. On the bodywork front, a large gaping opening at the front makes the cars look like their racing siblings as do the extended rocker panels and rear valance. A sticker package completes the look.
Volkswagen hasn't decided for sure whether to offer the concept for production. The German automaker will be polling for consumer reaction. We think it looks great, especially in the blue from the GLI, but would want to know just how close to $30K the automaker plans to sell it for.
[Sources: Volkswagen, Autoblog]
PRESS RELEASE
2008 SEMA: VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI CUP "STREET" EDITION
The performance of the Volkswagen Racing Jetta TDI is now available
LAS VEGAS – With the conclusion of the successful 2008 Jetta TDI Cup Volkswagen of America is bringing the race car to the people with their Jetta TDI Cup "Street" edition special model unveiled at the 2008 SEMA show.
The similarities to the race car are evident at first glance – the Jetta TDI Cup edition features the front bumper, side skirts and rear valance that are on the Jetta TDI Cup cars. However, the upgrades on the Jetta TDI Cup "Street" edition go beyond cosmetic with the addition of the brakes and sway bars found in the performance-oriented GLI sedan combined with a European sport tuned suspension.
The TDI Cup "Street" is powered by Volkswagen's powerful 2.0L clean-diesel TDI producing 140 hp and 236 lbs. ft. of readily available torque, mated to the six-speed DSG transmission with Tiptronic® and Sport mode. The TDI Cup Street edition rides on Yokohama 225/40R18 ADVAN sport tires and 18-inch multi-spoke wheels.
The TDI Cup "Street" will be available in similar GLI colors and feature "TDI Cup Edition" appliqué for the vehicle side and branded door sill inserts. The interior brings upgrades that include a race-inspired three-spoke steering wheel with the TDI Cup logo and interlagos cloth sport seats.
Based on consumer feedback, the Jetta TDI Cup Edition may be available as early as 2010 with a price starting under $30,000.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Serge 4:25PM (11/05/2008)
I wonder how those gaping holes in front affect the aerodynamics. I would be happy if instead of cosmetic changes VW focused on getting more TDIs into showrooms. This is one of the candidates I consider for my next purchase and it's nowhere to be found. I've heard only a little over 1K TDIs are destined for U.S. for 2009 MY.
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brandon 5:09PM (11/05/2008)
Your numbers are a bit low. Last I heard the plan was 12k TDIs by the end of 2008. So total MY2009 will probably be closer to 30k. That equates to about 20 for each of VWs about 600 dealers just for CY2008. They are becoming much easier to find now. VW has opened them for custom orders so you should be able to go into any descent dealer and get them to order one. One dealer near me has 9 of them on the lot right now. So they are definitly starting to be available. If you want any more info on them, check out www.tdiclub.com. Its a great and very helpful community.
TDI_NICK 6:10PM (11/09/2008)
I have a bare bones TDI and this one looks so great. Of course a new TDI Rabbit would be much more practical in this economy.
VW: I'm enjoying the TDI Jetta racing (USA) on the Speed TV channel. Those cars are impressive! Well done.
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