Just spent a week skiing in Bormio, Italy, and I think I saw a total of 4 gasoline-powered vehicles... 3 of which were Subarus, the other was a 911.
EVERYTHING else was turbodiesel.
Every Passat was a TDI, 90% were Variants and half of those were 4-Motion. Audi Variants were everywhere.
Feeling a little pissed at VW right now for not at least giving us the option to special-order these cars here in the US.
It's not like they couldn't just throw a few on the boat. Bastards!
I agree totally. There are sooooo many fantastic diesels in Europe. I would love a 4motion 170 hp tdi Golf. And a diesel Toyota 4Runner!
My understanding is that there is a significant hassle and expense to get vehicles approved for safety and EPA in the US. They need to KNOW that they will have a significant return on that investment or they won't bother.
Yeah, I emailed Toyota USA about a year ago asking about bringing their mid-size diesel engines to North America I they replied that they have
no intention of doing so at any time in the future.
couple years ago on ebay there was a passat wagon tdi 4motion with a greasecar kit. they wanted 10 grand for it because the interior got flood damaged. I would've loved that car.
TDI Amarok is coming to Canada, be patient
Well, my point is, they DID sell us TDI Passats, but only with freaking automatic transmissions, and front-wheel drive. All the EPA groundwork was laid for each VW model, but we had extremely limited choices for powerplants or drivetrains, and no option to order.
I also saw lots of Land Rover trucks, BMW diesels, (including a small one that looked like a Golf, I assume a 1-series hatch), just hundreds of interesting and cool vehicles that are unobtanium here. Being a mountain town, the 4-wheelers were really fun to look at, I also saw a few American-made vehicles; Jeeps, including a Rubicon, Chrysler minivans, ect. Daimler-Chrysler imports, all with turbodiesel motors.
Chrysler minivans, ect. Daimler-Chrysler imports, all with turbodiesel motors.
when I was in Germany a couple of years ago I was in utter disbelief when a Chrysler minivan rattled by, I thought I had one too many hefe-weizens! According to Oil Hammer from TDI club, the Chrysler minivans with TD's are built in Missouri alongside the regular ones! I'm not saying I'd drive a minivan but I do feel slightly shafted that they are built here but not even available to purchase!