60 MPG VW Jetta BlueTDI Demos this Summer, For Sale in the Fall.
Finally, some concrete details that Jetta TDI's will be arriving on dealership lots this summer. Again, it sounds like most of the initial deliveries will be for demonstration purposes. Beginning in September, the cars can be purchased and put on the road. Here in the Northeast fuel prices are on the borderline of being stupid. This morning, on my way to work the price for diesel fuel was $4.49 a gallon. In a previous post on my blog, Diesel Fuel Costs....Where are they Going, I broke down the costs of driving a diesel vehicle compared to driving a gas job. Let's use today's gasoline and diesel fuel prices as well as an average of 55mpg for the Jetta BlueTDI. Don't let the high price of diesel fuel scare you away. Look at these numbers, again:
Gasoline (Ex: Toyota Corolla)
- 30mpg average Gasoline car - $3.68/gal X 15 gallon tank = $55.20.
- Miles per Tank of Fuel - 15 gal X 30 mpg = 450miles
- $55.20 / 450 miles = $.123/ mile
Diesel Jetta BlueTDI
- 55mpg average - 4.50/gal X 15 gallon tank = $67.50
- Miles per Tank of Fuel - 15 gal X 55 mpg = 825miles
- $67.50 / 825 miles = $.082/ mile
Summary:
- Gasoline: $.123/mile - Diesel $.082/mile = $.04
- Difference $.04/mile / $.123mile (Gasoline) = .325 or 33%
- The diesel Jetta BlueTDI is 33% more efficient than a gasoline engine.
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2 comments:
What about cost of the vehicle? The diesel Jetta is going to be considerably more expensive than the Corolla, probably $4-6k, and that buys a LOT of gas.
Also, I don't know where you're getting 55 mpg average for the Jetta. The EPA rates it 30 City/41 Highway/34 Combined, and those tend to be optimistic.
Finally, you may want to double-check your tank sizes. I know the Corolla has a 13.2 gallon tank, not 15, and I'm still trying to track down an official size for the Jetta
The most the diesel will cost over and above the gas job will be 3K maximum. I am actually glad that you brought up this very important information. How about the resale value?
The diesel powered Jetta will have better resale value. So, one may pay more now for the diesel engine, but when you're ready to sell the Jetta TDI it will be worth more than a gas powered model of the same year and the same amount of miles. Something to think about. Thanks for the comment.
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