Should Volkswagen sell a Routan diesel?

Don't expect a Volkswagen Routan TDI anytime soon. Ward's Auto talked to Bret Scott, product planning manager for Volkswagen of America Inc., who commented on the possibility of using one of Chrysler's diesel ...

[Routan TDI]

Lets get with it. When are we going to catch up with tech across the pond.

[Tom Loy]

I think it would be a mistake for VW not to sell a Routan TDI. Otherwise, its just a minivan.

[Brian]

If I ever buy a Volkswagen, it has to have a diesel in it. Volkswagen stated that they would put a diesel in the second generation if diesel takes off in America but other interviews they state that they want to lead the diesel revolution.

[matt]

My loan for my dodge minivan ends in 2011. I am hoping they have a diesel by then. I could use the extra mpg and the torque for towing a camper.

[Tom Loy]

matt wrote:

My loan for my dodge minivan ends in 2011. I am hoping they have a diesel by then. I could use the extra mpg and the torque for towing a camper.

Check out the Honda Odyssey minivan. It is supposed to have a 6 cylinder diesel in 2010.

[WAP]

Dodge Caravan will get diesel for 2010 model year.
We will be running pilots soon.

[iland]

I love the Routan, but I refuse to buy one until there is a diesel motor.

[Matt]

matt wrote:

My loan for my dodge minivan ends in 2011. I am hoping they have a diesel by then. I could use the extra mpg and the torque for towing a camper.

The loan on my dodge minivan is also up in Jan '11. I would like the extra mileage and torque.

[tarkan from PA]

VW should increase the Diesel powered vehicles in North American market

[sn in DC]

Without a diesel engine, the Routan is just another minivanm, but from a nameplate with a poor reputation for reliability. And people who buy minivans put reliability at a very high priority!

The fuel economy from clean diesel and the option to run biofuels can help overcome that. Then VW can show that they've made improvements on their reliability.

[Ack]

I have a 05 Dodge minivan and a 03 Jetta TDI in my garage, and I would run off and get a diesel van in a heartbeat if it were offered by either one. Whoever crosses the finish line first will get my business.
I actually had someone ask me if I felt "unamerican" driving the VW, to which I politely replied "No, my 2 other cars are Dodge, and if *any* US car company made a comparable (size/comfort) car that could get 50MPG on the highway, I would have bought it."

[Scorned]

The Touran is available with petrol, diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.

1.4 TSI — 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW)/ 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW)(with a twincharger - delivered from summer 2006)

1.4 TSI — 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW)/ 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) EcoFuel CNG DSG (with a twincharger - unveiled at the Geneva motor show 03/2009 and production to start soon.)

1.6 — 102 PS (101 hp/75 kW)(not delivered after summer 2006)

1.6 FSI — 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW)

2.0 FSI — 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW)(not delivered
after summer 2006)

1.9 TDI — 90 PS (89 hp/66 kW) or 105 PS (104 hp/77 kW)(Diesel)

2.0 TDI — 136 PS (134 hp/100 kW)/ 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW)/ 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW)(Diesel)

2.0 TDI — 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW)(Common Rail Diesel)(for 2009-model)

2.0 EcoFuel — 109 PS (108 hp/80 kW)(CNG)

The diesel models of the Touran offer significantly higher readings for miles per gallon. Given the proper conditions, it is possible to achieve 60 mpg[clarification needed] in a diesel Touran.

The car is delivered with a five-(1.6 only) and six-speed manual transmissions, Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission (in 1.6, 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI (2003-2006 only)) or the DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission; the 1.4 TSI, the 1.6 FSI from 2003-2006, the 1.9 TDI from 2003-2006 and the 2.0 TDI use the six-speed version, and the 1.9 TDI since 2006 uses the seven-speed dry-clutch version.

As for the 2009-model, an updated version of the 2.0 TDI engine will be delivered, this using Common Rail technology. The engine was introduced in the Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi A4 for the 2008-models.

[Scorned]

If you read the article, as quoted from Bret Scott, product planning manager for Volkswagen of America Inc., who commented on the possibility of using one of Chrysler's diesel engines used in Europe for a U.S. market Routan.

Bret you are an idiot. As my post above has info showiung the touran has several dsl options, to include a 2.0 TDI coming soon. I have several pictures of a Touran in Alamogordo NM. Belongs to a German family assigned to the German AF at Holloman AFB, Alamogordo NM. Has the dsl and a six spd manual transmission.

Dont be fooled Americans. Any car that is being sold in Europe and has a version made for the Americas, it is already offered with a dsl engine, only for Europe though. An example, you all remeber the ford Fiesta? I had one, a 1979. Although this car went away from the US market it was and is still being sold in the European market. It has several dsl engine options available to for it. Now the Re-birth of the Fiesta is coming soon and guess what? No dsl for America.

[Scorned]

I just found out, that Routan and Touran are not even closley related other than carrying the VW badge. The routan is built upon the Chrysler RT platform with revised styling, content features, and suspension tuning from the fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. It is produced alongside the Chrysler minivans at Windsor Assembly and marketed in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. What a shame.