Volkswagen is world renowned for its design, safety features and innovative technology. And as proof of this, the largest German automaker has unveiled its cleanest diesel ever at the recent North American International Auto Show. The Jetta TDI which will be made available in the US market by spring of 2008 meets the emission standards set in all 50 states including the strictest "TIER 2/BIN 5" or "LEV II/LEV" requirement that limits nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to 0.50g/mile.

And take note, the diesel Jetta meets the lowest emissions standards without the use of urea injection. Instead it makes use of a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst that reduces NOx emissions by up to 90%. This vehicle is also equipped with an engine management system that alters operating modes to treat the NOx that has been stored in the Volkswagen catalytic converter . A particulate filter is added in the exhaust system to further reduce emissions.

The Jetta TDI is just one of the products of the BLUETEC offensive that is jointly initiated by Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. The main objective of this partnership is to establish the BLUETEC concept as a uniform label for clean and highly fuel effcicient diesel powered cars and SUVs with 50 compliant engines. BLUETEC symbolized diesel power plants that comply with the strictest emissions regulations of the US market. The technologies indiviaully developed by each manufacturer are designed to reduce specifically NOx which is an exhaust element that is more common in vehicles that make use of diesel engines.

Volkswagen will unveil its clean diesel concept compact SUV, the Tiguan at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. It will be made available in the US in the middle of 2008. The German automaker has a 30-year history when it comes to providing the US market with efficient and durable diesel vehicles---which accounts for almost 20% of Volkswagen's sale in the US.

Blast from the Past

In other Volkswagen news, the automaker's subsidiary in America has announced recently a national search for two significant vehicles from its diesel-powered past as part of its 30th anniversary celebration. The Volkswagen of America, Inc. has been selling diesel-powered passenger cars in the US for over thirty years now.

The announcement was made at the 2007 Washington Auto Show. Volkswagen of America said that there are two categories---the oldest running Volkswagen diesel vehicle and the Volkswagen diesel with the highest accumulated mileage.

According to Keith Price, public relations manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc., "Volkswagen has a long history of selling diesel-powered vehicles in the United States. These durable vehicles are capable of providing years and years of reliable service. We anticipate an enormous response from our owners."

The search for the oldest Volkswagen diesel vehicle in the US is open to all registered, running vehicles. The requirements for the category "Volkswagen diesel with highest accumulated mileage": The mileage must be documented and verifiable with an accurate odometer reading, and supporting historical service records and/or logbook. And the most important Volkswagen vehicles that are to join in the said search must be equipped with the original engines.

Contest begins on March 1. Interested owners may submit their information online at Volkswagen web site (www.vw.com). Applicants may fill up a form with contact and vehicle data plus upload the digital pictures of their diesel Volkswagen. Out from the participating owners a pool of finalists will be chosen. They will be requested to visit their authorized local Volkswagen dealer to have their vehicles and documentation validated.

Interested owners have a total of four months to file their applications. The two lucky owners will be given the chance to use a 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI for six months. The said contest is the automaker's way of thanking the buying public for continuously patronizing diesel-powered Volkswagen vehicles for over thirty years. The company has sold over 813, 476 diesel powered Volkswagens in the US alone.

About Volkswagen of America

Volkswagen of America Inc. was founded in 1955 and made it's headquarter in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is also one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Some of its famous products include Rabbit, New Beetle Convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Toureg which are offered through 600 independent US dealers.