Volkswagen's Jetta TDI Named 2009 Green Car of the Year(R)
LOS ANGELES, /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Green Car Journal Announces Winner at the Los Angeles Auto Show
Volkswagen's milestone 2009 Jetta TDI has been named Green Car
Journal's 2009 Green Car of the Year(R), besting competitors that included a
pair of advanced hybrids, a clean diesel sport sedan, and a trendy fuel-efficient
microcar. This is the first time that a clean diesel model has been awarded the
title Green Car of the Year(R). Green Car Journal has been unveiling the Green
Car of the Year(R) winner at the LA Auto Show every year since it initiated the
annual award in 2005.
"The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI epitomizes what the Green Car of the
Year(R) honor is all about," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car
Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. "It raises the bar significantly in
environmental performance with its EPA estimated 41 mpg highway fuel
economy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and extremely low tailpipe
emissions. This is all the more impressive when you consider the Jetta TDI is a
clean diesel, achieving the kind of fuel efficiency offered by gasoline-electric
hybrids but in a more affordable way."
Volkswagen's Jetta TDI features a 2.0-liter, turbocharged direct injection
engine featuring the latest in diesel injection and emissions technology that
allows it to meet strict emissions standards in all 50 states. Although its mission
is to provide buyers a comfortable and fuel efficient five-passenger family sedan
at an affordable $21,990, there's a bit of performance in the bargain because of
this clean diesel engine's abundant low-end torque and the Jetta's well-tuned
suspension. This Volkswagen's new-generation diesel powerplant is also
exceptionally quiet for a diesel, reflecting just how far advanced diesel
technology has come in recent years.
A jury of environmental and automotive experts selected the 2009 Jetta TDI
from the field of five finalists that also included the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion
Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and smart fortwo. This jury is comprised of
nine jurors including Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Frances
Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel
Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; automotive expert and Tonight
Show host Jay Leno; automotive icon Carroll Shelby; and four Green Car
Journal editors.
About Green Car of the Year(R)
The Green Car of the Year(R) award is an important part of Green Car
Journal's mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry.
Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles,
energy, and environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an
award-winning auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered
the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission,
advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles. Green Car of the Year(R) is
a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty
Publications Group, Inc. Additional information about the 2009 Green Car of the
Year(R) can be found at GreenCar.com.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Auto Show
CONTACT: Jessica Schmidt of The Rogers Group,
+1-310-552-4177,
LAautoshow@rogerspr.com,
or Antonia Stahl,
M.A. of Kommunikationsberatung,
+49-30-39-74-91-32,
media@LAautoshow.de,
or Douglas Foote of Fleishman-Hillard Japan,
+81-3-3524-4622,
douglas.foote@fleishman.com,
all for Los Angeles Auto Show
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