Ever since diesel engines were introduced they had a bad reputation about being harmful to the environment. The tides are finally changing and diesels are now competing against hybrids in today’s market. Through the years, car manufacturers have attempted to add diesel-powered cars to their line up but it never really appealed to the public here in the states and sales fell short. In 2009, Volkswagen decided to reintroduce their TDI (Turbo Diesel Injected) engine into their line up of Jettas to appeal to consumers who wanted a fuel efficient car without sacrificing performance or looks – it was an alternative to the alternative. Let’s be honest here, hybrids look like a sore thumb on the road, and I’m sure I have Jeremy, Richard, and James (from TopGear) behind my back on this one.

First, let’s get some common misconceptions cleared up.

• Diesel engines are easier to maintain compared to gasoline engines.
• Diesel engines are much more efficient in terms of MPG because they burn less diesel gas compared to regular gasoline.
• Diesel engines are very reliable because they don’t have a high-tension electrical ignition system to maintain unlike regular gasoline powered cars.

Diesels are no mystery to the racing world. In 1998 BMW entered their 320d into the 24 hour Nurburgring race and won the race, beating out the gasoline powered cars. This was the diesel’s first racing accomplishment and proved itself worthy to the racing scene. Soon diesels became popular among the long endurance races such as Sebring and Le Mans. Audi’s R10 TDI dominated the world of Le Mans until this past year when Peugeot defeated them, yet also with a diesel powered engine.

My father owns a 2009 Jetta TDI and I must say that I’d never experienced a diesel car before. The driving experience has been pretty impressive and I’ve even considered trading in my Rabbit for a TDI. The common stereotype for diesel’s is that they’re huge, loud, and slow. I bought into the misconceptions and felt completey misled since the TDI proved to me that it could get amazing gas mileage and still look and perform great. The Jetta TDI is also equipped with VW’s famous DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission to help it get the best mileage. Don’t be fooled by the Jetta’s subtle looks. This diesel powered 2.0L engine creates 140 hp and 236 lbs of torque…yeah, it can haul ass when you step on it!

Myth Busters, from the Discovery channel, decided to test the new Jetta TDI and debunk all the common stereotypes for diesel engines in a series they call, “Diesel Diaries.” Here’s a clip of how the engine works and some of the features it offers. You can learn more about Volkswagen’s new direction in diesel engines on their site at tdi.vw.com.