[Vwdiesel] Good Diesel News!

[William J Toensing]

In the 1/15/10 automotive supplement of our local newspaper, The Union, Grass Valley, CA was an article by Malcolm Gunn, Wheelbase Communications entitled "9 for the Times" which covers 9 forthcoming into the USA market small cars for 2011 & 2012. The following should be of interest to diesel lovers. Wheelbase Communications provides auto news to newspapers across N. America so you may have seen it in your paper.

"2011 Hyundai i20: A possible replacement for the aging Accent, this small Hyundai "world" car is a state of the art door hatch/wagon that comes with a 100 HP 1.4 liter 4 cylinder or an optional 90 HP diesel. Expect a base tariff of around $12,000". With Hyundai's 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, this will probably be my next & probably the last new car in my life as I am now 76 years old.

"2012 Volkswagen Polo: One whole size below the Golf is VW's new for 2010 4 door hatchback that sells like hotcakes overseas. A 1.6 liter gas engine will be the likely powerplant, with a similarly sized turbo-diesel optional.Prices are likely to start in the $16,000 range". I bet both diesels will sell like hotcakes. 

I would probably lean towards the Hyundai due to the lower price & better warranty, provided it has cruise control as an option. However it would have to have decent driving dynamics. I suspect the Polo would probably handle better. Maybe the 2012 Ford Fiesta will have a diesel option. The article states the 2011 Fiesta will just have a 119 HP 1.6 liter gas engine.
Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA.