VW diesel news items

[Boston Fit]

Offhand, I can't think of a new U.S.-market vehicle that is available as an AWD diesel wagon, let alone one that is equipped with manual transmission. Yet, VW is reportedly bringing such a concept to the States:

Motor Trend article
Jalopnik article


On a related note, here are some interesting stats about 2013 VW Sportwagen sales:

Automatic transmission total: 18,422 (81.8%)
Auto/Diesel: 13,676 (60.7%)
Auto/Gas: 4,746 (21.1%)

Manual transmission total: 4,112 (18.2%)
Manual/Diesel: 3,720 (16.5%)
Manual/Gas: 392 (1.7%)

Diesel total: 17,396 (77.2%)
Gas total: 5,138 (22.8%)

Link to stats (see bottom of page)


What strikes me about these figures is: (a) diesel far outsells gas within this model, and (b) overall manual take rate is 18%, with 90% of those manuals being diesel.

So, if diesels are poised to gain popularity in the U.S. as some have surmised, perhaps that bodes well for manuals?

[monkeyhunk]

Let's hope so. It'd be quite sad to see manuals go the way of the dodo.

[potownrob]

the new audi a3 tdi might have awd when it comes here next year, and it might be offered as a hatch/wagon, but it probably won't have the manny tranny stateside.

http://www.edmunds.com/audi/a3/2015/

[Boston Fit]

Great; kudos to VW/Audi for promoting diesel in the States.

[Stelcom66]

Then the VW AWD diesel wagon may take the place of the Subaru Outback if I (won the lottery) was in the market for a new car. Just found out yesterday the Outback will no longer offer a manual shift, only a CVT.

That VW diesel is a nice looking wagon.