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Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert

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  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada

VW to Switch to Common-Rail Diesel Technology from PD-TDI

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In 1998, VW introduced PD-TDI, or Pumpe-Düse, which is German for pump-nozzle injection. This sort of fuel management,
Unit-injection was revolutionary at the time of its introduction andhelped to bridge the gap between the noisy, dirty engines of the pastand modern diesels of today. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian AutoPress) 
known as unit-injection, was revolutionary at the time of its introduction and helped to bridge the gap between the noisy, dirty engines of the past and modern diesels of today. As a result an entire generation has been eased back into the idea of diesel-powered cars. PD-TDI is standard fare on all Volkswagen turbodiesels, including those of the latest New Beetle and Jetta TDIs.

But for all of its landmarks and sales, VW will be moving away from its Pumpe-Düse engine technology which it established nearly eight years ago in order to meet increasing emissions standards from Europe, as well as within North America. If you haven't already heard, the U.S. Government's Tier II Emissions regulations have had manufacturers scrambling to figure out a way to improve their diesel particulate ratings before the 2007 deadline. Currently, no diesel-powered vehicle currently on sale in North America can meet these standards.
No diesel-powered vehicle currently on sale in North America can meet the 2007 standards. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian AutoPress) 
Given the fact that a good chunk of VW's sales are in the diesel market, it's no wonder they're switching.

Pumpe-Düse technology, developed in collaboration with Bosch-Siemens, centers around direct injection technology (the DI in the TDI). With four individual fuel injectors and fuel pump units, one for each cylinder, small amounts of super-high pressurized fuel are misted directly into the combustion chamber. This principle is similar to that used on the FSI direct injection technology found on VW's new state-of-the-art 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-litre VR6 engines, the former found in the new Jetta and Passat and latter only available in the larger sedan. VW also invested in super-quick heating glow plugs as part of its TDI package, delivering instantaneous startups, even on the most cold and frigid Canadian winters.