We’ll see if the North American market is ready to handle the idea of a sporty diesel in January, when the first VW Jetta TDI Cup Street Editions hit the showroom floors. However, we aren’t getting the GTD because there’s no way in hell this market could accept a diesel sports hatchback. The TDI Cup is essentially a GLI with a torquetastic diesel engine. It has the same brakes, the same suspension, and the same plaid seats, but is also has a diesel engine that puts out 140 horses. At first glance, people will see 140 horsepower and be disappointed, but know that this engine also produces an impressive 236 ft-lbs of torque. If you ask me, a fuel efficient car with great handling, a heap of torque, plenty of practicality, and no maintenance costs for three years sounds brilliant, but we’ll just have to wait and see if anybody is still paying attention after “diesel.”

[Volkswagen]