Volkswagen’s “Pumpe Duse” technology was developed in conjunction with Bosch. It’s now available in both the Passat and the Touareg. In the former, the optional motor is a 2.0 liter four cylinder. In the latter, it’s a beefy V10. Both of these engines use direct injection to deliver their fuel. High pressure injectors are located on each cylinder. The theory is simple: high pressure makes for a finer spray, which in turn leads to more efficient fuel combustion. Better combustion yields more power, better fuel economy and less noise.

The Passat’s 2.0 TDI motor is turbocharged, intercooled, and drive by wire, from the foot pedal to fuel delivery. Horsepower is rated at 134 (@ 4,000rpm) while torque is listed at 247 lb. ft. (@ 1,900 rpm). Diesel engines characteristically favor torque, and as many people know, torque is a better measure of ‘round town drivability than is horsepower. Good torque output, positioned low in an engine’s rpm range is experienced by the driver as quickness off the line. Linked to a five speed automatic transmission, the 2.0 TDI can move the Passat from 0-60 in 10.4 seconds. This won’t win you any drag races, but the TDI is quick enough where it needs to be. It gets the job done in real world tasks like ramp merges and passing, and especially passing gas stations. EPA rates fuel economy at 27 mpg’s city and 38 highway. With its standard 16.4 gallon fuel tank, Passat TDI has an effective range of 623 miles. That’s roughly enough mpg’s to get you from Detroit to Washington, DC to New York City - on one tank of fuel.