Originally Posted by
jimlamb
Yes, you just can't buy it yet and probably won't be able to for at least another two years (longer for the U.S.).
According to their web site, VW doesn't offer a diesel Rabbit. The gas-powered version is a little more than half as fuel efficient as a Prius while outputting nearly twice the greenhouse gases (source: epa.gov). I keep hearing claims that diesel VW's are incredibly fuel efficient, but I've yet to see any actual data to back it up. Even the latest TDI Jetta, which some speculated would get 60+ MPG, came in at 30 MPG city, 41 MPG highway. A far cry from the Prius' 45/48.
We have them in Europe, and they go under the Golf brand. There are also two models smaller than the Golf, the Polo and the Lupo. They get excellent fuel economy with fantastic pickup; they aren't like the diesels of the 1970s.
FWIW, I averaged 4.2l/100km (about 55mpg) highway driving with four adults and their baggage in my 1996 Golf, driving from Riga to Nida, in Lithuania. I averaged about 110kph (68mph).