I suspect volkswagon may be playing the old mercedes game as well. Six speed transmissions in europe and five speed for over here. With 143 hp on tap you would not even have to drop back a gear while increasing speed going uphill with a six speed. That torque at 2000 rpm more or less guarantees it.
In fact they might be capable of handeling a third overdive gear. If so they will get that transmission in europe and we probably still will get only a six speed. A six speed is still better than what has generally been available here. I cannot even visulise what a 170 horsepower diesel would do with a fairly light car like a jetta. Imagine looking at a volkswagon as something semi exotic.
Do I need a volkswagon with a hundred and seventy horsepower diesel? The answer is obviously no. Do I want a volkswagon with a hundred and seventy f horsepower diesel? The answer to that is obvious as well. If I can get it by the wife that is.
She likes puttering around on the lawn tractors for example. One year I was not cutting the grass to her satisfaction at home and the cottage. So she confiscated them. For some reason I never objected. She confiscated the last new jetta tdi from me too. As I sit here I cannot figure a way to have that car if I buy it. Why does she want all the toys in the sandbox? Maybe there is a colour she would not be caught dead in. Gotta think this over.
I also now have to wonder what overall technology is being used. If the displacement could be reduced to just give you 100 horsepower. You would then see closer to 100 mpg on the imperial gallon. Today I noticed used 2005 tdi diesel cars where selling for more than when new on the dealers lot. I have never seen this before other than with extremely low production cars.