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Ashland Ski Area shut down again by lack of snow Police Reports Chief Holderness retiring, wants to help find successor Ringing in the new year Howling good time at a wolf moon conclave Education Ashland schools to implement chickenpox precautions In the new year, be sure you have your 'ICE' file ready Walker students show creative chops at Invention Convention Teacher's Tips: Second — and third — chances are there for students For a friend: AHS seniors team up to help former fellow student Environment New TAP pumps bolster Ashland's options Most residents speak against gas pipeline proposed for Southern Oregon Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Business Ashland Safeway becomes Haggen's in March Ride & Drive: 2015 Honda Crosstour Dear Monty: Best start for 1st-time homebuyers Ride & Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Silvio Calabi: Infiniti Q50 offers business-class driving Politics and elections Chief Holderness retiring, wants to help find successor State certifies recount showing failure of GMO-labeling measure State News Police officer shoots armed driver near Reedsport Nation - World Obama makes Maduro’s ‘insolent Yankees’ line harder to sell Obituaries Death Notices Death Notices Local radio pioneer Howard LaMere, 64, dies at Ashland home Death Notices Death Notices Shareable Looking back: Do you remember 2014’s biggest stories? 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Ashland Ski Area shut down again by lack of snow ... Ashland Calendar ... Ringing in the new year ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area shut down again by lack of snow ... Ashland Calendar ... Ringing in the new year ... Ride & Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Comment By Neal White More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 @ 9:47 am Updated Dec 29, 2014 at 9:48 AM By Neal White More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 @ 9:47 am Updated Dec 29, 2014 at 9:48 AM » Social News Refined for the 2015 model year, Volkswagen has added a number of new features to the Jetta, one of the best-selling compact sedans in America. In addition to the styling changes and available driver assistance systems, this week I also had the opportunity to test drive the new 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that delivers an EPA fuel economy rating of 31 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. This is a remarkable engine producing 150 horsepower and 236 lbs.-ft. torque. It is quiet. It is extremely responsive. Best of all, it goes a long way before you have to stop to fill up. Granted, the new 2.0-liter turbo diesel I-4 engine is one of three available powertrains on the 2015 Jetta — four, if you count the Jetta Hybrid. With a base price starting below $18,000, consumers have their choice of the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I-4 engine. Requiring regular unleaded gasoline, it has an output of 115 horsepower and 125 lbs.-ft. torque. Mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, it has an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city, 34 mpg city. There is also the 1.8-liter turbocharged I-4 engine producing 170 horsepower and 184 lbs.-ft. torque. Mated to either a five-speed manual or a DSG dual clutch automatic transmission, it has a fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway. One of the nice things about the five-passenger, front-wheel drive Jetta is there is an abundance of choices. In addition to the 2.0L, 1.8T, TDI and Hybrid engine choices, buyers have the option of S, SE, SEL, Sport and GLI trim levels, as well as Technology, Connectivity and Navigation packages. Although classified as a compact sedan model, consumers will be impressed with the amount of interior room inside the Jetta. The front seats have an abundance of head, shoulder and legroom, with more than ample room to fit three adults in the rear seat. It also provides 15.7 cubic feet of trunk room. While my review this week focused on the TDI, I was extremely impressed with its performance. In addition to exceptional fuel economy, it is very responsive — and quiet. Unless you opened the hood, most folks would never know you were driving a diesel engine. Volkswagen has also added a number of available driver assistance systems to the Jetta, including blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, forward collision warning system and park distance control. Bi-Xenon headlights and adaptive front-lighting system are also available on select trim levels. For those in the market for a compact-to-midsize sedan, the 2015 Jetta is an absolute must for the test drive list. Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association. THE NUTS AND BOLTS: MODEL: 2015 VW Jetta 5-seat compact sedan Front-wheel drive Trim packages: 2.0L S, 1.8T SE, 1.8T Sport, TDI S, TDI SE, TDI SEL, 2.0L GLI SE, Hybrid SEL PRICE RANGE: $18,000-$33,000 ENGINE: 2.0L I4 (115 hp/125 T) 1.8L turbo I4 (170 hp/184 torque) 2.0L turbo diesel I4 (150 hp/236 torque) TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual DSG dual clutch auto EPA: 25/25/31 mpg city, 37/37/46 mpg highway (2.0L/1.8T/TDI - MT) FUEL: Regular unleaded/Diesel for TDI) STABILITY CONTROL: Electronic stability control BRAKES: ABS LENGTH: 183.3inches WHEELBASE: 104.4 in. WIDTH: 70 inches HEIGHT: 57.2 inches WEIGHT: 2,859-4,431 lbs. TRACK: 60.4/60.3 (front/rear) FUEL TANK: 14.5 gallons TIRES: 15-, 16-, or 17-inch CARGO: 15.7 cubic feet. By Neal White More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Dec. 29, 2014 @ 9:47 am Updated Dec 29, 2014 at 9:48 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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