Your previous argument was that the diesels were killed due to development costs. I was showing that that wasn't the case. Be that as it may.
i didn't say it was killed because of development costs, i said that it may have had something to do with the decision NOT to proceed with it...i was more or less thinking out loud and trying to figure out why they may have ditched it.
I don't think an engine like the 2.2L Duratorq, 145hp/275ft-lb diesel is going to be a draw to typical pickup buyers, even in the marginally smaller T6 Ranger, which is still on the heavy side of 2 tonnes for the 4x4. The 1,478kg Jetta has 140hp/236ft-lb and pulls 0-60 in just under 9 seconds. The T6 Ranger would be a dog with the Duratorq.
there are plenty of Rangers out there with the 2.3L four cylinder engine and they seem fine...a small diesel would be even better (likely better than the 4.0L V6 dog they still have in there too).
The base price of the Jetta is $15,875. To get the diesel, you have to move up to the Comfortline, $ 23,875. The $8000 difference in price isn't generated just by the extra goodies. Even if you keep it in the Comfortline range the 2.0 starts at $19,075 or $4800 less than the TDi.
that is intellectually dishonest to compare the 2.slow base price with the well equipped mid trim diesel model...and if that is how you wish to "prove your point", you are being rather ridiculous.
i am sure there are other differences between the vehicles, as when i almost purchased a 2010 TDI Comfortline just over a year ago, the price premium was "only" about $2500...unfortunately, the VW website isn't working to go through it quickly to get every difference...and i don't feel like navigating through the pdf brochure, as it will take far too long to do.
when quickly looking at the VW USA site, the mid trim model with the 2.5L engine is $19,845 vs $22,525 for the TDi, a difference of $2,680...the price differences between US VWs and Canadian VWs isn't much (last i checked, about $2k, which is a far cry from Toyota, who prices Canadian models $5-$9k higher than down south)...as i said, i did all of this homework as i almost bought one, but decided to hold out for the new model, which i didn't like.