With 2008 marking the return of the Volkswagen's legendarily thrifty diesel engines to American shores, the company chose to showcase the upcoming Jetta SportWagen at the 2007 American Station Wagon Owners Association’s (ASWOA) national convention. Held July 27-29 in Archbold, Ohio, the ASWOA even provided VW with the venue to trot the new VW SportWagen out in style.

The Jetta SportWagen should be a boon for VW and will ultimately be available with three different power trains, starting initially with a 170 HP, 2.5-liter, five cylinder engine. The 2.0T, with a (turbo charged?) 200 HP four cylinder engine will follow, while the diesel-powered 2008 Jetta TDI SportWagen is expected by early spring.

Escorted and dwarfed by a pair of classic Ford Country Squire station wagons, the 2008 Jetta SportWagen puts its best and shiniest face forward. Volkswagen has stated that the "Jetta TDI will meet emissions standards applicable in all 50 states, including the most stringent 'TIER 2/BIN 5' or 'LEV II/LEV' requirement limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to 0.05 g/mile."

The Jetta SportWagen's smooth lines are a dramatic contrast to earlier VW station wagons (from left to right: 1973 Type III Squareback, 1980 Dasher, 1988 Fox, and the 2008 SportWagen). The SportWagen's generous standard feature list include: A/C, anti-theft alarm, cruise control, CD player, traction control, anti-lock disc brakes, and eight-way adjustable front seats with height, angle and lumbar support adjustments.

The 2008 Jetta SportWagen with a true icon of the American road: a 1957 Chevrolet 210 Station Wagon. While the SportWagen might not feature all the headroom of that classic '57, it does offer 32.8 cubic feet of cargo room with the back seat up, and a substantial 66.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. An optional fold-flat front passenger seat can provided additional cargo space for those with the need.