Low-temperature luminescence and absorption spectra were recorded of VClz doped into MgCl, and CdCl, as well as of the pure compound. There is evidence for excitation energy transfer in Velz down to 5 K. In the diluted materials the luminescence remains unquenched up to 200 K (Cd,,V,Cl2) and 250 K (MgI-,V,CI2). The broad-band 4T2, - 4Azs luminescence transition is highly structured in the diluted samples. There is multiple evidence for a Jahn-Teller effect in the 4Tz, state with an estimated Jahn-Teller energy of the order of 200 cm-I. Polarized absorption and Zeeman meausurements were used to assign the 4Az, -,E,, *TI, transitions.