If high-horsepower exotics are what it takes to make you happy, this is not the Geneva reveal for you. While the show was rich with supercars and fanciful concepts, Volkswagen kept things sensible by introducing five down-to-earth, production-ready concepts under its new BlueMotion Technologies badge. Collecting all of VW's fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technologies under a single badge (a marketing trick similar to Ford's EcoBoost), it also shows how Volkswagen's working to increase its vehicles' cleanliness and efficiency across the board.
The fuel economy champ is the Polo BlueMotion Concept. Though not currently slated for production, the Polo BlueMotion Concept's 1.2 liter common rail diesel engine features a start-stop system, regenerative braking and a stunning fuel economy figure of 3.3 liters per 100km (86 mpg Imp). CO2 emissions come in at 87 g/km.
Next up is the Golf BlueMotion, which uses the same technologies as the Polo BlueMotion Concept. The larger Golf is a more versatile vehicle whose 1.6 liter TDI producing 77kW/105 PS and 250Nm torque make it useful for both city-dwellers and long-distance drivers. The Golf BlueMotion still returns 3.8 l/100km (74 mpg Imp) fuel economy and 99 g/km emissions. The same powertrain has been applied to the high-roofed Golf Plus, resulting in a .5 liter fuel economy savings over the previous version. The Golf Plus BlueMotion offers 4.3 l/100km (66 mpg Imp) fuel consumption, and its 55-liter fuel tank gives it a range of 1100km (684 mi) or more.
The closest Volkswagen's BlueMotion Technologies comes to sex appeal is the Passat CC BlueTDI, whose handsome styling and high-class interior appointments are wrapped around a 105 kW/143 PS BlueTDI powerplant. Using a downstream SCR catalytic convertor, this car already meets 2014 Euro-6 emission standards and returns 5.2 l/100km (54 mpg Imp) fuel economy.
A slightly different take is offered by the Touran TSI EcoFuel. This high-efficiency work van is powered by natural gas, rather than diesel fuel. Now with a "Twincharger" turbo- and supercharging system installed, it's got 110kW/150 PS under the hood. With its standard six-speed transmission, the Touran TSI EcoFuel keeps consumption down to 4.8 kilograms of natural gas per 100km. Opt for the seven-speed DSG and consumption drops slightly to 4.7kg.
To the Point: BlueMotionTechnologies - Geneva Motor Show 2009
Five World Premieres in the Name of Sustainability
- Polo BlueMotion Concept Car: World's most fuel efficient five-seater consumes just 3.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers
- Golf BlueMotion: At 3.8 liters the most fuel efficient in its class
- Golf Plus BlueMotion: At 4.3 liters the most fuel efficient high-roof compact
- Passat CC BlueTDI: World's cleanest diesel sedan with SCR catalytic converter
Touran TSI EcoFuel: Dynamic Twincharger driving for just 4.60* €/100 km
Wolfsburg / Geneva, 03 March 2009 - Volkswagen is expanding its range of extremely fuel efficient, clean and economical models with great vigor. Making world premieres at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 (March 5 to 15) are the Polo BlueMotion concept car, the new Golf BlueMotion, the next Golf Plus BlueMotion, the exclusive Passat CC BlueTDI Individual and the natural gas powered Touran TSI EcoFuel.
World premiere I: Polo BlueMotion Concept Car
* The new Number 1 when it comes to economy is the Polo BlueMotion Concept Car. The world's most fuel efficient five-seater is still a concept. Fuel consumption: 3.3 liter! CO2 emissions: just 87 g/km! Likelihood of going into production: extremely high! High tech on board: a new 1.2 liter common rail TDI producing 55 kW / 75 PS, automatic start-stop and a system for regenerative braking - recovery of braking energy. (For more on the new Polo BlueMotion Concept Car see separate press text.)
World premiere II: Golf BlueMotion
* In the vehicle class above, Volkswagen is showing the fuel efficient car of today in the form of the new Golf BlueMotion. Based on the sixth generation of the bestseller, this is a talented car that should appeal both to those who drive high business mileages as well as private users with an average fuel consumption of 3.8 liters (99 g/km CO2). Like the Polo, the Golf also has an automatic start-stop system and makes use of regenerative braking. Despite all of its economizing, the 77 kW / 105 PS strong Golf BlueMotion is anything but lacking in performance. Just the opposite is true thanks to its 250 Newton-meter of torque.
World premiere III: Golf Plus BlueMotion
* No less is true of the new Golf Plus BlueMotion, which uses the same new 1.6 TDI with common rail injection and identical systems such as regenerative braking and a start-stop system. Fuel consumption for the versatile high-roofed Golf is an average of 4.3 liters (114 g/km CO2) per 100 kilometers, depending on vehicle configuration. That is the best value in a competitive field, and it represents an additional 0.5 liter reduction in fuel consumption compared to the first Golf Plus BlueMotion. This Golf can easily handle 1,100 kilometers on one fill of its 55 liter fuel tank.
World premiere IV: Passat CC BlueTDI
* The new Passat CC BlueTDI takes you even further with a range of over 1,300 kilometers. Admittedly, the fuel tank is a bit larger and so is fuel consumption. Yet this car is a genuine sensation, since its engine - the 105 kW / 143 PS BlueTDI with downstream SCR catalytic converter that significantly reduces nitrogen oxides - is considerably more powerful and is simultaneously the cleanest diesel in the world! This 214 km/h fast cruising sedan needs just 5.2 liters (!) of diesel to cover 100 kilometers. CO2: 139 g/km. Even today, this Volkswagen already meets the emission limits of the Euro-6 standard planned for 2014. Upon request, the Passat CC BlueTDI can be ordered with an automatic 6-speed dual clutch transmission. This much is certain: In the everyday business world this car answers practically all of the questions posed by our times. Simply put: it is sustainable. By the way, the BlueTDI version of the touring sedan being shown in Geneva is based on the brand new Passat CC Individual. Identifying feature: the finest of materials and most exclusive equipment. This Volkswagen is ideal as an alternative for all those car drivers who want to drive a high performance touring sedan while simultaneously making a statement about sustainability. Because the Passat CC BlueTDI Individual unites both of these: high exclusivity and extremely low emissions.
World premiere V: Touran TSI EcoFuel
* That is what the Touran TSI EcoFuel does well too - possibly better than any other van in the world. That is because the "normal" Touran EcoFuel (80 kW / 109 PS) is one of the most successful natural gas cars in Europe. Now, however, Volkswagen is presenting the world premiere of an entirely new natural gas version of the van: the Touran TSI EcoFuel. Its key technical trademark: dual charging via turbocharger and supercharger ("Twincharger"). Its dynamic performance is unlike that of any other natural gas vehicle previously seen. Excellent performance contrasts with a high level of efficiency here: the new Touran TSI EcoFuel is so economical that 100 kilometers in this van, with its 110 kW / 150 PS of power, only costs about 4.60 Euros (based on average price of natural gas in Germany, February 2009). Although the Touran TSI EcoFuel goes to work with a passion thanks to its "Twincharger", the van consumes just 4.8 kilograms of natural gas per 100 kilometers when paired with a standard 6-speed transmission (129 g/km CO2; 7-speed-DSG: 4.7 kilograms and 126 g/km CO2).
BlueMotionTechnologies - New umbrella brand for a world of efficiency
* Each of these five new Volkswagens represents an individual solution tailored to meet the challenges of our times. Volkswagen is presenting all of these vehicles together under a new umbrella brand: BlueMotionTechnologies. This label covers all production-mature or near-production technologies and products that significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These are developments such as the start-stop system, energy recovery by regenerative braking and the highly innovative SCR catalytic converter. They also include the NOx storage catalytic converter already successfully introduced in the USA, electric and hybrid drive systems and innovative drive systems like the one on the new TSI EcoFuel.
BabyMilo
March 4, 2009 10:26 PM
Argentine signs conditional USF1 race deal
Williams sells team share to Toto Wolff
De la Rosa, Villeneuve, Summerton linked to USF1
WRC options emerge for Raikkonen
Sauber waits while FIA considers Toyota penalty
Still no deal for 2010 British GP - Ecclestone
Neel Jani to test Force India at Jerez
Persistent Schu/Merc rumours played down again
Mercedes GP in no hurry to replace Button
Button switched for less money and 'new challenge'
