Golf BlueMotion: Ultra-low Emission Diesel Transport Motoring Channel Staff - 14/August/2007 | 
Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion
Sipping just 4.5L/100km, the Golf BlueMotion is comparable to a Honda Civic Hybrid in fuel terms
Volkswagen's Frugal FutureOverall diesel sales in Australia make up just 4% of the
passenger car market. That's a very small percentage, but it is increasing. Interestingly, almost half of all Volkswagens
sold in Australia are diesels. For instance, 62%
of Passat sales are diesel, while Jetta is 55%, and just under half of all Golfs sold here are diesels (44.5%). Coupled with it's new TSI-enhanced Golf GT,
which has just been confirmed as a full-time model, Volkswagen has
plenty of low emissions vehicles which begs the question - will we
get BlueMotion in Oz? "Not at this stage - but we are investigating the opportunity," said VW Australia's media liaison. He added: "We're very very interested in it. Anything we can bring in, in terms of new diesel technology would be great." Based
on the fact the diesel Golf is very popular in Australia, and that in
Europe the Golf BlueMotion is only a few hundred Euros more than the
TDI model, the ultra-low emission Golf could be a good fit.
Watch this space. - Feann Torr, Editor |
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Wolfsburg, Germany —
Though it may not have hybrid technology like Toyota, or
hydrogen-fuelled cars like BMW, Volkswagen does have a plan in place to
sell super-efficient diesel engines. Twice as economical as most Australian-built large cars, the new 'BlueMotion'
diesel engines will be launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, able
to sip a miserly 4.5 litres of diesel fuel per 100km travelled when
coupled to the Golf small car. That's almost as frugal as some
hybrid cars. One of the most important cars to be fitted
with BlueMotion diesel engines is the Volkswagen Golf, it's
highest selling model. On just one tank of diesel, 55 litres in total,
the car will able to travel more 1200km claims Volkswagen. The
Golf BlueMotion has been scheduled for sale towards the end of
this year in Germany, and Volkswagen Australia is currently evaluating
its local deployment. According to a VW statement, the company
will be "firing off the next salvo of its BlueMotion initiative at the
International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt" and this includes half a
dozen models equipped with the advanced
diesel technology. The Golf BlueMotion will be one of
the most frugal small cars on the market. Fuel consumption has
dropped 0.6 liters compared to the original TDI model, and CO2
emissions have also recorded a drop from 135g/km to 119g/km. Volkswagen
has revealed that the Golf BlueMotion is driven by a diesel
engine with 77kW (105hp) and a useful 250Nm of torque. As
well as engine modifications that improve fuel economy and emissions
output, a number of less sophisticated changes contribute to the Golf
BlueMotions fuel efficiency:  Software intervention in engine management reduces the idling speed.
Longer gear ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears also reduces engine speeds when driving.
Volkswagen says these two changes alone yield a fuel consumption reduction by about 0.2 litre. There's also a Multifunctional
Display Plus feature, which includes a "gear recommendation arrow" that
suggests the most economical time to change gears. Flow-optimised
underbody moulding, a "nearly enclosed" radiator grille, and a lower
chassis also contribute slightly to the Golf BlueMotion's fuel
efficiency ratings. These improve aerodynamics, lowering the drag
co-efficient from 0.32 to 0.30. The large German
automaker is serious about improving the fuel efficiency of it's cars,
and the BlueMotion models even use optimised tyres to reduce fuel
burn. "In the hunt for every gram of CO2 Volkswagen is also
relying on light-running tires, size 195/65 R15, optimized for low
rolling resistance; they are driven at higher air pressure, increased
by 0.3 bar," reads the VW statement. As well as reducing rolling
resistance and hence fuel consumption, the new tyres have also
increased the car's top speed: "When all of the modifications come
together in the end product, the top speed of the Golf rises from
187km/h to an electronically limited 190km/h."Not bad for a tree-hugging diesel car. Volkswagen
will launch Golf BlueMotion in Europe in two specifications - the
Trendline and Comfortline, with prices starting at €20,615
(A$33,000). Volkswagen hasn't yet confirmed the Golf BlueMotion for
Australia. More:
Mercedes-Benz will also launch new ultra-low emission diesel passenger
cars at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, including the E 300 BLUETEC.
According to Mercedes-Benz, BLUETC "has achieved a massive reduction in
emissions and compliance with the EU 5 standard whilst retaining the
same favourable consumption figures. Thanks to the intelligent BLUETEC
technology, this compression-ignition engine is one of the
world’s cleanest and most efficient drive trains." Related articles:
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Volkswagen
Tiguan Compact AWD
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Volkswagen
Passat R36
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Volkswagen Golf R32 (Road Test)
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Volkswagen Golf GTI (Road Test)
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Polo TDI (Road Test)
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Volkswagen
Passat V6 (Road Test)
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Volkswagen Golf R GTI
(Concept)
- Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 (Concept) |
