GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 71 MPG Polo Leads VW's New Diesel Assault With 5 World Premieres

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.

Star - 3/3/2009 9:00:13 AM

+3 Boost

Apparently VW just decided to make Toyota look ridiculous. Prius what? LOL

Star - 3/3/2009 9:14:57 AM

+2 Boost

I did drive the Prius properly and got less than 30 miles per gallon combined. Japanese overrated garbage...that's what Prius is.

downtoearth - 3/3/2009 9:43:06 AM

-6 Boost

Well, let's do a fair comparison with sources:

2009 VW Golf mk6 BlueMotion: It has
- low resistance tires [1]
- start-stop system [1]
- regenerative braking [1]
- it does 0-62 in 11.3 seconds [1]

and it returns 99 g/km CO2.

Exactly when, five years ago, the 2004 Toyota Prius II entered production. It returns 104 g/km CO2 [2], just 5 g more but it's faster, doing 0-62 in 10.9 seconds. It's also automatic not manual like this Golf and it has much longer wheelbase, rendering rear space much larger.

And the new Prius III is going to return 89 g/km CO2 [3].

Questions anybody?


The funniest thing is that those "smart" Europeans don't even listen what their scientists have to say to them. European Union virtually produces no crude, they are completely dependent on foreign oil. Much more than the USA which deliver a third of their consumption from domestic sources. Exactly five years ago Europeans were warned in a report "IMPACTS OF THE INCREASING AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL CONSUMPTION IN THE EU" [4] that they are sucking too much diesel. Their refineries are already out of balance and have already started to loose energy by converting too much gasoline into diesel. A hybridization of petrol engines would the natural option to go. But no, their carmakers keep greenwashing EURO customers' brains even more and more since they need their diesel investments returned and hate to admit Japanese were right with hybrids.

No wonder future of the EU is seen in such dark colors if their logic is so flawed. The report "Meaningless Europe" [5] warns of future decline of Europe importance (for the benefit of Asia) due to various strategical errors.


> 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.

Oh yeah, 0-62 in 11.3 seconds [1], that's just SCARY performance. It will set your trousers on fire. Nissan GT-R beware. Golf BlueMotion with a coughing 105 HP will kill you! Ekh ekh!

Still 99% of people are incapable of understanding that torque at the crank never matters. Never did and never will. Only at wheels it does. And diesel torque is reinforced much less than the one from a petrol engine due to much lower revolution range. It's so simple yet its too complicated for most people.


[1] http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/09/volkswagen-unve.html
[2] http://cars.uk.msn.com/greenmotoring/article.aspx?cp-documentid=2329009
[3] http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=14610141
[4] http://ie.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/scientific_publications/2004/EUR%2021378%20EN.pdf
[5] http://www.rybinski.eu/resources/non-modules.d/dispatcher/dispatch.php?id=2261

downtoearth - 3/3/2009 10:59:03 AM

-4 Boost

— TurboSpyder:

> You'll also remember, downtoearth, that the new Jetta TDI has already
> beaten the 2009 Prius in the Popular Science and Edmunds magazine
> comparos because the current TDI (without auto stop-start and
> regenerative braking) is a better car overall.

Maybe, maybe not. Tests are always somewhat subjective. What I know for sure and what is objective:
- Prius II was more spacious that Jetta TDI due to wheelbase of a class larger Passat
- it was much, much more energy efficient especially if consider well-to-wheel entire energy cycle
- it was much cleaner due to less harmful and carcinogenic emissions (see below). Calling Jetta TDI a clean (?) diesel is ridiculous
- Prius minimized emissions in cities where most people are exposed, Jetta TDI maximizes emissions there
- Prius was by a mile more reliable, making it to the top of the JDPower rating [1]. Jettas and Golfs mopped the floor at the very bottom of it.

Jetta was quicker, better made, more adjustable, maybe passively safer. However, defensive driving Prius driver practice made this car to the top of IIHS driver injury statistics in its class.


Emission (Grams/mile):

....VW Jetta TDI Clean(?) Diesel....Toyota Prius II

NMHC/NMOG........0.014..................0.009
CO.................0.5....................0.1
CO @ 20*F.........----....................1.5
NOx...............0.04...................0.01
Highway NOx.......0.03...................0.01
PM...............0.001...................----
HCHO......... ....----...................----
US06 HC+NOx.......0.13...................0.03
US06 CO...........0.02....................0.0
SC03 HC+NOx.......0.12...................0.04
SC03 CO...........0.02....................0.1
VEH. EVAP.........----..................0.013

Sources:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/pcldtmdv/2009/volkswagen_pc_a0070279_2d0_u2_diesel.pdf (ULEV II Jetta TDI)

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onroad/cert/pcldtmdv/2009/toyota_pc_a0140628_1d5_pz_hevge.pdf (AT-PZEV II Toyota Prius)

[1] http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-category/compact-car/sortcolumn-1/ascending/page-#page-anchor

S4cabriofoxone - 3/4/2009 12:14:48 AM

+3 Boost

In this instance, downtoearth, you're not buying either car for straight-line speed. The difference between 0-60 in 10.9 and 0-60 in 11.3 is minute at best. The real difference between the two cars lies in their steering racks. The Polo thrashes the Prius in this respect--it is simply more fun to drive.

It's manual-only because it's for Europe right now.

Heyhuub - 3/4/2009 3:51:04 AM

+3 Boost

A TDI has allot more usable torque than the Prius. The reason the Prius is relativly quick of the line is because all it's torque is available @ 0 rpm. But after that the 1.5 engine takes over with only 100something nm of torque.
While the 250nm from this TDI is always available in daily driving when you are around the 2000rpm most of the time. And it's around these rpm's the TDI delivers V6 like power.

vwrules - 3/3/2009 9:44:38 PM

+3 Boost

Ok I put 127000 miles on a 01 TDI Jetta and my buddy has 07 with 60000 and he used to worship Toyota and has told me their is noway he would go back.What we got here is somebody who just has not enjoyed one of the coolest fun small cars ever built.Prius good for people who just have no driving passion good car no soul.TDI will put a big OH smile on your face.

tango - 3/4/2009 7:23:12 PM

+1 Boost

But wait a minute. This really isn't saying much. To VAG's own credit, they already accomplished "3L" status with the Audi A2 1.2 TDI many years ago. I would be looking froward to seeing a 2L car from them by now!