With ‘green’ issues high on the agenda for car manufacturers and the buying public - both with increasing road tax charges based on CO2 emission levels and the increasing price of fuel - Volkswagen UK made a tour of the UK for the motoring media to sample the growing range of their BlueMotion models. BlueMotion which is essentially a brand name denotes the most fuel and CO2 efficient model in each of Volkswagen’s car ranges. In each vehicle a combination of revised aerodynamics, optimised gear ratios, a new turbocharger and hard compound tyres is applied. The effect is a reduction in loading on the engine resulting in a rise in efficiency and lower emissions.Various aerodynamic changes have also been made to the BlueMotion car range, which include changes to the front spoiler below the front bumper, smaller intakes for the engine cooling system, a modified rear spoiler and different exterior mirror design. Lowered suspension is also employed on some versions. Further alterations include the use of low rolling resistance tyres. Although the BlueMotion models have undergone substantial modifications to increase efficiency, they still retain all the features of the standard cars on which they are based so not only are they conventional to service and repair, customers also do not have to compromise on safety, practicality or comfort.
All BlueMotion models have diesel engines, already renowned for their efficiency, which use Volkswagen’s ‘Pumpe Düse’ or unit injector technology. The Polo BlueMotion has a three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI unit producing 80 PS, while all other models use as their base the 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS engine. Elsewhere on the drivetrain, the cars’ standard five-speed manual gearboxes are modified to lengthen the gearing in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears; this decreases engine speed and also improves economy. In the Golf this means a combined economy figure of 62.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km, while the Golf BlueMotion’s 55-litre fuel tank allows for a theoretical range in excess of 750 miles.
These increases in efficiency don’t come at the expense of comfort or safety. All Golf BlueMotion models are fitted with climatic air conditioning as standard as well as a multifunction display advising on the optimum moment to change gear. The comprehensive roster of standard safety equipment includes ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), a total of six airbags, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and ASR traction control. The Match model adds alloy wheels, sports suspension, cruise control and leather trim for the steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake grip. Its worth pointing out that from October 27th onwards the Polo BlueMotion and the new Golf BlueMotion, placed in Vehicle Excise Duty bands A and B respectively, will both be exempt from the London Congestion Charge. Volkswagen takes the environmental impact of its vehicles from production to end-of-life very seriously and is developing a number of processes to minimise any harmful effects on the environment. BlueMotion models use existing technology that has been refined to increase efficiency and reduce impact.
In future, Volkswagen plans to offer a wide range of more environmentally friendly technologies and mobility solutions. At the recent Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled the Golf TDI Hybrid concept which uses for the first time a diesel engine in combination with an electric motor and the very latest seven-speed DSG gearbox. The car is capable of achieving 83 mpg on the combined cycle and emits just 89 g/km of CO2; around town the vehicle reverts to purely electric mode to be emission-free.
