Saturday, September 5, 2009

VW's New BlueMotion range will be released in the Frankfurt Car Show

This week, Volkswagen has released pictures of its new BlueMotion range, which will be released in the Frankfurt Car Show. The Passat has been updated from the previous BlueMotion range, while the Polo and the Golf are brand new models.

The Passat has recieved tweaks in its engine. It has the same 1.6 liter diesel engine which equips the Golf, which allows it to do 22.7km/l, which is 2.3km/l better than the previous BlueMotion Passat. Its performance figures aren't the same as in a sports car, but it reaches 100km/h in 12.5 seconds and 193km/h of top speed.

The Golf has the same eengine as the Passat. It is a new engine, different from the last generation's BlueMotion model. While the last generation had a 1.9 liter engine, the new 1.6 liter diesel engine is more efficient and slightly quicker. It delivers 105hp, just as in the passat, but due to its lower weight, it is able to do 26.3km/l. Performance figures aren't its best, since it takes 11.3 seconds to reach 100km/h, and its top speed is 190km/h.

The Polo BlueMotion is the one who had the biggest improvement from its previous model. The new BlueMotion range has a 1.2 liter engine, which delivers 75hp. The previous model had a 1.4 liter diesel engine, which delivered the same amount of power. Its performance haven't been announced yet, but its fuel consumption, at 30.3km/l, is really low. Compared to the last model, the emissions are 20% lower and fuel consumption has been improved by 6.5km/l, a considerable improvement.


All the BlueMotion models feature a Start/Stop system, regenerative breaking, improved aerodynamics, and lightweight wheels with low-resistance tyres. The new models are likely to go on sale before the end of the year. The emissions are 87 g/km for the Polo, 99 g/km for the Golf and 114 g/km for the Passat.

André's Opinion

The BlueMotion range is something that makes me wonder what the future will look like. I wonder if the car makers will make more efficient fossil-fuel powered cars, or if they will invest in new technologies, such as fuel cells or electric cars. It is a shame that in Brazil, diesel passenger cars cannot be sold. If they could, I think a considerable amount of people, the ones who care about the environment, will consider buying one of these models. We will just have to wait for the prices to come out to see if they are a good option or not. If I lived in Europe, I would consier buying one. But, to me, a hybrid car sounds more tempting, and has a lowe carbon footprint.

3 comments:

J.C. said...

It is intresting to note that the old BlueMotion Polo is available in Brazil and costs around 5 thousand reais more than a standard 1.6 liter Polo. The current BlueMotion Polo in Brazil also has a 1.6 liter engine. The BlueMotion Polo, Golf and Fox where introduced in Brazil in last years Brazilian Car show in São Paulo. I had the opportunity to see these cars up front and they seem very clever. According to a Volkswagen employee at the show, the biggest changes where in the fuel injection system, the wheels/suspension and in the gear ratios. The BlueMotion Polo is available in the VW website, but no other model has the BlueMotion line available.

Alisha Stafford Feitosa said...

I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject, but I've always wanted a Golf. I'll be sure to consult you professionals if I'm ever in the market for a new car. =)

André Allemann said...

That is true indeed, J.C.
But it still is a shame we can't have regular diesel cars here.
only pick-ups and more expensive car.
If the Bluemotion Polo here had a diesel engine, it would be much more attractive.
But since it costs 5 thousand reais more, and it has the same engine as the regular polo, it doesn't seem very attractive, at least to me...