Filed under: Diesel, Volkswagen, Geneva Motor Show
Pictures of the Polo BlueMotion going to rock the UK with 72.4 mpg and 102 g/km CO2
click image to enter gallery
Volkswagen's efficient diesel technology, BlueMotion, will be coming to the UK later this summer in a Polo. As we wrote about the other day, the Passat BlueMotion will be unveiled in Geneva next month. Even though SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said the other day that consumers don't want to buy cars with emissions below 120 g/km, the Polo BlueMotion spits out just 102 g/km with its official mileage rating of 72.4 mpg. You think no ones going to want to buy this car?
We've mentioned the Polo BlueMotion a few times before, but now we've got nice, shiny pictures, so we're bringing it up again. Plus, 72.4 mpg. C'mon.
You know the drill. Press release after the jump, high-res photos in the gallery. The images are downloadable for your personal use.
Gallery: VW Polo BlueMotion
Related:
- VW Passat BlueMotion to debut in Geneva
- VW considering bringing the Polo to the US market
- VW to start UK sales of Polo BlueMotion in mid 2007
POLO MARKS THE UK DEBUT OF BLUEMOTION
BlueMotion represents the most efficient and economical vehicle in each of Volkswagen's car ranges. Set to make its debut on the Polo, the BlueMotion brand will soon expand with the announcement that the Passat BlueMotion is to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Applied to the Polo, BlueMotion comprises modifications to an already efficient diesel engine mated to a low kerb weight, improved aerodynamics and longer gearing. The result is an official fuel consumption figure of over 72 mpg, a potential range in excess of 700-miles and a mere 102 g/km of CO2.
The Polo BlueMotion throws efficiency into sharp focus. At its heart is an advanced 80 PS 1.4-litre, three-cylinder TDI engine fitted with electronically controlled, high-pressure direct injection. A variable geometry turbocharger is added to provide high levels of torque from just above idling speeds and improve responses. The modifications increase the engine's output and overall efficiency to allow greater performance while simultaneously using less fuel.
Continuing the theme are the Polo BlueMotion's external modifications. Evolved through work in the wind tunnel the unique alterations improve aerodynamic efficiency. Function effectively dictates the Polo's form. A unique front bumper sits below a re-designed grille section to reduce drag. At the rear a pronounced spoiler mounted on the trailing edge of the rear window smoothes airflow further. Finally, a set of 14-inch 'Jerez' lightweight alloy wheels sit at each corner fitted with 165/70 tyres that reduce rolling resistance. In total the Polo BlueMotion weighs 1,084 kg.
The weight saving measures don't come at the expense of safety or comfort. The Polo BlueMotion is fitted with twin front and side airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, ABS with brake assist and ISOFIX preparation as standard. Fresh, colourful new fabrics and finishes unique to the Polo BlueMotion join the cool blue interior lighting to help distance it further from the standard car. The simple, concise dials are intersected by a multifunction computer behind a chunky four-spoke steering wheel. A radio CD player is joined by speed sensitive power steering and central locking.
Despite its keen focus on efficiency the Polo BlueMotion remains a usable everyday car. It will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 12.8 seconds before reaching a maximum of 109 mph all while returning an official 102 g/km of CO2 and a potential combined fuel consumption figure of 72.4 mpg. By virtue of its 45-litre fuel tank the Polo BlueMotion is granted a range in excess of 700-miles, making the trip from London to the south coast of France possible using only a single tank of diesel.
The Polo BlueMotion is set to arrive in the UK this summer with prices due to be announced closer to launch.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jankdc 10:15PM (2/09/2007)
Is that 60mpg American?
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Johnny 3:10AM (2/10/2007)
No, the figures given are US MPG. I also expected UK MPG as this mistake has been made in past posts but this is correctly converted from L/100km.
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Benson Leung 3:43AM (2/10/2007)
In contrast, a current generation Toyota Prius gets 104 g/km of CO2
http://www.comcar.co.uk/newcar/companycar/poolresults/bandb.cfm
Even if you convert to US MPG, it's not indicative of real world performance as it is highly dependent on the cycle used to come up with the number. As we all know, the EPA cycle is somewhat cooked and unrealistic... not sure about the UK one.
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Scatter 12:49PM (2/10/2007)
In Europe vehicles are tested under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). It's not particularly close to real world values. you need to drive with a featherweight touch
http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/cycles/ece_eudc.html
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TiP 12:55PM (2/10/2007)
When do we get these in the US? I've seen SmartCars on sale locally now, but they want a ridiculous $26K for them and because of all the pollution controls added for the US market they end up getting only about 40MPG (might as well buy a Yaris for half the price). But these 72MPG VWs would be great and you could run them on biodiesel. Any idea how much they cost?
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Peter 9:33PM (2/10/2007)
700 mile range? They should put a smaller gas tank in this thing.
I wish they would sell cars like this in the US.
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Graham Lunn 2:34PM (2/12/2007)
in terms of real world mpg figures our two diesels. a Renault and a Fiat, achieve 70 mpg and 60 mpg (english gallons) whilst driving at 70mph on a freeway, we lose around 10 mpg for city use.
In terms of pollution the renault runs out at 115 g/km and the Fiat is at 121.
Both have substantially wider tires than the VW and handle well, narrow tires are not neccessary. The Renault has 96000 fault free miles, the Fiat Grande Punto is a newbie with just 5000 miles. You guys are missing out on clean modern small diesels that are quiet, perform well and get excellent performance.
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Kendall Tawes 7:09PM (2/12/2007)
We can have these in the US the second we no longer use Gas or Petrol in the US.
Seriously VW show us or the US some love and bring it here now. I would take out a high interest loan just to get one quickly.
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Mark 7:19PM (2/12/2007)
Better late than never...
If this car really did do 72 miles per US gallon of diesel, its CO2 output would be rather less than 102g/km. The car (according to other sources) does 3.9l/100km, which works out at about 60MPG (US) - and feeding this number into the standard calc for CO2 gives you the right number.
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Steven Wetstein 7:06PM (4/16/2007)
I'm interested in buying this car when it comes to the U.S., I think later this year when the 2008 models come out. I know that it's greenhouse gas emissions are low, but VW's old TDI diesel is rated as being very dirty re: ordinary air polutants. Does anyone know how, combining these two factors, the new VW diesel compares with, say, the standard Rabbit/Polo 2.4 liter gas engine, or with the Toyota or Civic hybrid engines? Does anyone already own a Polo, so that they could fill me on it? Thanks.
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