Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Concept: High-MPG Model At Detroit Auto Show

At next week's Detroit Auto Show, VW will take the wraps off a concept car that previews a new and more fuel-efficient version of its mainstream Passat mid-size sedan.

The Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Concept features a direct-injected and turbocharged 150-horsepower, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 lb-ft of torque. It powers the front wheels through a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The concept car is said to return gas mileage of up to 42 mpg on the highway cycle, though Volkswagen didn't specify all three components of an EPA rating.

Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Concept, 2014 Detroit Auto Show

The engine and transmission are the same ones used in the Jetta Hybrid compact sedan, and they will become a mainstay in many VW models over the coming years.

Other features that boost fuel economy in the small engine are cylinder deactivation under light loads, already fitted to European versions of that engine used in the new Golf and other models.

The Active Cylinder Management system deactivates valves on the two middle cylinders under light loads at low speeds, and VW says it's a first for an inline four-cylinder engine.

Volkswagen has also included a start-stop feature that switches off the engine when the Passat Concept is at rest.

And a coasting function decouples the transmission from the engine when the driver lifts a foot off the accelerator, allowing the car to roll further on momentum due to reduced mechanical drag.

The concept car, coated in a Reef Blue metal paint that will be added to the Passat lineup, features blue highlights on the two-tone leather seats.

The BlueMotion efficiency sub-brand has been used in Europe for more than five years, but this is its first significant appearance in the U.S. market.

Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Concept, 2014 Detroit Auto Show

The 2014 Passat is offered today in the U.S. with four engines, three gasoline models and a diesel.

The best fuel efficiency is provided by the Passat TDI with the 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox, rated at 35 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 43 mpg highway). The gasoline version with the best mileage uses a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, either with a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic, that's rated at 28 mpg combined.

The concept car is likely a lightly-disguised version of a new Passat production version that will be launched sometime later this year, perhaps as a 2015 model.

For all the latest news from next week's auto show, see our Detroit Auto Show index page.

Source: Green Car Reports

Volkswagen showcases “Think blue. Factory.” sustainable production concepts at Hannover Messe

At Hannover Messe 2011, Volkswagen is focusing on the link between ecologically sustainable mobility and resource-efficient production processes, and is presenting its “Think Blue. Factory.” concept to make production more efficient and conserve resources more effectively.

VW gathers efficient, low-emission technologies and powertrains under the BlueMotionTechnologies label. The “Think Blue.” principle presented in 2010 transfers this approach to other areas of the company and everyday situations and is intended to provide employees and customers with motivation to act in an environmentally responsible way.

Responsible mobility goes hand in hand with environmentally compatible production. This is why Volkswagen is forging ahead with its “Think blue. Factory.” concept. Our aim is to significantly enhance energy efficiency in production at the same time as markedly reducing emissions and the use of resources.

—Hubert Waltl, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand with responsibility for Production and Logistics

To achieve this aim, Volkswagen will implement additional efficiency measures in all production units. These include new press technology with energy savings of up to 40%, improved insulation for plant buildings, programs to shut advanced robot systems down during breaks and the use of high-efficiency motors.

In addition, Volkswagen is placing greater emphasis on diversified energy supplies. The latest examples of action being taken around the world include participation in the construction of offshore wind farms off the North Sea coast and a new Volkswagen hydropower plant in Brazil that will cover about 18% of the energy demand for Volkswagen plants in the country.

At the Volkswagen stand at Hannover Messe, trade fair visitors can take an interactive virtual tour of a car production plant and explore the principle of ecologically sustainable production. The mode of operation of a flexible production line for vehicles with different drive systems ranging from internal combustion engines to electric motors is also being demonstrated.

Volkswagen is also featuring the new Bulli, an electric-powered compact car study making its German premiere in Hannover. The electric motor receives its power from a 40 kWh lithium ion battery, allowing a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Source: Green Car Congress

Ford's Goal To Match Fuel Efficiency of VW Bluemotion Vehicles

2011 Ford Fiesta SES – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen's Bluemotion range of vehicles features numerous eco tweaks applied to enhance fuel economy. The umbrella term "Bluemotion Technology," which is seen in the branding of the Golf Blue-e-motion Bluemotion Passat and more, is VW speak for vehicles that "combine efficiency with comfort and refinement to create cars that deliver greater economy and fewer emissions, yet which remain conventional to drive, service and maintain." Many Bluemotion vehicles stand out among the pack due to their best-in-class fuel economy figures.

One company's best-in-class is another company's target, so it's no surprise that Ford has announced that it intends to develop vehicles that match the fuel-sipping abilities of the Bluemotion lineup. According to Ford's global product boss, Derek Kuzak, the key to achieving frugality is attention to every last detail. Ford will focus on reducing vehicle weight, lowering rolling resistance, improving aerodynamics and tweaking engines in an attempt to match VW's ultra-efficient Bluemotion vehicles such as the Polo, a car that features a 1.2-liter engine, stop-start technology and regenerative braking. The VW Polo Bluemotion emits a mere 87 grams per kilometer of CO2 and returns an astounding 85.6 miles per gallon (71.3 mpg U.S.). Let's see Ford match that!



Source: Autoblog Green