Car and Truck News

Passat BlueMotion deliveries begin in June
Economical: New Passat BlueMotion is satisfied with 5.1 liters diesel
Runs and runs…: Passat BlueMotion extends driving range to 1,350 km

Wolfsburg, Spring 2007.

Volkswagen is introducing the new Passat
BlueMotion to the market – the most economical car in the world in
the 4.8 meter class. This Volkswagen, powered by a 77 kW / 105 PS
TDI engine, breaks through the magical fuel consumption barrier of
5.5 liters for its class, as a sedan and Variant. The sedan consumes
just 5.1 liters diesel per 100 kilometers, and the Variant just 5.2
liters. Compared to the base model, the Passat BlueMotion saves 0.6
liters per 100 kilometers, and 0.7 liters (Variant). Until now, such
fuel economy values were exclusively attainable by much smaller
vehicles. The new BlueMotion model can be ordered effective
immediately; in Germany first deliveries of vehicles will begin in
June.

EMISSIONS AND DRIVING PERFORMANCE
CO2 emissions reduced by ten and twelve percent;
Top speed improved by five km/h
Paired with its low fuel consumption values are reductions in CO2
emissions of 15 g/km (ten percent) and 19 g/km (Variant; twelve
percent); total emissions of 136 g/km or 137 g/km (Variant) are a
testimony to the innovative potential of Volkswagen TDI engines. A
standard particulate filter is also integrated in the emission control
system.

Fuel economy and CO2 data are all the more impressive, because the
Passat – at a length of 4.77 meters – is among the largest vehicles in
its segment. Moreover, Volkswagen has attained these values
without affecting the Passat’s recognized excellence in comfort,
safety features or driving performance. On the contrary, its
aerodynamic advantages and longer gearing have improved the top
speed of the Passat BlueMotion by five km/h in both body versions.

The sedan is 193 km/h fast, while the Variant tops out at 190 km/h.
As a sedan the Passat BlueMotion handles the sprint to 100 km/h in
12.1 seconds; the Variant – with its up to 1,731 liters of cargo space
– takes an additional 0.3 seconds.

The prospects are good that the new Passat BlueMotion will position
itself as one of the most sought after models within the model series.
That is because it not only protects the environment, it also protects
the car owner’s budget. Because of its extremely low fuel
consumption, monthly fuel costs amount to just 71 euros* based on
an average annual driving distance of 15,000 kilometers. A single
fill of its 70 liter fuel tanks lets the Passat BlueMotion reach
theoretical operating ranges of 1,370 and 1,350 kilometers (Variant).
This means that only eleven fill-ups would be needed per year – less
than once per month. Last year in Germany more than 70 percent of
all Passat sedans and about 90 percent of all Passat Variants were
ordered with a TDI engine. The new Passat BlueMotion could
contribute toward further reinforcing this significantly high share of
diesels.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Engine control designed for most economical operation;
Five-speed transmission with longer gear ratios

In its key performance data, the 1.9 TDI of the Passat BlueMotion is
equivalent to the engines of its counterparts in “conventional” Passat
versions. It delivers 77 kW / 105 PS of power (at 4,000 rpm) and
develops a maximum torque of 250 Nm (from 1,900 rpm). However,
for its use in the especially economical Passat BlueMotion, engineers
re-tuned various parameters of the four-cylinder turbo-diesel direct
injection engine.

A software modification to the engine controller reduces idling
speed from 830 to 730 rpm. At the same, parameters such as charge
pressure, injection timing and exhaust gas recirculation rate were
fine-tuned to maximize fuel economy. The TDI’s engine controller
also sends a gear recommendation to the standard Multifunctional
Display Plus, where the driver can read off which of the total of five
forward gears is currently the most efficient.

Another crucial factor in terms of fuel economy is gearing.
Compared to initial ratios, the third, fourth and fifth gears of the
Passat BlueMotion’s manual five-speed gearbox were lengthened.
And specifically by four percent in third gear, seven percent in
fourth, and twelve in fifth.

Thanks to its hefty torque, the Passat BlueMotion can still deliver
impressive driving characteristics. Intermediate bursts of
acceleration in the first four gears – important for safe passing
maneuvers on highways – are hardly affected by the modified gear
ratios; acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was also unchanged. As a
sedan the Passat BlueMotion sprints to a speed of 100 km/h in 12.1
seconds, while the somewhat heavier Variant with its 1,731 liter
cargo space takes 12.4 seconds.

BODY
Aerodynamics further improved by fine tuning;
refined visual features highlight its special status
Reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions realized on the
Passat BlueMotion were founded on an entire bundle of actions. One
important aspect here is the extensive fine tuning of the car body to
improve aerodynamics. These modifications reduced the air drag
coefficient by more than twelve percent to cW 0.273 (Variant: cW
0.275). Simultaneously the top speed was elevated to 193 km/h and
190 km/h (Variant) – this corresponds to five km/h more in each
version.

Technical body features: At first glance, there do not appear to be
any differences relative to other Passat models. That is because
nearly all of the modifications are out of sight. In the underbody, for
example. Here the brake ducts were covered, and special underbody
skirts were integrated forward of the rear axle, left and right. The
Variant also got a wheel house panel (plastic wheel house shell) with
extended wheel spoilers in the area of the side skirts. In addition,
parts of the air intake louvers are integrated in the radiator trim.
Visual body characteristics: The body of the Passat BlueMotion sets
itself apart from the familiar base version (Trendline) in its many
refined details. For example, the lateral fins of the air intake grille
on the Passat BlueMotion are chrome plated in the style of the Passat
Highline. Also designed in chrome are the side and rear accent
strips. Moreover, in the front the “BlueMotion” has bumper guard
strips in the car color. The radiator grille and trunk lid or tailgate
each display the BlueMotion emblem, identifying the car as the most
economical Passat version.

CHASSIS
Lowered 15 millimeters in front, and eight millimeters in the rear;
16-inch wheels with best-in-class energy tires from Continental
A number of effective changes were also made to the chassis. A
careful look at the car reveals that – for the purpose of better
aerodynamics – the Passat BlueMotion stands somewhat lower in its
wheel housings than the base version; specifically it was lowered 15
millimeters in front and eight millimeters in the rear.

Guaranteeing the least possible rolling resistance are high-tech tires
of the type “Conti Premium Contact” (best-in-class energy tires”)
sized 205/55 R16 91H with tire pressure increased by 0.4 bar in partload
operation. As an alternative to the production steel rims, the
Passat BlueMotion can be ordered with 16-inch alloy wheels
(“Monza” type).

*Fuel prices in Germany