Volkswagen at Geneva

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New Polo - VWWatercooled


Polo BlueMotion Concept - VWWatercooled


Golf Plus BlueMotion - VWWatercooled


Passat CC BlueTDI - VWWatercooled

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No sign of a production-ready Golf GTI.

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Geneva 2009: Touran TSI Ecofuel



New Touran TSI EcoFuel: Drive 100 kilometers for 4.60 Euros

Natural gas van with 150 PS delivers top performance with cleanest emissions
Touran TSI EcoFuel is powered by dual-charged Twincharger

Wolfsburg / Geneva, 03 March 2009
The multi-purpose Touran EcoFuel is one of the most successful natural gas cars in Europe. Now Volkswagen is presenting an entirely new natural gas version of this van as a world premiere: the Touran TSI EcoFuel. Its key technical feature is dual charging via turbocharger and supercharger ("Twincharger"). This combination generates more dynamic performance than in the case of any other natural gas production vehicle before it. Excellent performance combines with high fuel efficiency: the new Touran TSI EcoFuel is so economical that 100 kilometers in this van delivering 110 kW / 150 PS of power only costs about 4.60 Euros (based on average price of natural gas in Germany, February 2009).

The Touran Ecofuel closely follows the introduction of the Passat TSI EcoFuel which is now being sold in initial markets and features the same innovative, fuel-efficient drivetrain. Although the Touran TSI EcoFuel goes to work with a passion thanks to its "Twincharger", when fitted with a standard 6-speed transmission the van consumes just 4.8 kilograms of natural gas per 100 kilometers, and that corresponds to CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km.

When the Touran TSI EcoFuel is equipped with the optional DSG 7-speed dual clutch transmission – as in the version being shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show – fuel consumption and CO2 emissions drop to 4.7 kilograms and 126 g/km, respectively. In this case, fuel costs per 100 kilometers are reduced to 4.50 Euros.

Maximum power, maximum economy
The TSI EcoFuel engine of the Touran is designed for mono-fuel operation; it has four natural gas tanks and an auxiliary gasoline tank. However, there are no plans for manual switching from natural gas to gasoline operation. Primarily, the Touran TSI EcoFuel is powered by natural gas. It does not automatically switch to gasoline mode until the natural gas tanks are empty. At a low 1,500 rpm the engine already develops 220 Newton-meters of torque and maintains this value up to 4,500 rpm. Its driving characteristics are just as sporty. The Touran accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 10.1 seconds. Its top speed is 205 km/h. Naturally, the Touran TSI EcoFuel fulfills limits of the Euro-5 emissions standard.

The natural gas tanks of the Touran are housed in the underfloor of the multi-purpose van for safe and space-saving storage. They hold a total of 18 kilograms natural gas. With its natural gas supply, plus 11 liters of gasoline (as a reserve fuel supply), the Touran TSI EcoFuel can be driven more than 520 kilometers. The natural gas supply alone can provide a range of around 370 kilometers.

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Record: New Golf BlueMotion consumes just 3.8 liters per 100 km

99 g/km CO2 sets new best value in the Golf class
Golf BlueMotion launches in June with automatic start-stop and regenerative braking

Wolfsburg / Geneva, 03 March 2009
Volkswagen is presenting the production version of the world’s most fuel-efficient automobile in its class – the new Golf BlueMotion. Average fuel consumption: 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers! Also low are its 99 g/km CO2 emissions – both values are best-in-class. At the same time, the "BlueMotion" label demonstrates that economy does not have to come at the expense of driving pleasure. This is especially true of the uncompromising and high-end design of the Golf BlueMotion.

This concept car is powered by a new quiet and high-torque common rail turbo-diesel with 77 kW / 105 kW. The innovative configuration of this 1,598 cm3 four-cylinder engine is now also the technical basis for breaking the magic 4.0 liter fuel consumption barrier in the Golf class. Furthermore, technologies like automatic start-stop and regenerative braking (energy is recovered when braking and decelerating) contribute significantly to the Golf BlueMotion’s increased efficiency. Volkswagen will introduce the new model in Europe starting in June.

The overriding goal in the development of the new BlueMotion engine was to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – which has now been achieved par excellence on the Golf – while improving performance and maximizing comfort. Anyone driving the new Golf with this engine will quickly come to understand just how successfully these goals were attained.

The excellent power response of the new 1.6 TDI is due to the fact that it already develops its maximum torque of 250 Newton-meters at a low 1,500 rpm. Fuel delivery to the engine is handled by common rail injection. Piezo actuators enable especially precise multiple injections with very high precision of fuel quantity and timing. The system operates at an injection pressure of 1,600 bar and is characterized by an optimal balance of power, refinement, acoustics and emissions.

One technical focus in the car’s development was to reduce friction power losses. Crankshaft, valve and oil pump drives were optimized. A square stroke/bore ratio minimizes friction losses at the cylinder liners. Furthermore, losses were reduced in the flow of oil and coolant, and frictional losses were reduced in air induction and charge air flows. Of course, an optimized engine cooling system also makes a positive contribution to engine efficiency.

An interesting benefit of all these efficiency improvements is that the new TDI engine is not lacking in performance by any means. It accelerates the Golf BlueMotion to 100 km/h in just 11.3 seconds and delivers a top speed of 190 km/h. Of course, this Volkswagen is also equipped with a diesel particulate filter. Like all sixth generation Golfs, the BlueMotion model also meets the limits of the new Euro-5 emissions standard.

BlueMotion – clever mix of technologies
The astonishing fuel economy of the latest Golf version is achieved with further modifications that are in addition to those already mentioned concerning the engine. As with other BlueMotion models, these include rpm-reducing gear ratios (a five-speed transmission is employed here), very low rolling resistance tires and special aerodynamic refinements. For the first time, these improvements are being supplemented by a start-stop system and regenerative braking.

Start-stop system in detail
Especially worthwhile is a look at the fully intuitive operation of the start-stop system. The driver approaches a red light in the Golf BlueMotion, brakes the Volkswagen to a stop, shifts to neutral (ideally this is done on a conventional car too) and takes his or her foot from the clutch. This shuts off the engine momentarily. A "Start Stop" message now appears in the multifunctional display. As soon as the traffic light turns green again, the driver fully depresses the clutch, the engine starts, the "Start Stop" message disappears, the driver puts the car back in gear and resumes driving. Essentially, the driver does not need to perform any additional steps compared to a conventional car, yet the start-stop system saves up to 0.2 liter of fuel per 100 kilometers on average in city driving.

Regenerative braking in detail
Regenerative braking helps to utilize energy that would otherwise be lost in driving as beneficially as possible. During deceleration and braking phases of the Golf BlueMotion – i.e. whenever the driver simply releases the gas pedal or intentionally brakes – the alternator’s voltage is boosted, and this is utilized for bulk recharging of the vehicle battery.

Thanks to alternator control – which regulates the alternator as a function of engine efficiency for optimal battery charging – it is possible to reduce the alternator voltage, e.g. when accelerating or driving at a constant speed. It is even possible to switch off the alternator entirely. This reduces engine load and improves fuel economy. Special software for energy management and modified engine control software are needed to utilize regeneration.