Sportier BlueMotion models coming from VW?
Click above for a gallery of the Volkswagen Bluesport
While the primary goal of Volkswagen's numerous BlueMotion models is to reduce fuel consumption and therefore carbon emissions, the German automaker apparently recognizes that not all drivers are willing to accept sluggish acceleration to go along with their reduced diesel bills. This is why the VeeDub introduced its BlueSport Roadster concept at the last Detroit Auto Show. That sporty model was able to provide plenty of performance from its 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine to go along with its miserly fuel mileage figures of 35 mpg on the European Combined Cycle and 62 mpg while in Eco Mode.
Reports from the U.K.'s evo magazine indicate that VW is hard at work on a production version of the BlueSport concept for 2011. Before that model hits the market, the moniker may be applied to a performance-minded diesel version of the European Scirocco and possibly an oil-burning GTI hatchback as well.
[Source: evo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paulwesterberg 4:12PM (3/06/2009)
35 to 62 mpg? That's a pretty big range. What exactly does the eco mode do to improve mileage?
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paulwesterberg 4:43PM (3/06/2009)
ok, my pure speculation is that they are deactivating 2 cylinders when in eco mode in order to cut fuel requirements in half. If that is the case it seems that VW could just make a 2 cylinder engine that was permanently in eco mode and produce a vehicle that got 70 mpg. Then they could add start/stop or mild hybrid system to get 80mpg.
Note: diesel fuel costs more and contains 138,700 BTUs vs only 125,000 BTUs for gasoline so you should always be able to get at least 10% better mileage.
Architeuthis 7:08PM (3/06/2009)
I suspect something got lost in translation. Cylinder deactivation may help slightly by increasing the flame temperature, but since diesels are unthrottled you don't get the advantage this way gasoline engines do (which don't get a factor of two anyway). Then again maybe the sport version is basically an eco-mode with more boost -- but that's speculation.
Rick 4:27PM (3/06/2009)
So hot. Too bad I need more doors.
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Red 4:34PM (3/06/2009)
It wouldn't surprise me if this were true. I believe the performance diesel market will grow to a decent sized niche over the next several years. With Ford crowning its European performance division with the RS Focus (No Fiesta ST coming), it's likely they too will move into diesels. A few months back, Honda was also rumored to be working on a diesel Type-R and just this week unveiled its performance-minded diesel, the Euro Accord Type S. I wonder if any of this will begin to migrate toward the U.S.? With VW, it's practically certain, since the Jetta TDI is selling so well.
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Steve 4:35PM (3/06/2009)
TopGear on BBC America had one of the new Bluetech Polos on their latest show. Richard Hammond (and Jeremy and Captain Slow) was driving from Basel to Blackpool and to get the 70+ mpg it looked like he was driving at around 30-40 mph:(
As soon as he increases his speed ( to 55-60 mph?) the fuel consumption increased (to 30-40 mpg?) He still managed to travel almost 800 miles on one tank of gas, but then so did Jeremy in a diesel Jag (cruising across France at 70-80 mph), and Captain Slow in a diesel Outback?
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Diesel Fanatic 9:42PM (4/01/2009)
I saw the show and was impressed with the mileage. One thing they never mentioned was how much fuel was put in each vehicle at the start. The Jag may have had 20 to 25 gallons while the Polo may only have had 10-15.
MT 4:38PM (3/06/2009)
Turbo engines offer a huge range of tunability via the ECU. There's a version of the Fiat 500 with a mucho ECO mode like this too. Turning off/down the boost, changing the ignition timing, remapping throttle sensitivity can all be used. In naturally aspirated engine, you have to stick pretty close to a standard air-fuel mixture for the given compression ratio and thus there's only so much you can do to change the state of tune. Add a turbo and now you can dump a bunch more fuel in (or not) because the turbo can pump more air in to maintain a given A/F ratio. As such, you may be able to double the power of an engine with turbocharging.
I expect to see much more of this coming.... use a little bitty turbo engine which, when run in ECO mode, gives great mileage. In Standard or Sport modes you can crank up the boost to significantly increase performance/power at the cost of mpg.
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alexacoon 5:36PM (3/06/2009)
Perhaps this should be caled the anti-mazda, it's almost sinister looking.
Yes I like it MUCH better. Let me guess though, not in the US?
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Mike!!ekiM 6:43PM (3/06/2009)
Well looks are great.
Will there be an Electric option?
A turbo diesel might be tempting though.
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Matt 8:31PM (3/06/2009)
Well, that's all fine and good, but can we please get one in the US? Is VW even listening to its customers?!?!!! I have a VW and love the refinement, but now that I can [hopefully] afford one, I'd like to step up to a sportier version. I mean, the EOS? Are you Kidding me? Give me one of these or kiss your customers goodbye.
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roz 11:22PM (3/07/2009)
Yes - someone please start making sporty cars that are also green.....
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invisibleyellow 4:13AM (3/11/2009)
....Tesla Roadster?