Volkswagen installs TSI EcoFuel in the Touran minivan
Volkswagen has apparently decided it's about time to install its latest and most powerful CNG (compressed natural gas) bifuel powertrain under the hood of the Touran, a compact MPV, as well as the Cross Touran (pictured above). The 1.4-liter TSI EcoFuel powerplant has an output of 150 horsepower and fuel consumption of 5.2l/100km (45 mpg U.S.) when running on gasoline. Driven with natural gas, the Touran uses 4.7 kg/100 km, earning a respectable 126 g/km of CO2 emissions.
Running exclusively on the 18 kilograms of natural gas stored in four separate tanks, the Touran's range is 370 kilometers (240 miles), but the car also comes equipped with an additional 11-liter gasoline tank, which allows a total range of 520 kilometers. Thanks to its turbocharged and direct-injected 1.4L engine, the minivan goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 10.1 seconds.
[Source: Auto-News.de]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 9:05AM (5/11/2009)
If only I could actually purchase one somewhere. How about this: They put that engine in a Golf or Jetta and then.. wait for it... they Actually people purchase them in the US! WAOH! That would be weird, huh?
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Yikes 9:26AM (5/11/2009)
Why would VW rebadge a Chrysler van to sell here when they have a real "German Engineered Minivan"?
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Richard 3:30PM (5/11/2009)
Because the Chrysler product is huge... as the American market seems to be demanding. The Euro-models generally move 6-8 people (and their stuff) around with a lot less real estate. Of course, the fact that, generally, folk across the pond don't insist on never using more than 10% of a vehicle's space/power/functionality probably helps.
jharlan 10:11AM (5/11/2009)
I see the value in this development. It's fuel economy, because C4 is cheap and you can have a filling port at your house (and I don't know if they have figured out how to road tax you yet, and they shouldn't as an incentive), and it has lower emissions, and you don't have to send your grandchildren's inheritance to the middle eastern whackos. This is what what's left of Detroit should be doing. Why the hell aren't they?
The German's are serious about dominating auto technology.
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bruce 12:56PM (5/11/2009)
Blah blah blah Volkswagen blah blah new model blah blah. Blah blah (incredibly high European fuel economy rating) blah blah blah, blah not available in North America.
(Lather, rinse, repeat.)
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jharlan 5:35PM (5/11/2009)
What's the matter, Bruce? The Germans rub you raw?
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