Volkswagen expands BlueMotion range
February 3, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Volkswagen have announced today plans to expand its BlueMotion environmental technologies across four new models.
The new models include three Passat models (the BlueMotion, Blue TDI and TSI EcoFuel), as well as the Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid.
Passat BlueMotion and Blue TDI models use clean-diesel technology to provide fuel efficient and environmentally friendly transport. Passat Blue TDI even conforms to the 2014 Euro-6 emissions regulations.
The Passat TSI EcoFuel model on the other hand runs on compressed natural gas, making it the world’s first turbocharged and supercharged direct-injection engine configured for natural gas.
As Volkswagen’s first production hybrid vehicle though the Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid has drawn the most excitment from the announcement and uses the same 3.0-litre supercharged V6 found in the AUDI S4 coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Nickel-metal hydride batteries will power the SUV’s electric motor, which can carry the Touareg up to 50km/h on electric power alone.
Although the Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid has the greenest of intentions, it will still be able to tow 3150kgs (braked) and accelerate from 0-100km/h in under seven seconds (official fuel economy figures have not yet been released).
Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid will enter production sometime in early 2010.
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
One day these guys will discover THE CLEANEST GREENEST and CHEAPEST fuel worldwide, L P G
Cheers
F-0
F1 – I thought CNG would be cheaper than LPG – we sure as hell liquify it and sell it overseas for around $0.04 to $0.06 per litre.
Any which way I think the BlueMotion Passat (depending on price) would be a nice economical car. Looking forward to better TDI technology in the Transporters, though – maybe the 3 litre V6 from the Touareg/Audi.
Peter^^
CNG is indeed cheaper, but not supported at servos, while LPG is avail. everywhere.We make our own too, no money to be sent o/s.
You would need “PHILL” at home fill-up for CNG and then the GovCo will just screw us on the price and tax it to death [as they do]
If the euros would spend 1/100th of what they spend on diesel/ulp, we would have some amazing systems, for now its all up to the aftermarket guys.
Cheers
F-0
The Touareg is on my list of possilbe cars over the next couple of years so will be interesting to see further details when they make them available. So far you can’t argue with the performance figures.
when the hell is Bluemotion coming to Australia? The range was at the Sydney 08 motorshow and I was thoroughly impressed with them. Worse still, New Zealand gets them – and the Scirocco – which is typical with every car here. NZ always gets better cars because of its import-anything laws whereas us idiots have to live with stupid ADRs and the bloody stupid fed gvt!
FrugalOne Says:
“CNG is indeed cheaper, but not supported at servos, while LPG is avail. everywhere.”
Have you ever been out of the city?
Diesel is far more widely available, it has a much higher energy density per litre resulting in a far greater range. In all likelyhood, a bluemotion would offer twice the range of any equivalent LPG car and be able to carry a good load while doing it.
LPG has it’s advantages – ask any cab driver, but it’s not a fix-all.
F1 & Simon, thanks for the additional info.
F1 – As far as availability CNG is pumped through pipes to premises all over the eastern seaboard. To my knowledge these pipes also criss-cross the country so it shouldn’t be a problem tapping in, whereas LPG is trucked around.
But I see your point – the Gov would certainly tax the crap out it.
Simon – I see your point about range; the amount of tanks required to give a decent range would, more than likely, outweigh any advantages.
Thanks again, guys.
The range of CNG cars is increasing
http://www.naturaldrive.com/