VW has unveiled the Polo BlueMotion Concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
The Polo BlueMotion is powered by a 1.2L TDI three-cylinder with common rail injection. Combined with start-stop technology and regenerative braking, the Polo BlueMotion gets 71.3 mpg (US). That effectively makes the Polo BlueMotion the most fuel-efficient passenger internal combustion car available.
The Polo BlueMotion is expected sometime in 2010.
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Geneva 09': VW Unveils the 2010 Polo
PRESS RELEASE:
World Premiere at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show
3.3 liter fuel consumption makes this Polo one of the most economical cars in the world
New 1.2 liter TDI engine reduces Polo’s CO2 emissions to just 87 g/km
Market launch of the most fuel efficient Polo of all times expected in 2010
Wolfsburg / Geneva, 03 March 2009 - It is still a concept – the most fuel efficient five-seater in the world. Its name: Polo BlueMotion. Fuel consumption: 3.3 liters CO2 emissions: just 87 g/km! Likelihood of going into production: extremely high! However, before a potential production launch, development must be completed on the brand new 1.2 liter TDI with common rail injection. And that is precisely what the team led by Development Chief Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg is working on with great emphasis. “I anticipate,” says Dr. Hackenberg, “that we will be able to go into production in February 2010. Meeting this schedule will be extremely demanding. Yet the engine and other systems of the Polo BlueMotion are already operating with such promising performance that we are on course to meet our goal.”
The “other systems” to which he refers include an automatic start-stop system and regenerative braking. These two technologies alone reduce fuel consumption of the 55 kW / 75 PS three-cylinder direct-injection diesel by up to 0.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
But that is not all that is being done. On the Polo BlueMotion concept car, which weighs in at just 1,080 kilograms, Volkswagen is calling upon an entire array of efficiency measures, including an aerodynamic package for the body that is lowered by 10 millimeters (including modified front end), an aerodynamically optimized underbody and low rolling resistance tires on 15-inch alloy wheels. Altogether, these modifications yield fuel savings totaling 0.8 liters. This has lowered CO2 emissions by about 20 percent.
Other features being presented on the Polo BlueMotion concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show include a custom interior with “Power On” trim, and a display for indicating upshifting and tire pressure. The design study is painted in the new exterior color “Emotion blue”.
Start-stop system in detail
Especially worthwhile is a look at the fully intuitive operation of the start-stop system. As the driver approaches a red stop light in the Polo BlueMotion concept car, he or she applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop, shifts into neutral (which should be standard practice with a conventional car) and takes his or her foot off 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, and the driver puts the car back in gear and resumes driving.
Regenerative braking in detail
Regenerative braking helps to recover energy that would otherwise be lost in driving in as efficient a way as possible. During deceleration and braking phases of the Polo BlueMotion concept car – i.e. whenever the driver simply releases the accelerator pedal or intentionally brakes – the alternator’s charging voltage is elevated, which converts the car’s kinetic energy into electrical energy to charge the battery.
Thanks to alternator control – which regulates the alternator as a function of engine efficiency for optimal battery charging – it is possible to lower alternator voltage at other times, e.g. during acceleration 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 controller software are needed to utilize regeneration.
The new umbrella brand BlueMotionTechnologies
Volkswagen is presenting the Polo concept car in Geneva under the new umbrella brand “BlueMotionTechnologies”. This label covers all production-mature or near-production technologies and products that significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These are developments such as the new start-stop system and regenerative braking implemented on the Polo BlueMotion concept, as well as the highly innovative SCR catalytic converter on the Passat CC BlueTDI that is also appearing for the first time in Geneva. However, they also include the NOx storage catalytic converter that has already been successfully introduced in the USA, electric and hybrid drive systems, and innovative engine systems like those in the Touran TSI EcoFuel which are debuting at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. A launching point for these extremely fuel efficient and low-emission products was the Polo BlueMotion, which in 2006 was the first five-seater to bring fuel consumption down to 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers. The Polo BlueMotion concept car now surpasses this record value by 0.5 liters.
The range of BlueMotion models already available today includes the Golf series, Jetta, Caddy, Touran, Sharan, and the Passat and Passat Wagon. A recent survey by the organization “Deutsche Automobil Treuhand DAT”, the renowned and world’s oldest institution for automotive market research, demonstrates just how successful the BlueMotion label has become today. In a representative survey, the highly regarded DAT found that 85 percent of German car drivers are familiar with the BlueMotion label. The next best competitor only attained a recognition level of 36 percent. This makes BlueMotion the number 1 among automotive environmental labels.
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Comments (20)
I hope they bring these to the US soon.
Posted by wymer100 | March 3, 2009 10:37 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 10:37
I too hope this makes US shores, I have fond memories of Volkswagen diesels in the past.
However, in America, they don't like to give us the cool cars. We just aren't in the same league as everyone else it seems, so we have to drive the junk. Whomever decided to dangle all the truely good cars 3000 miles from our nearest shore to taunt us, I hate thee.
Posted by Allen | March 3, 2009 11:14 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:14
I swear I saw this thing on Top Gear months ago.
Posted by gm0n3y | March 3, 2009 11:19 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:19
The Polo is a 5 seater?
The Polo isn't small like a Golf [aka Rabbit], it's small like a Yaris. Well it's between Yaris-hatch and Fit, but without the Fit's Tardis factor.
Posted by bubba551 | March 3, 2009 11:30 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:30
@gm0n3y:
You might well have seen this on Top Gear. VW, like many car companies does not see its smallest cars in the US. In Europe (and the UK), VW has had two models below the Golf [aka Rabbit] for years:
The Polo that is shown and the Fox which is even smaller. (I suspect the Fox is larger than the Lupo that it replaced since it is difficult to picture downsizing from a Lupo.)
Posted by bubba551 | March 3, 2009 11:39 AM
Posted on March 3, 2009 11:39
I sure like the idea of this car, but the VW Fox I owned back in the 90's was by far the worst car I have ever owned. The Chevette I had back in the 80's when I was a teenager was a far better vehicle and that is just plain scary.
I hear VW's quality is on the rise, but once bitten......
Posted by zippy | March 3, 2009 2:09 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 14:09
This is the type of powerplant the future needs. Small, lean, efficient.
The interior trim looks quite nice.
Posted by Kawi | March 3, 2009 2:18 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 14:18
as you can see another diesel that has a lot of potential that will not make make it to the US soil. This is because VW management do not believe the people in the us will not buy a diesel.
Posted by tom | March 3, 2009 7:04 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 19:04
as you can see another diesel that has a lot of potential that will not make make it to the US soil. This is because VW management do not believe the people in the us will not buy a diesel.
Posted by tom | March 3, 2009 7:04 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 19:04
People in the US WILL buy a diesel.
They just wont pay $5000 extra for this car.
Buying the lower model and spending more on gas saves you money in the long run.
If the US would lower taxes on diesel, or at least make it equal to gas and offer other incentives for purchasing, this would be much more attractive.
Posted by none | March 3, 2009 7:38 PM
Posted on March 3, 2009 19:38
This is what the world really needs. This is the KISS principle of automotive brilliance. Better fuel economy, without the added complexity and toxicity of hybrids, not to mention the higher reliability of the commercial-by-design of the diesel engine.
I drive fast cars, I like fast cars, but if VW brings this to the US, this will, without a doubt, become my daily driver.
Well done VW, well done.
Posted by 3chord | March 4, 2009 5:03 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 05:03
I would love to see this in the U.S. There are plenty of people looking for a small, cheap 2nd car to commute back and forth to work.
As someone mentioned earlier though, I won't pay an extra $5000 for it. Someone tell me why diesels cost _more_ in the U.S. and _less_ in Europe and the U.K.?
Posted by Icester | March 4, 2009 5:55 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 05:55
@ 3chord,
I think this IS a hybrid. They just aren't saying so. Article says braking forces are used to generate electricity with which to recharge the battery. The load required to recharge a standard battery isn't that high, so using regenerative braking to handle that wouldn't be worth while.
Posted by kw | March 4, 2009 6:39 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 06:39
I think diesels cost more in europe too.
I could be wrong though.
Posted by zippy | March 4, 2009 7:36 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 07:36
@kw:
I could accept it being called a mild hybrid, but it doesn't have the BAS 42v system like what the GM hybrids have.
It sounds to me as if all they do is command different charging rates from the otherwise normal 12v alternator. That, along with the instant stop feature, is actually something that I think every car should have since it drastically cuts fuel usage and emissions in the city cycle and the hardware required to implement it is very small. (Upsized alternator and potentially a more powerful PCM)
My reference to hybrid was meant as a large-kw motor/generator coupled to a large bank of batteries.
Posted by 3chord | March 4, 2009 10:15 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 10:15
I'd bet the regen feature is a requirement for the "start-stop" to work well. The starts and stops of the engine have to put some burden on the electrical system (battery, alternator, starter), and if the A/C is electrical (still on while the engine is off at a stoplight - dunno if so equipped), even more so.
I'd imagine this combo should would on pretty much on any car automakers install it in, without the added cost of full-blown hybrid technology. Not bashing hybrids, mind you, just contemplating the possibility of improving non-hybrids.
Posted by Kawi | March 4, 2009 11:23 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 11:23
Federal taxes on diesel are higher by a very small amount, nothing that would matter to the consumer very much. Diesel jumped in price compared to gasoline a few years back due to the change to lower sulfer fuel. This actually required a considerable amount expenditures on behalf of companies involved with the production diesel, which is being passed on to the consumer. Diesel in general is expensive in the world right now (may be a little more so in the US) due to a very strong demand for it....guess what the US Army uses for a universal fuel? That may only be a small piece of global use, but it's another contributor to the increased demand for diesel.
On a good note, as long as the US dollar keeps gaining against the Euro the chances for these vehicles will keep improving.
Posted by thetruth | March 4, 2009 8:18 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 20:18
If this will do the job for someone, then they should consider it. If on the other hand they need a larger vehicle, then they really need to "do the math" before buying a second vehicle to save on gas part of the time.
I have a >260HP crossover that we use whenever we are carrying at least 3 people. I also have a small 4-banger that I use for my 40 mile daily roundtrip commute. How much does the 4-banger save me? Answer: zero, zip, nada. The insurance of the additional car more than offsets the fuel savings. (I keep the 4-banger because it is more fun to drive, easier to park, etc.)
In the end, people need to examine what they require from a vehicle first, and then they can evaluate other concerns like MPG.
Posted by bubba551 | March 7, 2009 7:16 AM
Posted on March 7, 2009 07:16
I ordered the new polo 2010-04-12 for delivery in week 26, contacted the seller in the 25 weeks to see if I could get my new car as agreed, but he said that it will take further four weeks after the 4 weeks had
Posted by Michael Petersen | August 12, 2010 3:34 AM
Posted on August 12, 2010 03:34
I ordered the new polo 2010-04-12 for delivery in week 26, contacted the seller in the 25 weeks to see if I could get my new car as agreed, but he said that it will take further four weeks after the 4 weeks had passed, I contacted the car dealer again, but now he could not say when it would come, but replied that I contact you about two weeks so I know something more about when it comes, but he did not ring back after the 2 weeks was gone, so I telephoned again to the dealer, so knowing that it will be produced in week 36, and that I might get it in week 40
It would not surprise me if there are further delays
Sincerely, Michael Petersen
Europe Denmark
Posted by Michael Petersen | August 12, 2010 3:47 AM
Posted on August 12, 2010 03:47