Volkswagen Launches Passat BlueMotion at Geneva

Not too long ago, Europe was introduced to the concept of BlueMotion, a sortof label applied to a vehicle within a model range that has the lowest fuel consumption. It turns out that people liked the idea a lot. Masses gobbled up the little green hatchbacks as fast as Volkswagen could turn them out, simply because they provided near hybrid-like fuel economy without paying the price penalty of a hybrid. VW’s solution was to triple the production of the Polo Bluemotion, and expand the range to include the Passat midsize sedan, which will be introduced at Geneva shortly.

Despite its designation, the Passat BlueMotion does not have anyproprietary components in its powertrain that make it different from a regular Passat. Its engine is the base TDI engine, which is a 1.9-liter four-cylinder that makes 105 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque (the same engine as the recently discontinued Jetta TDI). Mated to a six-speed manual with extra long ratios to reduce engine speed during cruising, the Passat BlueMotion is able to generate a very impressive average fuel consumption rating of 46.1 mpg driven (45.2 mpg for the wagon). And because carbon dioxide emissions are just as important as fuel consumption figures to purchasers in certain areas of the world due to taxes, buyers should be pleased to know that this Passat emits a mere 136 g/km (137 g/km) which puts it in the same bracket as many subcompact cars. A Toyota Prius, by the way, emits 104 g/km CO2, whereas a regular Passat 2.0T emits 194 g/km.

The downside, of course, is that the Passat BlueMotion is far from quick. The1.9 TDI engine wasn’t exactly the fastest thing when used to propel the Jetta, so, you can imagine what the effects are going to be like, pushing along an even bigger vehicle. Volkswagen hasn’t provided any acceleration figures, but we estimate it to take around twelve and a half seconds to reach 62 mph from stop, which is pretty leisurely. VW says that for the Passat BlueMotion has a top speed of 120 mph, should the driver need to go that fast, but we doubt most will as that’s not really the demeanor of the BlueMotion mentality (although that’s the speed limit in many European countries). Instead, it’ll do its best work at saving the environment and saving its driver money. VW estimates that it can travel 840 miles between refills, and that the average buyer who travels 9,320 miles per year, will only need to refill 11 times per year… now that’s some food for thought. Too bad we won’t be getting this smart Volkswagen on our side of the Atlantic any time soon.