New Golf Bluemotion promises amazing 88.3 mpg and 85 g/km CO2
Last night at an exclusive preview of Volkswagen Group products and making its motor show debut alongside the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf this morning at the Paris Motor Show is one of the world’s most fuel-efficient cars, a concept version of the new Golf BlueMotion, writes Padraic Deane from Paris.
This is a genuine family car with five seats and all the Golf’s traditional attributes of comfort and safety, which is predicted by Volkswagen to return 88.3 mpg on the combined cycle and emit just 85 g/km of carbon dioxide. This should take it close to fitting in to the lowest Band A level of the promised new VRT tax system in Ireland. It should also bring with it a consequent advantage over many other small family car rivals for the inevitable new road tax rates.
The third-generation Golf BlueMotion is set for an Irish launch in the summer next year. This should be in time for the new second number plate designation for July, 2013. However, you won’t have to wait until then for the first models in the new seventh generation Volkswagen Golf range go on sale in Ireland in December this year.
The first generation of the Golf BlueMotion made its debut five years ago at the Geneva Motor Show, with the car coming to market in left-hand drive in Europe at the end of 2007. At that time, the Golf BlueMotion set new standards for its class with a fuel consumption value of 62.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. In 2009, Volkswagen showed the second-generation Golf BlueMotion in Geneva: here was a concept car whose fuel consumption had been reduced to 74.3 mpg and emissions cut to 99 g/km.
The fact that fuel consumption for the third Golf BlueMotion has now been reduced by another 15 per cent and CO2 emissions by 14 grams per km to a class-leading 85 g/km is a reflection of Volkswagen’s continuous technical progress. With its 50-litre fuel tank and 88.3 mpg fuel consumption, the new Golf has a theoretical range of 970 miles. Assuming an average annual driving distance of 15,000 km (approx. 9,300 miles), most drivers will only have to refuel ten times a year.
The car’s combined fuel consumption has been achieved through innovative lightweight design (including 26 kg less weight in the running gear and 37 kg less in the body), engine-related modifications and a collection of other measures. These include super low rolling resistance tyres with higher air pressure, longer gear ratios (five-speed manualgearbox,the Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems that are standard in all new Golfs, plus specific aerodynamic modifications.
The frontal area of the new Golf was reduced by 0.03 m2 and aerodynamic drag (Cd x A) by nearly 10 per cent. Compared to other Golf models, the aerodynamics of the BlueMotion were also refined by a lowered ride height (by 15 mm), a roof spoiler, lateral air guide elements on the rear window, a masked front grille, partially closed air inlet screens, optimised cooling system airflow, special underfloor panels, optimised brake cooling channels and a C-pillar spoiler. These measures provide the Golf BlueMotion with a Cd value of 0.27, making the car one of the most aerodynamic in its class.
At the heart of the new Golf BlueMotion concept is a 1.6-litre 110 Bhp TDI from the newly developed EA288 engine series. The four-cylinder 16-valve unit develops its maximum torque of 250 Nm from just 1,500 rpm up to 2,750 rpm.
Various measures such as reduced internal friction, an innovative thermal management system with shortened warm-up phase, exhaust gas recirculation, cylinder pressure sensor, two-stage oil pump, switchable electric water pump and water-cooled intercooler right in the intake manifold result in successfully reducing fuel consumption and emissions. To reduce emissions values further, Volkswagen has also implemented an oxidation catalytic converter, a diesel particulate filter and a NOx storage catalytic converter.
The first models in the new seventh generation Volkswagen Golf range go on sale in Ireland in December this year.