VWSA expands BlueMotion offering

Marketing people are a strange bunch. When common rail diesel injection, regenerative braking systems, low power components, high pressure injectors all found themselves in one car in the wind tunnel, across all manufacturers, their respective marketing teams could hardly contain themselves with excitement, vowing to conjure up the most iconic branding of them all, deftly removing spaces between words while experimenting with upper and lower case lettering. BMW has “EfficientDynamics”. Mercedes has “BlueEFFICIENCY”. Volvo has “DRIVe”. And the branding in question for today is VW’s “BlueMotion” technology.

In essence, these names are simply collective terms coined for a bucket of efficiency technologies which a manufacturer throws into a particular vehicle of their choosing, usually alongside much fanfare and more marketing extravaganza. Delve deeper and they all simply reveal that, behind the label, it’s not really an evolution, just the application and packaging of a bunch of efficient technologies, products and ideas into one product to make it stand out in terms of the Consumption/Emissions vs. Performance/Design battle. But that’s not to say this isn’t a good thing, because the more people who buy into the concept that the branding offers them something different, something eco-friendly and “Green” (although Blue seems to be more popular with the marketing execs at the moment), the better we are for it as a planet.

I bring this up only because it almost proves that there is no manufacturer out there that cannot produce a car that is “efficient”, since the technology and innovations in efficient motoring are not fantastical myths or any manufacturer’s house-brand secrets; they are based on everything that already exists and are proven, viable and available for your production line. And if VW can bleed the efficiency stone as much as they have with their new BlueMotion Polo and Golf models, you really have no excuse.

The Touareg introduced us to the BlueMotion branding just a couple months back in October 2010, offering exceptional consumption figures given its larger stature. Delving behind the BlueMotion badge revealed that this is thanks to the utilization of the usual bucket of efficiency-improving bits and pieces such as regenerative braking, low power components and pumps, start-stop enablement, lowering of wind drag and rolling mass and general improvements to the engine injection and combustion cycles.

VW claim BlueMotion as “synonymous with sustainable mobility”, starting in 2006 when Volkswagen first launched Polo BlueMotion as the first five-seater in the world to consume less than 4.0-litres/100km. VWSA is now presenting two of its key high-volume models in its range with BlueMotion derivatives, both incorporating VW’s full bucket of efficiency tricks.

First off is the Polo, with VW placing it squarely at the helm of its efficiency ship and plainly stating that their goal for Polo is for it to become the “3-litre (per 100km) fuel economy car” of the modern era, and the most economical five-seater in the world. Fighting words indeed, but the bite is matching the bark. The 1.6-litre Polo TDI develops a healthy 77kW and has a respectable thirst of just 4.2l/100km, equating to emissions of just 109g/km.

But with a combined cycle fuel thirst of just 3.4 litres of diesel for every 100km travelled by BlueMotion’s new 3-cylinder 180Nm/55kW 1.2-litre engine (at 89 g/km CO2), it is another animal altogether. With a 45 litre fuel tank, the range on the Polo BlueMotion could get you from Johannesburg to Durban and back with no need for fuelling in between, and if you manage to dodge KZN’s “Zero-Tolerance” campaign, you’ll be able to belt along at a 173km/h top speed as well.

Next up is the Golf. Imagine you’ve done your JHB-DBN loop with your Polo and now feel like a trip to Cape Town at up to 190km/h. Well, fuel up your Golf BlueMotion and get ready for a non-stop trip. Delivering over 26km per litre of diesel and an emissions value of 99 g/km CO2, Golf BlueMotion is the most fuel-efficient car in its class. It has a theoretical driving range of approximately 1300 kilometres on a 55-litre tank, while retaining sporty driving characteristics from its 77kW 4-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine.

So how does VW achieve such marvels? Simply the continued improvement of an existing theme and efficiency technologies, as mentioned earlier. Although to be honest, statistics such as these are perhaps worthy of special mention, as they signal a benchmark in terms of how far the technology can be taken while still remaining a viable, marketable product. We always had mp3 players, but then along came the iPod and raised consumer expectations, becoming the benchmark for everyone else.

To run over the innovations BlueMotion-branded VWs call upon, these are start-stop engine management, high pressure common rail diesel injection, low rolling resistance tyres on lightweight aerodynamic wheels, various lag-reducing body paneling modifications, regenerative braking and low power consumption engine and electrical components.

To reduce internal engine friction as much as possible, the crankshaft, valve and oil pump drives were optimised. Furthermore, losses in the flow of oil and coolant were reduced and frictional losses were reduced in air induction and charge air flows. This has resulted in a TDI that offers uncompromisingly low fuel consumption and emissions without reducing in any way comfort or dynamic performance. Add to this an optimum gearshift indicator as well as a lower idling speed and modified engine management software, and the BlueMotion package is complete.

Aiding all these BlueMotion technologies, the Polo weighs in at only 1,075 kilograms, and has enhanced body styling details designed not only for show but also to produce minimal air drag. These include a nearly closed upper radiator grille, a new front spoiler lip, optimised side skirts, new rear bumper and rear spoiler designs, aerodynamic underbody components and those 15-inch lightweight alloy wheels with tyres developed for low rolling resistance. It doesn’t skimp on the interior details either and includes a custom light blue “Power Up” trim, cruise control, multi-function leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, centre armrest, drawer under driver’s seat, tyre pressure indicator, front fog lights as well as body-coloured mirror housings and door handles.

For the BlueMotion’ Golf, it gets a modified radiator grille with chrome trim, bumpers and side skirt extensions, 15-inch ‘Wellington’ lightweight alloy wheels and low resistance tyres, smoked rear lights, a GTi design roof spoiler and, of course, BlueMotion badges front and back. Like the Polo BlueMotion model, the Golf will also be available in a unique “Glacier Blue metallic” colour. Inside, there are modified seat covers with blue colour elements, a multifunction display (MFD) with gear-shift indicator, and chrome accents on the mirror, window and light control switches.

The Polo 1.2 TDI BlueMotion 55kW comes standard with a 3-year/120 000km warranty, with an available 5 year/60,00km service plan option and a 12 year Anti Corrosion warranty, at a cost of R175 400.00. The Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 77kW comes standard with a 5-year/90 000km service plan, 3 year/120,000km warranty and a 12 year Anti Corrosion warranty, at a cost of R265 600.00. Service intervals for both are every 15,000km

- Kevin Willemse