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The most efficient, economical
and environmentally friendly
Passat yet produced, the new
BlueMotion 2, opens for ordering
this week.
Building on the gains in
efficiency made by the existing
Passat BlueMotion, the new
BlueMotion 2 features an
automatic Stop/start system
linked to a new 2.0-litre TDI
110 PS common rail diesel
engine. This replaces the
outgoing 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS
unit injector powerplant.
Based on a conventional Passat
bodyshell the BlueMotion 2
features optimised aerodynamics
through a 15 mm reduction in
ride height and the adoption of
a unique grille element and
front bumper with the usual air
intakes blanked-off and
relocated to the underside of
the vehicle in order to reduce
aerodynamic drag. Next, the new
2.0-litre common rail diesel
engine features special
electronic mapping to reduce the
idle speed and optimise the
engine for economy. The
five-speed manual gearbox is
also heavily revised with new,
longer ratios for third, fourth
and fifth gears to reduce
loading on the engine and
improve efficiency.
Volkswagen was one of the first
manufacturers to introduce a
Stop/start system on the Golf
Ecomatic back in 1994. The
system has been substantially
developed and is now applied to
the new Passat BlueMotion 2.
The automatic Stop/start system
operates through the clutch.
For example, when coming to a
halt at traffic lights the
driver depresses the clutch and
selects neutral. When the clutch
is released the engine shuts
down and a ‘Stop/start’ symbol
illuminates on the multifunction
display. In order to move away
the driver simply depresses the
clutch one again to select first
gear and the engine re-starts
automatically. Should the
driver wish, the system can be
deactivated through a switch
located on the centre console.
The combined effect of the
Stop/start and the adoption of
the new 2.0-litre TDI common
rail diesel engine serves to
improve economy significantly
and reduce emissions over the
outgoing vehicle.
Economy on the Passat BlueMotion
2 rises from 55.4 mpg (55.3 mpg
for the estate) to 57.6 mpg for
the saloon and estate models.
Carbon dioxide emissions drop
from 136 g/km (137 g/km for the
estate) down to 128 g/km and 129
g/km respectively.
Available to order at Volkswagen
Retailers from this week
onwards, the new Passat
BlueMotion 2 will cost from
£17,700 for the saloon model and
£18,835 for the estate –
representing a rise of just £475
over the equivalent standard
model.
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