The 77th Geneva Motor Show closed its doors to visitors on Sunday, and, always classed as one of the more prestigious of the calendar, it certainly had its share of four-wheeled stars. While the new big hitters from Audi, BMW, Ford and Maserati jostled for showgoers’ affections (and wallets), with seemingly perfect timing, the first in a new range of environmentally-friendly cars was rolled out to a quiet fanfare.
Setting the eco-friendly pace, Volkswagen chose to promote its new BlueMotion initiative at the Swiss event, which will eventually become an environmental sub-brand for the German giant. Deriving its name from the blue VW corporate colour (and if marketing speak is to be believed, the natural world water and air elements to be protected from man’s constant degeneration), and the motion aspect of ‘future, forward-looking mobility’, the name will be applied to a whole sub-range of Volkswagen models, each with a slant on low-emission, clean-burning fuel technology.
The first product of BlueMotion thinking, the Polo BlueMotion has grabbed headlines due to its ultra-low 102g/km CO2 emissions figure (the comparable standard Polo 1.4 TDI emits 126g/km). This is precisely why exactly 102 of the fuel-sipping VWs were used as shuttles for journalists and business visitors during the press days at the beginning of the show, Volkswagen clearly pushing the new concept for all it’s worth.
The Polo BlueMotion was launched in continental markets last summer, and is the most economical car in its class, and Volkswagen claim, the most economical five-seater in the world. Powered by a 79bhp 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine fitted with electronically-controlled, high-pressure direct injection and a variable geometry turbocharger, greater performance is permitted, while simultaneously using less fuel. Based on an already fuel-efficient unit used in other Polo models, and coupled to longer gearing, the German company are quoting a potential 72.4mpg (or 3.9 litres per kilometre), and with a 45-litre fuel tank, over 700 miles on one fill-up can be expected. That’s London to the south coast of France on one tank of diesel.
Further fuel-saving measures include a wind tunnel-designed aerodynamic body kit, wheels with lower rolling resistance tyres, and a lower kerb weight than a standard Polo. These weight-saving and drag-reducing measures don’t come at the expense of comfort and safety though. The Polo BlueMotion enjoys many of the comforts and equipment shared with its range siblings, but gets its own unique interior trim.
And, despite the shift in focus to economy and efficiency, performance doesn’t suffer. The little VW will accelerate to 62mph from rest in 12.8 seconds, and tops out at 109mph. But, perhaps the really magical number is that 102g/km of CO2 of emissions. That’s 2g/km less than the ‘green’ Toyota Prius, which although a hybrid, has reportedly used large amounts of energy to manufacture its large and expensive bank of electric batteries.
And that could be the hybrid car’s downfall. Although only a low-emission diesel, demand for the Polo BlueMotion has been such that Volkswagen has been forced to triple its initial production volumes. It’s obviously hoping that the positive reaction to the miserly Polo is not a flash in the plan either; the second model in the BlueMotion offensive was launched at Geneva. The much larger Passat BlueMotion achieves 55.3 mpg from its 104bhp1.9-litre TDI engine, and boasts a CO2 figure of 136g/km.
The Polo BlueMotion comes to the UK first though, and will be priced around £12,000 when it arrives in the summer. It won’t be exempt from the London congestion charge of course, as it’s not classed as an ‘alternative fuel’ vehicle, but if the emissions of some non-alternative fuel vehicles are lower than that of the benchmark Prius (which is exempt), is there a case for the congestion charge guidelines to be rewritten?
The anti-diesel particulate argument is a case against this, especially for our choked city centres. But, Volkswagen, along with other manufacturers, does offer the fitment of a diesel particulate filter at an extra cost, although there are no quoted rates for customer take-up. The time may have come to finally make them a standard-fit item.
For now at least though, with it being a little cleaner and cheaper than a hybrid, could the Polo BlueMotion (or cars like it) be the start of mainstream affordable, ‘greener’ transport?
Update, 21 March 2007: The Polo BlueMotion has been nominated in the shortlist for the World Green Car of the Year, alongside the BMW Hydrogen 7, and Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec. The winner will be announced at the New York Motor Show on 5 April.
Update, 22 March 2007: The Polo BlueMotion will appear at The Sexy Green Car Show, which runs from 30 March to 15 April at the Eden Project, Cornwall. Believed by its organisers to be the first event of its kind, and featuring a selection of the most advanced and efficient vehicles in the world, the show marks the first public appearance of the Polo BlueMotion in the UK.