VW Passat BlueMotion 2011 review

The line-up of diesel engines from Volkswagen is already gathering a big fan base in Australia.  The turbodiesel side of the Passat range is the more popular part of the range and Volkswagen has a BlueMotion model within the revamped range.

Value

The local arm of the German car maker will be expanding its diesel model line-up with the inclusion of the Golf BlueMotion next year, but the company also has the option of further eco-centric turbodiesel models here with the new Passat. As yet there's no firm price-tag on the BlueMotion, but VW is keen to hold pricing to current levels where possible.

Design

The BlueMotion is not to be confused with the BlueTec or other models running compression ignition, which get some BlueMotion technology as standard - low rolling resistance tyres, a Stop/Start system and a battery regeneration mode.

The Passat BlueMotion gets little aerodynamic aids as well as the other gear, using the most fuel-efficient engine of the range - the same 1.6-litre turbodiesel that will appear in the Golf BlueMotion when it arrives in 2011 - to maximum effect.

Technology

While the outputs aren't quite up to the two-litre turbodiesel we already get in Australia, 77kW and 250Nm from 1500rpm is enough to get things rolling in the new BlueMotion.

The VW claim is 12.2 seconds to reach 100km/h and a top speed of 195km/h, with frugal figures improved over the outgoing car by 0.2 of a litre per 100km to 4.2 and 109g/km.

Extracting diesel from a 70 litre tank, that equates to a range of at least 1600km, although a UK journalist managed to get a record of just over 2400km from one tank of fuel.

Volkswagen says the record-breaking Passat used 77.25 litres to cover the record distance - so the tank was full to the brim - which equates to 3.14 litres per 100km or 90 miles per gallon.

Driving

Carsguide got behind the wheel of the new-look Passat in its BlueMotion guise during the model launch, firing it up and punting through the traffic before heading for the hills outside of Barcelona.

The six-speed manual gearbox is perhaps not as convenient through the traffic as a DSG, but the cog-swap is easy enough, with a decent shift action and useable clutch.

The BlueMotion's little turbodiesel was a little chuggy when cold but once warmed settled down to a quiet demeanour - the more effective insulation introduced as part of the model upgrade keeps the cabin quiet enough.

The torque on offer from 1500rpm was enough to allow fifth and sixth gears to be used easily on the motorway above 80 or 90km/h, provided there's no incline - 110-120km/h is an easier task for top gear as the turbo is getting into the meat of its operation.

Peak power of 77kW is nothing to write home about - and the engine is not fond of heading into the upper reaches of the rev range to reach its peak.

Better progress - and probably more frugal - is made keeping the engine gently humming with the gearbox, making the most of the torque.

The test car had the variable damping that offered a comfortable ride in normal mode, which didn't degrade noticeably when sport mode was selected to tighten up the suspension and increase the weighting on the steering.

Verdict

Only the absence of a DSG model takes the shine off its appeal for auto-addicted Australia, which is a shame, as the greenest of the new Passat models would make a worthy addition to the local line-up.

Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion

Engine: 1.6-litre 16-valve BlueMotion particle-filtered turbodiesel four-cylinder.
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive.
Power: 77kW @ 4400rpm.
Torque: 250Nm between 1500 & 2500rpm.
Performance: 0-100km/h 12.2 seconds. Top speed 195km/h (governed).
Fuel consumption: 4.2 litres/100km, tank 70 litres.
Emissions: 114g/km.
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front); multi-link (rear).
Brakes: four-wheel discs, front ventilated.
Dimensions: length 4769mm (wagon 4771mm), width 1820mm, height 1472mm (wagon 1481mm), wheelbase 2712mm, track fr/rr 1552/1551mm, cargo volume 565 (wagon 603/1731) litres, weight  1499kg.
Wheels: 16in alloys.