BlueMotion

[mikepologti]

dsg would also save fuel, by not having to engage and disengage every time you change gears, due to its dual clutch setup.........will have to test drive a dsg setup next time me thinks.

[Coaster]

Yet all the BlueMotion models (Polo, Jetta, Passat Sedan and Variant) all have 5-speed manual gearboxes. This must surely be down to lower drivetrain friction, lower weight and the ability to easily calibrate the gear ratios specifically for fuel efficiency.

The current Polo BlueMotion are built in Pamplona, Spain. Is this where our Polo BlueMotion will come from?

[phaeton]

Where will our Polo's be built?
Where will our Polo BlueMotions be built?

South Africa is my guess.

BlueMotion - unsure some of the technology is not yet approved for what VW classify as "Hot Countries" - Australia, Africa and South America.

[Coaster]

Will the 1.6L TDI BlueMotion have Start-Stop and Regenerative Braking?
No

According to THIS article, the 1.6L Bluemotion DOES have Start-Stop!

The 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine has strong acceleration and good mid-range urge. It was surprisingly quiet and refined, only getting noisy around 4000rpm. We didn’t test the twin-clutch auto but the engine works well with the manual.

The BlueMotion diesel is the most frugal offering in the Polo range. It drives very similar to the regular turbo diesel but uses technologies such as start/stop to further reduce fuel consumption. Following the advisory gearshift change points on the dashboard did take a little bit of getting used to as it advises you to change up a lot earlier than you normally would and use the low-down torque of the engine to pull you up through the gears. The start-stop system works the same as most other systems on sale overseas – turning off the engine when you come to a stop and restarting as soon as you push the clutch pedal.

Maybe that accounts for the anomaly in fuel use figures where they were previously saying it was good for 3.8L/100km, whereas now 3.6L/100km is claimed.

Yay! (fingers crossed)

[phaeton]

BlueMotion has not being confirmed for Australia yet as we are classed as a 'Hot Country' with South Africa and America.

[Coaster]

That's why my fingers are crossed

Come dream with me Ben. One day, I will have BlueMotion!
But besides this, it is interesting to note from the article, the 1.6L BM has Start/Stop! So if we do get BM, there's a damn good chance we'll get Start/Stop.

My impression is that it isn't a matter of being a 'hot' country, but being an 'auto' country. Having a manual only model isn't conducive to the Australian market. Not sure why they couldn't have it along side the standard Polo range, but then again, I'm no expert on these sorts of things. Maybe they think it wouldn't be cost-effective? I think the level of interest will be pretty high for the 'halo' model (of sorts). Fuel prices will take off again in the not too distant future.

[phaeton]

For one thing we're fairly low on the list for Polo's.

As you stated Australia is an Auto country and as we don't sell enough Polo's we will not get a BlueMotion version unless the numbers add up.

Most likely we would get the Golf BlueMotion first then Passat, Jetta and finally Polo.
Until VW test them here I would not count on BM Tech here till may be 2011 or after.

That said current TDI tech is very good.
In the end I hope BlueMotion does come here but I'm not holding my breath