VW's Passat BlueMotion Concept Doesn't Look Like a Study at All

One of VW’s premieres at the Detroit Auto Show is the Passat BlueMotion Concept, which showcases how fuel-efficient a non-hybrid gasoline engine can be when fitted to a mid-size sedan.

Based on the platform of the U.S.-spec Passat, the study is powered by the 1.4-liter EA211 TSI engine with cylinder deactivation, sourced from European Golf and Polo models.

Producing 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque, the unit is mated to a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and delivers an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg (5.6 l/100 km) - a best in class rating among non-hybrid, gasoline-engined mid-size cars.

The Active Cylinder Management (ACT) technology has the biggest contribution to the low fuel consumption, as it deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three when the driver only applies light throttle pressure to maintain specific city speeds.

The VW Passat BlueMotion is also fitted with a stop/start system and the coasting function. The latter further increases fuel efficiency when the driver releases the accelerator pedal, as the DSG transmission decouples the engine, allowing the car to roll with the lowest possible mechanical drag from the other moving components.

While billed as a concept, the Passat BlueMotion could be easily mistaken for a regular U.S.-spec Passat model as it doesn’t sport any show car-specific features, except for the Reef Blue Metallic paint, which will be introduced on other Passat models.

As for the 1.4-liter engine, VW didn’t say anything about putting it into a production Passat – but they wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble for nothing, would they?

By Dan Mihalascu

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2014 VW Passat Sport is Inspired by Performance Concept, but with 77HP Less...

Volkswagen has announced a new sportier model for the Passat family, the Passat Sport, arriving in showrooms later this year. VW says the Passat Sport is the production version of the Passat Performance Concept shown at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, but the road-going model misses about 77 horsepower compared with the study.

Whereas the Passat Performance Concept was powered by a 247hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Passat Sport gets a detuned version of the same EA888 unit producing 170hp and 184 lb-ft (136 Nm) of torque. The engine can be mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

The VW Passat Sport gets, however, a number of study-inspired features, including 19-inch Luxor wheels, a rear spoiler, sport comfort seats, carbon trim accents, aluminum sport pedals, stainless steel door sills, and Sport-specific floor mats.

Other additional features compared to the SE trim line are the fog-lights, aluminum sport pedals, stainless steel door sills and paddle shifters when equipped with the automatic transmission.

The model is available with three exterior colors: Urano Gray (exclusively for the Passat Sport), Candy White, and Tungsten Silver. The latter two are accompanied by a black roof and black mirror caps, as seen on the concept car.

The new model starts at $27,295 (€20,045) with the manual transmission ($28,495 with the six-speed automatic), slotting in between the mid-level SE and the range-topping SEL Premium trims. Both prices include $820 destination and handling. 

By Dan Mihalascu

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New VW Passat BlueMotion Concept with 1.4 TSI Delivers up to 42MPG

With the Passat BlueMotion Concept that will premiere at the Detroit Auto Show next week, Volkswagen wants to show that non-hybrid gasoline engines can deliver low fuel consumption even when mounted on a mid-size sedan.

The Passat BlueMotion study is based on the U.S.-spec Passat sedan, but is powered by the 1.4-liter EA211 TSI engine with cylinder deactivation. Mated to a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, it delivers an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg (5.6 l/100 km). VW says this is a best in class rating among non-hybrid, gasoline-engined mid-size cars.

Featuring direct injection and turbocharging, the 1.4-liter TSI engine is the world’s first inline four-cylinder unit with cylinder deactivation. The Active Cylinder Management (ACT) technology, also used on European VW Polo and Golf models, deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three when the driver only applies light throttle pressure to maintain specific city speeds.

The VW Passat BlueMotion Concept comes with the coasting function, used on the Jetta Hybrid. This further increases fuel efficiency when the driver releases the accelerator pedal, as the DSG transmission decouples the engine, allowing the car to roll with the lowest possible mechanical drag from the other moving components. Another fuel-saving measure is the addition of a stop/start system.

Although it’s only a 1.4-liter, the engine delivers 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque. VW didn’t reveal acceleration times or top speed, but said the study’s Reef Blue Metallic paint will be introduced on other Passat models, too. Given that the study looks very much like a production model, we wouldn’t be surprised if VW decided to build it in the near future.

By Dan Mihalascu

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VW Reshuffles UK's 2014 Passat Lineup, Deletes Sport and R-Line Trims

Beginning from Thursday, January 2, the VW Passat's Highline, Sport and R-Line trim lines for the saloon and Estate models in the UK market cease to exist, as the German automaker is replacing them with the new Executive and Executive Style grades that can be had with all available powerplants.

Sitting on top of the entry level S and BlueMotion models in the Passat range, the new Executive grade adds new 17-inch ‘Michigan’ alloy wheels with a full size spare, complemented by exterior chrome trim, and matt black roof rails on the Estate.

Inside, standard features include Vienna leather upholstery with heated front seats, and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, VW's RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system, 2Zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, cruise control, plus front and rear parking sensors.

VW states that the Executive comes with more than £1,700-worth of equipment over the Highline model it replaces for a premium of £200, with on the road prices starting from £20,235.

The second new trim level, the Executive Style, affords a more distinct look to the Passat along with added features, such as 15 mm lower sports suspension 18-inch ‘Kansas’ alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, front fog lights, and tinted rear glass, together worth more than £2,000 for £995 over the Executive.

Full UK pricing follows below.

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