| New Technology | 2008 Geneva Motor Show | VW Passat EcoFuel |
Volkswagen is using the
Geneva motor show as the spring board to launch its latest environmental model, the Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel. It runs on both normal petrol and compressed natural gas stored in three tanks under the boot floor.
The turbocharged and supercharged 1.4-litre engine produces 148bhp, which is enough to see this Passat from 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds and on to 130mph. The engine has been comprehensively modified to run on gas, with new valves, pistons and piston rings. Also, the turbocharger is smaller than on VW's other models using the 1.4 TSI engine.
The three gas tanks have a capacity of 22kg. Coupled with the 31-litre petrol tank, the Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel has a possible range of more than 490 miles between fill-ups thanks to a combined economy equivalent to 54.2mpg.
Volkswagen has yet to announce prices for this Passat, but says it will be on sale in mainland Europe as a saloon and estate before the end of 2008. UK buyers will have to wait for it to be confirmed for sale here as the number of outlets selling compressed natural gas may be too small for the Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel to be viable.
Alisdair Suttie - 3 Mar 2008