Volkswagen Preparing Super-Frugal Passat

WOLFSBURG, Germany — Volkswagen is set to unwrap the second in what it promises will eventually be an extended range of Bluemotion models at next month's Geneva Motor Show: a super-frugal version of the sixth-generation Passat capable of running up to 870 miles between fill-ups.

The new car, which is planned to go on sale across Europe later this year in both sedan and wagon body styles, is rumored to achieve a combined city/highway average of 47 mpg (U.S.), improving on the standard Passat model by more than 6.6 mpg thanks to a series of detailed upgrades similar to those already seen on the Polo Bluemotion.

Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions are said to lower nearly 10 percent, allowing the new car to conform to the European Commission's proposed emissions standard for 2008 and beyond.

Volkswagen is yet to reveal details pertaining to the new car. However, Inside Line sources say the front-wheel-drive Passat Bluemotion is powered by a specially tuned version of the German carmaker's popular 105-horsepower 1.9-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

It sits in a reworked Passat body shell with aerodynamic upgrades, including a new front bumper and grille designed to reduce drag. Other measures adopted by the new car are low-rolling-resistance tires and a reworked gearbox with taller 5th and 6th gears.

© Source: article on insideline