A new era of natural gas powered cars begins : Volkswagen Passat TSI EcoFuel

Volkswagen Passat TSI EcoFuel

WOLFSBURG : Dec. 10, 2008 - The Passat TSI EcoFuel signifies the beginning of a new era in natural gas powered cars. Until now the temperament of vehicles powered by natural gas, which is as environmentally friendly as it is economical, has been rather restrained. The 110 kW / 150 PS strong Passat TSI EcoFuel finally puts an end to this thanks to turbocharging and direct injection. Nonetheless, the world’s first turbo direct-injection engine configured for gas operation in the successful Passat – and shifted via 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) – consumes just 4.38 kilograms natural gas per 100 kilometers (just €4.33 ** / 100 km). And that corresponds to CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km.

Market launch of the Passat and Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel will take place in early 2009. Standard on both body versions is a 6-speed manual transmission; 7-speed DSG is available as an option.

Maximum power with maximum fuel economy

The TSI EcoFuel of the Passat is designed to be monovalent. The Volkswagen has a gasoline tank; however, it just serves as a fuel reserve. So there are no plans for having a manual switchover from natural gas to gasoline mode. At a low 1,500 rpm the engine already develops a powerful 220 Newton-meters of torque, which it maintains up to an engine speed of 4,800 rpm. This produces very sporty driving performance. The Passat accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.7 seconds. Its top speed is 210 km/h. Also highly impressive is the car’s theoretical range: with the 22 kilograms of gas that is stored under the vehicle floor in three tanks plus 31 liters of gasoline, the Passat 1.4 TSI EcoFuel can cover a distance of nearly 900 kilometers. By itself, the natural gas supply is enough for a range of 500 kilometers.

Fuel Tanks Storage Diagram

Internal life of the engine extensively reworked

Use of the TSI as a “gas burner” required in-depth modifications to the engine’s technology. Since in natural gas operation – this is different than the combustion of gasoline – the fuel does not provide any supplemental lubrication and the pressures are greater, the valves, piston rings and pistons must be hardened or reinforced. At the same time, the turbocharger was made smaller, and special gas blow-in nozzles were integrated in the induction pipe. A newly developed control module manages the tuning and switchover
between the two operating modes. The system’s success is evident, since the Passat Variant TSI EcoFuel is not only fuel efficient and economical, but also extremely clean: naturally, it meets the limits of the new Euro-5 emissions standard.

** = Average price of natural gas in Germany on November 18, 2008.

Multifunction Display : CNG - Operated

Multifunction Display : Gasoline - Operated

Gasoline and CNG filling mount

[Source : VOLKSWAGEN]