Volkswagen Polo BlueGT makes key breakthroughs | Geneva Motor Show

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Shrawan Raja

Volkswagen showcased the Polo BlueGT at the Geneva Motor Show. It retains the performance of a turbocharged petrol engine but does so with improvements to its fuel efficiency. At the heart of this innovation lies cylinder deactivation system, which appears for the first time in a Volkswagen. Also known as ACT, the system shuts down the two cylinders of the 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder TSI engine when the driver is not accelerating.

The 1.4 TSI engine, coupled to a seven-speed DSG gearbox develops 140PS yet consumes 4.5l/100 km with a CO2 emissions figure of 105g/km. The sprint from 0-100kph takes 7.9 seconds. The combination of good performance and low consumption is achieved through the interplay of ACT, downsizing and BlueMotion Technology (Stop/Start system, battery regeneration).

Shutting down the second and third cylinders under low and medium loading conditions brings down fuel consumption by 0.4 l/100 km. In constant speed driving at 50 km/h in third or fourth gear, as much as one litre per 100 km is saved. The reduction at a constant driving speed of 70kph in fifth gear is 0.7 l/100 km.

How does Volkswagen ACT work?

When the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, the two cylinder which are on stand-by fire back to life in 13 to 36 milliseconds. The switchover is instantaneous and the obstruction in power can hardly be noticed by passengers. Cylinder shutoff disables completely if the on-board computer detects that person is driving in a sporty manner. The driver is told whether the engine is being operated in two or four cylinders through a display on the instrument binnacle.

Exterior changes on the Volkswagen Polo BlueGT are restricted to 17 inch alloy wheels, parts such as the rear bumper and side sills picked off the Polo Bluemotion parts bin and a black painted radiator grille and side mirror housings.