VW BlueSport Mid-Engined Roadster Concept with 180HP Diesel Achieves 55MPG

Sporty, good looking and extremely frugal; what else could one ask from a two-seater roadster? VW's long-awaited Concept BlueSport made its debut at the 2009 Detroit Show. Even though the German automaker makes no word of a production version, we're all crossing our fingers that the roadster study will get the green light. Behind the two bucket seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport, there's 180HP strong 2.0-liter turbocharged Clean Diesel (TDI) engine that transfers power to the rear-wheels via 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.

With this unit that produces 350Nm of torque, the Concept BlueSport can sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds (0-100 km/h: 6,6 seconds) while its top speed is 140 mph (226 km/h). Even more impressive is the car's excellent fuel economy rating of 55 mpg U.S. (4,3 l/100 km) that is combined with an ultralow CO2 level of 113 g/km CO2. Two features that help the mid-engined, soft-top roadster achieve these figures is the automatic start-stop system and the brake energy regeneration system.

Technical data of the Volkswagen concept car Concept BlueSport

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport
Body / Chassis
Length	3,990 mm
Width	1,745 mm
Height	1,260 mm
Track, front	1,490 mm
Track, rear	1,520 mm
Front suspension	McPherson suspension
Rear suspension	Multi-link system
Engine
Configuration	4 cylinder TDI, 2.0 liter displacement
Max. power at engine speed	132 kW / 180 PS at 4,200 rpm
Max. torque at engine speed	350 Nm at 1,750 rpm
Drivetrain / Wheels
Transmission	6-speed direct shift
Final drive	Rear-wheel drive
Tires, front	235/35 ZR19
Tires, rear	245/35 ZR19
Performance / Economy
0-100 km/h	6.6 seconds
0-60 mph	6.2 seconds
V/max	140 mph / 226 km/h
Fuel consumption (Euro 6)	4.3 liter/100 km / 55 mpg
CO2 emissions*	113 g/km
* in Eco mode: Start-stop & regeneration
Colors
Exterior paint	Flex silver
Convertible top	Orange

Land Rovers to get same new diesel V6 as Jaguar XF, but not here

The Jaguar 3.0L V6 diesel engine that we learned about last week will also find a home under the hood of the leaping cats corporate siblings at Land Rover. The Land Rover Discovery (now sold in the US as the LR3) and the Range Rover Sport will both get the V6 in 237 hp and 272 hp flavors, respectively. In AutoCar's report it's not clear if the old 2.7L V6 will be discontinued but it seems likely that it will since the new engine is both more powerful and more fuel efficient. The Land Rovers will reportedly get a single turbocharger configuration rather than the dual turbo setup on the Jags. The new diesel will launch in the SUVs when they are facelifted this fall for the 2010 model year.

[Source: AutoCar]

Ireland gets Subaru Impreza diesel?

Apparently, Ireland will be getting a diesel version of the Subaru Impreza. We're were a little surprised to see the press release, which is pasted after the break, considering that it was just last week that we heard the model was being indefinitely delayed in the UK. Of course, only a fifth or so of Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but we find it odd nonetheless. No matter, the oil-burner was slated to go on sale starting yesterday for a base price of €21,495 excluding dealer charges.

Standard equipment includes a 6-speed manual transmission, which is, as always, hooked up to the Impreza's standard all-wheel drive system. Three trim lines will be offered, starting with the base model, to which up-level S and loaded RS levels are added. Fuel consumption stands at 6.8 L/100 km (42 mpg imperial or 35 mpg US) and carbon emissions come in at 152 g/km in the combined cycle.

Subaru indefinitely delays diesel Impreza launch in UK

The Japanese yen is currently causing lots of problems for Japanese automakers. When the yen is weak, profits go up for Japanese companies that make most of their money by exporting vehicles to other countries. Conversely, when the yen is strong - as it is right now, having hit its highest valuation in 13 years - profits diminish. Subaru is just one of the automakers that's finding it tough to make a buck (or a yen) these days, and it has responded by indefinitely delaying the launch of its oil-burning engine option in the Impreza for the UK market. This news likely comes as a major blow to European dealers, considering that diesel engines handily outsell their gasoline siblings when they do manage to go head-to-head. Still, it's just as well that it'll be delayed as it would be priced out of the market if launched on schedule. Japanese officials have already called on the government to intervene by lowering the value of the yen, and if that happens, Europeans will finally get their diesel Subarus.

International Car of the Year announces Earth, Wind & Power Awards

Another green car of the year award, huh? In what seems to be an emerging trend, the International Car of the Year jury will add the Earth, Wind & Power (EWP) trophy for both cars and trucks to its current stable of awards. We've just gotten an early look at the models that are eligible for the World Green Car of the Year award, so how do things stack up between the two sets of vehicles vying for votes from their respective jurors? Somewhat surprisingly, not very well at all. There are three finalists for the EWP award: the BMW 335d, Volkswagen Jetta TDI and um, the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. All German, all diesel, all the time. Moving along, we have three trucks facing off as well: BMW X5 xDrive35d, Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC.

Last year marked the first-ever Earth Angel (what's with the old music references here?) award, which is awarded to the automaker that's making the biggest eco-strides in all of autodom. Last year, the inagural trophy went to GM. That seems unlikely to be repeated this year.

Diesel hybrid technology will be in Peugeot and Citroën showrooms in 2011

Diesel hybrids from Peugeot and/or Citroën may soon appear on more than the show floor of the Paris Motor Show. Parent company PSA announced this week that it has partnered with Robert Bosch GmbH to develop diesel hybrid technology with an eye toward production models. PSA's HYmotion4 four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid powertrain was shown in Paris in the Peugeot Prologue and Citroën Hypnos concept cars in October. At the time, Citroën called the HYmotion4 technology "feasible from an industrial standpoint," and the carmaker now says it will bring the diesel hybrid technology to market in Peugeot and Citroën vehicles starting in 2011. Should the Prologue make it to production, the claimed combined mileage of 52.3 mpg (US) and CO₂ emissions of just 109 g/km would certainly be welcomed. The big question with a diesel hybrid setup, though, is cost. Just ask VW. Thanks to Throwback for the tip!

Renault introduces eco2 version of Twingo, 104 g/km CO2

Renault has announced a new high efficiency, low CO₂ variant of its Twingo mini-car in France called the eco². The Twingo eco² is powered by a 1.5L four cylinder diesel engine putting out 85 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. So equipped, the Twingo eco² is claimed to get 58.8 mpg (US) on the European combined cycle and emit only 104 g/km of carbon dioxide. That's well below the 120 g/km threshold required to qualify for various tax incentives in several places in Europe as well as bypass congestion charges in some cities. Renault has apparently tuned this new Twingo with sporty handling to make it fun to drive. The base price of the Twingo eco² in France is €14,850.

LA Preview: Volkswagen unveiling Touareg TDI Trophy Truck

If youʻre gonna go tearing through the desert, itʻs best to do it in a clean beast. VW thinks that the new Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck will fit the bill and will unveil the clean diesel machine at the LA Auto Show next week. Powered by a huge 5.5 liter V-12 TDI Twin Turbo diesel engine with 550 horsepower and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque, this isn't a vehicle designed for efficiency. No sir, but there are two Dow Automotive Diesel Particle Filters in the exhaust stream. See, it's clean. Hehe. Following the LA debut, the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck will have a go at the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. We'll have all the details on Wednesday.

Gallery: VW Touareg TDI Trophy Truck

[Source: Volkswagen]