BlueMotion is a combination of technologies designed to increase fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions. It was launched by Volkswagen and consists of four or five different systems. Although many Volkswagen models are equipped with this technology, only two are truly considered BlueMotion: Golf and Polo. Next, we will talk about the technologies that are part of BlueMotion.
Start / stop technology
The philosophy behind start / stop technology is simple: if the engine does not run, then the car does not consume fuel. Of course, most of the time when you are on the road, you need your car’s engine to start, otherwise you wouldn’t get anywhere. However, there are quite a few situations in which the engine does not necessarily have to be started.
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Think about it: how much time do you spend from the daily commute to work or school standing still in the car, at the traffic light, in crowded intersections or standing in line to turn left, behind a row of cars?
Pretty much, if you wait to gather all the minutes. Minutes in which your engine can rest. This is due to start / stop technology, which stops the engine when standing still, to save fuel and reduce emissions. Everyone has something to gain from this BlueMotion technology.
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Braking energy recovery
No matter how careful you drive in trying to save fuel, you will still have to brake when you stop at traffic lights or crosswalks. Braking usually means wasted energy. This technology stores lost energy and recycles it with the help of the alternator. Recycling acts by raising the alternator voltage when braking, and reducing it when accelerating. This process makes it easier to load the engine and reduces fuel consumption.
High strength tires
These are special tires designed to reduce friction between the tire and the road. Due to this, less energy will be required to rotate the wheels and to maintain the rotational movement, because the friction remains at a low level. It is a simple process, but it saves fuel when you start from the spot and when you drive on the highway.
Aerodynamic design
The more aerodynamic a vehicle is, the lower its traction will be, which means fuel and money savings. BlueMotion technology also intervenes in the physical appearance of the car, to make it more aerodynamic. BlueMotion technology makes changes to panels, spoilers and grilles, in some cases even reducing the running height of the car.
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Propulsion
This is an optional technology, but you can consider it if you want to minimize fuel consumption. Although we might think that a propulsion engine will consume more, it is not. The propulsion in BlueMotion technology is designed to have the exact opposite effect, providing increased power only when you need it.
Does BlueMotion help you save money?
Like all aspects of fuel economy, the answer depends on several factors, the most important being the number of kilometers you cover each year. If you do not drive a lot, or drive an average number of kilometers, the amount saved will not be a lot , and you will have to live with the satisfaction that you helped the planet by using less fuel.
Things change, though, if you’re a long-distance driver then the savings from BlueMotion technology will be left.
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Photo source: stablevehiclecontracts.co.uk, mechlover.blogspot.com