Paris 2008: BlueTDI – World premiere of the cleanest Passat of all times

-Passat BlueMotion with SCR catalytic converter already fulfills Euro-6 standard

-143 PS strong Passat BlueTDI to arrive on market early in 2009

Wolfsburg / Paris, 01 October 2008
In a world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen is presenting the cleanest Passat of all times and with it a new engine label: BlueTDI. The Passat BlueTDI should already be launched in the first European markets in 2009, as a sedan and as a Variant. It is a harbinger of a whole series of innovative BlueTDI models to come. They fulfill the most stringent emissions standards in the USA (“BIN5”) and Europe (Euro-6 standard for the year 2014). They are Volkswagens that are once again doing great credit to the quality seal “Made in Germany”.

SCR catalytic converter and AdBlue are the keys to fulfilling the Euro-6 standard
In the case of the Passat Variant BlueTDI being shown in Paris, a highly complex SCR catalytic converter together with the additive AdBlue serve to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust. The acronym SCR stands for “Selective Catalytic Reduction”, an internationally recognized term. “Selective” refers to the fact that this catalytic converter has a very special task: its purpose is to selectively convert nitrogen oxide (NOx) components of the exhaust stream to nitrogen and water without forming undesirable side products.

The SCR catalytic converter was developed precisely for this highly specialized task. However, the car will continue to have an oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter on board to reduce the full spectrum of emissions.

Technically, the BlueTDI of the Passat is based on the 103 kW / 140 PS strong 2.0 liter common rail engine. The BlueTDI, however, develops a power of 105 kW / 143 PS. Despite the slight performance gain, the Passat BlueTDI consumes up to 0.3 liter less than the conventional TDI, depending on the body version. In the case of the Passat Variant BlueTDI, fuel consumption is 5.5 liter per 100 kilometers (144 g/km CO2); for the sedan the value is 5.2 liter (137 g/km CO2). Power transmission is via a 6-speed manual transmission. As an option, after the production launch there will also be a Passat Blue TDI with 6-speed DSG (most efficient auto¬matic in the world). The Passat BlueTDI will essentially be offered in all familiar equipment versions.

BlueTDI – the technology in detail
The most important technical building blocks of the BlueTDI system are the SCR catalytic converter and the AdBlue additive for reducing nitrogen oxides. Conversion of the nitrogen oxides is accomplished using a synthetically produced, water-based urea solution: AdBlue. This substance consists of 32.5 percent urea and is continuously sprayed into the exhaust gas upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. It is stored in an auxiliary tank. It is metered according to the mass flow rate of the exhaust gas; engine management – informed by a NOx sensor downstream of the SCR catalytic converter –controls the process precisely.

Atomized into a fine vapor through a screen, the urea is converted in the hot exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter. In the SCR catalytic converter, it reacts with the nitrogen oxides and splits them – as mentioned – into nitrogen and water. The water-based AdBlue additive is nontoxic, odor-free and biodegradable. AdBlue consumption will be about 0.1 liter per 100 kilometers on average. Plans call for refilling as part of each regular service cycle.