[B]Geneva 2009: Touran TSI Ecofuel [/B]



[B]New Touran TSI EcoFuel: Drive 100 kilometers for 4.60 Euros

Natural gas van with 150 PS delivers top performance with cleanest emissions
Touran TSI EcoFuel is powered by dual-charged Twincharger[/B]

Wolfsburg / Geneva, 03 March 2009
The multi-purpose Touran EcoFuel is one of the most successful natural gas cars in Europe. Now Volkswagen is presenting an entirely new natural gas version of this van as a world premiere: the Touran TSI EcoFuel. Its key technical feature is dual charging via turbocharger and supercharger ("Twincharger"). This combination generates more dynamic performance than in the case of any other natural gas production vehicle before it. Excellent performance combines with high fuel efficiency: the new Touran TSI EcoFuel is so economical that 100 kilometers in this van delivering 110 kW / 150 PS of power only costs about 4.60 Euros (based on average price of natural gas in Germany, February 2009).

The Touran Ecofuel closely follows the introduction of the Passat TSI EcoFuel which is now being sold in initial markets and features the same innovative, fuel-efficient drivetrain. Although the Touran TSI EcoFuel goes to work with a passion thanks to its "Twincharger", when fitted with a standard 6-speed transmission the van consumes just 4.8 kilograms of natural gas per 100 kilometers, and that corresponds to CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km.

When the Touran TSI EcoFuel is equipped with the optional DSG 7-speed dual clutch transmission – as in the version being shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show – fuel consumption and CO2 emissions drop to 4.7 kilograms and 126 g/km, respectively. In this case, fuel costs per 100 kilometers are reduced to 4.50 Euros.

[B]Maximum power, maximum economy[/B]
The TSI EcoFuel engine of the Touran is designed for mono-fuel operation; it has four natural gas tanks and an auxiliary gasoline tank. However, there are no plans for manual switching from natural gas to gasoline operation. Primarily, the Touran TSI EcoFuel is powered by natural gas. It does not automatically switch to gasoline mode until the natural gas tanks are empty. At a low 1,500 rpm the engine already develops 220 Newton-meters of torque and maintains this value up to 4,500 rpm. Its driving characteristics are just as sporty. The Touran accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 10.1 seconds. Its top speed is 205 km/h. Naturally, the Touran TSI EcoFuel fulfills limits of the Euro-5 emissions standard.

The natural gas tanks of the Touran are housed in the underfloor of the multi-purpose van for safe and space-saving storage. They hold a total of 18 kilograms natural gas. With its natural gas supply, plus 11 liters of gasoline (as a reserve fuel supply), the Touran TSI EcoFuel can be driven more than 520 kilometers. The natural gas supply alone can provide a range of around 370 kilometers.