Although a disappointingly large number of Australians are taking the head-in-the-sand approach to climate change, Europeans are treating the problem seriously and are looking to buy cars that maximise fuel efficiency.
Volkswagen is by far the biggest automotive maker in Europe and the local Australian importer has just completed a major media event in Canberra to demonstrate the fuel saving features of its latest models.
Running under the tag of Blue Efficiency, Volkswagen’s extreme fuel savers have numerous technical devices to trim carbon emissions and at the same time reduce their fuel usage. Stop-Start systems turn off the engine when it’s not required and fire it up again when needed.
Fuel Cutout stops fuel going into the engine when it’s not needed.
Brake Energy Recuperation charges the car’s battery when the brakes are used or the car is running downhill.
Gear Recommendation suggests the correct gear to the driver from moment to moment for best efficiency.
Coasting is the most interesting of the new Volkswagen fuel saving systems.
Intelligent Thermal Management cuts engine cooling to a minimum until the powerplant has reached its correct operation temperature.
The greatest fuel saving method of all is quite simply the person behind the steering wheel.
Correct driving can easily trim fuel usage by 10 per cent.
— Ewan Kennedy
