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FlashBastd June 12, 2009 1:19 PM

Surely anything that improves economy is a good thing?

If people are going to buy SUV's, then why not give them a slightly more economical option?

Or are you towing the Autocar party line that all SUV's are bad, and their owners should be ridiculed for exercisng free will? Don't forget the owners / drivers of these cars pay a penalty in fuel costs, road fund licence, company car tax, etc.

Quattro369 June 12, 2009 4:57 PM

Bluemotion is a cheap hgimmick which allows them to charge more. The changes should have just been applied to the standard model -like BMW do.

andy1100 June 12, 2009 8:21 PM

I'm really starting to tire of this continual negative attitude towards people who buy a vehicle that others disaprove of. It's the same with categorising ALL people in the USA as effectively being morons for buying SUV's or trucks or big V8 engined cars. Look, here's the reality: the average person does not make a purchase strictly based on it's capability and whether or not they'll make full use of it. Example: my watch can reach a depth of 2000m. I'm hardly going to swim to that depth but I liked the look of it and it's weight so I bought it. Also, my shoes are hiking oriented shoes BUT I do not hike but I know they'd be suitable if I suddenly decided to go hiking.

Finally, if the bluemotion version of the Tourag is more efficient than the standard version, is that not a good thing? Shouldn't we be thankful for another variation of a good product?

Will86 June 12, 2009 9:59 PM

I have always quite liked the Touareg. Its a little more subtle and less 'bling' than other SUVs (chrome grill excluded). There is nothing wrong with using the bluemotion badge on an SUV, all it means is its a little more efficient than the standard model. 34mpg out of a car that weighs 2371kg seems quite respectable. And lets not forget that efficient doesn't mean its environmentaly friendly, in this case it's just a little less damaging to the environment.

To take your suggestion of an efficient family car a step further, buy a Golf Bluemotion and a trailer for the few times you need the extra space.

IainStirling June 12, 2009 10:32 PM

And saying that diesel engines create the greenest production cars - where do I start?  Define 'green', define pollution (by mentioning all of the particulates and nitrogen oxides), I can't be bothered going on...

superstevie June 14, 2009 10:51 AM

I understand what everyone is saying, but I think that the point being made is more the fact it is being marketed as a green car, when its hardly green. Unless you compare it to a standard model.

kerrecoe June 14, 2009 8:09 PM

Here here FlashBastd and Quattro 369- both excellent points well made..

VW should just make their entire range more efficient. Simples.

scrap June 15, 2009 2:31 PM

andy1100,

The difference is that your watch and shoes do not block my view of the road ahead, do not make me fear for the consequences of crashing into them, and do not make traffic and parking congestion worse.

Almost all SUV drivers are morons.

stutts June 16, 2009 11:50 AM

those figures are not bad for something as damn big as a range sport and the aerodynamics of a brick

www.twoseconds.net June 28, 2009 6:17 AM

"I’d be the first to champion VW’s Bluemotion concept, proof that by using existing technology, i.e. diesel engines, instead of futuristic solutions, you can create some of the greenest production cars on the planet."

Amen. If we are more efficient as a global community imagine the impact we could all have without having to change our lifestyles that much and the price of the car wouldn't skyrocket.

That is the key here, people are happy with what they drive and what they drive makes their life all that much better. If you have a SUV that carries 7 people but you are a single dad with two kids, does that mean you don't care about the environment because you drive a car that is 'too big'? No. It means you like having that much room when you and your 4 adult male friends want to go camping. In the deep woods. Watching Brokeback Mountain the whole way on the in-car DVD system...

Bottom line if the SUV makes your life easier and if that same SUV comes in a more efficient but just similarly powered and priced model that is better for the environment, you will choose that model if you care. And more and more people care nowadays.

If you are bashing people for driving an SUV then you probably are missing the point. The point being;

Get products to the masses that don't change their day to day lifestyle at an accessible price and you will see rapid waves of change. With a network of fueling stations in for diesel and the flexibility of what fuel you can run in a diesel every car manufacturer should be investing in diesel technology. Especially the Prius and Volt. Imagine if those cars had a far more efficient diesel powerplant. Imagine the MPG and CO2 output of that! And like Tesco says "Every little bit helps"

www.twoseconds.net