Economy Formula E

Pole position for savers: Already in the 1980s, an innovative set of fuel saving options was available for Polo, Golf, and Co.

Please follow the arrow. Smart savers were able to shift gear at just the right moment thanks to the illuminated arrow symbols in the instrument clusters of the Formula E models.

Start/stop system, aerodynamic optimization, increased compression, longer gear ratios – the ingredients for Volkswagen’s legendary ‘Formula E’ recipe for success led to genuine savings from 1980. What back then was a vision of the future laid the foundation for today’s everyday technology. Today, the Golf 1.5 TSI ACT BlueMotion1 with its coasting function produces savings potentials.

My, how time flies: back in 1973, Volkswagen fitted a VW 412 with a stop/start system by way of a trial. Also tested in the IRVW II (‘Integrated Research Volkswagen’) based on the Passat B2, the everyday fuel saving method went into series production at Volkswagen in 1980, roughly 40 years ago. Its name was Formula E. With no sacrifices in comfort and benefits, it was instead a perceptible gain for the environment. Polo, Derby, Golf, Jetta, Passat, and Santana were all available with the new technology, which yielded impressive savings potentials from one to as much as just under two litres of fuel per 100 kilometres covered. Incidentally, this was tested and confirmed at the time, by the trade magazine ‘auto, motor und sport’ (a/m/s). “No one else offers such a complete economy package” was the verdict of a/m/s in March 1981. One thing all the listed models shared was a top gear with an especially long gear ratio, which was indicated by an orange-coloured E on the gear knob. In addition, the developers at Volkswagen had increased the compression ratios of the inline four-cylinder engines.

One, two, three … E! Boldly positioned on the gear knobs of the Formula E Volkswagen models, the E marked their highest gear. Pictured here: the Polo gear knob.

Smart saving with E

‘E’ for ‘Economy’ – this credo also matched the gear-change indicator on the instrument cluster of the Formula E models, which used an illuminated arrow to indicate the most economical moment to shift up to the next gear. On the outside – depending on the model – the streamlined aerodynamic kits at front and rear together with the discreet ‘Formula E’ lettering revealed the identity of the smart savers from Wolfsburg. And, exclusively for the Passat and Santana, Volkswagen was offering a stop/start system as a global first in series production – activated simply by a switch on the steering wheel stalk. All of this was because petrol was something that you could save on at the time.

The button for the shortcut command: neatly integrated into the right-hand steering wheel stalk of the Passat and Santana was the switch for the stop/start function. Conveniently and securely within reach – it was easy to get used to.

“It shows how to save.”

And so it was that the contemporary sales brochures spoke a clear, fuel-saving language: “Some cars go about it completely the wrong way: they save on space, equipment, engine performance and, obviously therefore, driving pleasure. The new Derby Formel E, on the other hand, saves in the right way: on consumption and nothing else.” (Brochure 11/1980) The Wolfsburg-based manufacturer focussed firmly on the saving formula in its communication: “What the Polo Formula E consumes is hardly worth mentioning. In short, al lot of work has been done on the Polo Formula E to keep fuel in the tank for longer. And your money in your wallet.” (Brochure 11/1980)

One pleasant side effect of the Formula E models was an audible reduction in the noise level, due to the modified gear ratios. The ams testers ultimately wrote that the Volkswagen’s Formula E approach was “luxuriously quiet”.

The E emblem: the unmistakable yet unobtrusive lettering indicated the fuel-saving models from Volkswagen – as did the rear spoiler on the Passat shown here.

Today’s economic technologies: the Coasting function 2.0

While technologies for reducing consumption may still have been an absolute novelty in the 1980s, and were viewed as utopian ideas at the time, they are part of a comfortable everyday driving experience for today’s Volkswagen drivers. Take, for example, the new Golf 1.5 TSI ACT BlueMotion1 – with an economical engine, which simply switches off two of its four cylinders during a journey, or makes use of the coasting function.

If the power demand is low, only one half of the four cylinders work. Whenever possible, the active cylinder technology – ACT for short – deactivates the two inside cylinders. The cylinders are switched off at an engine speed of 1,400 to 4,000 rpm and at up to 130 km/h.

Let it run in coasting mode – in the current Golf 1.5 TSI ACT BlueMotion and Golf Estate 1.5 TSI ACT BlueMotion2, this is possible. The ‘Freewheel Engine Off’ function, in combination with dual clutch gearbox, DSG, makes it possible. This is because if you don’t touch the accelerator while the vehicle is freewheeling, the engine switches off completely up to 130 km/h. And the four cylinders treat themselves to a break. As everyone knows, this saves energy, which, in the case of the Golf 1.5 TSI, means a fuel consumption of merely 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. Meanwhile, a separate lithium-ion battery ensures that all electrical functions are maintained while ‘coasting’. The smart saver is back!