Volkswagen has begun selling the Saveiro Robust Etanol, a version of the compact pickup prepared to operate solely on ethanol, following a path similar to that adopted by GM with the Onix. This launch serves as a fiscal stimulus to reactivate old projects.
With a suggested price of R$ 111,490, the new edition will be available at dealerships starting in October and presents a cost lower by R$ 4,200 compared to its corresponding flex version.
Sustainable Car Program
This new option will be available with a single cab and aims to serve audiences such as companies, fleet operators, rural producers, and self-employed professionals. Furthermore, the Saveiro Robust Etanol becomes the first compact pickup to be part of the Sustainable Car Program, an initiative by the Federal Government that defines standards for energy-environmental efficiency, production nationality, and recycling capacity.
The vehicle uses the 1.6 MSI engine belonging to the EA211 family, which generates 116 hp of power and 16.1 kgfm of torque, coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. Although the maximum power and torque values remain identical to the flex version, Volkswagen made an adjustment to the engine to optimize ethanol use.
According to the manufacturer, the development process required more than 740 hours of work from the engineering team, involving modifications to cold start, ignition limits, and drivability. The engine's compression ratio was set at 11.5:1, which, according to the brand, is suitable to ensure efficient combustion and maximum energy utilization.
VW also announced that this specific calibration improves performance at intermediate speeds, allowing the yield to be maintained with less need for acceleration under certain usage conditions. Consequently, the energy efficiency index was adjusted from 1.83 to 1.81 MJ/km. Regarding consumption, the combined value reported by Volkswagen increased from 8.1 km/l to 8.5 km/l, while the improvement in urban consumption reaches 5%, according to data provided by the company.
Sustainable Car Program
By being configured for ethanol, the Saveiro enters the Sustainable Car Program. Volkswagen clarifies that the model registers 50 g of equivalent CO₂ per kilometer in the well-to-wheel cycle, an indicator that covers emissions generated during production, distribution, and fuel use. The program guidelines stipulate an emission limit of 83 g of equivalent CO₂ per kilometer for this cycle. For comparison, the manufacturer indicates that an equivalent flex Saveiro emits 106 g/km, considering the assumptions of gasoline and ethanol use applicable to dual-fuel vehicles, thus promising to emit half the pollutant of the flex versions.
In terms of equipment, the list of items for the Saveiro Robust Etanol is basic. In addition to mandatory legal devices, such as dual airbags, ABS brakes, electronic stability control (ESP), and traction control (TC), the model comes standard with hydraulic steering, air conditioning, and electric windows. The car has a Type A USB port but does not include a radio or multimedia system.