27 Oct 09 14:21
Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion
Volkswagen is launching its most efficient production Golf that returns an average of 74.3mpg and emits a road-tax-busting 99g/km of CO2.
The new BlueMotion Golf is powered by a 1.6-litre TDI common rail engine with 103bhp and maximum torque of 184lb-ft developed at 1,500rpm. The diesel gives this ultra-efficient hatchback a 0-62mph time of 11.3 seconds and a top speed of 118mph.
Standard specification is based on that of the standard Golf S model, but the BlueMotion features extra technologies to increase economy and reduce emissions. These include a start/stop, regenerative braking, hill hold, longer gear ratios, low rolling resistance tyres, a multifunction computer showing recommended gear changes for maximum economy and sports suspension.
In addition the new car is fitted with a sports styling kit to improve aerodynamics, boost efficiency and differentiate it from other Golf models. This kit comprises sports bumpers, side skirts and an enlarged rear roof spoiler as well as 15" alloy wheels, cherry red rear lights, chrome grille louvres and BlueMotion badges at the front and rear of the vehicle.
To reduce weight further and aid efficiency, the new Bluemotion Golf comes with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel. ABS with ESP, seven airbags, climatic semi-automatic climate control and a radio/MP3-compatible CD player are also on the kit list.
The new BlueMotion Golf costs £17,325 (£785 more than the standard S 1.6-litre TDI 103bhp Golf), with a £585 premium for the five-door model. VW says that Bluemotion makes financial as well as environmental sense: it is exempt from annual road tax and a driver covering 10,000 miles per year will save over £120 per year in fuel savings alone.
In a break from Volkswagen's existing naming policy of economy models, the 99g/km Golf will be the only model in the range to be called simply BlueMotion Golf. The 107g/km Golf models will now be denoted as BlueMotion Technology.
