Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion (2008-) Review

Overview

• Next: Reliability and Quality

Not familiar with Bluemotion yet? You will be, it's the name Volkswagen has designated to spearhead its green offensive.

The first Bluemotion model we encountered was the Polo - the little supermini underwent a serious weight-loss programme, wind tunnel session and engineering tweak that enabled it to average a barely believable, hybrid-bashing 74.3mpg. It even ditched its soundproofing and aircon in some models to keep weight down and fuel economy up.

For the Golf, Golf Plus, Jetta, Passat, Touran and Sharan the Bluemotion measures are less extreme.

The Bluemotion Golf keeps its soundproofing and the front-end bodykit changes are not so apparent. To achieve the superior fuel economy the 103bhp 1.9-litre diesel receives an ECU reprogram, lengthened third, fourth and fifth gear and the ride height has been lowered.

Side by side with the regular Golf, and without the optional Bluemotion badge, we challenge you to spot the difference.

The difference, Volkswagen says, is how often you'll visit the pumps. With an incredible theoretical 745 miles from a 55-litre fuel tank, VW says the Golf averages almost 63mpg, while emitting just 119g/km, meaning significant savings over the standard car (56.5mpg/132g/km.)

But how do these eco aids translate to the road? The Polo Bluemotion was an eye-opening experience - a car that, on paper, seemed the perfect solution to spiralling fuel prices and CO2-lead taxation.

In reality, it was hopelessly compromised, so the Golf is a dilution of the Bluemotion philosophy. All this poses the question: has VW got the Bluemotion mix right with the Golf?