Available as:
Hatchback, Estate Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion
Price: £19,430 - £20,015
Our choice:
There's no choice to be made, other than whether you want three or five doors. The VW Golf BlueMotion is a stand-alone model powered by a 1.6-litre 103bhp diesel engine.
Summary:
The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion is the most economical Golf ever, but driveability suffers, and its tax band is the same as for any other 1.6 diesel Golf.
Summary:
The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion is the most economical Golf ever, but driveability suffers, and its tax band is the same as for any other 1.6 diesel Golf.
What You Get...
- Alloy wheels
- Sports suspension
- Manual air conditioning
- Stop/Start
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Overview:
All major manufacturers have to hit some pretty tough average emissions targets by 2012 if they want to avoid stiff fines from the European Union. This is leading to a rash of eco specials promising high fuel economy with low emissions. The Golf BlueMotion, a stand-alone three or five-door model in the range, is one such car. Theoretically, it is capable of more than 74mpg, with emissions of just 99g/km. To do this it has the engine stop-start system, low rolling resistance tyres and gearshift advice indicator found on BlueMotion Technology Golfs. It also has longer gear ratios and improved aerodynamics. The trouble is, the longer gear ratios spoil driveability – you need to change gear more often to get the best from it. And for business drivers it sits in the same 13% company car tax band as any other 1.6-litre diesel Golf, so in the UK it offers no special advantages, except that it's exempt from road tax. It is based on the Golf S, but has alloy wheels, unique upholstery, body modifications and sports suspension as part of its aerodynamic package.
Good points:
There's no doubt that the VW Golf BlueMotion is a very economical car, although you’ll need to drive very gently to get anywhere near the claimed 74mpg. It's a comfortable cruiser and has supple suspension, despite the sportier set-up introduced to reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore improve economy. All the usual Golf attributes of space, quality, reliability and safety are unaffected, and this is one of the slowest-depreciating Golfs. There's no road tax to pay and no Congestion Charge if you drive into London on weekdays, and it all costs only £800 more than a Golf S.
Bad points:
Apart from saving you a bit of road tax, there's no real benefit for the company car drivers it's aimed at because of the UK's taxation structure. You’ll still be paying tax at 13%, and on a higher initial price. Performance suffers because of the longer gearing, too. It doesn’t pick up as briskly when you want to accelerate, and requires you to change gear more often. A Golf fitted with BlueMotion Technology delivers most of the same benefits with greater driveability. The 1.6 diesel engine is a bit gruff when it's working hard and the gearshift could be slicker – the semi-automatic twin-clutch DSG system isn’t offered on the BlueMotion.
Recommended optional extras:
Bluetooth
Other Volkswagen Golf trims:
Trim above
Volkswagen Golf GT
£21,630 - £26,790
Further Information:
- See all Volkswagen reviews
- See all Volkswagen Golf reviews
- Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf hatchback review
Volkswagen Golf hatchback read edition review
| BlueMotion TDI 1.6 105 PS |
|
£19,430 |
| BlueMotion TDI 1.6 105 PS |
|
£20,015 |
