|
|
|
|
26/05/2011
REVIEW By DEREK OGDEN
|
|
|
The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion has arrived in Australia. The German automobile giant says the economy Golf uses only 3.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres while emitting a mere 99 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide when measured on the official driving cycle.
The title BlueMotion relates to the elements VW is trying to protect – air and water. Blue is also VW’s corporate colour. Motion is added to the mix to represent moving forward with the goal to protect the environment.
At the heart of the matter is the 77 kW 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine modified to perform with optimum fuel efficiency.
VW says official fuel consumption has been cut from 4.9 litres per 100 km to 3.8 litres/100 km and carbon dioxide emissions have gone from 129 grams per kilometre to 99 g/km. This means theoretically the new car can travel more than 1400km on the 55 litre tank of fuel compared with a little over 1100km with the standard Golf Trendline.
There is also stop/start technology, brake energy regeneration, improved aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres.
A five-speed manual transmission - there’s no automatic option - with tall gear ratios in third, fourth and fifth is used. The best time to change gear to save fuel is flashed up on the instrument cluster.
The stop/start system means the engine cuts out when the car is stationary, the transmission is in neutral and the clutch released. The motor fires into life once the clutch pedal is depressed. This will only happen if the seat belt is fastened, and the driver’s door closed.
When the brakes are applied, kinetic energy is harnessed to charge the battery. Alternator control lowers voltage during deceleration or driving at a constant speed can switch off the alternator completely, reducing engine load and improving fuel consumption.
On the test run, even with 250 Nm of torque being produced , the Golf BlueMotion was slow(ish) off the mark and needed to be coaxed by judicious gearshifts into climbing inclines. There’s no room for indecision. Still, people buying cars like this are willing to make the extra effort.
Aerodynamic upgrades to the body make it slip through the air more cleanly and shut-off sections of the front grille help reduce cooling system drag with less heat being rejected by the engine.
Ride height has been lowered by 15 mm to further reduce drag, while modifications to the underside of the vehicle smooth airflow. We didn’t find any problems with the reduced ground clearance, but if you have a problem with a driveway crossing or the like it might be worth checking it out.
The 15-inch low rolling resistance tyres fill out the wheel arches. To further reduce weight the car comes with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare wheel. All in all, it’s a sporty look for a not-so-sporty car.
On the launch test run with two up in and around Adelaide a range of fuel consumption figures were obtained. Driving out of the city into the hills saw the computer come up with 4.8 litres per 100 km; a 31 km loop in the country had the figure down to 3.9 litres/100 km and the ride back to town on a combined country/city drive in heavy traffic saw 5.0 litres/100 km registered.
Volkswagen had former rally ace, and now eco driving expert, Ed Ordynski sit behind the wheel on a special run. His Golf BlueMotion clocked up 3.3 litres per 100 km on a 1000 km run around South Australia and 3.5 litres/100 km on an afternoon city drive in Adelaide.
While weight continues to be the enemy of fuel economy, there has been no skimping on safety features and the Golf BlueMotion shares the features fitted to all Golfs.
This market segment has grown significantly in recent times. Rivals to the VW Golf BlueMotion have official fuel consumption figures of 3.8 litres/100 km (Mini Cooper D, Volvo C30 DRIVEe) to 3.9 (Toyota Prius hybrid) and 4.6 (Honda Insight hybrid).
At $28,990, the the VW Golf BlueMotion gives this lot a run for their money with the Insight starting at $29,990 and the Volvo topping out the tags at $36,150. |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
