January 14, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

VW Polo Bluemotion diesel -- frugality here and now
By Neil Winton

LONDON, January 14, Graphic News: The possibility that global warming is linked to the burning of fossil fuels, combined with the fact that oil will run out sooner rather than later, has focused attention on technology that raises the fuel efficiency of our cars.

This has inspired much excited talk about fuel cells, electric motors and hybrid petrol-electric engines, not to mention renewable fuels like ethanol as manufacturers race to be green.

As the international car show season gets underway -- the Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 19, followed by EuropeÕs first show-case in Geneva in March -- the manufacturers will be jostling to demonstrate the progress they have made.

Unfortunately, many of the new innovations on display will be wishful thinking rather than solid progress that you can buy. Last year in Detroit, General Motors displayed its new electric-motor powered Chevrolet Volt. The Volt was said to be able to run solely on its batteries for maybe 45 miles, a tiny 1-litre petrol engine used just to recharge the battery gave it a theoretical range of 600 miles, and an effective ability to deliver an average 150mpg (1.6 l/100km).

After the excitement died away it became clear that the Volt would not be available until 2010 at the earliest. Fuel cells are still on the drawing board, while renewable fuels like ethanol often end up actually threatening the environment because of the need to replace crops like corn for food, or using land which currently hosts forest or jungle.

But the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion is available now and GermanyÕs biggest car-maker has some mighty impressive claims.  VW says the Polo BlueMotion, with its 1.4 litre, 80 bhp, 3-cylinder diesel engine will produce an amazing average fuel consumption of 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km). I never got close to that in my road-test but did manage 54mpg (5.2 l/100km) over a 200-mile journey which included much high-speed highway driving.

On the smaller roads, the Polo BlueMotion was surprisingly lively. Sure, it sounded a bit noisy and was quite highly geared, but it had plenty of available power at lower speeds, and felt comfortable bombing down the highway.

VW says the Polo doesnÕt employ new, cutting edge technology, but is just a compilation of many improvements in engine design and body shape, to cut drag. Many components have been redesigned to cut weight. The electro-mechanical power steering saves fuel by only requiring use when the wheel is turned. Even the under-body has been redesigned to improve the air-flow and therefore fuel use. The two-valves per cylinder motor uses the latest high pressure technology to eke out fuel use. Though rather noisy from the outside, inside the sound-proofing does a good job.

There has to be some bad news, and itÕs the price. The BlueMotion starts at an eye-popping £12,000 (16,300 euros). The BlueMotion concept will find its way across the entire VW range with Golf and Passat equivalents. 

Meanwhile, beware of the automotive industryÕs new technology hyperbole.
/ENDS




VW Polo BlueMotion

Engine Ð 1.4 litre 3-cylinder diesel
Power Ð 80bhp @ 4,000rpm
Torque Ð 195 Nm @ 1,800rpm
Drive Ð front wheels 
Gearbox Ð five speed manual
Acceleration Ð 0-62mph-100km/h Ð 12.8 seconds
Top speed Ð 109mph-176km/h
Fuel consumption Ð claimed combined Ð 74.3mpg-3.8 l/100km
C02 Ð 99g/km
Suspension Ð strut/torsion beam trailing arm
Insurance Group Ð 5E 
Service intervals Ð 20,000 miles, 2 years
Warranty Ð 3 years, 60,000 miles
Weight Ð 1,084kg
Length Ð 3,916mm
Width Ð 1,650mm
Height Ð 1,467mm
Wheelbase Ð 2,466mm 
For Ð great economy, no compromises
Against Ð except the price
Price - £12,000-16,330 EUR