U.K. Channel 4 test drives the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion
Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion.
The Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion is already on sale in the United Kingdom where it claims the title of producing the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any passenger car available there at just 102 g/km. The BlueMotion also takes the U.K. prize for highest fuel economy at a remarkable 72 mpg / 3.3 L per 100 km. But how does it do it?
Fuel efficiency improvements are made by reducing the weight of the BlueMotion over regular Polos, using higher gearing and reducing drag. Reducing the weight over the regular Polo appears to have been via leaving some of the more common creature comforts out - namely sound proofing, air-conditioning, electric windows, and the CD player - all of which are absent. The aerodynamics have been improved by using a smoother grill and front bumper, adding a small rear spoiler and fitting the vehicle with lightweight alloys fitted with low-rolling-resistance tyres.
Channel 4's Tom Bird had this to say about the performance, "It's also very slow. The official performance figures show a 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 109mph, but - as with all performance figures - they would be achieved with your foot to the floor and the engine at its least economical. In normal driving, with the driver exercising restraint, the BlueMotion just crawls and clatters along, with the high gearing discouraging anything resembling zipping about. Drive it with a very light foot, and I'm in no doubt that you could easily get 700 miles from the 45-litre tank, but you'd need the patience of a saint to achieve that."
Analysis: Bird went on to say that his real-world fuel consumption was a somewhat disappointing 47.5 mpg / 5.0 L per 100 km. It sounds like the trade-offs to achieve its remarkable environmental performance may be more than the regular consumer is ready to bare at this stage.
Related:
[Source: Channel 4]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karkus 2:52PM (4/10/2007)
I thought VW had done a nice job producing a clean diesel car which didn't look like an econobox, but this article dispels that impression. Reducing weight by removing feature which are considered standard today isn't going to cut it for many drivers (especially in the US - no wonder VW doesn't plan to bring it to the US). Perhaps VW will reconsider their recent announcement not to pursue small car hybrids. The electric motor would give this car its "Zip" back (despite the added weight) and reduce emissions even further.
Also, the article is from the UK. That means UK gallons, which are 20% bigger than in the US.
Therefore, the tested UK mpg 47.5 mpg = 40 MPG US, which is 5.9 l/100km (not 5.0 l/100km). Not very impressive for such a small, stripped down car.
Bloggers, I have asked this before...Please state whether it's US or UK mpg.
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will 3:48PM (4/10/2007)
I've said this before on here but if my 7 year old Fiesta can consistently achieve 50 (UK) mpg (54 is my all time best) with an oil burner that's practically remained unchanged since the early 1980s, how come modern cars do better? I bet driven normally this wouldn't even beat an old Rover 220.
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will 3:50PM (4/10/2007)
Oops, I meant to say how come modern cars CAN'T do better.
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Karkus 4:29PM (4/10/2007)
I don't know the details of your Fiesta, but the answer to those types of questions is typically emissions and safety. Tighter emissions standards required today generally decrease MPG a little. Also, safety requirement have increased over the years, which typically adds weight and decreases MPG. (and in addition, the power of cars has also gone up over the years, especially in the US).
Also, we have to remember that the 47.5 UK mpg / 40 mpg US was achieved by a driver testing out the car, which typically results in lower mpg, and was based only on one tank - not a very large sample size. (And perhaps the engine wasn't broken in yet, and maybe the tires were low. Who knows? All those things can add up)
Although the official testing numbers aren't perfect, they are still generally a better way to compare cars than having random people (with different driving styles, climates, etc) try to compare their individual numbers.
I'm sure it's possible for knowledgeable drivers to get 60+ mpg (US) with this Polo).
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Ralph 2:42AM (4/11/2007)
VW has indicated that the Polo (in any form) is not coming to US shores. I'd personally like to see a clean-diesel Rabbit arrive next year...and perhaps a clean-diesel MINI Clubman to add some competition.
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Guenther 8:57AM (4/11/2007)
Ralph- VW TDI's will be back accross the board as 08 models. I wouldn't hold my breath for the MINI, but the Saturn Astra might get a diesel a year after initial launch. Ultimate fun econo scoot would be a BMW 120d.
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Mulad 9:23AM (4/11/2007)
Gee, it's one second slower to 60 mph than a 2006 VW Jetta TDI, and it's top-end speed is 6 miles per hour less. Oh noes!! Whatever will we do?!?
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pmgk 12:53AM (11/14/2007)
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/211479/volkswagen_polo_bluemotion_vs_rivals.html
"Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion vs rivals"
"Economy Special"
"Thanks to a raft of upgrades, VW’s new Polo Bluemotion promises amazing fuel efficiency. We put it to the test as it meets the most economical cars in the UK..."
Note: The stop-start technology improved a lot the urban mileage.
----------------------------
stop-start technology
----------------------------
C1 - NO
Mini D - YES
Panda - NO
Polo - NO
Prius - YES
Clio - NO
---------------------------
Urban Test
---------------------------
Mini D - 43.6
Prius - 41.0
Polo - 40.2
Panda - 39.7
C1 - 39.3
Clio - 36.2
--------------------------
Cross Country test
--------------------------
C1 - 68.0
Mini D - 66.7
Panda - 67.4
Polo - 61.2 (*)
Clio - 61.2
Prius - 59.7
------------------------
Motor Way
------------------------
Polo - 68.5 (*)
C1 - 62.0
Panda - 59.4
Mini D - 58.7
Prius - 53.3
Clio - 52.1
-------------------------
Combine
-------------------------
C1 - 60.5
Mini D - 60.0
Panda - 59.7
Polo - 58.0 (*)
Prius - 54.3
Clio - 53.9
-------------------------
Price
-------------------------
Panda - 8,295
C1 - 8,825
Polo - 12,845 (*)
Clio - 13,565
Mini D - 14,190
Prius - 17,777
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