Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 2011 review: road test

SWEAT is running down the back of OPEC and it's not caused by the heat of the Arabian Desert. Seriously clever engineering is at work to quickly reduce the fuel consumption of our vehicles and, at the wheel of Volkswagen's new Golf Bluemotion. I am stunned at the speed at which the trip computer is pulling down the fuel average numbers.

It is so easy to drive and save on costs that it's a wonder motorists have been avoiding eco-cars. Better, this is a very simple car and not a complex laboratory experiment.

So I've taken it on a test in the real world for a real world car-not a hybrid but just a diesel engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, lots of comfort and features and a $28,990 price. Think hybrid? Think again.

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VALUE

You'd expect to pay less than $29,000 for a manual car with a diesel engine. Though there's some clever - though subtle - stuff in the Golf Bluemotion, I can see motorists baulk at the manual gearshift. The rest of the car is fine because it's based heavily on the $29,990 77TDI Golf Trendline (which comes only as an auto) with almost exact features. The Bluemotion differs by having no spare wheel (sad) and no auto option but has a stop-start system, aero bodykit, weighs 100kg less and gets 3.8 L/100km compared with 5.1 L/100km. If you're not a fan of diesels, I have included a petrol Golf in the comparisons below.

DESIGN

If you don't know what a Golf looks like you've been hiding under a rock along with Port Adelaide supporters. It's neat, practical and classy but at the same time the styling is a bit bland. I love it because it works so well. It is one of the few cars that feels right-the seating position and especially the way it sits on the road. The Bluemotion has all the great things of the other Golfs and that includes space for four adults, a decent boot and a tall roofline so with folded rear seats, it will swallow a lot of gear.

TECHNOLOGY

The 77kW/250Nm turbo-diesel is identical to the Trendline model. The fuel saving is achieved by opting for a lighter five-speed manual with wide-space ratios (Trendline gets a six cog box), addition of a stop-start system, aerodynamically-focused body kit, low rolling-resistance tyres and weight reduction that includes ditching the spare wheel (it's now an option). Other than that - it's all Golf so it's all good.

SAFETY

Five-star crash rating, electronic stability control with ABS brakes and extras like brake assist and anti-slip regulator, plus seven airbags. Just like a regular Golf.

DRIVING

Getting the fuel consumption down becomes a game. I'm on a relatively long test run of 350km, through the hills - lots of hills - and following both major town-link roads and tiny backroads. I started at my city office and 15 minutes later the trip computer was tumbling down to average 7.1 litres/100km.

An hour later, winding up through the hills, it had hit 4.5 L/100km and I wasn't holding back from the 80km/h and 110km/h speed limits. It dropped to 4.1 L/100km halfway through the journey and despite becoming more aggressive with the accelerator, slipped and lodged at 4.0 L/100km - sufficient for me to travel 1375km before refuelling.

But it's not all about the fuel. The Bluemotion is a delightful handler and through the bends you can feel the tautness and strength of its chassis. Stay in the 2500-3500rpm range and there's heaps of tow in the engine.Ride comfort is great and the tyres - small 15-inch units here - notably produce less road noise than the low-profile rubber on more upmarket Golfs.

VERDICT

High quality and simple engineering make this a winner. An auto version would be interesting, especially as Volkswagen claims its dual-clutch automated manual (dubbed DSG) is more economical than a manual. Aside from its target as miserly transport, it's also fun to drive and comfortable.