A new Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion is now available to order and it is set to be the most economical version yet, meaning even fewer visits to the filling station. Not only does the Golf BlueMotion have a greater fuel range, it also now emits even less CO₂ emissions resulting in zero road tax costs.

At the heart of the Golf BlueMotion is a 1.6-litre common rail TDI diesel engine that produces 110hp while also delivering 250Nm from just 1,500rpm. The four-cylinder 16-valve engine actually produces 5hp more than non-BlueMotion Volkswagen diesel engines yet remarkably is far more efficient in how it does this. A great deal of engineering has been done internally to maximise fuel efficiency; for example, the engine has a shortened warm-up phase, dual-stage oil pump and cylinder pressure sensors as well as a water-cooled intercooler and switchable electric water pump. The 85g/km carbon dioxide emissions figure means you pay zero pounds per year.

It is not just clever engine technology that helps the Golf BlueMotion to achieve these remarkable figures; the car itself makes use of lightweight design. The body alone is 37kg lighter while the running gear has shed an additional 26kg. Aerodynamically Volkswagen has reduced the ride height of the car by 15mm, added a roof spoiler and lateral air guide elements on the rear window on order to improve air-flow. The front end sees a masked front grille, special under-floor panels and optimised brake cooling channels. The car also runs on super low rolling resistance tyres that are inflated to higher pressures while mechanically longer gear ratios, stop-start and battery regeneration systems further improve efficiency.

With all of these technologies in place, the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion, with its 50-litre fuel tank, has a theoretical range of 970 miles with a fuel economy figure of 88.3mpg. To put it another way, if the average driver does less than 10,000 miles driving per year, they could, assuming they drive economically, only have to fill up their car ten times a year. The more impressive side of the Golf BlueMotion is that it still manages to produce more power and as much torque as some of the less economical engines in the range.

Prices for the Golf BlueMotion will start at £20,335 for the three-door while there is a £655 premium to move to the five-door version - and both are now available to order.

Dave Humphreys - 2 May 2013