We are now behind the wheel of a nice silver grey Golf “Blue Motion” and are impressed by its silk-smooth but very frugal 1.6 TDI engine. The engine develops some healthy 105 HP or 77 kW, and whisks you without any noticeable noise or vibration through traffic.

Again the excellent finish, the precision “feel” of the car, which we already noticed on the TDI, did not fail to impress us, but it is the engine this time which leads us to use superlatives here.

Driving normally, and even without really concentrating on adopting always the right gear, we achieved easily a trip consumption of say 4.2 litres per 100 km.  

The wide ratios of the 5-speed gearbox do not mean sluggish performance: the engine develops a healthy 250 Nm of torque between 1500 and 2000 rpm, and this results in a very lively Golf, even when using partial throttle openings. The performance figures tell the tale: it sprints from 0 to in a mere 11.3 seconds, and top speed is in the region of 190 kmh. Let us tell you that in terms of speed, it is the excellent highway or “Autobahn” characteristics of the Golf which make the day here. The Golf is a formidable motorway-cruiser, which is no surprise given its country of origin.

But the Golf is with its excellent gearbox, smooth clutch and refined and very willing engine also a good town companion. We should also mention here the excellent, sensitive and precise steering with electronic assistance, one of the very best we have come across, and this in any car class.

A special future about the Blue Motion technology package is also the stop start system and regenerative braking. We still do not like the stop start system in general, as we have the (bad?) habit of releasing the clutch briefly, when the traffic is moving at walking speeds. The engine shuts off, but actually, we are still driving, and want to pick up speed within the next few seconds or so. Depressing the clutch will start the engine again, but it makes for a lot of unnecessary and nervous stopping and starting. We are ok with the system at lenghty traffic light stops. Also know that the stop start system will not function at outside temperatures below 5 ° C.

Another technological feat is the regenerative braking; it allows the generator to take less power from the engine.

Exterior signs of efficiency…

The new Golf Blue Motion’s exterior looks distinguishes itself from the base model by the following additional features: modified radiator grille with chrome trim, bumpers and side skirt extensions in sporty R-Line styling, 15-inch alloy wheels with tyres (195/65) developed for low rolling resistance, smoked rear lights, roof edge spoiler in GTI design and BlueMotion signature on the radiator grille and tailgate. The tyres offer good grip, despite there “eco” capacities, and we also liked very much the comfortable suspension, especially on our – to say the least – rather “rough” roads…

Conclusion

With the various government premiums, the Gof BlueMotion will be an “eco-car” which you really will like to have, not only for its frugality, but also because of its excellent all-round qualities. VW uses quite correctly the statement “Das Auto”, or indeed, “THE Car”. We can only agree…

Hans Knol ten Bensel