Cheapest To Run
by David Finlay (05 Jun 08)

The Golf is the third Volkswagen to get the BlueMotion treatment, after the Polo and the Passat, and it arrived in the UK early in 2008. At the time of writing there are three versions, two in S trim with a choice of three or five doors and the Match which is sold as a five-door only.

The Match is the most expensive, on account of having more equipment than the S. At £16,750 it costs £515 more than the non BlueMotion Match with the same engine, but it shouldn't take long to claw back that amount if VED and the London congestion charge develop the way they're currently intended to.

As with the other BlueMotion Golfs, this one uses our old friend the 1.9-litre TDI turbo diesel engine, in this case producing 104bhp. A regular Golf of that description has a top speed of 116mph and a 0-62mph time of 11.3 seconds, and on the combined cycle it uses fuel at the rate of 56.5mpg and emits 132g/km of CO2.

According to the official figures, the BlueMotion has exactly the same performance, but its combined economy figure is 62.8mpg and the CO2 rating drops to 119g/km. The reasons for the improvement include a lower ride height (to reduce drag), some aerodynamic tweaking of the front grille and the underside of the body, a tiny reduction in overall weight and the use of higher-ratio third, fourth and fifth gears.

The most obvious advantage is that you pay less in tax. The drop below 120g/km of CO2 means that instead of paying £120 of VED this year you would instead pay just £35, and although the new taxation system (due to be introduced next April) actually reduces the BlueMotion's advantage over the standard car, there's still going to be a £60 annual benefit.

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