Volkswagen's best-selling Golf just got greener. Revealed as a concept at the Paris Motor Show the new BlueMotion version of the popular hatchback boasts fuel economy of 88.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 85g/km. That equates to a 15 per cent improvement over the second generation BlueMotion. With its 50-litre fuel tank the new Golf BlueMotion has a theoretical range of 1,560 kilometres, which, according to Volkswagen, means that an owner need only refuel ten times a year.
Exterior
The eagle-eyed will be able to spot the BlueMotion specific aerodynamics, like a lower ride height, roof and C-pillar spoilers, unique front grille and special under-floor panels, but for the most part the BlueMotion is virtually indistinguishable from a regular Mk7 Golf.
Interior
Volkswagen has not released details of any specific BlueMotion changes so we have to assume it falls in line with the interior of the rest of the Golf range, perhaps with bespoke trim and colours.
Mechanicals
At the core of the BlueMotion's eco-credentials is a newly developed 110hp 1.6-litre TDI engine. Thanks to changes to the thermal management system, oil and water pumps and a water-cooled intercooler right in the intake manifold the new car is 15 per cent more efficient than the second generation car; not exactly a bastion of high CO2 itself.
The weight savings achieved by the new MQB platform also contribute to the low CO2 with 37kg shaved from the body and 26kg from the new drivetrain. No doubt the stop-start and battery regeneration systems (standard across the Golf range now) play their part too.
Anything else?
The Golf BlueMotion's reveal in Paris was interrupted by Greenpeace, who unveiled a banner over the stage as part of its protest. The banner read 'Volkswagen Nous Enfume!' which, according to Google, translates to 'Volkswagen we smoke!' We are pretty sure that Greenpeace was not telling the world about its addiction to Gauloises... The eco-activists appear to be miffed by Volkswagen Group's overall emissions. After all, as it includes exotica such as Bugatti, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porsche you have to question the logic behind unfurling a banner over a car with emissions of 85g/km.