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Not only are the highly
efficient Volkswagen Polo
BlueMotion and Golf BlueMotion
models exempt from road tax but,
as of this week, they are also
exempt from the London
Congestion Charge.
Under changes made to the rules
governing the London Congestion
Charge, vehicles emitting less
than 100 g/km of CO2
are no longer required to pay
the £10 daily charge to enter
the Congestion Charge Zone. The
Polo BlueMotion (91 g/km) and
Golf BlueMotion (99 g/km) both
fit this criterion, allowing
owners to save potentially over
£2,500 a year based on a daily
commute into the capital.
Beyond the confines of London
the Polo and Golf BlueMotion are
capable of demonstrating
incredible efficiency and low
running costs while retaining
all the virtues of comfort,
quality and refinement you would
expect from a Volkswagen. The
Golf BlueMotion, for example,
can travel over 899 miles on a
single tank of diesel yet is
driven, maintained and serviced
like any conventional Golf.
All BlueMotion variants feature
a series of subtle yet effective
modifications aimed at
maximising efficiency. These
take the form of optimised
aerodynamics, low rolling
resistance tyres, Start/Stop,
battery regeneration and longer
gearing. The result is less
strain is put on the common rail
diesel engine, which in turn
leads to lower emissions and
greater economy.
The effectiveness of these
changes was proved last year
when a BlueMotion vehicle broke
the Guinness World Record for
the longest distance travelled
on a single tank of fuel. A
Passat BlueMotion travelled a
total of 1,527 miles – the
equivalent of London to
Gibraltar – between fill-ups to
set the record.
Despite the keen focus on
economy, both the Polo and Golf
BlueMotion models are equipped
with alloy wheels, air
conditioning, a CD/stereo
system, electric windows,
Hydraulic Brake Assist and ABS
as well as driver, passenger,
side and curtain airbags and, on
the Golf, a knee airbag.
Car review by Mr D from Linvs
on 30 September 2011
08 Polo BlueMOTION2: Had this
car for nearly 7 months and it's
been fantastic to date. I've
always had VW's and this car is
true to the brand - understated
quality, value & reliability. I
commute over 400 miles per week
and have so far never
experienced less than 74mpg over
each 40 mile trip - and that's
driving (my current best is
89mpg! With very, very careful
driving). Opt for the
BlueMOTION2 if you want need
air-con, as personally I
couldn't live without it.
Agreed, there may be a one or
two other luxuries missing - but
if you miss those you've also
missed the point of the car...
And for 'eco' motor with pnly
80bhp it pulls better than most
with a good kick of torque
(144lbs/ft) that makes
overtaking safe and prompt. It
will also fly up hills with ease
when necessary. |
