Ultra Green Polo and Golf in SA

 

I'm not a tree hugger but one thing I like the most about this Green movement is that car manufacturers are make their cars more economical with astonishing results with regards to fuel economy and such. VW has introduced thier Bluemotion range in the country and the falgship moderls are the Polo and Golf 6.


BlueMotion, in VW speak, equates to an ultra-efficient range of cars that spans nearly the entire line-up in Europe. However, South Africa only recently got its first BlueMotion product in the new Touareg range launched in October.

Now VW has unleashed two of its most efficient BlueMotion cars in South Africa in the form of a Polo that consumes just 3.4-litres per 100km on the combined cycle, according to official VW claims, and a Golf that sips just 3.8 l/100km.

 
Both models achieve this startling efficiency compliments of new common rail turbodiesel engines, a stop-start system, low-rolling-resistance tyres, a gear-shift indicator, regenerative braking and various aerodynamic mods.

The Polo BlueMotion's 3.4 l/100km consumption makes it the most efficient and lowest emitting car on the South African market, with a CO2 emissions figure of just 89g/km - beating the Toyota Prius by 5g/km. VW's figures also equate to a range of 1200km, despite the Polo's fuel tank holding just 45 litres.

The Polo is powered by a new 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder TDI, which should evoke memories of the SA Car of the Year-winning 1.4 TDI of 2002, a car that punched well above its weight in performance terms.

This 1.2 TDI is similarly endowed, with outputs of 55kW at 4200rpm and 180Nm from 2000rpm. VW claims a 0-100km/h time of 13.9 seconds and a top speed of 173km/h.

 

Just so the world can distinguish between this green hero and its more ordinary counterparts, the Polo BlueMotion is decked out with a closed upper grille, new front spoiler lip, optimised side skirts, new rear bumper and redesigned rear spoiler. It also has lightweight and aerodynamically enhanced 15-inch alloys.

This Polo's relatively affordable too, with a sticker price of just R175 400, including air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control and a six-speaker audio system.

Compared with the Polo BlueMotion, the Golf is not a lot harder on the planet, with its 3.8 l/100km consumption equating to an emissions rating of 99g/km and a range of 1300km, thanks to its 55-litre tank.

Under the Golf's bonnet is a four-cylinder 1.6 TDI that develops 77kW at 4400rpm and 250Nm from just 1500rpm. This Golf will run from 0-100km/h in 11.3 seconds and reach a top end of 190km/h, according to VW.

 

Like the Polo, this Golf's exterior is distinguished from the rest of the range with a modified grille with chrome trim, bumpers and side skirt extensions, 15-inch 'Wellington' alloys, smoked rear lights and a roof edge 'GTI' spoiler. As with the Polo BlueMotion, the Golf will be available in the special 'Glacier Blue metallic' paint.

Well equipped too, the Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion sells for R265 600, including a five-year/90 000km service plan.

BCM

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