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VW Golf/Passat Bluemotion: Test Drive
Date: 30 April 2008 | Author:
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Following the launch of the Polo Bluemotion last year, the next batch of Volkswagen's low-CO2 models have arrived in the UK, including green models of VW's two biggest fleet sellers - the Golf and Passat.
Both are powered by the same 105PS 1.9-litre TDI diesel and the engineering changes are very similar. The CO2-cutting methods applied include new gear ratios for the top three of the five-speed gearbox, aerodynamic tweaks, low-rolling resistance tyres and lowered suspension.
The diesel particulate filter fitted as standard on there models - which accounts for £425 of the £525 extra cost over the equivalent non-Bluemotion models - cuts right back on NOx and harmful particulates that pollute local air quality, though there's no CO2 benefit.
The Golf, which will be the biggest-selling Bluemotion model, comes under the crucial 120g/km benefit-in-kind limit at 119g/km, which means a 13% banding. It also claims average economy of 62.8mpg; on our test drive we achieved 50mpg without a thought to economic driving and 75mpg with our economy head on. The normal 1.9 TDI Golf claims 143g/km of CO2 and an average 55.3mpg.
The big brother Passat hits the...
