Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion Launched In Australia

Volkswagen's ultra-efficient Golf BlueMotion has at last hit Australia. The tweaked fuel-sipper first appeared as a concept back in 2008, before making its European market debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Still a shadow hung over the prospect of the Golf BlueMotion coming to the Australian market, despite the entire BlueMotion range taking out the 'World Green Car of the Year' award in 2010.

Speaking with TMR in 2009, Volkswagen Australia's Karl Gehling said that a local debut for the Golf BlueMotion was a priority, but the absence of a DSG automatic option was keeping it from Australian showrooms.

Last year however, Volkswagen proved it had changed its tune, showing the Golf BlueMotion at Sydney's Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) and confirming a 2011 market launch. 

Now, less than two months from Melbourne's turn at the AIMS roadshow, the miserly Golf BlueMotion is upon us, ready to do battle with MINI's Cooper D diesel and the iconic Toyota Prius hybrid.

The 2011 Golf BlueMotion is powered by Volkswagen's 1.6 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine - a powertrain that, in its regular Golf 77TDI guise, offers already pleasing fuel consumption figures of 4.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. 

Output remains unchanged at 77kW and 250Nm of torque, but thanks to a number of specialised tweaks and add-ons, the BlueMotion variant uses just 3.8 litres of diesel fuel per 100km. 

 If you're keeping score, that's a hair better than the Cooper D and the Prius, both listing fuel consumption at 3.9 l/100km.

Carbon emissions are down too, dropping to 99g/km - 10g/km more than the Prius, but 5g/km better than the Cooper D. If you're keeping score.

Among the Golf BlueMotion's fuel-sipper features are a modified engine management system and a lower idling speed, along with regenerative braking, a stop-start system, low-rolling-resistance tyres, lightweight wheels and lowered suspension.

As with certain other Golf Models, Golf BlueMotion drivers benefit  from a gear-shift indicator integrated in the instrument cluster, displaying the most energy-efficienct gear for the current speed and driving conditions.

On the safety front, the Golf BlueMotion shares the same safety features of all Golf models, including ABS, ESP, Hill Start Assist, seven airbags, belt tensioners and belt force limiters plus seatbelt warning indicator and head restraints, along with three rear head restraints with three point seatbelts for all passengers.

Visually, the Golf BlueMotion is set apart from the regular Golf 77TDI by a number of interior styling tweaks, along with a chrome-striped grille with BlueMotion badges up front and at the rear.

• Click to learn more about the full Volkswagen Golf range.

Pricing and Availability

The 2011 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion is available now, priced from $28,990. Metallic or pearl-effect paint is available as a $500 option.

Note: prices are Manufacturer's List Price and do not include dealier delivery or on-road costs.