Browse over 9,000 car reviews

EXPERT RATING
8.0
Neil Dowling
Contributing Journalist
25 Aug 2011
4 min read
0 Comments

SWEAT is running down the back of OPEC and it's not caused by the heat of the Arabian Desert. Seriously clever engineering is at work to quickly reduce the fuel consumption of our vehicles and, at the wheel of Volkswagen's new Golf Bluemotion. I am stunned at the speed at which the trip computer is pulling down the fuel average numbers.

It is so easy to drive and save on costs that it's a wonder motorists have been avoiding eco-cars. Better, this is a very simple car and not a complex laboratory experiment.

So I've taken it on a test in the real world for a real world car-not a hybrid but just a diesel engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, lots of comfort and features and a $28,990 price. Think hybrid? Think again.

VALUE

You'd expect to pay less than $29,000 for a manual car with a diesel engine. Though there's some clever - though subtle - stuff in the Golf Bluemotion, I can see motorists baulk at the manual gearshift. The rest of the car is fine because it's based heavily on the $29,990 77TDI Golf Trendline (which comes only as an auto) with almost exact features. The Bluemotion differs by having no spare wheel (sad) and no auto option but has a stop-start system, aero bodykit, weighs 100kg less and gets 3.8 L/100km compared with 5.1 L/100km. If you're not a fan of diesels, I have included a petrol Golf in the comparisons below.

DESIGN

If you don't know what a Golf looks like you've been hiding under a rock along with Port Adelaide supporters. It's neat, practical and classy but at the same time the styling is a bit bland. I love it because it works so well. It is one of the few cars that feels right-the seating position and especially the way it sits on the road. The Bluemotion has all the great things of the other Golfs and that includes space for four adults, a decent boot and a tall roofline so with folded rear seats, it will swallow a lot of gear.

TECHNOLOGY

The 77kW/250Nm turbo-diesel is identical to the Trendline model. The fuel saving is achieved by opting for a lighter five-speed manual with wide-space ratios (Trendline gets a six cog box), addition of a stop-start system, aerodynamically-focused body kit, low rolling-resistance tyres and weight reduction that includes ditching the spare wheel (it's now an option). Other than that - it's all Golf so it's all good.

SAFETY

Five-star crash rating, electronic stability control with ABS brakes and extras like brake assist and anti-slip regulator, plus seven airbags. Just like a regular Golf.

DRIVING

Getting the fuel consumption down becomes a game. I'm on a relatively long test run of 350km, through the hills - lots of hills - and following both major town-link roads and tiny backroads. I started at my city office and 15 minutes later the trip computer was tumbling down to average 7.1 litres/100km.

An hour later, winding up through the hills, it had hit 4.5 L/100km and I wasn't holding back from the 80km/h and 110km/h speed limits. It dropped to 4.1 L/100km halfway through the journey and despite becoming more aggressive with the accelerator, slipped and lodged at 4.0 L/100km - sufficient for me to travel 1375km before refuelling.

But it's not all about the fuel. The Bluemotion is a delightful handler and through the bends you can feel the tautness and strength of its chassis. Stay in the 2500-3500rpm range and there's heaps of tow in the engine.Ride comfort is great and the tyres - small 15-inch units here - notably produce less road noise than the low-profile rubber on more upmarket Golfs.

VERDICT

High quality and simple engineering make this a winner. An auto version would be interesting, especially as Volkswagen claims its dual-clutch automated manual (dubbed DSG) is more economical than a manual. Aside from its target as miserly transport, it's also fun to drive and comfortable.

Read the full 2011 Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf 2011: 77 TDI Bluemotion

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 3.8L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $6,930 - $9,790
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$10,237
Based on 148 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$4,670
HIGHEST PRICE
$23,900
Neil Dowling
Contributing Journalist
GoAutoMedia Cars have been the corner stone to Neil’s passion, beginning at pre-school age, through school but then pushed sideways while he studied accounting. It was rekindled when he started contributing to magazines including Bushdriver and then when he started a motoring section in Perth’s The Western Mail. He was then appointed as a finance writer for the evening Daily News, supplemented by writing its motoring column. He moved to The Sunday Times as finance editor and after a nine-year term, finally drove back into motoring when in 1998 he was asked to rebrand and restyle the newspaper’s motoring section, expanding it over 12 years from a two-page section to a 36-page lift-out. In 2010 he was selected to join News Ltd’s national motoring group Carsguide and covered national and international events, launches, news conferences and Car of the Year awards until November 2014 when he moved into freelancing, working for GoAuto, The West Australian, Western 4WDriver magazine, Bauer Media and as an online content writer for one of Australia’s biggest car groups. He has involved himself in all aspects including motorsport where he has competed in everything from motocross to motorkhanas and rallies including Targa West and the ARC Forest Rally. He loves all facets of the car industry, from design, manufacture, testing, marketing and even business structures and believes cars are one of the few high-volume consumables to combine a very high degree of engineering enlivened with an even higher degree of emotion from its consumers.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$4,670
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2011 Volkswagen Golf
See Pricing & Specs

Comments