Volkswagen Golf MkVI Bluemotion

Here’s a new Golf with every reason to be blue!

Volkswagen has today unveiled the Golf BlueMotion concept, which emits only 99g/km of CO2 – meaning buyers won’t have to pay a penny in annual road tax!

Under the current road excise duty system, the Golf BlueMotion falls just 1g/km shy of the 100g/km limit for band A – but that will still save owners the £35 per year demanded for cars in higher band B.

The hatchback emits exactly the same amount of CO2 as the smaller Polo BlueMotion and beats the current MkV Golf Bluemotion’s emission count by 20g/km, as well as undercutting the Ford Focus ECOnetic, its key rival, by 16g/km.

The newcomer also boasts fuel economy of 74.3mpg combined – compared to the equivalent Golf V’s 62.8mpg figure – thanks to an ultra efficient 1.6-litre TDI engine that develops 104bhp and 249Nm of torque, allowing the green machine to despatch the 0-62mph sprint in 11.2 seconds.

Officially a concept at present, the Golf Bluemotion achieves its miserly fuel consumption and emissions figures by way of improved aerodynamics, a five-speed gearbox with revised ratios, and alloys shod in low rolling resistance rubber. A diesel particulate filter is also fitted to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.

The MkVI Golf is set to hit showrooms in January, with this BlueMotion version expected to follow mid-2009. In the meantime, be sure to pick up issue 1,030 of Auto Express – on sale Wednesday 17th September – for the definitive verdict on the sixth-generation Golf.