I posted an article about cars you can buy and drive now that gives you 60 mpg. There ar quite a lot of claims made about how so and so cars will give you 60, 70 or even 100 mpg, but many such claims are not substantiated. Worst still, even if it comes close to the claim figure, it is either too expensive (if you can afford one) or it’s might be years before it becomes gets to production.
So, I went on a hunt and found the VW Polo Bluemotion. Nice name. Road test confirms that it can get 60 mpg (UK) or even slightly better. How did it get so so frugal? No fancy electronics, hybrid, lithium batteries or stop starts but just some smart tweaking here and there.
Off course, the way to go is diesel, so the Bluemotion has a 1.4 litre belt driven 3 cylinder TDI engine with a variable vane turbocharger that pushes out 78 bhp. No automatic here to bleed power and fuel but a 5 speed manual. Because it is diesel and because it has a turbocharger, it is capable of 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph.
Besides the engine, there are off course aerodynamic tweaks like on the front grille (closed), a lower front spoiler and a tiny rear spoiler. VW also make this Polo lower to the road with narrow 165/70 hard compound tires. Probably low rolling resistance tires.
It might barely be a livable car since VW chucked out the air conditioning and central locking to make the car lighter.
There are 2 models. Both comes standard with dual front and side airbags, a CD player, electric windows and a diesel particulate filter. Bluemotion 2 is higher spec’d and has air-conditioning, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and central locking.
PS – I think it is about time auto makers cut of rearview (side mirror) mirrors to reduce air drag. Replace them with cheap rear facing camera’s and a small LCD screen. What do you think?
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