The Golf Blue Motion is powered by a 1.6 litre diesel engine and comes with Stop/start technology as standard. It is basically the same diesel engine as fitted to last week’s test car, the Volkswagen Polo TDI, except that in the case of the Golf Blue Motion, it is tuned to deliver 77 kW rather than 66 kW, as was the case with the Polo TDI. Interestingly the Golf is heavier in both unladen weight and gross vehicle weight, yet its extra power allows it to deliver a higher top speed, (190 kph/118 mph vs. 180 kph/111 mph), similar acceleration, (11.3 secs vs 11.5 secs), with better fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions, (74 mpg vs. 66 mpg). The Polo TDI was certainly not lacking in any of these areas, but it only goes to show what an incredible engineering feat Volkswagen have achieved with their BLUE MOTION technology. Although it has a greater gross vehicle weight, its extra power output, gives it a better power/weight ratio, which no doubt contributes to its superior performance. If you set your mind to it, the car will accelerate away, when the lights turn green, like a scalded cat, with the tachometer swinging up to 5,000 plus rpm, in the blink of an eyelid. To go with its effortless performance, it has a comfortable ride and outstanding roadholding. Make no mistake about it, the Golf Blue Motion delivers a perfect blend of performance, sheer driving pleasure, with an excellent fuel economy. If ever a car was tailored to today’s needs, this is it !

Contributing in no small way to that overall driving pleasure, is the excellent layout of the instruments and driving controls. The design of the facia and controls is similar to that in the Polo. A curved, hooded binnacle, behind the steering wheel, ahead of the driver, houses two large analogue instruments. Both have black faces, with clear white lettering and red needles. In its lower section, each also contains a small round instrument face for the engine temperature and fuel level. Between the two large instruments there is a rectangular digital panel that gives a variety of selectable information, like the time, outside air temperature, total distance, trip distance, distance to empty, door open, etc. The centre console houses the radio/CD and audio equipment, with the air-conditioning controls below. The three round selectors (temperature - fan speed - distribution) are all clearly marked, making them easy to see and use whilst driving. Below this there is an open storage space, with provision for two cupholders. Ahead of the gearlever there are four horizontally positioned buttons, allowing the driver to switch off, if so desired, the Electronic Stability Programme, Stop/start, Parking sensors and to alter the degree of power assistance provided for the steering. The two horizontal arms of the leather covered steering wheel have additional controls for the Bluetooth mobile telephone facilities and the audio system. The steering wheel itself adjusts for both reach and height.

The two front seats are comfortable and well bolstered. They have an ample range of adjustments for reach and backrest angle. The driver’s seat adjusts for height as well. Both exterior rear view mirrors are electrically adjustable and the specification includes four electrically operated windows. The rear seat backrest is divided 60/40, with the backrests folding flat onto the cushions. Rear seat kneeroom and footroom is reasonable, although in the centre position it is compromised by the extension of the centre tunnel into the rear seating space. As in most cars of this size today, the centre rear seating position is harder than the positions on either side. It is thus more suited to children than adults. All five seating positions have three point, lap and shoulder seat belts and adjustable head restraints.

Normal luggage space, when all seats are in use, is 0.350 cubic metres. This can be adjusted upwards in stages, by folding the rear seat backrests, to a maximum of 1.305 cubic metres, when only the two front seats are in use and you load to the roof. If you need more space, you can carry up to 75 kg in a suitable container on the roof, or 650 kg in an unbraked trailer. If your towing needs stretch to a larger trailer/caravan, with brakes, then 1400 kg is the limit. On the subject of roofboxes, be advised that they cause considerable wind resistance, which has a detrimental effect on fuel consumption, so it is highly recommended that they are removed when not required. Volkswagen go so far as to say that if they are needed for two consecutive weekends, they still recommend that you remove them for the intervening days, in the interests of fuel economy. Being mounted so high, they are also much more difficult to load and unload and when removed, you require a sizeable amount of space to store them. Towing has its problems too, as the car comes without a spare wheel or a jack and wheelbrace. Instead you get a can of latex and a small plug-in air compressor. While this may be suitable for small punctures, it is useless for more serious damage such as blow-outs.

The braking system uses ventilated discs at the front and plain discs at the back. It includes anti-lock, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and traction control. There is also an electronic differential lock. It is linked to the electronic stability programme. Steering is electro-mechanical, power assisted rack and pinion, with counter steering support and is geared to give a comfort orientated 3.0 turns from lock to lock.
Regular servicing is recommended at intervals of 30,000 km (20,000 miles) or two years, whichever comes first, with an annual oil change. Volkswagen give a two years unlimited mileage warranty, with two years roadside assistance and three years on the paintwork. The anti-perforation guaranteed is for twelve years.

Technical data