Volkswagen has rolled out its BlueMotion badge across its model range. The badge might say blue, but the promise is of greener motoring, the Golf, Passat and Golf Plus joining the BlueMotion Polo originator. Detailed revisions reduce fuel consumption and emissions, this Golf able to return 62.8mpg (3.75 L/100km) and just 119g/km of CO₂ on the official combined consumption and emissions cycles.

What is it?

To all but the most informed it's simply a Volkswagen Golf. That's perhaps not going to appeal to the wear-your-environmental-credentials on your sleeve Prius drivers, but for those more concerned about actual figures than being seen to be green the BlueMotion Golf is very appealing. The great thing about being little different to the standard car is exactly that; it drives just like every other Golf you'll have experienced. To achieve the economy gains Volkswagen has made a number of small but very significant changes to the car. There's revised aerodynamics, longer gearing, slightly lower suspension and lower rolling resistance tires. Other than that it's as said earlier, a Golf.

How does it drive?

The BlueMotion drives just like any other Golf. There's plenty of mid-range torque giving it ample performance, even with the longer gear ratios from third through to fifth. The 1.9-litre turbodiesel delivers 102bhp and 184lb.ft of torque, and although not the quietest diesel around isn't too intrusive on the move. The benchmark 100 km/h arrives in 11.3 seconds, which is not hugely rapid these days, but the BlueMotion is by no means slovenly. Buyers looking for economy are unlikely to ever be trying to match that acceleration figure, either. Inside, in Match trim you get everything you could ever realistically need or want, including air conditioning, iPod preparation and a decent stereo, allied to one of the neatest cabins this side of an Audi.

Planet hugger or planet mugger?

Given the relatively minor changes Volkswagen has made to the Golf it's amazing the difference in potential economy and emissions. Over the standard car the combined consumption figure leaps from 55.4mpg (4.2 L/100km) to 62.8mpg (3.7 L/100km), while CO₂ emissions drop from 132g/km to just 119g/km.

Verdict

The badge says blue but the colour here is most definitely green. The thing is, if it's as easy as Volkswagen seems to demonstrate, then why are all manufacturers not doing the same? Indeed, why aren't all Volkswagens having BlueMotion ideas implemented? Cost inevitably has something to do with it, the BlueMotion Golf Match costing more than the regular car, but with the price of fuel rocketing at the moment you might just make that back sooner than you'd think.