Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI BlueMotion 2

I am currently working as a sales executive for Volkswagen and for my latest Demonstrator, I was handed the keys to a controversial Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion2.

Contorversial is the key word here as I still havn't made up my mind weather or not I like the car and if I could ever justify owning one, all will be explained.

Volkswagens outlook to saving the environment has been branded Bluemotion, an eco-friendly range of cars that have the best mpg (mile per gallon) than any other model in their range. VW's debut model for the Bluemotion was the Polo launched around November 2007. The car comes in 2 trims, Bluemotion1 and 2 and are available in either 3 or 5 door varients and only available in a manual transmission, to maximise mpg.

Throughout 2008 and 2009 VW are launching their Bluemotion on two other models, the Passat and the Golf which should suit company car drivers for its mpg and low tax band while not compramising luxuary, space or practicality, prices have still to be aranged for these models.

Now as i've mentioned, the Polo Bluemotion comes in 2 varients, 1 & 2. Bluemotion1 is a more stripped down and basic car, the idea is to save weight hence the reason there is now spare wheel or airconditioning in this model, it comes with a tyre repair kit. If it was to compare to another polo in the range it would be between the polo E and polo S whereas the Bluemotion 2 has more toys such as remote central locking, Automatic dipping rear mirror, rain sensitive windscreen wipers, Climatic Air conditioning, front and rear electric windows and also a multifunctonal computer, making you more aware of how much diesel you are burning.

The Technology...
The way bluemotion maximises mpg is by a few clever engineering techniques. Both models are engineered the same way and as i can re-inerate the differences is only luxuary items. They both have a full aero-dynamic bodykit which consists of front and rear spoilers, rear defuser, sideskirts, "1vent" grille, lightweight alloy wheels and dunlop ecofriendly tyres, all of which not only looks great but also distinguishes it from other models. Under the bonnet the engineering continues, it has a re-engineered gearbox for faster gearchange and a revised ECU (the brains of the car) which is not just faster than the model its based upon (1.4tdi) but also makes the engine run slower while producing more power to the wheels, less power=less fuel used.

Negatives.
what dont i like about the car? Well first of all I extremely hate the interior. It is a silver/blue seat covering and having a 2 year old child spells disaster for keeping clean. I also cant justify the price either. As the models are based around the 1.4tdi engine which in its-self delivers around 60 to the gallon and is only £35 per year for road tax. There also seems to be one massive of a premium between the models (around £1500). This is why I dont ever think i could justify owning one as diesel Polos are already arond that same premuim anyway, making it £3000 more than a petrol. Im no maths expert but that would take some amount of tanks of fuel to justify the massive premuim.

What I do like about the car is that its Road fund licnece friendly, the Bluemotion1 is tax exempt making it also exempt from Congestion charges, so maybee for London owners the premium in the car I spoke about in the previus paragraph makes the car a bit of a bargain.

Concluesion
Unless you live in London or you are a fanatic about saving the planet and money is no object this probably wont ever find itself in your driveway. The 1.4 Match (replacing the S) tdi, is a lot cheaper and the running costs are close to the Bluemotion. The technology in bluemotion is marvelous but other models have not to be knocked and my hat comes off to them too for great technology and making and effort to save the planet. Such models are the Toyora Prius, Lexus, and Renault who all have a line up of eco-frindly cars.

Food for thought
Consider the amount of cars on our roads in the World and amount of polution contributed by the airline industry and manufacturing industry, its unlikely a few thousand of these cars will ever make even the smallest impact. It also bugs me that Volkswagen and other manufacturers are still producing cars with rediculous co2 emmisions, how very Hypacritical while marketing another car in their lineup very cleverly to make them look eco-friendly.
Robbing Peter to pay Pauls emmisions if you get what I mean.

Thanks for reading, please rate my review and feel free to express you opinions by leaving feedback..