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premiered a concept for the new Golf BlueMotion at the Paris Motor Show. The family car with five seats is predicted to return 88.3 mpg on the combined cycle and emit 85 g/km of carbon dioxide. The third-generation Golf BlueMotion is set for launch in summer 2013.

The first generation of the Golf BlueMotion made its debut five years ago at the Geneva Motor Show, with the car coming to market in mainland Europe at the end of 2007. In 2009, Volkswagen showed the second-generation Golf BlueMotion in Geneva whose fuel consumption had been reduced to 74.3 mpg and emissions cut to 99 g/km.

Volkswagen claims that the fuel consumption for the third Golf BlueMotion has now been reduced by another 15 per cent and CO2 emissions by 14 grams per km to 85 g/km. With its 50-litre fuel tank and 88.3 mpg fuel consumption, the new Golf has a theoretical range of 970 miles.

The car’s combined fuel consumption has been achieved through lightweight design (including 26 kg less weight in the running gear and 37 kg less in the body), engine-related modifications and a collection of other measures.  These include low rolling resistance tyres with higher air pressure, longer gear ratios (five-speed manual gearbox,the Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems that are standard in all new Golfs, plus specific aerodynamic modifications.

The frontal area of the new Golf was reduced by 0.03 m2 and aerodynamic drag (Cd x A) by nearly 10 per cent.  Compared to other Golf models, the aerodynamics of the BlueMotion were also improved by a lowered ride height (by 15 mm), a roof spoiler, lateral air guide elements on the rear window, a masked front grille, partially closed air inlet screens, optimised cooling system airflow, special underfloor panels, optimised brake cooling channels and a C-pillar spoiler.  These measures provide the Golf BlueMotion with a Cd value of 0.27.

At the heart of the new Golf BlueMotion concept is a 1.6-litre 110 PS TDI from the newly developed EA288 engine series. The four-cylinder 16-valve unit develops its maximum torque of 250 Nm from 1,500 rpm up to 2,750 rpm. 

Volkswagen says that measures such as reduced internal friction, an innovative thermal management system with shortened warm-up phase, exhaust gas recirculation, cylinder pressure sensor, two-stage oil pump, switchable electric water pump and water-cooled intercooler right in the intake manifold result in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. To reduce emissions values further, Volkswagen has also implemented an oxidation catalytic converter, a diesel particulate filter and a NOx storage catalytic converter.