VW's unveils details for upgraded Golf

Volkswagen has revealed pricing and details of its latest BlueMotion model, the Golf Plus.

The new model has the practicality of the new standard Golf Plus, which went on sale in May, but attempts to offer greater economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Prices will start at £17,570 for the Golf Plus BlueMotion S, rising to £18,920 for the SE; that’s just £325 more than the equivalent standard Golf Plus S and SE models.

Using the latest 1.6-litre common rail TDI 105 PS engine combined with a number of BlueMotion modifications, VW boast that the Golf Plus BlueMotion is capable of returning 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting just 114 g/km of CO2.

By comparison, the previous generation Golf Plus BlueMotion with a 1.9-litre TDI engine and 105 PS returned 58.9 mpg while producing 127 g/km; that’s an 11 per cent improvement in economy and a 10 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

Another benefit that VW hopes will attract buyers in the current difficult market is that drivers covering less than 8,000 miles a year - typical of more than a half of Golf Plus customers - need only fill up with fuel once every five weeks.

This relative frugality is a result of a number of BlueMotion modifications including revised gear ratios in third, fourth and fifth, the addition of low rolling resistance tyres, a Start/Stop function and regenerative braking.

The Start/Stop system allows the engine to shut down completely when the car is at a standstill before automatically restarting as soon as the clutch is depressed, ready to engage first gear and move off.

Golf Plus BlueMotion is available in two trim levels, S and SE, and its standard features are the same as on these standard models.

Owners can benefit from ABS with ESP, six airbags, air conditioning, and multi-function computer - with the addition of gearchange recommendation on BlueMotion. SE adds Park Assist to ease parallel parking manoeuvres and cruise control.

Originally appeared in the Belfast Telegraph