Good To The Last Drop - VW’s Polo BlueMotion
Despite the recent shift to hybrid powertrains, there are a few manufacturers who have a one-track mind on diesel; one of those is Volkswagen. Sure, they’ve tinkered with the idea of hybrids and hydrogen in a couple of concept cars, but like many other German automakers, Volkswagen continues to believe that oil-burning technology is the best long-term solution to the world’s fuel problems. By volume, it only makes sense that they support diesel technology, after all, they are the leading seller of diesel-passenger powered cars in North America, with the Jetta, Golf and New Beetle TDI, and are considered one of the diesel masters across the globe.
The brand also made it into the history books on several occasions with the help of diesel. In 1999, VW launched the Lupo 3L (not named after a 3.0-litre displacement engine), a super-economy version of their now defunct city car that was capable of returning 3L/100 km (78 mpg). Audi also produced a 3L version of the ASF aluminum-bodied A2. Perhaps an even more famous diesel-powered Volkswagen was the 1L, an ultra-skinny tandem-seater 8.5-horsepower car capable of achieving 1L/100 km, or 282 mpg.
For this year’s Geneva Motorshow, Volkswagen brought out a special version of its subcompact Polo hatchback fitted with all sorts of economy-improving additions. It must be said that the Polo BlueMotion isn’t as efficient or as advanced as the A2 or Lupo 3L, however, this isn’t the purpose of this new model. Having already proven its abilities to reach the 3L/100 km goal in a four-seater passenger car, VW shifted its resources towards providing the masses with a slightly larger car that cost less to buy, requires fewer compromises on the part of the owner, and is still fun to drive.