Review of the new Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

The squeeze is on in the small car market and we're not talking about a trend for cramming big interior space into tiny citycars or any desire to wring the last drops of performance out of the leading superminis. The top manufacturers are increasingly channelling their efforts into extracting the maximum mileage from every last thimble full of fuel. Volkswagen's best effort is known as the Polo BlueMotion.

Volkswagen was amongst the first out of the blocks in the mpg arms race that has been raging between the big car brands. In the early days, efficiency improvements were comparatively easy to come by and the original Polo BlueMotion relied primarily on low rolling resistance tyres, improved aerodynamics and saving weight. It's reached a stage now where the simple stuff has largely been done and manufacturers are having to work a whole lot harder to chip away at the emissions and fuel consumption of their vehicles. The latest Polo BlueMotion is stuffed with technological features designed to render owners strangers on their local filling station forecourts.

Most of the efficiency-branded superminis you'll encounter use engines that you can get elsewhere in the range with some electronic trickery to enhance economy but the Polo BlueMotion's three-cylinder diesel isn't offered in less cleanly Polos. With common-rail injection technology and a turbocharger, the 1.2-litre unit has the same high-tech configuration as VW's larger oil-burning units.

".running costs should be about as low as they go in the sector."

It develops 74bhp and has 180Nm of torque from 2,000rpm, so while performance won't be scorching, the BlueMotion should offer excitement levels that exceed those at your average international climate change conference. The 0-60mph sprint takes 13.9s and there's a 107mph top speed.

The car's five-speed manual gearbox has been optimised for economy with longer ratios which allow the engine to work less frantically than in more conventional models. Working in tandem with this more languid transmission is a gearchange indicator light that prompts you when the electronics feel better economy could be achieved in a higher gear. The automatic Stop/Start technology switches the engine off when the car is stopped and taken out of gear to save more fuel and the regenerative braking technology claws back kinetic energy that would have been lost when braking to charge the BlueMotion's battery.

The original Polo BlueMotion looked markedly different from other Polos, like an unofficial import from some developing nation where Volkswagens are sold with weird flat wheel trims and 1970s specifications. It persistently reminded owners that they'd opted for the economy model, whereas the current car keeps its cost-cutting credentials more to itself. There are specially designed bumpers, side skirts and a roof-spoiler to help with the aerodynamics but their effect is more sporty than strange. 'Greenland' alloy wheels are also fitted, shod with the latest much improved eco-rubber.

The cabin gives even fewer clues to the BlueMotion's obsessive attitude to fuel consumption. It's the same set-up as is found elsewhere in the Polo range, the one that sets the standard for build quality in the supermini sector. Volkswagen has created yet another low key but high quality cabin environment for the Polo. Soft touch plastics and subtle aluminium detailing are the order of the day. There's a 280-litre boot which increases to 952-litres when the rear seats are folded down.

There are three and five-door versions of the Polo BlueMotion with the later coming at a £600 premium. Pricing isn't what you could call cheap and customers attracted by the BlueMotion's low running costs will need to do their sums to ensure that it makes sense financially with the amount of mileage they do.

At least equipment levels are generous, with air-conditioning, a CD stereo, cruise control and a leather steering wheel fitted as standard. There are also four airbags, an ESP stability control system, ABS brakes and ISOFIX anchor points for child safety seats.

Once you're in possession of a Polo BlueMotion, it will prove to be one of the most cost-effective cars to run. The pricing will be a sticking point but higher mileage drivers and company car users who gain added benefits in the form of tax savings will definitely see the appeal. Official combined economy of 80.7mpg and emissions of just 91g/km make the BlueMotion cleaner than the Pope's favourite joke.

Extracting over 80mpg from a modern supermini is no mean feat but Volkswagen has pulled it off with the Polo BlueMotion. The greenest Polo yet achieves its results by going a good deal further than most eco-branded superminis. More than just a body-kit and some skinny tyres, the car employs an advanced three-cylinder diesel engine, Stop/Start technology and regenerative braking technology. It means that customers must pay handsomely upfront but running costs should be about as low as they go in the sector.

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