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Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion 1.2 TDI 3dr Diesel (M) Review
22 Feb 2011|22,300 views
Let's face it; oil is a fast-depleting resource. At current rates of consumption, it is highly likely that the black stuff from which petrol is derived will run out in our lifetime.
As a result, carmakers are now turning towards making cars that are more economical than ever before, in a bid to preserve what limited supplies of oil we have left. It also helps to prepare ourselves for the eventuality when oil does run out and we have to depend on other sources for fuel.
Like all fledgling technology, different companies have different ways of tackling the problem. Toyota spearheaded the eco-friendly drive with hybrid vehicles, which seems to be catching on rapidly throughout the industry. The Americans opted for the electric route, with Chevrolet and Tesla coming up with plug-in electric cars as their solution.
The Europeans, however, have decided on the strategy of efficiency. This means maximising the usage of fuel such that every drop goes longer. Allied to the European love for diesel engines, which are generally more fuel-efficient than petrols, it seems to be a strategy that might work for them.
Different carmakers have different names for their efficiency schemes. Mercedes-Benz call theirs BlueEfficiency, BMW uses EfficientDynamics, and Volkswagen went for BlueMotion, but they all amount to the same concept, of focusing on maximum fuel efficiency.
The Volkswagen Polo is currently the only model in Singapore that has the BlueMotion treatment. With its 1.2-litre turbo diesel engine claiming to deliver a fuel consumption rate of 30.3km per litre of fuel, it promises to be one of the most economical cars on sale at the moment.
As a result, carmakers are now turning towards making cars that are more economical than ever before, in a bid to preserve what limited supplies of oil we have left. It also helps to prepare ourselves for the eventuality when oil does run out and we have to depend on other sources for fuel.
Like all fledgling technology, different companies have different ways of tackling the problem. Toyota spearheaded the eco-friendly drive with hybrid vehicles, which seems to be catching on rapidly throughout the industry. The Americans opted for the electric route, with Chevrolet and Tesla coming up with plug-in electric cars as their solution.
The Europeans, however, have decided on the strategy of efficiency. This means maximising the usage of fuel such that every drop goes longer. Allied to the European love for diesel engines, which are generally more fuel-efficient than petrols, it seems to be a strategy that might work for them.
Different carmakers have different names for their efficiency schemes. Mercedes-Benz call theirs BlueEfficiency, BMW uses EfficientDynamics, and Volkswagen went for BlueMotion, but they all amount to the same concept, of focusing on maximum fuel efficiency.
The Volkswagen Polo is currently the only model in Singapore that has the BlueMotion treatment. With its 1.2-litre turbo diesel engine claiming to deliver a fuel consumption rate of 30.3km per litre of fuel, it promises to be one of the most economical cars on sale at the moment.
 |
Exterior
The Polo Bluemotion looks slightly different from its regular siblings, and these changes are there for a reason.
The most visible difference is the front grille, which has been "smoothened out" with a flat, matte black plastic panel and a smaller opening for improved aerodynamic flow. There are also spoilers front and back to help redirect air more efficiently around the car to reduce drag.
The lightweight alloy wheels, together with the low-resistance tyres, have also been specially-developed and fine-tuned for yet more aerodynamic efficiency. Unfortunately, the result of all that is the 15-inch wheels look a tad bargain-basement and undersized.
The Polo Bluemotion is available in either three or five-door hatchback guises. We took out the three-door, which we felt was slightly better looking, but it's nice to know that efficient driving can be had with the practicality of a five-door hatchback body style.
 |
Interior
At first glance, the interior of the Polo Bluemotion seems typically Volkswagen, with soft touch plastics along the top of the dashboard giving a sense of quality to the interior.
And indeed, the Polo's interior is well-screwed together to Volkswagen's exacting quality. However, the equipment level on the Bluemotion has been kept to a minimum, with just simple frills like climate control and radio to keep you company. There isn't even remote central locking to speak of.
There are a few cubby holes in the centre console and in the door pockets, which are pretty useful for bottles and knick-knacks. There is also cruise control, which came as a surprise to us, but I suppose that helps with the efficient driving, by helping drivers to maintain a constant speed on the highways.
Disappointingly, some of the trim around the cabin look a bit plasticky, notably the bits around the radio and air con area, as well as the front centre armrest. The fact that the gear knob and steering wheel are wrapped in leather doesn't make up for it.
At first glance, the interior of the Polo Bluemotion seems typically Volkswagen, with soft touch plastics along the top of the dashboard giving a sense of quality to the interior.
And indeed, the Polo's interior is well-screwed together to Volkswagen's exacting quality. However, the equipment level on the Bluemotion has been kept to a minimum, with just simple frills like climate control and radio to keep you company. There isn't even remote central locking to speak of.
There are a few cubby holes in the centre console and in the door pockets, which are pretty useful for bottles and knick-knacks. There is also cruise control, which came as a surprise to us, but I suppose that helps with the efficient driving, by helping drivers to maintain a constant speed on the highways.
Disappointingly, some of the trim around the cabin look a bit plasticky, notably the bits around the radio and air con area, as well as the front centre armrest. The fact that the gear knob and steering wheel are wrapped in leather doesn't make up for it.
The design of the seats, as befitting of the car's nature, are relatively simple, and unfortunately, not exactly very comfortable. They do look quite cool in their blue 'Power On' trim, but that's not really the point.
The Bluemotion features an engine stop-start system that seems to be de rigueur for cars of this ilk. Because of the diesel clatter, it is pretty obvious when the system kicks in. The engine cuts out when the car is stationery, and starts again when the clutch is depressed. One minor positive note is that the air-conditioning stays cool when the engine is off. The start-stop system can also be deactivated by pressing a button on the dashboard.
The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a car of its size, with ample legroom for two. The boot is the same as its standard Polo siblings, decent but not capacious. The rear seats do fold down to accommodate larger items though.
The Bluemotion features an engine stop-start system that seems to be de rigueur for cars of this ilk. Because of the diesel clatter, it is pretty obvious when the system kicks in. The engine cuts out when the car is stationery, and starts again when the clutch is depressed. One minor positive note is that the air-conditioning stays cool when the engine is off. The start-stop system can also be deactivated by pressing a button on the dashboard.
The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a car of its size, with ample legroom for two. The boot is the same as its standard Polo siblings, decent but not capacious. The rear seats do fold down to accommodate larger items though.
 |
The Drive
Let's start with the main attraction of the car: fuel economy. At a claim of 30.3km per litre, with its 45-litre diesel tank, theoretically, the Polo Bluemotion is able to travel 1363km on a single tank. Even if it was half of that, the figures are still mightily amazing.
During our round-the-island trip for this test, we covered nearly 200km, yet the fuel gauge barely moved from its full position. If you ever need to travel up North on just a single tank of fuel, I guess this is the car for you.
However, once we get past that, the Polo Bluemotion falls a bit flat.
Right from the start, the high biting point of the clutch makes it a bit uneasy when moving off. The five-speed gearbox too leaves a lot to be desired, being rather notchy in its shifts. This means that for those who are not used to it, the car becomes jerky at lower speeds, making you feel like you're on your first driving lesson all over again.
The other noticeable flaw is the noise. Clearly, Volkswagen has decided to do away with the soundproofing in a bid to save weight, and as such, the clatter from the diesel engine, as well as other road noise on the move, are clearly audible as they permeate themselves into the cabin. On long journeys this can get rather wearisome, as the engine sounds pretty gruff and uncouth.
For a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel, the Polo Bluemotion is surprisingly perky and peppy. However, it does have its mood, preferring to reward you with decent progress only when you put it in the right gear and rev band, which is around the 2000-3000 rpm mark, when the turbocharger kicks in. Third gear seems to be the most ideal cog of choice for the Bluemotion, with fourth and fifth being geared unusually long, which contributes to the slight sluggishness at the top end.
The engine churns out 75bhp and 180Nm of torque and Volkswagen claims a top speed of 173km/h. 0-100 km/h comes about in a leisurely 13.9 seconds, but it feels slightly quicker than that.
The brakes are the most notable weak point of this car. The pedals feel rather spongy and unresponsive, and require some degree of effort in order to extract some stopping movement from the car. It certainly needs time to get used to.
Let's start with the main attraction of the car: fuel economy. At a claim of 30.3km per litre, with its 45-litre diesel tank, theoretically, the Polo Bluemotion is able to travel 1363km on a single tank. Even if it was half of that, the figures are still mightily amazing.
During our round-the-island trip for this test, we covered nearly 200km, yet the fuel gauge barely moved from its full position. If you ever need to travel up North on just a single tank of fuel, I guess this is the car for you.
However, once we get past that, the Polo Bluemotion falls a bit flat.
Right from the start, the high biting point of the clutch makes it a bit uneasy when moving off. The five-speed gearbox too leaves a lot to be desired, being rather notchy in its shifts. This means that for those who are not used to it, the car becomes jerky at lower speeds, making you feel like you're on your first driving lesson all over again.
The other noticeable flaw is the noise. Clearly, Volkswagen has decided to do away with the soundproofing in a bid to save weight, and as such, the clatter from the diesel engine, as well as other road noise on the move, are clearly audible as they permeate themselves into the cabin. On long journeys this can get rather wearisome, as the engine sounds pretty gruff and uncouth.
For a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel, the Polo Bluemotion is surprisingly perky and peppy. However, it does have its mood, preferring to reward you with decent progress only when you put it in the right gear and rev band, which is around the 2000-3000 rpm mark, when the turbocharger kicks in. Third gear seems to be the most ideal cog of choice for the Bluemotion, with fourth and fifth being geared unusually long, which contributes to the slight sluggishness at the top end.
The engine churns out 75bhp and 180Nm of torque and Volkswagen claims a top speed of 173km/h. 0-100 km/h comes about in a leisurely 13.9 seconds, but it feels slightly quicker than that.
The brakes are the most notable weak point of this car. The pedals feel rather spongy and unresponsive, and require some degree of effort in order to extract some stopping movement from the car. It certainly needs time to get used to.
At speed, the Polo's ride is reasonably good, perhaps due to the unique tyres and lowered ride height. Once you get up to the 120km/h mark, there is a chime, similar to that you hear on taxis, which warns you that you are going a wee bit too fast for its liking.
In a way, the warning is a good thing, because the car tends to get a bit floaty at those speeds. The Polo Bluemotion is not a car for such velocities anyway, and it tells you so very clearly. It feels very reluctant to go above license-losing speeds.
Into the corners, the Polo's steering is fairly neutral and accurate, if somewhat lacking in feel. However, body roll is evident, and it feels uneasy being chucked around the bends.
Conclusion
When I first heard that I was taking the Polo Bluemotion out for a drive, I was preparing myself for the worst. Reading the reviews of this car elsewhere didn't exactly help to boost my confidence.
However, after taking it for a spin, I can see some appeal in the concept. Sure, the gearbox and clutch combination is a bit dodgy for city driving, and the diesel clatter and noise will probably get quite dreary after a while. But overall it's not as bad as it seems, except for perhaps the brakes, which really needs sorting out by Volkswagen.
I suppose if you travel long distances on a regular basis, and need something simple and economical, the Polo Bluemotion might just be suitable for the job. However, at $90,800 with COE (as of 11 February), not to mention the silly diesel tax, it's not exactly the most value-for-money purchase, especially for a car equipped with just the most basic of specifications.
The only other people I can see this car appealing to are hard core eco-weenies, or folks who have an extreme dislike for petrol stations, because you certainly won't be visiting them very often with this car.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Let's face it; oil is a fast-depleting resource. At current rates of consumption, it is highly likely that the black stuff from which petrol is derived will run out in our lifetime.
As a result, carmakers are now turning towards making cars that are more economical than ever before, in a bid to preserve what limited supplies of oil we have left. It also helps to prepare ourselves for the eventuality when oil does run out and we have to depend on other sources for fuel.
Like all fledgling technology, different companies have different ways of tackling the problem. Toyota spearheaded the eco-friendly drive with hybrid vehicles, which seems to be catching on rapidly throughout the industry. The Americans opted for the electric route, with Chevrolet and Tesla coming up with plug-in electric cars as their solution.
The Europeans, however, have decided on the strategy of efficiency. This means maximising the usage of fuel such that every drop goes longer. Allied to the European love for diesel engines, which are generally more fuel-efficient than petrols, it seems to be a strategy that might work for them.
Different carmakers have different names for their efficiency schemes. Mercedes-Benz call theirs BlueEfficiency, BMW uses EfficientDynamics, and Volkswagen went for BlueMotion, but they all amount to the same concept, of focusing on maximum fuel efficiency.
The Volkswagen Polo is currently the only model in Singapore that has the BlueMotion treatment. With its 1.2-litre turbo diesel engine claiming to deliver a fuel consumption rate of 30.3km per litre of fuel, it promises to be one of the most economical cars on sale at the moment.
As a result, carmakers are now turning towards making cars that are more economical than ever before, in a bid to preserve what limited supplies of oil we have left. It also helps to prepare ourselves for the eventuality when oil does run out and we have to depend on other sources for fuel.
Like all fledgling technology, different companies have different ways of tackling the problem. Toyota spearheaded the eco-friendly drive with hybrid vehicles, which seems to be catching on rapidly throughout the industry. The Americans opted for the electric route, with Chevrolet and Tesla coming up with plug-in electric cars as their solution.
The Europeans, however, have decided on the strategy of efficiency. This means maximising the usage of fuel such that every drop goes longer. Allied to the European love for diesel engines, which are generally more fuel-efficient than petrols, it seems to be a strategy that might work for them.
Different carmakers have different names for their efficiency schemes. Mercedes-Benz call theirs BlueEfficiency, BMW uses EfficientDynamics, and Volkswagen went for BlueMotion, but they all amount to the same concept, of focusing on maximum fuel efficiency.
The Volkswagen Polo is currently the only model in Singapore that has the BlueMotion treatment. With its 1.2-litre turbo diesel engine claiming to deliver a fuel consumption rate of 30.3km per litre of fuel, it promises to be one of the most economical cars on sale at the moment.
|
Exterior
The Polo Bluemotion looks slightly different from its regular siblings, and these changes are there for a reason.
The most visible difference is the front grille, which has been "smoothened out" with a flat, matte black plastic panel and a smaller opening for improved aerodynamic flow. There are also spoilers front and back to help redirect air more efficiently around the car to reduce drag.
The lightweight alloy wheels, together with the low-resistance tyres, have also been specially-developed and fine-tuned for yet more aerodynamic efficiency. Unfortunately, the result of all that is the 15-inch wheels look a tad bargain-basement and undersized.
The Polo Bluemotion is available in either three or five-door hatchback guises. We took out the three-door, which we felt was slightly better looking, but it's nice to know that efficient driving can be had with the practicality of a five-door hatchback body style.
|
Interior
At first glance, the interior of the Polo Bluemotion seems typically Volkswagen, with soft touch plastics along the top of the dashboard giving a sense of quality to the interior.
And indeed, the Polo's interior is well-screwed together to Volkswagen's exacting quality. However, the equipment level on the Bluemotion has been kept to a minimum, with just simple frills like climate control and radio to keep you company. There isn't even remote central locking to speak of.
There are a few cubby holes in the centre console and in the door pockets, which are pretty useful for bottles and knick-knacks. There is also cruise control, which came as a surprise to us, but I suppose that helps with the efficient driving, by helping drivers to maintain a constant speed on the highways.
Disappointingly, some of the trim around the cabin look a bit plasticky, notably the bits around the radio and air con area, as well as the front centre armrest. The fact that the gear knob and steering wheel are wrapped in leather doesn't make up for it.
At first glance, the interior of the Polo Bluemotion seems typically Volkswagen, with soft touch plastics along the top of the dashboard giving a sense of quality to the interior.
And indeed, the Polo's interior is well-screwed together to Volkswagen's exacting quality. However, the equipment level on the Bluemotion has been kept to a minimum, with just simple frills like climate control and radio to keep you company. There isn't even remote central locking to speak of.
There are a few cubby holes in the centre console and in the door pockets, which are pretty useful for bottles and knick-knacks. There is also cruise control, which came as a surprise to us, but I suppose that helps with the efficient driving, by helping drivers to maintain a constant speed on the highways.
Disappointingly, some of the trim around the cabin look a bit plasticky, notably the bits around the radio and air con area, as well as the front centre armrest. The fact that the gear knob and steering wheel are wrapped in leather doesn't make up for it.
The design of the seats, as befitting of the car's nature, are relatively simple, and unfortunately, not exactly very comfortable. They do look quite cool in their blue 'Power On' trim, but that's not really the point.
The Bluemotion features an engine stop-start system that seems to be de rigueur for cars of this ilk. Because of the diesel clatter, it is pretty obvious when the system kicks in. The engine cuts out when the car is stationery, and starts again when the clutch is depressed. One minor positive note is that the air-conditioning stays cool when the engine is off. The start-stop system can also be deactivated by pressing a button on the dashboard.
The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a car of its size, with ample legroom for two. The boot is the same as its standard Polo siblings, decent but not capacious. The rear seats do fold down to accommodate larger items though.
The Bluemotion features an engine stop-start system that seems to be de rigueur for cars of this ilk. Because of the diesel clatter, it is pretty obvious when the system kicks in. The engine cuts out when the car is stationery, and starts again when the clutch is depressed. One minor positive note is that the air-conditioning stays cool when the engine is off. The start-stop system can also be deactivated by pressing a button on the dashboard.
The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a car of its size, with ample legroom for two. The boot is the same as its standard Polo siblings, decent but not capacious. The rear seats do fold down to accommodate larger items though.
|
The Drive
Let's start with the main attraction of the car: fuel economy. At a claim of 30.3km per litre, with its 45-litre diesel tank, theoretically, the Polo Bluemotion is able to travel 1363km on a single tank. Even if it was half of that, the figures are still mightily amazing.
During our round-the-island trip for this test, we covered nearly 200km, yet the fuel gauge barely moved from its full position. If you ever need to travel up North on just a single tank of fuel, I guess this is the car for you.
However, once we get past that, the Polo Bluemotion falls a bit flat.
Right from the start, the high biting point of the clutch makes it a bit uneasy when moving off. The five-speed gearbox too leaves a lot to be desired, being rather notchy in its shifts. This means that for those who are not used to it, the car becomes jerky at lower speeds, making you feel like you're on your first driving lesson all over again.
The other noticeable flaw is the noise. Clearly, Volkswagen has decided to do away with the soundproofing in a bid to save weight, and as such, the clatter from the diesel engine, as well as other road noise on the move, are clearly audible as they permeate themselves into the cabin. On long journeys this can get rather wearisome, as the engine sounds pretty gruff and uncouth.
For a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel, the Polo Bluemotion is surprisingly perky and peppy. However, it does have its mood, preferring to reward you with decent progress only when you put it in the right gear and rev band, which is around the 2000-3000 rpm mark, when the turbocharger kicks in. Third gear seems to be the most ideal cog of choice for the Bluemotion, with fourth and fifth being geared unusually long, which contributes to the slight sluggishness at the top end.
The engine churns out 75bhp and 180Nm of torque and Volkswagen claims a top speed of 173km/h. 0-100 km/h comes about in a leisurely 13.9 seconds, but it feels slightly quicker than that.
The brakes are the most notable weak point of this car. The pedals feel rather spongy and unresponsive, and require some degree of effort in order to extract some stopping movement from the car. It certainly needs time to get used to.
Let's start with the main attraction of the car: fuel economy. At a claim of 30.3km per litre, with its 45-litre diesel tank, theoretically, the Polo Bluemotion is able to travel 1363km on a single tank. Even if it was half of that, the figures are still mightily amazing.
During our round-the-island trip for this test, we covered nearly 200km, yet the fuel gauge barely moved from its full position. If you ever need to travel up North on just a single tank of fuel, I guess this is the car for you.
However, once we get past that, the Polo Bluemotion falls a bit flat.
Right from the start, the high biting point of the clutch makes it a bit uneasy when moving off. The five-speed gearbox too leaves a lot to be desired, being rather notchy in its shifts. This means that for those who are not used to it, the car becomes jerky at lower speeds, making you feel like you're on your first driving lesson all over again.
The other noticeable flaw is the noise. Clearly, Volkswagen has decided to do away with the soundproofing in a bid to save weight, and as such, the clatter from the diesel engine, as well as other road noise on the move, are clearly audible as they permeate themselves into the cabin. On long journeys this can get rather wearisome, as the engine sounds pretty gruff and uncouth.
For a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo diesel, the Polo Bluemotion is surprisingly perky and peppy. However, it does have its mood, preferring to reward you with decent progress only when you put it in the right gear and rev band, which is around the 2000-3000 rpm mark, when the turbocharger kicks in. Third gear seems to be the most ideal cog of choice for the Bluemotion, with fourth and fifth being geared unusually long, which contributes to the slight sluggishness at the top end.
The engine churns out 75bhp and 180Nm of torque and Volkswagen claims a top speed of 173km/h. 0-100 km/h comes about in a leisurely 13.9 seconds, but it feels slightly quicker than that.
The brakes are the most notable weak point of this car. The pedals feel rather spongy and unresponsive, and require some degree of effort in order to extract some stopping movement from the car. It certainly needs time to get used to.
At speed, the Polo's ride is reasonably good, perhaps due to the unique tyres and lowered ride height. Once you get up to the 120km/h mark, there is a chime, similar to that you hear on taxis, which warns you that you are going a wee bit too fast for its liking.
In a way, the warning is a good thing, because the car tends to get a bit floaty at those speeds. The Polo Bluemotion is not a car for such velocities anyway, and it tells you so very clearly. It feels very reluctant to go above license-losing speeds.
Into the corners, the Polo's steering is fairly neutral and accurate, if somewhat lacking in feel. However, body roll is evident, and it feels uneasy being chucked around the bends.
Conclusion
When I first heard that I was taking the Polo Bluemotion out for a drive, I was preparing myself for the worst. Reading the reviews of this car elsewhere didn't exactly help to boost my confidence.
However, after taking it for a spin, I can see some appeal in the concept. Sure, the gearbox and clutch combination is a bit dodgy for city driving, and the diesel clatter and noise will probably get quite dreary after a while. But overall it's not as bad as it seems, except for perhaps the brakes, which really needs sorting out by Volkswagen.
I suppose if you travel long distances on a regular basis, and need something simple and economical, the Polo Bluemotion might just be suitable for the job. However, at $90,800 with COE (as of 11 February), not to mention the silly diesel tax, it's not exactly the most value-for-money purchase, especially for a car equipped with just the most basic of specifications.
The only other people I can see this car appealing to are hard core eco-weenies, or folks who have an extreme dislike for petrol stations, because you certainly won't be visiting them very often with this car.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Photos by Benjamin G, Kline
Car Information
Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion 1.2 TDI 3dr Diesel (M)
CAT A|Diesel|30.3km/L
Horsepower
56kW (75 bhp)
Torque
180 Nm
Acceleration
13.9sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion
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