Super-sipper Golf goes RHD

VOLKWAGEN has launched the super-lean Golf BlueMotion in Britain – the first time it has been made available in right-hand-drive – but it is no closer to coming to Australia.

The BlueMotion version of the Mark VI Golf has a 1.6-litre common-rail diesel that uses just 4.1 litres per 100km and emits only 107g/km of CO2.

It saves fuel thanks to a series of measures including longer ratios for third, fourth and fifth gears, regenerative braking for battery charging, a 15mm lower ride height, optimised aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and a stop-start function to save fuel at idle.

Australian customers won’t see the BlueMotion Golf locally unless Volkswagen management in Germany changes its mind about which regions can have access to the technology.

VW views Australia as having a harsh environment which could cause problems for the stop-start technology.

VW Australia spokesman Karl Gehling told GoAuto the company hoped the BlueMotion Golf would be made available locally, but was still looking at it.

“We are still very keen on getting the car here and are working with head office,” he said.

While VW management might view the Australian environment as too tough for some of its technology, Mini, Smart and Ford have no such concerns.

Mini and Smart have already both released cars using the technology, the Mini D and Smart Fortwo mhd, while Ford is planning to introduce a Fiesta ECOnetic later this year with the feature.

Read more:

Volkswagen’s BlueMotion blues

Australia too hot for key VW green technology