From today UK drivers can place an order for the new Volkswagen Polo BlueGT. The innovative German supermini features the new EA211 engine with cylinder deactivation technology, where under low and medium engine loads two of the four cylinders automatically switch off, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.
Starting from £17,400 and rising to £19,365 on the road, the three model range (which includes three- and five-door versions) isn’t cheap but for your money you get a peppy 1.4-litre engine which produces 140PS and is capable of a 130mph maximum speed and a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. Yet emits just 107g/km of CO2 and returns 61.4mpg on the combined cycle.
Of course we’ve seen cylinder deactivation before, most notably on the 4.0-litre V8 Bentley Continental GT, but it is the first time such a technology has been used on a supermini. Deactivation occurs at engine speeds of between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm, and at torque outputs of 25 to 100 Nm. If the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated.
To differentiate the BlueGT from the rest of the Polo range, it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, GT badges front and rear, while the suspension is lowered by around 15 mm. Added to this are some features borrowed from the Polo GTI (the rear spoiler, rear bumper with diffuser, plus front bumper with LED daytime running lights) and some from the Polo BlueMotion (side sills and front windscreen rain channels). A black-painted front grille and black door mirror caps complete the look, while a unique exterior paint, ‘Blue Silk’, is available as an option.
First UK deliveries are expected mid-December.
Richard has been writing about cars since 2008. His favourite motoring topics include the latest fuel-saving technology but also high performance cars – he's conflicted like that. When he doesn't have his writing (or marketing) hat on, he can be found traipsing around the British countryside. Or drinking a skinny latté.
Richard Lawton
October 18, 2012
Filed under: Volkswagen
autoreviewblog
Overpriced by a fair bit! Why would anyone choose one of these at that price when a Fabia vRS is faster, basically the same car, and doesn't look as OAP as this!
October 20, 2012