Polo BlueMotion scores 89mpg in ALD Automotive/Total ECO 10 MPG Marathon
The Polo BlueMotion has been named runner up in the ‘best overall MPG’ category in this month’s 2010 ALD Automotive/Total ECO 10 MPG Marathon. With a combination of engineering, technology and careful driving, the Polo BlueMotion demonstrated impressive economy, and along with a Golf GTI, provided success for Volkswagen. Driven by Andrew Andersz and Alyson Marlow, the latest version of the eco-minded Polo (and the same press car we tested a couple of months back) posted a figure of 89.22mpg, a statistic 8.52% higher than its claimed economy number. The GTI meanwhile secured the ‘best percentage improvement’ title, returning over 55.63mpg (beating its manufacturer combined figure of 38.2% by 45.62%).
The Polo BlueMotion has a three-cylinder 1.2-litre 74bhp common rail diesel engine and a raft of economy measures including aerodynamic and gearing modifications, a Stop/Start system, low rolling resistance tyres and battery regeneration. The winner of the ‘best overall MPG’ category was the SMART Fortwo. Only six of the 35 vehicles which took part in this year’s event achieved more than 80mpg, of which the Polo BlueMotion was one. The ALD Automotive/Total ECO 10 MPG Marathon covers 400 miles over two days and takes in a testing combination of A and B roads, as well as the motorways of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
