VW Diesel Trounces Prius For Under $ 20k!

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Fuel Miser: Diesel Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion Hits 72 MPG

Date posted: 07-28-2006
WOLFSBURG, Germany — Volkswagen is banking on spiraling fuel prices to help jump-start sales of its latest model, the Polo Blue Motion.

First revealed at the Geneva Motor Show back in February, Wolfsburg's new fuel-sipper has just gone on sale in Germany. It promises Toyota Prius -beating fuel economy at the low price of $19,990.

Volkswagen is no stranger to the fuel miser ranks. Its Lupo 3L, the advanced 94-mpg city car masterminded by former chairman Ferdinand Piëch, proved just what is capable if a carmaker is prepared to forgo profits. Unfortunately, the disappointing sales figures — only 28,000 units were sold in six years — meant the mileage champ was ultimately dropped from the German carmaker's lineup.

It left a hole that Volkswagen hopes to fill with the Polo Blue Motion. The three-door hatchback is based on the popular front-wheel-drive Polo 1.4 TDI, making the same 80 horsepower from its 1.4-liter 3-cylinder turbodiesel. But with a reworked 5-speed gearbox, an optimized aerodynamic package and 14-inch low-rolling-resistance tires, the Polo Blue Motion returns a highly impressive 72.4 mpg on the combined European consumption cycle. That's a 10-mpg improvement over its standard sibling, made even more impressive by the car's 717-mile range.

Performance is moderate, befitting the new car's intended role: zero to 62 mph in 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph. In response to criticism of the Lupo 3L's on-road properties, Volkswagen claims to have developed the Polo Blue Motion to provide a level of ride and handling more in keeping with its standard production models — which is one reason why it does without the annoying stop/start function used by its predecessor to reduce consumption around town.

What this means to you: Hybrids may be in the limelight right now, but conventional diesels still hold the upper hand when the right measures are applied.

[ctaylorzl1]

Wow thats awesome, almost 75mpg, that is unbelieveable and 0-60 in 12.8 seconds, thats pretty darn slow, but not to bad when your getting 75mpg. whats with a top speed of 176mph, how can it do 176mph, the Corvette Z51 will do 181mph. I dont understand that, but it sounds like a nice car. Dang, 75mpg, Dang!!!

[megeebee]

This is just great. But the reason I would chose the Jetta over the Prius is purely aesthetic. I think the Prius is one of the ugliest vehicles available to the general public.

[Toto]

Wow thats awesome, almost 75mpg, that is unbelieveable and 0-60 in 12.8 seconds, thats pretty darn slow, but not to bad when your getting 75mpg. whats with a top speed of 176mph, how can it do 176mph, the Corvette Z51 will do 181mph. I dont understand that, but it sounds like a nice car. Dang, 75mpg, Dang!!!

That's 176kmph, not miles.

[b4z]

I just got back from England and hade a Vauxhall Astra rental car.
1.6L Ecotec 104 hp. 0-60 was 12 seconds, but mileage wasn't 75 mpg.
Maybe 30 something.

[GM-Joe]

That is impressive, I don't get why that stuff doesn't show up here; I know the Golf TDI is about 49.0 mpg, which kills the Prius at about 40 mpg in real world driving, not heavy traffic in Tokyo.

I would think GM has something over there like a diesel Corsa or something; what's the big deal of making something like that American ready?

[camaro_freak]

a simple question that will go unlooked is this:

does the diesel give off any more pollutants than the Prius while getting these superior mileage results?

(and please don't tell me about battery disposal on the Prius either.. I'm tired of hearing that excuse as it has been proven those can be disposed of cheaply and efficiently)

[grumbles]

haha i like how it's $10 under $20k

unfortunatley they neglect to mention that the good mpg is not the only selling point that the prius has, unlike this VW

[johnny smallblock]

If 175mph is really 175kmph, does that mean the 75mpg is really 75kmpg? That would make it about 46.5mpg.

[Dynamo]

haha i like how it's $10 under $20k

unfortunatley they neglect to mention that the good mpg is not the only selling point that the prius has, unlike this VW

And what else attracts you to the Prius? If it's not about the MPG then why would you get a Prius that's real world average is 42-43 when you can have so much more utility in a Vibe/Matrix for a real average of 34? In fact, living in Detroit area where traffic isn't as bad as some would like to make it seem, I bet the Prius would get better real MPG with the Matrix motor. That motor with the Prius's aerodynamic, narrow tire, and mass advantage would probably equal or better the performance for less money in an area where 70 MPH is slow.

[Dynamo]

If 175mph is really 175kmph, does that mean the 75mpg is really 75kmpg? That would make it about 46.5mpg.

What if the gallons were actually liters then?

[zete]

What if the gallons were actually liters then?

The real question is whether they are talking about Imperial gallons or US gallons. There's quite a difference between the two. Something claiming 75mpg in Imperial would probably be somewhere around 60mpg in US gallons. Still great.

[GM_Guy81]

I think the only issue with the US gettings like this currently is the sulfur levels in our desiel. However, with the new regs in 2008 our diesel will have the same sulfur levels, maybe they are in our future.

[Neanderthal]

haha i like how it's $10 under $20k

unfortunatley they neglect to mention that the good mpg is not the only selling point that the prius has, unlike this VW

No, the main selling point of the Pious is that IT'S A SPESHUL CAR FOR SPESHUL PEEPUL, AND IF YOU ARE SEEN IN A PIOUS YOU ARE SPESHUL!
Everything else is frosting on the cake.

[dratnol]

haha i like how it's $10 under $20k

unfortunatley they neglect to mention that the good mpg is not the only selling point that the prius has, unlike this VW

No joke, the prius has many selling points:
Butt Ugly "Styling"
Class Leading 15" Rims
Over-hyped MPG
Ergonomic Center Guages
Gas Saving "Engine Stall" Feature