Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion (2011)

There are no factory options and it is available as a five-door only with manual gearbox only.

That said, Bluemotion is far from one dimensional. Here’s where and why...

Automatic stop-start function, aerodynamic improvements, revised gear ratios (it’s a five-speed manual), low rolling resistance tyres on 15” alloys and a regenerative system that recovers energy during braking system helps the 77 kW 1.6-litre TDI achieve a stunning combined cycle fuel consumption figure of just 3.8 litres/100 km. This equates to a theoretical range of more than 1400 km from a tank. So, in this sense, it’s close to being the ultimate eco warrior.

But Bluemotion also boasts a styling kit comprising sports bumpers, side skirts and an enlarged rear roof spoiler along with lowered sports suspension - items you would normally associate with a petrol-swilling hot hatch.

The everyday driving experience can also produce different outcomes. To achieve that afore-mentioned frugal economy, you need to comply faithfully with the up shift indicator and get on and off the accelerator smoothly. This can take some doing, as the indicator is often suggesting changing to a higher gear sooner than what your instincts are telling you. Disregard what it’s saying, though, and consumption blows out, around town to as high as 8.6 litres/100 km, as we experienced.

Apart from that, Bluemotion performs much the same as other members of its extended family.  And that’s good.