CAR DETAILS

When Volkswagen came to develop the BlueMotion version of the MkVII Golf, it started with an all-new 1.6 TDI diesel. It’s not the same 1.6 TDI as you’ll find in the standard Golf, and is all the better for this. It’s far less rattly at idle and revs smoothly.

That feeling of smoothness continues when you set off. The 109bhp engine has a low weight to haul around thanks to the Golf’s 1,280kg kerbweight, and as a result it feels quicker than some rival cars. It was also helped by the slick-shifting six-speed gearbox. Not only does this provide accurate shifts, but it also eliminates the feeling of long-legged gearing that was a blight of the last-generation BlueMotions with their five-speed boxes.