2010 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion

The Volkswagen Golf is getting a little greener with the recent release of the second generation BlueMotion Rabbit. Although the alternatively fueled car is going on sale in its home market of Germany, we should expect to see the TDI powered 62 MPG Golf stateside sometime in the near future, that is if Americans can shake their distaste for diesels. Aside from the less refined fuel burning power plant Volkswagen’s engineering team has built a few more economical features into the new Golf BlueMotion, starting off with a brake energy regeneration unit. A start/stop function that automatically turns off the engine at idle to save gas when stopped at a traffic light, a gear recommendation unit to keep you on the right cog for optimum efficiency and a set of lightweight aerodynamic wheel wrapped in low rolling resistance tires as well as a slight drop in ride height.

All of those items help the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion to make the most out of what it has under the hood. That would be a 1.6 Liter TDI power plant that delivers a very economical output of 105 HP connected to a very tall five speed gear box that could theoretically lap the Nurburgring’s Nordschleif almost five times on only one gallon of diesel. Although the other gas has caught a bad wrap over the years, modern day diesel fuel is much cleaner than it used to be and the result is nothing like the soot stained chimneys on top of 18 wheelers. Most new diesel automobiles make use of high tech particulate filters and with exhaust treatment systems in order to comply with the current regulation restrictions in Europe. With less moving parts and a whole heck of lot better fuel mileage, the 21,560 Euro Golf BlueMotion is a very practical solution to personal transportation.

Press release after the jump.