VW Golf blue-e-motion Wins the RAC Future Car Challenge

Over the last few weeks, multiple automotive producers have announced their participation to the UK’s RAC Future Car Challenge, an eco automotive competition that is aimed at finding the most efficient vehicles.

Now, it’s time to see which car managed to have the lowest energy use on the 57 mile (92 km) route from Madeira Drive, Brighton to Pall Mall in London. And the overall winner is... drum rolls... the Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion prototype electric car. Obviously, the vehicle also won its category, Most Economic and Environment Friendly Regular Passenger EV.

The vehicle was driven by Jim Holder, Editor of What Car?, who was assisted by VW engineer Folko Rohde. The two received the Royal Automobile Club Gold Medal.

“It's a testimony to the abilities of the Golf blue-e-motion that it won despite the fact I'd never competed in any sort of eco driving challenge before. Folko was a superb tutor in getting the best from the car, but the fact is that this was a challenge on real roads and, in my case, without an expert 'eco' driver at the wheel. That just underlines how efficient the blue-e-motion is now – so to think how good it will be when it goes on sale in three years time is extremely exciting,” Holder said.

The vehicle is powered by an electric motor that develops 115 hp and uses a lithium-ion battery pack. The car can reach a top speed of 86 mph (138 km/h) and deals with the 0 to 62 mph spring in 11.8 seconds, while offering a range of 100 miles (161 km).

VW is currently working to develop a production version of the Golf blue-e-motion, which is scheduled to enter the marker in late 2013.