Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Debuts With 3-Cylinder Turbo Engine

Under the bonnet is a 1-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine that's surprisingly more powerful than a basic 1.2 TSI. The output is 115 PS, and you also receive 200 Nm of torque (148 lb-ft). This EA211-series engine is said to be as refined as a four-cylinder engine. Unlike the Polo TSI BlueMotion, the transmission options include both a 6-speed manual gearbox and the optional 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

If you think about it, even though this is an eco model, it has slightly more power than the very first Golf GTI (110 PS). Volkswagen has not disclosed any acceleration numbers, but they have admitted this 1-liter mill can push to 204 km/h (127 mph), thus surpassing the Mk1 hot hatch, which stopped at 182 km/h (113 mph).

Available on 3-door, 5-door hatch, estate and Golf Sportsvan

At the same time, the Golf Estate and Golf Sportsvan will launch as TSI BlueMotion models, both getting the same 1-liter engine. With a manual gearbox, the Golf Estate also consumes 4.3 l/100 km while the DSG raises that figure to 4.5 l/100 km. For the Golf Sportsvan, the numbers are 4.5 (manual) and 4.6 l/100 km (DSG).

Of course, all these cars already had regular BlueMotion models powered by the 1.6-liter TDI engine. This is undoubtedly a more efficient setup, since it emits 10 grams less CO2 and consumes 0.9 l/100km less fuel.

However, there's a price to pay. With the 1-liter TSI engine being smaller, it may be cheaper to tax in some countries. Plus it's €2,450 less expensive to buy (starts at €20,450), which is about 10% of the Golf's price. It's also a little lighter and accelerates to 100 km/h faster (9.7 seconds versus 10.5 seconds for the TDI).