2013 Volkswagen Think Blue Fuel Economy Challenge
2013 VOLKSWAGEN THINK BLUE FUEL ECONOMY CHALLENGE
Variants Reviewed | ||
Model | Power/Torque | Fuel Use (listed) |
Golf 103 TSI Highline | 7sp DSG | 103kW/250Nm | 5.2 l/100km |
Passat Wagon 130 TDI Highline | 6sp DSG | 130kW/380Nm | 5.4 l/100km |
Caddy Maxi Van TDI250 | 5sp manual | 75kW/250Nm | 5.2 l/100km |
Up! | 5sp manual | 55kW/95Nm | 4.9 l/100km |
OVERVIEW
Last year, Volkswagen’s Think Blue fuel economy challenge was held on country roads: all cars were diesel-powered, and the route west of Canberra included, among other things, a run up a mountain.
The year before the event was held near Melbourne, with competitors - all from the media - despatched to drive as far as possible in a Polo on just one litre of fuel.
The event was back again this year. But this time the challenge was in the inner-city 'burbs around Sydney’s Eastern Beaches; and it also included two petrol-powered cars.
Normally, the lardy souls of the motoring press like to mash accelerator pedals. This time they were locked in mortal combat requiring the lightest touch on the accelerator, and to use the least fuel possible.
We're up for an arm-wrestle, so TMR once again took up the challenge.
Results Model ADR Ordynski TMR Golf 103 TSI Highline | 7sp DSG 5.7 l/100km 5.0 5.7 Passat Wagon 130 TDI Highline | 6sp DSG 5.4 l/100km 5.1 5.6 Caddy Maxi Van TDI250 | 5sp manual 5.2 l/100km 5.3 5.0 Up! | 5sp manual 4.9 l/100km 4.0 4.0
Pricing (excluding on-road costs)
- VW Golf 103 TSI Highline with BlueMotion Technology - $31,990
- VW Passat Wagon 130 TDI Highline - $46,490
- VW Caddy Maxi Van TDI250 - $27,990
- VW up! - $14,990