Official: New VW Polo Bluemotion offers 85.5mpg, less co2 and cheaper than new Prius!

That's quite disingenuous.

Carbon emissions may be lower, but SMOG emissions are not.

Being green means a reduction of both.
.

 

As a reminder to US-centric readers, what is the GenIII Prius rating on that same scale? That VW number is most certainly not the US EPA scale.
---
Nevermind, I found an answer: 72.4 mpg for Prius.

 

From a 'greenie' perspective I can see where you're coming from but consider a couple of points:

1. It's also a class size down from the Prius which doesn't make it a supermini bargain.

2. I'm pretty sure it won't include features such as an automatic gearbox, air conditioning and an engine that actually moves the car faster than walking pace. I've been in one of the old BlueMotion Polos and have to report they were very noisy and slow.

And on that note, hello to everyone from both myself and culltec who are united in being UK newbies. :wave:

 

nothing is stopping Toyota from putting an HSD drivetrain in a Yaris or similar smaller vehicle.

 

1.2 liter 3-cylinder 74 hp engine with a 5-speed manual transmission won't appeal to the majority of the consumers here anyway.
.

 

A few comments come to mind

• 1. Match the fuel economy to your driving patterns. City ? Mostly highway ?
• 2. As John mentions, remember other pollutants, given that CO2 is similar.
• 3. I'll bet the Prius is pretty upscale compared to the polo. Decide if the differences are worth the cost.
• Prius reliability is outstanding. How is the Polo ?

 

he has a great point with #4. We have a VW Beetle (wife's car) and I it is literally the least reliable vehicle with the most expensive maintenance I have ever been associated with. I have driven $500 beaters that required less care and maintenance to keep going. VW would have to do something amazing for me to ever even consider buying another product of theirs. That being said since I have replaced and fixed several thousands of dollars worth of parts over the past 2 to 3 years on that Beetle. (my quick estimate is about $7000) My hard work and bloody knuckles have paid off because that POS is driving as good as it did when it was new for the past 8 months or so.

 

Some US caveats:

The Polo is not currently imported to the US, VW is considering offering it in 2011, but that is not firm. It is distinctly smaller than the Golf/Rabbit, similar in size to the Fit or Yaris.

The 85.5 is a European Mileage test, the EPA never gets 1/2 MPGs, the 2008 Prius got 67 MPG on the same test, I did not find newer European Prius numbers.

 

The Prius is still King of the road. Years ahead of the others. An engineering marvel.

 

Considering Diesel fuel is about 15% more energy dense and the available power, it is not impressive. If you are willing to be part of the transmission (shifting), ok with the compromises in safety, refinement and luxury features, sure you can save money.

Also consider the ownership satisfication of both cars.

 

Okay, the Polo Bluemotion has only 87 vs. 89 g/km CO2 emission, but its luggage-space is only 270 vs. that of the Prius 2010 441 liter, about 40% less.

 

Looks more lie a Matrix than a Prius, eh.

 

0-100 km in 13 seconds will make it faster than the Smart, but slower than any other car sold in the US.

My post merely clarified that it is not sold here, is not in the same size class as a Prius, and that your mileage claim was not based on a standard we are used to.

If you find numbers like this for the Polo, I am all ears.
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...sight-civic-hybrid-jetta-gas-tdi-wrx-sti.html

 

Have you also tried CleanMPG.com? It is much more accepting of green non-Prius choices.

 

The original post kind of a set up for your disappointment. You are comparing cars in completely different classes. I think the Polo Bluemotion is a great way to save fuel and do it at a low cost. Its certainly not for everyone. To say the Prius is not as green as the VW is crazy due to the particulate emissions of the Polo.

 

It is absolutely fair, For Example a replacement water pump aftermarket part costs approximately $60 USD, why VW decided to shave at most $2 from the cost of the OEM part and use a plastic impeller on it is beyond me. I had to replace mine, and I have a friend with a Jetta (2.0) had the same thing go wrong with hers and guess what her mom's Beetle (1.8T) had the same problem. Thankfully none of these led to a blown head gasket (we live in Ohio so its not as hot) This isn't coincidental or bad luck this is the VW policy of if the part can get them through the warranty who really cares about them afterwards. You want more examples, Look up VW failed ignition coils, Mass Air Flow Meters, Secondary Air Injection Systems, Timing Belt Tensioners Maybe VW gives you better quality in Europe, but here in the states you are lucky to get any trouble free miles out of them far much past the warranty. They are a great car when they work though.