VW has unveiled the Golf TSI BlueMotion, the first gasoline-powered Golf BlueMotion model and the most economical Golf ever with a gasoline engine.

Powered by a 3-cylinder 1.0-liter TSI turbocharged petrol unit, the Golf TSI BlueMotion averages 4.3 l/100 km (65.7 mpg UK or 54.7 mpg US) and emits just 99 g/km of CO2. The model achieves these figures with both the standard 6-speed manual gearbox and the optional 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG).

The small engine produces 115PS (113hp) and 200Nm (147lb-ft) of torque, which VW says is the highest specific torque of any large-scale production series of petrol engines (200Nm per liter). This helps the VW Golf TSI BlueMotion reach a top speed of 204 km/h (127 mph). VW also says the three-cylinder EA211-series engine is as refined as a four-cylinder unit.

The same TSI BlueMotion package will be offered for the Golf Estate and Golf Sportsvan. With a manual gearbox, the Golf Estate also averages 4.3 l/100 km (4.5 l/100 km with DSG). For the Golf Sportsvan, the figures are 4.5 l/100 km (manual) and 4.6 l/100 km (DSG).

The VW Golf TSI BlueMotion is also the cheapest Golf BlueMotion, with a starting price of €20,450 ($22,448) in Germany for the Golf TSI BlueMotion Trendline. Standard features include air conditioning, seven airbags, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, XDS electronic differential lock, start/stop system with brake energy recovery, model-specific rear spoiler in body color, sport suspension (body is 15 mm lower) and BlueMotion 15-inch “Lyon” wheels.

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