Customers who want to mix the performance of a petrol motor with the frugal fuel use of a diesel are in for a treat, as the new Volkswagen Polo BlueBT, which uses ACT cylinder deactivation to maximise efficiency and power, is available to order from today.

The new Polo BlueGT, which costs from £17,400 on the road, features a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 140 PS and 250 Nm (185 lbs ft) of torque, yet it returns 61.4 mpg on the combined cycle and emits just 107 g/km of CO₂, whether drivers opt for the six-speed manual or the seven-speed DSG transmission.  Top speed is 130 mph and zero to 62 mph takes just 7.9 seconds. 

At the heart of the Polo BlueGT, and responsible in large part for its combination of high performance and low fuel economy, is the new EA211 engine.  Under light and medium loads, the second and third cylinders are automatically shut down, producing fuel savings of up to 0.4 litres per 100 km in the EU driving cycle.  At a constant 50 kmh (30 mph) the savings can be as much as one litre per 100 km, and even at 70 kmh (44 mph) in fifth gear, around 0.7 litres per 100 km can be saved.

Volkswagen Polo BlueGT

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Volkswagen Polo BlueGT

Cylinder deactivation occurs at engine speeds of between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm, and at torque outputs of 25 to 100 Nm (18 to 74 lbs ft).  If the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the two cylinders are imperceptibly reactivated.  All mechanical switchovers occur within 13 to 36 milliseconds, depending on engine speed.  The multifunction display in the instrument binnacle lets the driver know when cylinders are deactivated.

While the cylinder deactivation is so unobtrusive that only the driver might know about it, the Polo BlueGT itself is distinguished inside and out by various styling cues.  On the outside, there are multi-spoke 17-inch alloys and GT badges front and rear, while the suspension is lowered by around 15 mm.  Added to this are some features borrowed from the Polo GTI (the rear spoiler, rear bumper with diffuser, plus front bumper with LED daytime running lights) and some from the Polo BlueMotion (side sills and front windscreen rain channels).  A black-painted front grille and black door mirror caps complete the look, while a unique exterior paint, ‘Blue Silk’, is available as an option. 

Inside, as in the Polo GTI, the roof lining is in black, while the instruments are also adopted from the GTI.  Up front are bespoke BlueGT sports seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel with BlueGT emblem.  Standard specification includes DAB radio with iPod connectivity, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connection and XDS electronic differential lock.  Orders open today, with deliveries expected in mid-December.