VOLKSWAGEN has always struck me as a car maker that epitomises common sense.

The firm's cars have always been a byword for reliability and quality, while remaining relatively affordable. So with an increasing demand for cleaner, more efficient vehicles, it was no real surprise that this German firm could create a car that sails through the 70mpg barrier.

And unlike other 'green' cars, this one does not look like a deflated rugby ball and neither does it employ a complex stop-start, petrol-electric hybrid system, with its attendant bank of costly batteries. And, most importantly, it will not break the bank.

Volkswagen's technical wizards have done what we all suspected motor engineers were more than capable of - taking a standard engine and making it much more efficient.

So when you hop behind the wheel of the Polo BlueMotion, the interior looks surprisingly Polo-like. That's because it is.

Despite the keen focus on economy the BlueMotion remains, like any Polo, an entirely usable everyday car, with all modern creature comforts.

It is also much like any other Polo to drive - the difference is that this five-seater car is theoretically capable of covering 700 miles on a single tankful of fuel.

Prices start at just under £12,000, for the car which is powered by a 1.4-litre, three-cylinder diesel engine, which has a turbocharger, intercooler and exhaust gas recirculation. It is when you start changing gear that you first feel the effect of some of the changes. The gearbox is a specially-designed, five-speed unit, with new, longer ratios for third, fourth and fifth gears to reduce engine speeds and improve economy. On the road that means you have to be in precisely the right gear for every situation. That's no bad thing, but try to accelerate in fourth gear, when you should be in third and you will not go anywhere very quickly.

That said, the 80 horsepower engine is surprisingly nippy when the gearbox is used precisely and motorway cruising is both pleasant and relaxed.

Reduced aerodynamic drag, low rolling resistance tyres and weight saving all play their part in making the Polo BlueMotion as efficient as possible, while not affecting the safety performance of the Polo's body structure.

As well as being economical, the BlueMotion 1's low carbon dioxide emissions of just 99 g/km qualify it for a place in the road tax-exempt band A'. The higher specification BlueMotion 2 qualifies for £35 road tax. Volkswagen is sensibly planning to introduce BlueMotion models in its Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Estate, Jetta, Touran and Passat, Passat Estate ranges.

Auto facts Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI BlueMotion 2 3dr

  • Price: £12,935
  • Ins group: Five
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 74.3mpg
  • Top speed: 109mph
  • Length: 391.6cm/154.2in
  • Width: 165cm/65in
  • Luggage capacity: 9.5cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 9.9 gallons/45 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 102g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles