LAUNCHED last year, the VW Polo BlueMotion (pictured) is the future of motoring - and it's not a bad future to be part of.

The performance figures are quite astounding and it is one of the world's most fuel-efficient liquid-fuelled cars.

I'd heard about these cars that do more than 70 miles to the gallon and admit to having been somewhat sceptical, thinking that conditions would have to be more than perfect.

I set off from Swindon to Maidstone via the M4 and M25 and stayed below the 60mph limit. I managed to record 74 miles per gallon.

So on the way back I went as fast as I could without breaking speed limits and driving as conditions would allow - and I still did 65mpg. Fantastic!

I got a friend to have a drive and he quite liked it as a runabout. When I told him about the performance he was instantly more interested.

When I finished my long driving experiment I had completed more than 600 miles and there was still fuel in the tank, which is designed to take 45 litres.

The Polo BlueMotion emits just 99g/km of carbon dioxide, a figure the green brigade just love.

This year, Volkswagen will introduce BlueMotion models in its Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Estate, Jetta, Touran and Passat Estate ranges.

The Polo BlueMotion is powered by Volkswagen's three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI 80 PS engine.

Additional fuel economy benefits come from lower aerodynamic drag, low rolling resistance tyres, longer gearing in 3rd, 4th and 5th and small weight savings that do not affect safety or durability.

In summary, the Polo BlueMotion can seat five, has a top speed of 109mph and the manufacturers reckon a combined fuel consumption figure of 74.3mpg.

Prices start at £11,995 on the road and it is available with three or five doors and aimed at customers seeking benchmark environmental credentials in a car with conventional service and repair requirements, ease of ownership and low overall running costs. If you think that performance has been sacrificed for economy you would be wrong because this is a pretty nippy vehicle, easy to park and great about town or in the country.

Like all Volkswagens it looks good and is worth a test drrive. Green Motion Vehicle Rental, Europe's most environmentally-friendly car hire company, has taken delivery of its first Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion models.

This is so customers have the opportunity to rent vehicles with class-leading carbon dioxide emissions and fuel economy.