Golf station wagon (5-spd. manual; no A/C; weighs about 80 kg more than the sedan). VW managed to squeeze a whopping 75 hp out of a 1.8 L gasoline engine; at least the torque is okay: 140 N.m @ 2500 rpm, no problem with low revs. Currently about 150,000 km (93k miles).
FE info: Not sold in the US, I used EPA (new) values for the previous-generation (and considerably lighter) sedan with 1.8 L (but possibly 90 hp) engine. Median real-world value for normal drivers of the European model is about 28 mpg.
Build Thread:
Current Mods:
Engine: Stop/Start buttons above ashtray
Aero: Above-bumper grill block; low-profile wiper blades (?); radio antenna down
Other drag: tires at 2.9 bar (43 psi; vs. 2.1 manuf. spec. or 3.0 on sidewall); low-viscosity motor oil (5W/30)
Weight: Compact spare tire replaced by latex spray & air pump; steel spare tire well cover replaced by plywood (total savings 14.6 kg [32 lb]); leave my wife at home whenever I can :-)
Driving technique: mild P&G at idle (60-45 km/h), EOC on long glides and at stoplights
Planned Mods:
Auto start/stop (the hardware's there, now I need some free time...)
Thermos bottle coolant heat storage a la Prius
Small air dams in front of tires?
Plexiglas boattails on side mirrors
