Oh, to be in Europe. Volkswagen launched a concept version of the next gen (A6) Golf with a BlueMotion diesel powertrain, Autopia reports, that the company claims can achieve better fuel economy and emit less CO2 than the Toyota Prius. I'm skeptical of claims like that, first because VW has stretched the truth in the very recent past, and second because CO2 is only half the story with regard to emissions performance.

Nonetheless, the report said that while the 1.6-liter common-rail turbocharged diesel in the new Golf doesn't offer blistering performance, it offers similar fuel economy compared with the diminutive Polo with BlueMotion—an impressive achievement. This version of the Golf should be good for 105 horsepower, an 11.3-second 0-60 time, and a top speed of 117 mph. Converting the units over to U.S.-spec, VW claims the BlueMotion Golf will achieve 61 mpg and emit just 99 g/km of CO2 (compared to 46 mpg and 104 g/km for the Prius), the report said. Should be a better drive, too.