Volkswagen PoloIt’s 34 years since the first Polo was launched, and the latest model is the fifth generation. The man who headed the design team for the much admired new Golf has done his thing again here, so it’s no surprise and certainly no accident that the new Polo bears a strong resemblance to the sixth generation Golf. Its ‘face’ is now in line with other products such as the Scirocco and as such the Polo now appears to be very much one of the new Volkswagen family. It’s larger yet considerably lighter than the model it replaces, which of course has contributed to improved fuel economy and emissions.At launch the new Polo is available with a choice of five engines, three petrol and two diesel. These are a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre engines with 60 or 70 PS and a 1.4-litre 85 PS; diesels are two 1.6-litre common rail TDI units producing 75 or 90 PS, and all the engines comply with Euro V emissions legislation. A new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI unit will be offered from early 2010.I started with the 1.2 engine, which is a three-cylinder unit that emits the typical growl of the genre when accelerating hard. Once on the move however, it’s pretty serene, and as far as the more powerful of the two is concerned, unexpectedly brisk. The 1.4 petrol is a naturally quieter engine, possessed as it is with one more cylinder, and of course the increase in power over the smaller engine is evident – the 0-60 dash being a good couple of seconds quicker. This engine is the one that’s offered with the option of the DSG auto gearbox, and as ever it’s worth pointing out that this is a twin-clutch manual type box with automatic operation of the clutches, and as such the official fuel consumption is actually 1mpg better than the 5-speed manual version.The two diesels are brand new engines, but in truth are typical Volkswagen units, which is to say very economical (in fact with identical fuel figures), but not the quietest when idling. Their maximum torque is available from 1500rpm, so there’s plenty of low-down power available for quick and quiet acceleration. But if you let the revs dip under that magic 1500 figure, there’s not much urge at all.The Polo has always been a popular car, a position that’s likely to be maintained, even amplified, with the news that it has won the prestigious 2010 European Car of the Year award, the first Volkswagen to have achieved that since the Golf did eighteen years ago. Its practicality starts with the option of a 3- or 5-door body, and in a break from the previous Polo line-up, the new generation is offered in four different trim levels with an ‘air con’ model for those requiring climate control. The new range consists of S, Moda (which is designed to appeal to a younger audience), SE and SEL at the top of the range; a very green BlueMotion model will follow later in 2010. All models offer four airbags, ABS and, for the first time, an Electronic Stabilisation Programme is standard across the range.The Polo cabin is a comfortable place to be, with seats that hold one capably, even when the driver is exploring the roadholding potential. Bearing in mind the ride, which is on the soft side of medium, that roadholding is remarkably competent. There’s plenty of room for long legs up front, and in the rear it’s about what you’d expect of a car of these dimensions – virtually the same length as a Fiesta – which is to say reasonable, though tall passengers will be asking the driver to nudge a bit closer to the windscreen. Boot space is from 280 to 952 litres, which again is almost the same as the Fiesta, and interestingly the smaller figure is slightly larger than the last Polo model, while the larger one (with rear seats folded) is a bit less. All except the base model have a moveable load space floor, which gives the option of raising the floor almost level with the rear sill, at which time of course you get a potentially useful secret storage space underneath it. Volkswagen are very proud of the materials used in the Polo’s interior, and as you’d expect from the German manufacturer, the whole lot feels solid and dependable. For the driver, gauges are helpfully clear, and though the standard black upholstery is a tad severe, there are subtle aluminium highlights throughout the cabin, and for those that want something completely different, beige trim is a no-cost option on most models.The Polo is the second best-selling Volkswagen model after the Golf, and like all their other products this new one simply feels like it’s built to last – a factor which means a heck of a lot to the average British buyer.Size: 3.97m x 1.90m (inc mirrors)Engines: Petrol: 1.2 litres – 60 & 70PS 1.4 litres – 85PSDiesel: 1.6 litres – 75 & 90PSGearbox: 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG auto FWDBest consumption: 1.6 diesel – 65.7mpgPrice at Dec ’09: £9,435 to £14,910Full details of the Polo available on the manufacturer’s website: www.volkswagen.co.ukPeter Cracknell - December 09
Volkswagen Polo
It’s 34 years since the first Polo was launched, and the
latest model is the fifth generation. The man who
headed the design team for the much admired new
Golf has done his thing again here, so it’s no surprise
and certainly no accident that the new Polo bears a
strong resemblance to the sixth generation Golf. Its
‘face’ is now in line with other products such as the
Scirocco and as such the Polo now appears to be very
much one of the new Volkswagen family. It’s larger yet
considerably lighter than the model it replaces, which
of course has contributed to improved fuel economy
and emissions.
At launch the new Polo is available with a choice of
five engines, three petrol and two diesel. These are a
pair of naturally-
aspirated 1.2-litre
engines with 60 or 70
PS and a 1.4-litre 85
PS; diesels are two 1.6-
litre common rail TDI
units producing 75 or 90
PS, and all the engines
comply with Euro V
emissions legislation. A
new 1.2-litre 105 PS
turbocharged TSI unit
will be offered from early
2010.
I started with the 1.2
engine, which is a three-
cylinder unit that emits
the typical growl of the
genre when accelerating
hard. Once on the move however, it’s pretty serene,
and as far as the more powerful of the two is
concerned, unexpectedly brisk. The 1.4 petrol is a
naturally quieter engine, possessed as it is with one
more cylinder, and of course the increase in power
over the smaller engine is evident – the 0-60 dash
being a good couple of seconds quicker. This engine
is the one that’s offered with the option of the DSG
auto gearbox, and as ever it’s worth pointing out that
this is a twin-clutch manual type box with automatic
operation of the clutches, and as such the official fuel
consumption is actually 1mpg better than the 5-speed
manual version.
The two diesels are brand new engines, but in truth
are typical Volkswagen units, which is to say very
economical (in fact with identical fuel figures), but not
the quietest when idling. Their maximum torque is
available from 1500rpm, so there’s plenty of low-down
power available for quick and quiet acceleration. But if
you let the revs dip under that magic 1500 figure,
there’s not much urge at all.
The Polo has always been a popular car, a position
that’s likely to be maintained, even amplified, with the
news that it has won the prestigious 2010 European
Car of the Year award, the first Volkswagen to have
achieved that since the Golf did eighteen years ago.
Its practicality starts with the option of a 3- or 5-door
body, and in a break from the previous Polo line-up,
the new generation is offered in four different trim
levels with an ‘air con’ model for those requiring
climate control. The new range consists of S, Moda
(which is designed to appeal to a younger audience),
SE and SEL at the top of the range; a very green
BlueMotion model will follow later in 2010. All models
offer four airbags, ABS and, for the first time, an
Electronic Stabilisation Programme is standard across
the range.
The Polo cabin is a comfortable place to be, with seats
that hold one capably, even when the driver is exploring
the roadholding potential. Bearing in mind the ride,
which is on the soft side of medium, that roadholding is
remarkably competent. There’s plenty of room for long
legs up front, and in the rear it’s about what you’d
expect of a car of these dimensions – virtually the same
length as a Fiesta – which is to say reasonable, though
tall passengers will be asking the driver to nudge a bit
closer to the windscreen. Boot space is from 280 to 952
litres, which again is almost the same as the Fiesta, and
interestingly the smaller
figure is slightly larger
than the last Polo model,
while the larger one (with
rear seats folded) is a bit
less. All except the base
model have a moveable
load space floor, which
gives the option of raising
the floor almost level with
the rear sill, at which time
of course you get a
potentially useful secret
storage space
underneath it.
Volkswagen are very
proud of the materials
used in the Polo’s interior,
and as you’d expect from
the German
manufacturer, the whole lot feels solid and dependable.
For the driver, gauges are helpfully clear, and though
the standard black upholstery is a tad severe, there are
subtle aluminium highlights throughout the cabin, and
for those that want something completely different,
beige trim is a no-cost option on most models.
The Polo is the second best-selling Volkswagen model
after the Golf, and like all their other products this new
one simply feels like it’s built to last – a factor which
means a heck of a lot to the average British buyer.
Size:
3.97m x 1.90m (inc mirrors)
Engines:
Petrol: 1.2 litres – 60 & 70PS
1.4 litres – 85PS
Diesel: 1.6 litres – 75 & 90PS
Gearbox:
5-speed manual or 7-speed
DSG auto FWD
Best consumption:
1.6 diesel – 65.7mpg
Price at Dec ’09:
£9,435 to £14,910
Full details of the Polo available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.volkswagen.co.uk
Peter Cracknell - December 09
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