Search: more on the Volkswagen Polo
The Polo is a key model for Volkswagen. No less than 10.6 million have been sold since the first-generation car was launched in 1975. Of this, 1.6 million have been sold in the UK alone. It's still a popular choice too, with over 35,000 cars finding homes in the UK last year but is there more to the new car than the scaled down mini Golf styling? We hit the road to find out...
Distinctive looks?
The last Polo was a good car, but many didn’t like the cheeky, if blander looks against younger, more modern opposition. Perhaps worryingly, there are few design surprises for its replacement either. Styled by a team led by Walter de Silva (Head of Volkswagen Design), the new Polo is designed to follow the distinctive looks of the Golf and Scirocco. Overall, the look is clean and uncluttered if unexciting.
Exterior design highlights
Highlights of the new Polo's exterior, from the front, include the narrow headlight units and flat grille which is the Volkswagen family face. The most interesting part of the new Polo’s front design has to be the pointed lower bumper spoiler, which besides adding some toughness to the overall design also helps improve aerodynamic efficiency. At the sides there are bold wheel lips, a raised styling line and undercut added, all of which give a clean, if unimaginative look. The biggest changes from the back are the large rear light clusters and integrated rear spoiler. So does the five-door hatchback design work? Yes, but I do wonder if the design team could have given the Polo more of its own identity, but this is unlikely to deter buyers.
What's under the bonnet?
As you'd expect from Volkswagen, there's an extensive range of engine choice at the five-door Polo’s launch; petrol engines include the familiar 1.2 with 60 or 70PS outputs and an 85PS 1.4. A new 1.2-litre turbocharged TSI with 105PS will be offered early in the New Year. Diesel fans are equally well catered for with 75PS and 90PS versions of the 1.6 TDI engine. All engines comply with Euro V emissions legislation.
Interior Changes
Inside, the interior is dominated by the slush-moulded dashboard. Fit and finish almost feels up to Golf levels, but anyone looking for a more radical feel to the interior would be better served in the current Fiesta. Other plus points include the attractive new dials with digital fuel gauge and the option of a seven-speed DSG transmission and touch-screen sat-nav. Is the interior design a success? In general, yes. It's just a shame it’s restrained to the point of being boring. Still, the driving position is easy to get comfortable with supportive seats and there's enough room for three in the back plus a good sized boot, spacious enough to hold a couple of medium sized bags.
On the road
I got to drive the 60 and 70PS versions of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol, the 85PS 1.4-litre petrol and the 75PS version of the 1.6 TDI diesel.
