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The fifth
generation of Volkswagen’s
evergreen supermini, the Polo,
has been unveiled at the Geneva
Motor Show, 34 years after the
original went on sale in the
UK. It’s sharper, lighter,
safer and more cutting edge than
ever before and is set to
establish new standards in the
small car class. Not only does
the new Polo weigh 7.5 per cent
less than the vehicle it
replaces – despite being
marginally wider and longer –
but it’s also stronger, promises
greater refinement and
efficiency and features new
packaging to make it the most
versatile iteration yet.
The stylish Polo
debuts a new look as well as
highly efficient TSI and common
rail TDI engines to set new
benchmarks in efficiency –
bettering even the high
standards set by the outgoing
car. In addition, advanced
safety systems and an all-new
construction allow it to meet
the criteria for the recently
introduced five-star EuroNCAP
standard.
Styled by a team
led by Walter de Silva (Head of
Design, Volkswagen Group) the
fifth generation Polo
establishes a distinctive new
look for the car that draws on
the design direction established
by the Scirocco and Golf.
These slightly
larger dimensions and a longer
wheelbase mean there’s greater
space inside the new Polo.
Head, shoulder and legroom have
all increased, as has the load
volume. Up front, elegant white
backlit dials are set into a
dashboard constructed out of
high-quality, soft touch
plastics. Volkswagen’s renowned
attention to detail remains
apparent in the new Polo with
subtle aluminium highlights
dotted around the interior and
the option of a handy air
conditioned glovebox and an
easily accessed connection point
for an MP3 player. In addition,
and for the first time on a
Polo, the RNS 310 touchscreen
satellite navigation system can
be specified along with a
three-spoke, multifunction
steering wheel.
Continuing the
programme of efficiency
improvements established by
Volkswagen, the new Polo is
powered by a mix of advanced
naturally aspirated 1.2- and
1.4-litre engines as well as a
new turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI
petrol unit joining another
all-new 1.6-litre TDI common
rail diesel engine. All are
equipped with either five- or
six-speed manual gearboxes as
standard and, for the first time
on the Polo, selected variants
can be specified with
Volkswagen’s advanced and
lightweight seven-speed DSG
gearbox.
A Polo BlueMotion
model will also join the range
shortly after launch. Powered
by a highly efficient 1.6-litre
90 PS TDI common rail diesel
engine and linked to a
five-speed gearbox with
lengthened ratios in third,
fourth and fifth, the new
BlueMotion achieves 74 mpg while
emitting just 96 g/km of CO2
– bettering the outgoing Polo
BlueMotion model which is itself
one of the most fuel efficient
vehicles currently on sale.
The gains in
efficiency don’t stop there: in
2010 the second generation
BlueMotion will follow. Shown as
a concept car at Geneva, and
equipped with an all-new
1.2-litre three-cylinder common
rail diesel engine developing 75
PS, the BlueMotion II will be
capable of returning 85 mpg on
the combined cycle while
generating just 87 g/km of CO2.
Making this possible is a
package of modifications
including the new engine,
automatic Stop-Start and
regenerative braking, a gearbox
with revised ratios, optimised
aerodynamics beneath the
vehicle, suspension lowered by
15 mm and the fitment of low
rolling resistance tyres.
Production of the
new Polo for the UK market
starts this summer before first
deliveries take place in
October. Prices will be
announced nearer this time.
News provided by
www.scirocconet.co.uk
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