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New Polo unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show 3-3-2009. 3,952mm long x 1,682mm wide x 1,454mm high. All-new body accompanied by 1.2-litre TSI and 1.6-litre TDI common rail engines. (New 2010 Polo BlueMotion II Concept Car also unveiled promising CO2 emissions of just 87 g/km and a combined 85 mpg.)
5th generation of Volkswagen’s Polo, was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, 34 years after the original went on sale in the UK. Sharper, lighter, safer than ever before. Not only does the Polo V weigh 7.5 per cent less than the Polo 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 Polo yet.
Advanced safety systems and an all-new construction allow it to meet the criteria
for the enhanced EuroNCAP standard. Styled by a team led by Alta 156 designer, 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. Clean, uncluttered lines mix with a thin, horizontal grille element framed by a set of sleek light units. The use of horizontal lines in the grille and lights allows the Polo to appear lower and wider than it really is. The simple design approach continues to the back of the car, which features
a set of distinctive new rear lights and a wider track (1,464 mm front, 1,456 mm rear) to underline the impression of solidity.
The new Polo is 36 mm longer than the car it replaces, 32 mm wider, yet 13mm lower. Head, shoulder and legroom have all increased, load volume now minimum of 280 litres and a maximum 952 litres. White backlit dials are set into a dashboard constructed out of high-quality, soft touch plastics. Subtle aluminium highlights around the interior, the option of an air conditioned glovebox (for drinks) 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.
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. In 2010 a second generation Polo V BlueMotion will follow. Shown as a concept car at Geneva in March 2009, 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.
The new Polo features a comprehensive roster of standard safety equipment including for the first time on all models four airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and ISOFIX anchor points all fitted as standard. Production of the new Polo for the UK market starts summer 2009 before first deliveries take place in October 2009. Prices will be announced nearer this time.
1.2-litre 60PS 5-spd S 5-dr 128g/km £10,035
1.2-litre 70PS 5-spd S 5-dr 128g/km £10,645
1.2-litre 60PS 5-spd S 5-dr a/c 128g/km £10,635
1.2-litre 70PS 5-spd S 5-dr a/c 128g/km £11,245
1.2-litre 60PS 5-spd Moda 5-dr 128g/km £11,385
1.2-litre 70PS 5-spd Moda 5-dr 128g/km £11,995
1.2-litre 60PS 5-spd Moda 5-dr a/c 128g/km £11,985
1.2-litre 70PS 5-spd Moda 5-dr a/c 128g/km £12,595
1.2-litre 60PS 5-spd SE 5-dr a/c 128g/km £11,385
1.2-litre 70PS 5-spd SE 5-dr a/c 128g/km £11,995
1.4-litre 85PS 5-spd SE 5-dr a/c 139g/km £12,450
1.4-litre 85PS 7-spd DSG SE 5-dr a/c 135g/km £13,650
1.6-litre 75PS TDI 5-spd SE 5-dr a/c 112g/km £13,205
1.4-litre 85PS 5-spd SEL 5-dr a/c 139g/km £13,575
1.4-litre 85PS 7-spd DSG SEL 5-dr a/c 135g/km £14,775
1.6-litre 75PS TDI 5-spd SEL 5-dr a/c 112g/km £14,910
1.2-litre TSI 105PS6-spd and 1.6-litre TDI 90 5-spd arriving later
Road test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=391
More at www.volkswagen.co.uk
First uploaded 7-8-2009
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