Customers can place orders for the new Volkswagen Polo, which is priced from £11,100 RRP on the road. The new Polo, which is scheduled for first deliveries in July, brings with it a range of new, more efficient engines as well as technology that advances safety, practicality and comfort.
The Polo now features a range of new EU6-compliant engines offering fuel efficiency improvements of up to 23 per cent over the old units. Petrol options are two three-cylinder 1.0-litre MPI units with 60 or 75 PS; two 1.2-litre four-cylinder TSI engines with 90 or 110 PS and a 1.4-litre TSI engine with cylinder deactivation (ACT), with power increased by 10 PS to 150 PS. Diesel options are two new three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI engines, with 75 and 90 PS.
As well as ESC electronic stability control, all new Polos are equipped with Hill Hold and an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System which brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy significantly, thereby minimising the chance or consequences of a second impact. New optional safety features include a Driver Alert System (standard on BlueGT and just £25 on other models) and Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, for £500.
The latest generation of Volkswagen’s modular infotainment system is being introduced across the Polo range. The touchscreen system includes a proximity sensor and a function that reacts to wiping movements by the fingers (as used on smartphones). All UK models offer Bluetooth telephone connectivity and USB media-in, while a navigation system for the 6.5-inch full-colour touchscreen is optional from SE trim for £700.
MirrorLink will be offered as an option from SE trim and above for £150. MirrorLink makes it possible to display and control certain approved Android smart phone apps on the infotainment screen. Volkswagen will offer apps, for example, which mix navigation information with vehicle data. Other apps include internet radio and news services.
The Polo range starts with the S. As well as a six-speaker Composition Audio System with 5.0-inch colour touchscreen, SD card reader, DAB radio and USB and aux-in connections, the S includes features such as a height-adjustable driver’s seat, illuminated vanity mirrors, cup holders, and stylish ‘gloss black’ interior highlights. The S A/C model adds manual air conditioning.
Moving up to SE trim brings more equipment including 15-inch ‘Lyon’ alloy wheels; a chrome-trimmed front air intake; body-coloured door handles and electrically adjustable door mirrors; a leather-trimmed three-spoke multi-function steering wheel (plus leather-covered gearlever and handbrake lever); a multi-function trip computer; remote locking and an alarm with interior protection; manual air conditioning; and a Composition Media System with 6.5-inch colour touchscreen which adds a glovebox mounted CD player and more graphical interfaces. Inside there are chrome highlights throughout the cabin, while five-door models get electric rear windows.
As the name suggests, the new SE Design model adds more style, with exterior features that include 16-inch ‘Portago’ alloy wheels; a black gloss radiator grille and door mirror caps; front fog lights, dark-tinted tail lights and rear windows; and LED number-plate illumination. Inside, there is ‘Pyramid’ cloth upholstery with a choice of light-coloured ‘Ceramique’ or darker-coloured ‘Palladium Grey’ panels, and ‘Ceramique’ fabric inserts in the doors. There are dash panels in ‘Dark Rhodium’, front sports seats and aluminium-capped pedals (made more noticeable by the white footwell illumination).
The SEL model builds on the specification of the SE, adding 16-inch ‘Rivazza’ alloy wheels; front fog lights; tinted rear-windows; illuminated front footwells and a front centre armrest with storage compartment. Front and rear parking sensors are also standard.
The top of the range Polo at launch is the powerful yet parsimonious BlueGT model, which comes with a 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS engine with ACT cylinder deactivation. The BlueGT rides on 17-inch ‘Montani’ alloy wheels and 15 mm lower sport suspension, while it is distinguished visually with its unique body styling kit, including side skirts and unique bumpers, gloss black radiator grille and door mirror caps. Inside there are sports seats trimmed in ‘BlueSpeed’ cloth with Alcantara bolsters and a black roof lining. An XDS electronic differential lock for improved traction and handling is standard, as is cruise control and a Driver Alert System.
A new Polo BlueMotion TSI – the first petrol BlueMotion model in Volkswagen’s line-up – will become available towards the end of 2014, along with the new Polo GTI which will be offered with a choice of either manual or DSG gearbox. Full-LED headlights will also become available across the range.
