9 February 2011
The Volkswagen Polo has come a very long way since the boxy little hatchback of old.
The new fifth generation Polo has moved on from the pared-back entry level proposition of its distant ancestors.
Due to market segmentation shifts that have come about in recent times, traditional buyers of 6 and 8 cylinder cars are downsizing into more fuel efficient 4 cylinder models.
So by necessity equipment, comfort and safety levels in the smaller segments have rapidly moved upwards to satisfy a more demanding buyer.
Volkswagen New Zealand boss, Dean Sheed is one of the few people in the industry to have kept smiling throughout the economic downturn.
The small car segment that the Polo slots into has risen from 7% to around 27% of total new car sales in recent years and the compact segment; ie, Golf territory, has risen from around 20% to 30%.
And movement into these segments continues to rise, so bringing two brand new models to market whose combined market segments currently reach over 50% of new car buyers is reason enough for Sheed to be happy.
In almost every respect, the Polo has grown into the car that the Golf once was. There is generous interior proportios giving room for 5 people. There's more leg room and shoulder room and plenty of luggage space.
Thanks to the variable positioning of the rear boot floor, when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down, the cargo space has the ability for flat floor loading, or with the seats upright, additional space is created by lowering the rear floor.
The new Volkswagen family face with low, wide grille has been applied to both the new Polo and its bigger stable mate, the Golf and as a consequence it's easy to mistake the Polo for its larger sibling.
And from the driver's seat, the feel, comfort and driving characteristics are not dissimilar either. We raved about how well the new Golf drove when it was launched a few months back, and the Polo really does drive like a scaled down Golf.
Available from November, the Polo will have a 1.4 litre 63kW engine delivering 132Nm of torque through a 7 speed DSG transmission.
With this engine/trans combo, the Polo sips just 5.8L/100km, emits a mere 135g/km of CO2 and meets the Euro 5 emission standard.
In the second quarter of 2010 we will be treated to a 1.2 litre 77kW TSI twincharger powered Polo, producing 175Nm of torque with an estimated fuel consumption of just 5.5L/100km, emitting CO2 levels of 129g/km.
With a 5 star safety rating, tested under the new more stringent European NCAP system, the Polo has combined head and curtain airbags in the front and curtain airbags for all passengers. Daytime running lights, ESP and hill-hold assist are standard.
Climatic air-conditioning, leather bound steering wheel, height adjustable front seats with drawers underneath, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, electric windows front and rear and a full size spare wheel are standard equipment.
In a segment populated with some very capable cars, the Polo offers small car buyers German build quality and refinement, a driving experience that punches above its weight, plenty of style and space that impresses.
At $27,990, Volkswagen have pitched the Polo up against more mainstream competitors such as Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta as well as traditional rival Peugeot with their 207.
Pricing and specification level for the forthcoming 77kW TSI is yet to be announced.