Unveiled in Geneva the new Volkswagen Polo is roomier and more sporty than the current model. The new car is based on the same platform as the Skoda Fabia. That shifts it up in size; at 3952mm and 1682mm, it’s 36mm longer and 32mm wider than the outgoing version. Boot space is up too, measuring 280 litres (952 litres with the rear seats folded down).
However, since it remains within the 4-metre length, it qualifies for an excise rebate of four percent, something which will enable VW to price it closer to Indian expectations.
The standout styling feature is VW’s new front-end look, centred on a full-width lower grille and a narrower upper opening. Together, they widen the Polo’s stance.
While Volkswagen has developed a new range of engines, including a 1.6-litre TDI motor, for India the car will most likely use a version of the 1.4-litre TDI which does duty in the Fabia, along with the 1.2-litre HTP petrol.
So far, Volkswagen has only unveiled the hatchback version of the car, but for India a saloon is also on the cards.
The Polo will be manufactured at VW’s greenfield facility at Chakan near Pune. The first car to roll out of the plant when it goes live later this year will be Skoda’s Fabia, the Polo will roll out later in 2010. Prices for the Polo are likely to start at the Rs 5.5 lakh mark, but expect to pay a slight premium for the car compared to its stable mate Fabia.
The new Polo has been designed by a team led by Walter de Silva (Head of Design, Volkswagen Group) and takes various styling cues from the VW Scirocco.
VW is offering a range of 1.2- and 1.4-litre normally aspirated petrol engines, a 1.2-litre turbocharged TSI petrol, and an all-new 1.6-litre TDI common-rail diesel on the new Polo. Gearbox options include five and six-speed manuals and a seven-speed DSG automatic.
Equipped with cutting-edge safety technologies and offering a brilliant mix of performance and fuel efficiency, the new VW Polo seems to be a car to watch out for.
