The Polo from Volkswagen is one of the world’s best-selling supermini cars with nearly 14 million units produced. Supermini car? At least that is the official name of the Polo class in Germany – in the international jargon of the automotive industry it is the B segment. Whatever the segment name, and regardless of its compact dimensions, attractive prices and good fuel economy values, there is nothing small about the Polo. All the more so now, because a generation of the bestseller is now making its debut which has been significantly updated technically. The new EU-6 engines and the infotainment and assistance systems of the Polo, in particular, have now taken enormous strides forward. Consider the engines: the entire engine range was reconfigured. Volkswagen has realised fuel economy improvements of as much as 21 per cent. The new Polo TDI BlueMotion sets a record here; with a combined fuel consumption of 3.2 l/100 km (82 g/km CO2) it is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the planet. The Polo TSI BlueMotion, available starting this autumn, also marks the first time that a Volkswagen with a petrol engine is being marketed as an independent BlueMotion model. In this car, 4.1 l/100 km and 94 g/km CO2 set top values.
Convenience and safety overcome class boundaries. The Polo of 2014 also increases its lead over the competition with an impressive range of new convenience and safety functions that is unique in its class. The Polo will also be one of the first compact cars to launch with distinctive LED headlights – also starting this autumn. Furthermore, the base model, the Polo Trendline, is equipped with K7 headlights as standard. Another redesigned feature available immediately at market launch are dual round headlights with H7 technology (standard from Polo Comfortline).
A new electro-mechanical servo steering system improves steering properties. Volkswagen also offers the new optional Sport Select suspension – which uses electronically controlled dampers – so that drivers can choose between two tuning characteristics at the press of a button. Many other assistance systems of the Golf class are also making their way into the new Polo. They include the standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System (automatically initiates braking after a collision), Driver Alert System, Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). The view towards the rear can now be sharpened by the optional Rear Assist rear view camera as well.
Progressive infotainment world. The radio and radio-navigation systems were re-conceptualised; as second generation systems they reflect state-of-the-art technology in what is known as the modular infotainment system (MIB). That is, the software and hardware of these systems follow the infotainment world of the larger Golf, and – depending on the version they may offer functions such as Bluetooth audio streaming (with a smart phone, including cover display and touchscreen control), a proximity sensor (other menu details are shown when hand approaches the screen), two-finger map zooming in navigation mode (like on a smart phone) and interfacing of the mobile phone to the vehicle’s exterior antenna by inductive coupling. All four systems can be equipped with digital radio reception (DAB+). In addition, special smart phone apps can be accessed on the touchscreen via MirrorLink™.
Visually, the new Polo can be made out by sharper front and rear designs. Fresh colours, new interior materials and many other equipment details perfect the Volkswagen car. The latest generation Polo will already arrive on the market sometime this spring. First deliveries will be in Germany – where, by the way, the car will be offered at the same selling price as the previous model, despite improved features and new technology. Most other European countries will follow immediately thereafter. In Africa and Asia, the successor to the “2010 Car of the Year” will make its debut in the second half of the year. Along with the basic versions (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline), the Polo will also be offered again as a GTI, BlueGT, CrossPolo and the mentioned BlueMotion model. As in the debuts of the up! and the Beetle, at the market launch Volkswagen is also introducing an exclusively equipped launch model in Europe: the Polo “Fresh”. This high-end limited edition model will be offered in five body colours, with exclusive equipment features and a two-tone interior.
