Volkswagen took the cover off its fifth generation Polo at the Geneva Motor Show. Although the new compact is larger and more powerful than its predecessor, the Polo weighs 7.5% less, offers strong fuel economy, and even lower emissions.
The new styling bears a strong resemblance to the striking Scirocco and sixth-generation Golf. The design team at VW has stretched the track to 57.6-in. front and 57.3-in. rear to give a wider stance. The Polo also grows in length by 1.4-in. and in width by 1.2-in., but drops in height by 0.5-in. These changes have increased head, shoulder and legroom as a result, but at an undisclosed amount. The interior also receives white backlit dials and aluminum highlights. Customers can opt for an air conditioned glove box, MP3 capability and a touchscreen satellite navigation system.
New to the Polo lineup are a 105-hp 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 1.6-liter BlueMotion diesel engine, the latter supplanting the 1.4-liter TDI. Volkswagen claims the new 90-hp diesel will return 74 mpg UK (62 mpg) combined and emit 96 g/km of CO2. Even further, VW will unveil its second generation of BlueMotion diesels in 2010, which will raise the mileage envelope even further through automatic stop-start systems and regenerative braking. All engine options come equipped with five- or six-speed manual transmissions, with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch transmission available on the 80-hp 1.4-liter engine.
Production of the new Polo begins this summer and customers can expect to receive theirs by October. We're likely to see the refreshed Polo cross the pond in the not-too-distant future.