Sixth-gen Polo is the largest Polo ever, and will come with five variants
With more than 14-million units sold, the Polo is one of Volkswagen's successful model. And now sporting a completely new exterior design, it also boasts a noticeably spacious interior, new cockpit layout structured for the digital generation along with three different engines - TSI (petrol), TGI (natural gas) and TDI (diesel). An array of assistance systems, previously standard only for larger Volkswagen models, will also be found in the Polo.
The sixth generation Polo has grown, making it larger than its predecessor in all of its dimensions. This has resulted in more interior space and a significantly increased boot volume, which has grown from 280 to 351-litres. In addition, the new Polo, with its length of 4,053Â mm, is only slightly shorter than the fourth generation Golf; but it surpasses that Golf when it comes to its wheelbase (53Â mm longer) and space for the driver, passengers and luggage (21-litres more).
The new Polo will arrive on the markets of most European countries in 2017, and will launch successively with nine Euro-6 engines. For the first time, the Polo is available with a natural gas engine: The newly developed 1.0 TGI with an output of 89 bhp. The petrol engines range from the 1.0 MPI with 64 bhp to the brand new 1.5 TSI EVO with cylinder deactivation (ACT) and 148 bhp. The Polo is launching with diesel versions (TDI) with outputs of 80 bhp and 94 bhp. All of these models are equipped with a stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode. All engines may be combined with a dual clutch gearbox (DSG).
Built on the MQB AO platform, the first to be based on the new Modular Transverse Matrix for compact models, the Polo is launching in three familiar trims namely Trendline, Comfortline and Highline; not forgetting the 'Beats' special edition with a sound system configured for contemporary sound; it has a 300-watt sound system by legendary US headphone producer Beats (Dr. Dre). Exterior features include 16-inch alloy wheels, black painted exterior mirror housings, decorative decals on the bonnet and roof and 'Beats' badging on the B-pillars. Inside, the 'Beats' model is customised with such features as a dashpad painted in 'Velvet Red', sport seats with specially designed covers and 'Beats' logo, and special sill panel trims.
Another version that appears from the start on the new car's life: the Polo GTI. This sporty top model will now be powered by a 2.0-litre TSI with an output of 197 bhp. Matching the engine’s high output are the standard sport chassis and the optional Sport Select chassis. An exclusive feature offered in the GTI: Optional LED headlights with a red winglet, extensions of the red stripe of the radiator grille.
The Polo will launch as the first Volkswagen and the first Volkswagen Group model ever to offer this new generation of the Active Info Display. At the same time, the Polo is getting the latest generation of infotainment systems with display diagonals ranging from 6.5 to 8.0 inches — glass-encased devices that are as sophisticated as high-end smartphones.
Other goodies that will come with the Polo are Front Assist, City Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear View and Park Assist with manoeuvring braking function.
Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen brand said, "The Polo is a young, fresh car. It combines charisma with strong technology. No other car offers so much space for its size. This makes our Polo the number one compact, and it will remain number one."
