New Volkswagen Polo pricing revealed

Volkswagen Australia has released full details for its sixth-generation Polo, which arrives in showrooms in early March.

Priced from $17,990 plus on-road costs, the all-new German city-car is larger in every way and features more equipment along with more power from an updated range of petrol three-cylinder engines. Entry pricing is up $800 on its predecessor, with automatic variants adding a $2500 charge.

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed three trim levels for its smallest offering: Trendline, Comfortline and Launch Edition.

Each is kitted with a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine – differentiated by different tunes of power -- and tied to a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic transmission.

The Trendline variant kicks off the range at $17,990 in manual guise or $20,490 with an auto. Employing a ‘70TSI’ engine tune, power is rated at 70kW and torque at 175Nm, equating to a 0-100km/h time of 10.8 seconds and a fuel consumption figure of 4.8L/100km combined (5.0L in the case of the automatic).

Standard equipment on the base model includes 15-inch steel wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, two USB ports, cruise control, manual air-conditioning, power windows, heated electric exterior mirrors and an 8.0-inch touch-screen projecting functions including a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

On the safety front the base model boasts city-speed automated emergency braking with pedestrian protection, tyre pressure monitoring and a driver fatigue monitor.

A more powerful version of the 1.0-litre turbo, known as the 85TSI, is found in the middle-grade Polo Comfortline, priced from $19,490. Officially, the three-pot pumps out 85kW/200Nm, enabling a 9.5-second 0-100km/h time and fuel use of 5.1-5.3L/100km.

Additional specifications over the Trendline includes 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front centre armrest and ‘comfort cloth’ upholstery.

Heading the line-up is the flagship Polo Launch Edition, from $20,490 in manual guise. The same 85kW/200Nm turbo three resides under the bonnet as the Comfortline, the flagship adding 16-inch alloys, wireless phone charging, rear privacy glass, front fog-lights and tinted LED tail-lights.

Volkswagen is offering an optional $1500 Driver Assistance Package on Comfortline and Launch Edition models comprising adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, power-folding door mirrors and a proactive occupant protection system.

Volkswagen's new 147kW/320Nm Polo GTI will eventually wrest back the mantle of flagship in mid-2018, when the Polo Beats will also join the light-size hatch line-up.