From Russia with love: new Polo sedan

Volkswagen's fifth-generation Polo hatch has just reached us here in Australia and now a sedan variant has broken cover. The four-door variant is set to extend the German manufacturer's range in the European B segment.

To be built on a completely new assembly line at Volkswagen AG's Kaluga plant in Russia, the new Polo sedan is set to make its first public appearance at this year's Moscow Motor Show in August.

Developed specifically with the Russian market in mind, the Polo sedan considers specific local climate and road conditions utilising more robust plating and painting techniques, a higher ride height (up 15mm), plus suspension specially tuned to cope with sub-par Russian roads.

Larger than its hatchback sibling, the new Polo sedan measures in at 4.38m long, 1.70m wide and 1.46m high. It will be offered in three specification levels -- Trendline, Comfortline and Highline -- with a single engine offering, the 1.6-litre Otto petrol unit developing 77kW. A choice of five-speed manual or six-speed automatic will also be available.

Standard features across the range will include a height-adjustable seat, trip computer, engine immobiliser and power windows. Pricing for the Russian market will start at 399,000 Roubles (AUD$15,295).

But don't expect to see the booted Polo in Australia anytime soon; Volkswagen Australia general manager of press and PR, Karl Gehling, has told the Carsales network that the importer has "no plans to bring the model here at this stage".

However, considering the rising popularity of such models as the Mazda2, Holden Barina, Toyota Yaris and upcoming Ford Fiesta, we can't help but wonder if warming sales of light sedans could soon change their mind.

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