Polo: now more than ever 'Golf lite'

Set to become one of the most important launches of the year in world terms, the new Polo was Volkswagen's contribution to the red carpet call at the 2009 Salon International de l'Automobile Geneve.

And it may look to most of us like a MkVI Golf that's been through a hot cycle in the Whirlpool, but such faint praise sells the handsome and thoroughly modern new light segment hatch short.

All-new Polo adopts the family face that arrived in Golf VI and Sirocco in 2008 but adds a degree of extra angularity and drama to its flanks and rear end. It's a look that will likely have instant appeal with most of the people, most of the time. And as such that almost ensures the Polo will be a sales success -- even before Volkswagen starts talking about the car's impressive fuel economy and mechanical credentials.

Volkswagen will offer a range of TSI petrol and TDI turbodiesel engines in the new Polo when it goes on sale in selected markets within Europe in June. Volkswagen Audi Group's new seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission will also feature.

The most frugal engine/transmission option (see below) delivers 3.8L/100km fuel economy and less than 100g/km of CO2. But for the uber-frugal, VW also displayed a Concept BlueMotion version of the new Polo that can achieve 3.3L/100km. That's almost 86mpg for the oldies!

Typical powertrains include the new range-topping 77kW turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection 1.2 TSI that is rated at just 5.5L/100km. But Volkswagen says up to seven different engines will be offered depending on the market.

The full line-up spans a power range from 44-77kW and includes four petrol engines and three common-rail turbodiesels.

As noted above, the new 66kW Polo 1.6 TDI achieves just 3.8L/100km when fitted with VW's latest BlueMotion package. At 96g/km of CO2, according to VW it is the most fuel-efficient and lowest emitting five-seater diesel in the world.

VW says the new Polo has been "specifically designed to attain the recently established, stricter and more comprehensive, five-star EuroNCAP rating". Stability control is standard across the range and the car "has a highly effective network of airbags on board, including combined head-thorax airbags (integrated in the front seatbacks), belt tensioners and belt-force limiters, plus seatbelt warning indicator", says Wolfsburg.

At this stage, it's likely to be 2010 before the car arrives Down Under.

In announcing the new Polo, VW Group Chairman, Professor Dr Martin Winterkorn promoted the Golf Polo link.

"Through the combination of the car's design and technology, aligned with forthcoming market requirements, we have repeated our achievements in the recently launched new Golf in the class below. This takes us to an entirely new level of high customer value and efficiency among small cars and indeed at prices that are still affordable."

Lighter than the car it replaces, the new Polo won't skimp on home comforts, however. In Europe, mid-level Comfortline and top-of-the-range Highline specs will be offered. Trendline is the base offer.

Options will include static turning lights (integrated in the front fogs), side curtain airbags, satnav and VW says a panorama sunroof and bi-xenon headlights will be in the line-up by the time the car heads Down Under.

A GTI version will also be a likely addition to the range.