Volkswagen's fifth chukka of Polo

The car that would be Golf, VW’s own Polo, was launched to the world’s media in Europe over the weekend. Unveiled at Geneva in March, the new Polo is critically important for VW – especially in a year where the group is poised to challenge Toyota’s position as the world’s number one carmaker.

Volkswagen has benchmarked the new Polo against some of the 'A-list' stars of the auto industry's B segment. The fifth generation of the manufacturer's light car draws styling inspiration from the slightly larger Golf sibling, but it's also heavily influenced by the competition -- Peugeot 207, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and the Ford Fiesta.

That indicates how important the Polo is to Volkswagen. This car is the fifth generation in the ancestral line and arrives at a time when 'economy cars' have never figured larger than they do now. Not only is the world labouring under the weight of the Global Financial Crisis, but there's longer-term worry about global climate change and peak oil to influence new-car buying decisions -- and that means finding the right balance when bringing any new car to market.

In these straitened times, the new Polo is more efficient, but not at the expense of the consumer.

"The consumer taught us what he's willing to pay for; what he's willing to accept," says Volkswagen's Product Communications spokesperson, Christian Haacke.

"He's not willing to pay for a magnesium steering wheel, he's not willing to pay for extra-thin windows or an aluminium hatch..."

With the aid of an anecdote, Haacke goes on to explain that while these fuel-reduction measures in the 'three litre' Lupo were too expensive for the sort of buyers in the market for the sub-Polo car, consumers can be tempted by affordable fuel reduction technology.

"The UK market, in the beginning, did not want the [previous model] Polo Bluemotion, but when colleagues over on the continent were so excited about Polo Bluemotion, the [British] customers finally broke down the doors at Volkswagen UK and they said 'We want to spend money on the car'.

"So we learned from this package, and the positive response, how to carefully balance the Bluemotion package...

Bluemotion is Volkswagen's economy and efficiency 'sub-brand' which is applied to frugal models, much like Holden's 'Ecoline' variants. In the case of the new Polo, there is a Bluemotion package for the 1.6-litre TDI variant which uses 3.6L/100km of fuel and emits 96g/km of CO2.

Volkswagen plans also to introduce a "SuperBluemotion" Polo variant, powered by a 1.2-litre turbodiesel engine and capable of using as little as 3.3L/100km for an 87g/km CO2 emissions figure.

Other Polo variants under active consideration for Australia include a 1.2-litre turbo (TSI) petrol engine coupled to a six-speed manual transmission, a 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four and 1.6-litre turbodiesels in different states of tune. All engines other than the 1.2 TSI drive through five-speed manual boxes -- and a seven-speed DSG transmission is available as an option for the three engines.

The 1.2-litre engine develops 77kW of power and 175Nm of torque. Fuel consumption for this engine is 5.5L/100km in combined-cycle testing, with CO2 emissions rated at 129g/km.

Largely carried over from the current car, the 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine features new electronics and induction hardware. Peak power is raised to 63kW and maximum torque is slightly higher, at 132Nm. Fuel consumption has dropped to 5.9L/100km and the figure for CO2 emissions is now 139g/km.

Featuring common-rail turbodiesel technology, the 1.6-litre TDI engine will be available in international markets developing different power outputs. There's a 55kW version, but the 66kW and 77kW versions are of greater interest to Australians.

The 66kW engine forms the central plank of the Polo's 'Bluemotion pack'. This variant produces 230Nm of torque, uses 3.6L/100km (versus 4.2L/100km for the 55kW engine) and CO2 emissions come in just under 100g/km (96g/km). The 77kW TDI engine produces 250Nm of torque for a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.2L/100km.

Volkswagen is launching the new Polo in three levels of trim: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. For international markets, the Trendline will come equipped with: electro-hydraulic power steering, front electric windows, central locking, height adjustment for the driver's seat, height-and-reach adjustable steering and 14-inch steel wheels.

The Polo Comfortline will vary from the entry-level grade by integrating the following standard features: chrome interior trim, rear electric windows, climate control, remote central locking and 15-inch steel wheels.

Rounding out the model walk-up, the Polo Highline is fitted as standard with: 'small leather pack' for steering wheel/gearshift/parking brake, chilled glovebox, three-spoke steering wheel, front fog lights, dust/pollen filtration, reverse-parking acoustic guidance and 15-inch alloy wheels.

Locally-delivered cars are likely to vary from these specifications.

For passive safety, the new Polo delivers dual front airbags, thorax-protecting side-impact airbags for front-seat occupants and head-protecting side-curtain airbags. In addition, front seatbelts are height-adjustable and feature pre-tensioners.

Despite the new car boasting an estimated 7.5 per cent weight reduction over the superseded fourth-generation Polo, Volkswagen claims that crash safety has been improved for the new car and expects it to achieve Euro NCAP's five-star rating. According to Volkswagen, the new Polo's front occupant footwell intrusion has been reduced by 50 per cent and side-impact intrusion is down by 20 per cent. The manufacturer also cites torsional resistance of 43Hz and bending resistance of 46Hz.

On the active safety front, the new Polo is expected to arrive in Australia with standard stability control (ESP), ABS, traction control, electronic limited-slip differential, engine-braking control (MSR) and braking assistant.

According to Karl Gehling, Volkswagen Australia's General Manager Press and PR, the new Polo is scheduled to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2010.

The Carsales Network has driven the new Polo, so watch out for our upcoming international launch review.

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