Volkswagen Polo
On the 30th anniversary of the Polo, Volkswagen presented an updated generation of its bestseller in the Spring of 2005. The new model, offered as a two and four-door, sets new standards in its class for the quality of manufacturing and materials, comfort, active and passive safety, and engine technologies.
The redesigned front end with its V-shaped radiator grille, in particular, lends the Volkswagen Polo a significantly more striking look. The new Polo's face is also essentially characterized by its headlights, now similar to the Passat. Turn signals were also integrated into redesigned side view mirrors in current VW style. The rear end was also significantly modified with its V-shaped window in the lower frame area similar to the front end and the redesigned taillights whose circular elements pick up on the design of the headlights.
In comparison to its predecessor, the overall length of the more mature Polo has grown by 19 millimeters to 3,916 millimeters due to the remodeled bumpers; however, width (1,650 millimeters) and height (1,465 millimeters) remain the same.
The Volkswagen Polo is offered in the three design versions, "Trendline", "Comfortline" and "Sportline". On the engine side, five gasoline engines with an output range of between 44 kW / 60 hp and 77 kW / 105 hp and four turbo diesel direct injection engines of between 51 kW / 70 hp and 96 kW / 130 hp are available (see "Overview of gasoline and diesel engines" for more detailed information about power engines). All engines comply with the EU 4 emissions standard.
Already included as standard equipment on the basic Trendline version with 44 kW are front and side airbags, ABS, brake assist, Isofix-ready for two child seats in the back, cupholders in the back, electrically amplified roof antenna, speedometer and service interval display, front power windows, rear window wash/wipe system with interval switch, pollen filter, interior lighting with switch-off delay, vertically and horizontally adjustable steering column, vanity mirrors in sun visors, folding rear seats and backrests, electro-hydraulic power steering, green heat-resistant glass and central locking. The versions with 74 kW and 96 kW are also fitted with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP). It is an integral component of a top line chassis. The background: Its McPherson front suspension and a multilink rear suspension make the Polo one of the safest cars in this segment.
Park Pilot, tire pressure indicator and the coming home function for the headlights. Also new are the optional tinted side windows and rear windshield with special heat-insulated glass that absorbs up to 65 percent of light. And last, but not least, available as optional equipment: Head airbag system, cell phone ready, sliding/tilting glass sun roof, leather seats, integrated child seat, rain sensor plus automatic anti-glare rear-view mirror, sport suspension, radio/CD audio system, radio navigation system, semi-automatic air conditioning system (Climatronic: standard with Comfortline and Sportline), climate control (Climatronic) and of course, ESP, to mention just a few of the details.
The new Volkswagen Polo, available as a two and four-door with large hatchback, has also been modernized on the inside. High-quality fabrics in an exclusive and fresh design add new touches. All materials used look and feel high quality - as you would expect. In addition to the redesigned instrument graphics, new steering wheels are also being used. The four-spoke steering wheel featured in the basic version provides improved grip. The leather steering wheel in a modern three-spoke design is also available. The fact of the matter is: After closing the doors uncertainty arises about the class of vehicle one is sitting in. The reason for this are good use of space, the quality of the seating system, the well-organized cockpit with round instruments, the ergonomic layout of control elements and the excellence of the fabrics. Such things are so convincing that they blur conventional class boundaries.
A look in the luggage compartment shows that the Polo offers lots of room in a compact space: Depending on the configuration of the rear seat, it offers a volume of 270 to 1,030 liters.
1.2 with 44 kW / 60 hp: The 1.2 l 44 kW / 60 hp engine can be recommended as an especially economical model for the entry-level of engines available. The three-cylinder, two-valve engine joins inexpensive operation with state-of-the-art technology: Thanks to its countershaft, the small three-cylinder engine displays smooth performance that is in no way inferior to a four-cylinder engine. It also takes advantage of its three-cylinder design, meaning lower fuel consumption. The basic engine for the Volkswagen Polo uses an average of 5.8 l premium fuel over a distance of 100 km. Top speed: 157 kph.
1.2 with 51 kW / 70 hp: The second candidate among the Otto engines offered for the Polo also has three cylinders, distributed across an engine size of 1.2 l. A major difference to the basic engine is found in the cylinder head, where this engine exhibits four valves instead of two for each combustion chamber. The extremely popular three-cylinder engine with its 51 kW / 70 hp uses only 5.9 l of fuel over 100 km. Top speed: 162 km/h.
1.4 with 59 kW / 80 hp: The four-cylinder team in the current Polo range begins with the 1.4 l engine. With 55 kW / 75 PS the four-cylinder engine offers the potential for dynamic driving performance. It already delivers 90 percent of maximum torque starting at 2,200 rpm and reaches peak output of 126 Newton meters at 3,800 rpm. Top speed: 175 km/h. Average fuel consumption: 6.3 l premium. The Volkswagen Polo 1.4 is also available with automatic transmission.
1.4 with 74 kW / 100 PS: If in the choice of engine you're someone who can only be satisfied with performance ratings in the 3-figure PS range, the right answer for you is found in the second 1.4 l engine version. This engine is closely related to the 55 kW engine, but was modified in many details in favor of higher performance yield. 188 km/h top speed is the corresponding dynamic result.
1.4 FSI with 63 kW / 86 PS: The newest 1.4 l gasoline engine in the Polo range is a direct injection engine (FSI). 63 kW / 86 PS strong, this engine also persuades with extremely low fuel consumption. On average, the Volkswagen Polo 1.4 FSI consumes only 5.8 l of premium gasoline over 100 km. In comparison to a gasoline engine with conventional fuel mixture system, this improved mileage becomes apparent in city traffic. Here the Polo 1.4 FSI uses 13 percent less fuel than a four-cylinder engine with conventional fuel injection.
1.4 TDI with 51 kW / 70 PS: The new 1.4 l 51 kW / 70 PS engine now available for the Volkswagen Polo makes entry to the TDI world more state-of-the-art. The three-cylinder engine equipped with fuel injection units already delivers 155 Newton meters of torque at a respectable 1,600 rpm. Its powerful appearance is accompanied by great restraint in matters of fuel consumption: An average of 4.5 l of diesel over 100 km.
1.4 TDI with 59 kW / 80 PS: Also new is an additional three-cylinder TDI in the current Polo range. It delivers an agile 59 kW/800 PS from its 1.4 l of engine capacity. Modifications to the electronic motor control and an adjustment to the fuel flow rate have given the three-cylinder engine a boost in output and torque (195 Newton meter at 2,200 rpm). With this engine type the Polo achieves a top speed of 174 km/h and makes do with only 4.4 l of diesel over a distance of 100 km.
1.9 TDI with 74 kW / 100 PS: The two four-cylinder TDI engines available for the Polo also shine with full speed at low fuel consumption. The 74 kW version, for example: A top speed of 188 km/h with average fuel consumption of only 4.9 l of diesel over 100 km. Maximum torque: 240 Newton meter.
1.9 TDI with 96 kW / 130 PS: With the 1.9 l 96 kW / 130 PS TDI engine the Volkswagen Polo develops true sportsman qualities. Maximum torque: 310 Newton meter at only 1,900 rpm. The compact diesel engine takes only 9.2 seconds for the sprint from zero to 100 km/h and reaches a top speed of 206 km/h on the open freeway. The six-speed manual transmission matches the sporty character of this engine type, which the Polo 1.9 TDI offers in this case as standard equipment.
