 The fifth-generation Polo will spearhead Volkswagen’s big push into the Indian market. The company plans to produce its new Polo in Chakan, Punewhich will go on sale from January 2010. AutoCar (June ’09) gets a taste of things to come after an exclusive drive in Sardinia.
The new Polo has a clear VW family look. It looks at first like a seven-eighth’s Golf, though the individuality of its shape grows with familiarity. It’s a combination of apparently simple, almost predictable lines and shapes, but manages to convey a relationship with the old Polo with a new-suit formality and a promise of sporty driving.
The new Polo is 22m shorter than the Fabia, which puts it comfortably under the four-metre ‘small car’ boundary at 3952mm. the wheelbase is also larger than the Fabia’s by 8mm and it’s 40mm wider but 60mm lower. This mix of dimensions gives it a sportier and squat stance than its Czech cousin. All-important interior dimensions appear to be generous and the 280-litre boot is decent.
 The interior design is familiar VW territory, yet all new says AutoCar (June ’09). It has that depth of quality and precision finish which continues to lift VW slightly out of reach of the rest. The European versions have a touch-screen, sat-nav, climate control and more. There are four trim levels (S, SE, Mode and SEL) and they all get standard ESP and at least four airbags.
Six engines are offered in Europe, four petrol and two diesels. All comply with Europe’s tough Euro 5 emission standards which come into effect next year. The petrol range starts with a pair of three-cylinder, 1.2-litre 12-valve units with either 60 or 70bhp. Those who need more power can opt for an 85bhp four-cylinder 1.4-litre unit, but the petrol range’s tourade-force is a tiny but potent 1.2-litre turbo TSI engine which pumps out 104bhp at 5000rpm, but its really impressive figure is the torque peak of 17.8kgm delivered remarkably, between 1500rpm and 3500rpm.
 The diesels are both versions of an all-new 1.6-litre common-rail unit, delivering either 75 or 90bhp. Both emit just 109gm/km of CO2 and return a spectacular 28.6kpl on the European combined cycle. In Europe, lower-end engines get five-speed manual gearboxes, but on the 1.2 TSI engine the standard is a six-speed but there’s also the option of VWs impressive seven-speed twin-clutch DSG transmission.
The question is what will India get from so many engine and transmission options? VW has not confirmed the power train for the India-spec car but it’s safe to assume that the engine sizes will be under 1.5-litres for diesel and 1.2-litres for petrol to meet the ‘small-car’ regulations.
 AutoCar (June ’09) drove the 1.2-litre TSI on test and found it to be a rewarding experience. The four-cylinder turbo-petrol starts quietly but idles as evenly as one of its economy brethren. The four-cylinder turbo-petrol starts quietly but idles as evenly as one of its economy brethren. It hauls the car off the mark briskly, though, delivering a claimed 0-100kph time of around 9.5 seconds and a top speed of around 190kph. Says AutoCar (June ’09), as soon as one begins to drive the Polo, one thinks of Golf. Same deeply impressive mechanical refinement, same soft and supple ride, same feeling of rigidity and stability. This is a small car in size only, it is as equipped as a luxury car and is a rewarding machine with firm and accurate controls and class-leading switchgear.
For VW, the Polo will be the company’s backbone in India for the next couple of years, until a smaller hatch based on the Up!Concept comes along. Till then VW is going to throw whatever it has to ensure that the Polo sets the standard in India’s highly competitive premium hatchback segment. The new Polo is the hatchback to watch out for in 2010 sums up AutoCar (June ’09).
|
