It's official. The new and significantly-improved Volkswagen Polo Mk V has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Ushering in revisions in efficiency, packaging, dynamics and styling, the Polo aims at setting a new class standard. A design team fronted by Walter de Silva, Head of Design at Volkswagen Group, drew on the design direction introduced by Scirocco and Golf models and gave the Polo a clean and distinctive take. Smooth surfaces and uncluttered lines take precedence to reinforce solidity while sleek front lamps and horizontal grille details betray a lowered ride height and wider track. So yes, the Polo has grown. But it's to cleverly thought-out packaging that the more spacious interior owes its thanks. At 3,952 mm, the Polo Mk V is only 36 mm longer than its predecessor, with its width widening by 32 mm to 1,682 mm and the height dropping by 13 mm for an enhanced stance. With these new dimensions, so change the interior dimensions with head, shoulder and legroom all gaining. What's more, loading space also increases, to a minimum of 280 and maximum of 952 litres depending on configuration. All models gain four airbags, anti-lock brakes, ESP and ISOFIX anchor points fitted as standard. Volkswagen's attention to detail is in plain sight in the new cabin with 'elegant' dials set into a dashboard made of quality, soft touch plastics and boasting a range of subtle aluminium highlights. A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, MP3 connection and the RNS 310 navigation system are all available for optional specification - the latter a Polo first. A new range of efficient engines pack the Polo with its punch. Two new powertrains on offer include a turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI and all-new 1.6-litre TDI common rail diesel join naturally-aspirated 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol options. All engines are equipped with 5 and 6-speed manual gearboxes as standard, while selected versions, with another first for the Polo, are optionally available with VW's advanced seven-speed DSG gearbox. The Polo will also, building on the offering of its predecessor, gain the addition of not one, but two BlueMotion models. The first, the 1.6-litre 90PS TDI BlueMotion, will join the range shortly after launch. It ushers in 74 mpg (Imp) while emitting just 96 g/km of CO2 - beating the outgoing model, already one of the cleanest vehicles on sale. In 2010, the second-generation BlueMotion will join the line-up utilising a new 75PS 1.2-litre common rail diesel powerplant and seeing improvements to underfloor aerodynamics, gearbox ratios, lowered suspension and the fitting of automatic Stop-Start and regenerative braking and low rolling resistance tyres. Fuel consumption of 85 mpg and emissions of just 87 g/km of CO2 will be achievable. Production starts in the summer for the UK market, with deliveries expected to begin October. Press Release New Polo unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show All-new body accompanied by 1.2-litre TSI and 1.6-litre TDI common rail engines New Polo BlueMotion II Concept Car also unveiled promising CO2 emissions of just 87 g/km and a combined 85 mpg The fifth generation of Volkswagen’s evergreen supermini, the Polo, has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, 34 years after the original went on sale in the UK. It’s sharper, lighter, safer and more cutting edge than ever before and is set to establish new standards in the small car class. Not only does the new Polo weigh 7.5 per cent less than the vehicle it replaces – despite being marginally wider and longer – but it’s also stronger, promises greater refinement and efficiency and features new packaging to make it the most versatile iteration yet. The stylish Polo debuts a new look as well as highly efficient TSI and common rail TDI engines to set new benchmarks in efficiency – bettering even the high standards set by the outgoing car. In addition, advanced safety systems and an all-new construction allow it to meet the criteria for the recently introduced five-star EuroNCAP standard. Styled by a team led by Walter de Silva (Head of Design, Volkswagen Group) the fifth generation Polo establishes a distinctive new look for the car that draws on the design direction established by the Scirocco and Golf. Clean, uncluttered lines mix with a thin, horizontal grille element framed by a set of sleek light units. The use of horizontal lines in the grille and lights allows the Polo to appear lower and wider than it really is. The simple design approach continues to the back of the car, which features a set of distinctive new rear lights and a wider track (1,464 mm front, 1,456 mm rear) to underline the impression of solidity. At 3,952 mm in length the new Polo is 36 mm longer than the car it replaces. Its width, at 1,682 mm, has also grown by 32 mm, yet the overall height has dropped by 13 mm to 1,454 mm, lending the car a more purposeful stance. These slightly larger dimensions and a longer wheelbase mean there’s greater space inside the new Polo. Head, shoulder and legroom have all increased, as has the load volume which now totals a minimum of 280 litres and a maximum of 952 litres. Up front, elegant white backlit dials are set into a dashboard constructed out of high-quality, soft touch plastics. Volkswagen’s renowned attention to detail remains apparent in the new Polo with subtle aluminium highlights dotted around the interior and the option of a handy air conditioned glovebox and an easily accessed connection point for an MP3 player. In addition, and for the first time on a Polo, the RNS 310 touchscreen satellite navigation system can be specified along with a three-spoke, multifunction steering wheel. Continuing the programme of efficiency improvements established by Volkswagen, the new Polo is powered by a mix of advanced naturally aspirated 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines as well as a new turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI petrol unit joining another all-new 1.6-litre TDI common rail diesel engine. All are equipped with either five- or six-speed manual gearboxes as standard and, for the first time on the Polo, selected variants can be specified with Volkswagen’s advanced and lightweight seven-speed DSG gearbox. A Polo BlueMotion model will also join the range shortly after launch. Powered by a highly efficient 1.6-litre 90 PS TDI common rail diesel engine and linked to a five-speed gearbox with lengthened ratios in third, fourth and fifth, the new BlueMotion achieves 74 mpg while emitting just 96 g/km of CO2 – bettering the outgoing Polo BlueMotion model which is itself one of the most fuel efficient vehicles currently on sale. The gains in efficiency don’t stop there: in 2010 the second generation BlueMotion will follow. Shown as a concept car at Geneva, and equipped with an all-new 1.2-litre three-cylinder common rail diesel engine developing 75 PS, the BlueMotion II will be capable of returning 85 mpg on the combined cycle while generating just 87 g/km of CO2. Making this possible is a package of modifications including the new engine, automatic Stop-Start and regenerative braking, a gearbox with revised ratios, optimised aerodynamics beneath the vehicle, suspension lowered by 15 mm and the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres. The new Polo features a comprehensive roster of standard safety equipment including for the first time on all models four airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) and ISOFIX anchor points all fitted as standard. Production of the new Polo for the UK market starts this summer before first deliveries take place in October. Prices will be announced nearer this time. A table detailing the engine derivatives available in the UK from launch follows: Petrol engines: Engine PS Transmission 1.2-litre 60 5-spd 1.2-litre 70 5-spd 1.4-litre 85 5-spd / 7-spd DSG 1.2-litre TSI 105 6-spd Diesel engines: Engine PS Transmission 1.6-litre TDI 75 5-spd 1.6-litre TDI 90 5-spd
