Ten things you might want to know about Volkswagen’s new Polo

Published on 16 June, 2017

Ten things you might want to know about Volkswagen’s new Polo

Overview

VOLKSWAGEN has just unveiled its new Polo supermini in Berlin. The new car, popular with Irish buyers, is due to go on sale here on November 17.

Here are 10 things you may find worth knowing about the latest of what has been one of the world’s best-selling small cars.

1. It’s a 5dr-only hatchback only from now on; no 3drs any more.

2. Petrols come first (in November); diesels arrive early in 2018. In all there are four petrols and two diesels. Any engine of 90PS or more can have a dual clutch gearbox (DSG).

3. More than 14 million people worldwide have bought a Polo from new. This is the sixth generation.

4. They’ve upped spec levels noticeably: even entry-level trim (Trendline) has LED daytime running lights, speed limiter and Front Assist monitor with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is optional as is the semi-automated Park Assist system

5. The cabin is much bigger in a car that has grown. And boot space has gone from 280 to 351 litres.

6. There will be a good spread of models including a GTi – pencilled in for March. Should be fun.

7. It’s the first Volkswagen/VW Group car with the new-gen Active Info Display - the latest infotainment system has 6.5ins to 8.0ins displays.

8. There’s a choice of 14 exterior colours and 12 wheel sizes/styles, several ‘dashpad’ décors and 11 different seat covers. It’s called personalisation.  The off-beat ‘Beats’ version is not coming. And R-Line trim will likely come as an option pack.

9.  Price? Expect a ‘moderate’ increase on the current 5dr (from €15,370). But Volkswagen will argue that any increase is far outweighed by new technology, a roomier, bigger car and driver assistance systems.

10. The timing of its arrival means you’ll have plenty of time to decide if it goes on your shopping list for the 181-reg period which starts on January 1 next.