VW reveals all-new 2017 Polo 19 | 06 | 2017
VOLKSWAGEN HAS LIFTED the wraps from its all-new, sixth generation Polo. Bigger, and more up-market than before, will be available to order from Scottish dealerships in October, ahead of first deliveries in January 2018. (Related: VW unveils all-new up! GTI)
The new Polo — available only as a five-door, in light of falling sales of the three-door — is considerably larger than the model it replaces. At 4053mm long, it’s 81mm longer than before and only slightly shorter than the MkIV Golf of the late Nineties.
VW has also increased the new model by 69mm in width, and given it a 94mm longer wheelbase, which contributes to significantly more space in the cabin. However, it’s no taller than the MkV Polo.
Storage space has increased too, up from 280-litres to a class-leading 351-litres.
Set to go head-to-head with the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza, the new Polo arrives eight years after the launch of the current generation. It’s built on a brand new small car platform, called ‘MQB A0’, from VW Group, which will also be the core of the new Ibiza and future versions of the Audi A1 and Skoda Fabia.
With its cleaner, sportier and more compact look, the new Polo boasts a muscular front-end which benefits from C-shaped LED daytime running lights which are fitted as standard across the range. At the rear, there’s a sharper, more square-edged profile than previously.
And while chunky air intakes, a rear diffuser and a roof spoiler will feature on the sportier R-Line models, across the rest of the range there’s increased colour options — 14, apparently — and new alloy wheel designs, allowing huge scope for customisation.
Inside the cabin, VW says the layout has been “structured for the digital world”. What does that mean? Well the upper dash is dominated by a new glass touchscreen infotainment system that varies from 6.5 to 8 inches, depending on trim.
The new Polo’s cabin — in addition to being larger, having a higher quality of fittings and soft-touch surfaces — also gets VW’s Active Info Display. Already updated from the recently launched Golf Mk7.5, it has a clearer layout and redesigned steering wheel controls.
At launch there will be a comprehensive section of engines. These will include a 65bhp 1.0-litre petrol, and two 1.0-litre turbos delivering 95bhp or 114bhp. There will also be a larger 148bhp 1.5-litre turbo featuring cylinder deactivation to save fuel. Diesel lovers get the choice of 1.6TDI diesels, with 80bhp and 95bhp.
The range-topping Polo GTI (pictured) gets a new and enlarged 2.0TSI turbo petrol engine producing 197bhp.
Depending on the engine, the new Polo comes with five and six speed manual gearboxes, and a seven-speed DSG automatic. Stop-start and regenerative braking are standard on all Polos across the range.
While VW has yet to confirm trim levels and pricing for the UK, it’s expected the new model will carry an increase of around £500 on the outgoing model.
The entry-level model in Germany comes with Pedestrian Detection and Front Assist, a speed limiter, City Emergency Braking and 14in alloys, and costs from €12,975; that’s about £11,300.
Full LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, adaptive dampers, and blind spot detection will all feature on top models.
Related: New VW fleet for Scots company
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Jim McGill