Subtle redesign hides significant mechanical updates to
Volkswagens supermini; on sale in April Volkswagen has revealed a facelifted Polo prior to its planned public debut at the Geneva motor show in March.
Set for UK sale in both three- and five door bodystyles from May, the refreshed version of the fifth-generation Polo gains a number of customary mid-life exterior styling changes together with an upgraded interior and a range of new driver-assistance systems in a bid to boost sales five years after introduction.
The biggest changes, however, centre around the Polos three- and four-cylinder engines, which have been significantly updated or replaced by more contemporary units boasting improved performance and economy.
New to the petrol line-up is an 89bhp 1. 0-litre three-cylinder engine in the Polo TSI BlueMotion. It is claimed to return 68. 9mpg and 94g/km on the combined EU test cycle, improving significantly on the 57. 7mpg and 113g/km of its predecessor. It is the first petrol-powered VW to wear the BlueMotion badge.
Reworked petrol engines include the base naturally aspirated 59bhp 1. 2-litre three-cylinder multi-point injected unit. It is claimed to have a 21 per cent reduction in consumption over the existing engine at 61. 4mpg and 106g/km, thanks to the inclusion of a stop/start function and brake-energy recuperation. The same engine is now also offered in 74bhp guise, which is up by 5bhp on its predecessor.
Positioned above them are two updated turbocharged 1. 2-litre three-cylinder TSI units with 89bhp and 108bhp.
The 1. 4-litre four-cylinder with cylinder-on-demand technology in the Polo Blue GT gains 10bhp, taking it from 138bhp to 148bhp. At the top of the new line-up is a more powerful version of the standard 1. 4-litre four-cylinder in the Polo GTI developing and adding 12bhp over its predecessor at 189bhp.
It is all change on the diesel side, with a trio of 1. 4-litre three-cylinder units with a respective 74bhp, 89bhp and 104bhp replacing todays 90bhp 1. 2-litre three-cylinder and the 89bhp and 104bhp 1. 6-litre four-cylinder oilburners.
Described as significantly smoother and more flexible than predecessor engines, the 74bhp unit in the TDI BlueMotion model is claimed to develop peak torque of 155lb ft at 1500rpm for improved standing start and in-gear acceleration along with a combined 88. 3mpg and 82g/km.
Even bigger fuel savings are made with the new 89bhp unit, which is claimed to have a 21 per cent reduction in consumption at 83. 1mpg and 89g/km against the 65. 7mpg and 112g/km of the earlier 89bhp 1. 6-litre four-cylinder diesel it replaces.
Depending on the engine, buyers will be able to choose between a standard five or six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Volkswagen has also worked on improving the Polos ride and handling by providing it with an optional Sport Select suspension with two levels of damping stiffness along with a new electro-mechanical steering system.
Among the external styling changes made to the facelifted Polo is a new front bumper with added structure and larger air ducts together with a reworked grille whose horizontal emphasis aims to provide the strong selling hatchback with greater visual width.
The headlamps retain the same shape as before, but they are now available with an LED main beam function on upper-end models, giving the Polo a new night-time optic.
At the rear is a subtly restyled bumper with a wider cutout for the number plate, along with revised taillamps and altered graphics. Buyers will once again get to choose between 15-, 16- and 17-inch wheels depending on the trim line along with 15 different exterior colours, eight of which are described as new.
Mirroring efforts made on the larger VW Golf, Volkswagen has attempted to lift the perceived quality of the Polos interior with a new three-spoke steering wheel, altered instrument graphics and a revised centre console with new controls for the air-conditioning, the choice of either a 5. 0- or 6. 5-inch touchscreen monitor, a range of optional infotainment features and a new rear camera to ease parking.
The latest Volkswagen also receives a range of new driver assistance and safety systems, including a
post collision braking system that automatically stops the car after a heavy impact, fatigue monitoring system, adaptive cruise control radar controlled distance control that operates between 18mph and 100mph as well as a city emergency braking function with automatic braking at speeds below 18mph.
Sales of the new Volkswagen Polo will begin in April, with deliveries starting in late July.
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