The new Volkswagen Polo supermini, on UK sale in November, will be the largest version of the car yet offered.
Now into its sixth generation, Volkswagen’s rival to Britain’s best-selling Ford Fiesta is growing 81mm to 4053mm – only 96mm shorter than the 1997 Mk4 version of its big sister the Golf. It is being built on the group’s MQB AO platform which is also under latest SEAT Ibiza and the forthcoming Skoda Fabia.
At 2564mm the new Polo has a wheelbase 96mm longer than its predecessor and 53mm longer than the Mk4 Golf, which should translate to significant improvements in interior space. Boot space goes up from 280 to 351 litres which again is 21 litres more than the Golf, while the car will also follow the current supermini trend, being sold only in five-door form.
A new exterior look includes a front-end design described as more masculine, while 14 body colours and 13 dash shades help keep the car competitive in the personalisation market.
Digital upgrades
Notable in the interior is the digital instrument panel, fitted to a Polo for the first time and debuting the second-generation version of VW’s Active Info Display. The car will also feature a much wider selection of technology cascading down from the Golf, including the Front Assist and Blind Spot Detection safety aids, Adaptive Cruise Control and LED headlights.
Six engines will be available ranging from 65 to 200hp, the latter powering a new GTI model. Only one will be a diesel – such engines have always been less popular in superminis and demand is predicted to slow.
