PoloDriver

Despite a new model waiting in the wings, the Volkswagen Polo is still one the of the UK’s most popular cars. According to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 2,703 fifth-generation Polos were registered in October 2017, the model sitting in eighth place in the UK top 10 passenger car registrations chart. Overall, 43,158 Polos have found new UK homes in 2017 so far.

The SMMT’s October 2017 figures state that the new car market saw a double-digit decline when compared to the same period in 2016. A fall of 12.2 per cent saw a total of 158,192 new cars registered last month, with the year-to-date tally of 2,224,603 cars down 4.6 per cent on last year. Diesel sales have slumped 29.9 per cent. The UK’s top 10 most popular cars during October 2017 and the year-to-date (sales figure and position in brackets) were as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 7,256 (83,070, 1st)
2 Volkswagen Golf: 5,547 (62,565, 2nd)
3 Ford Focus: 4,503 (62,029, 3rd)
4 Nissan Qashqai: 3,923 (57,120, 4th)
5 Mercedes-Benz A Class: 3,390 (37,937, 10th)
6 Kia Sportage: 2,850
7 Audi A3: 2,764
8 Volkswagen Polo: 2,703 (43,158, 6th)
9 BMW 4 Series: 2,558
10 Ford Kuga: 2,493

(The UK’s 2017 year-to-date top 10 most popular cars absent from October’s registration figures were the fifth-placed Vauxhall Corsa, the seventh-placed Vauxhall Astra, the eighth-placed Mercedes-Benz C Class and the ninth-placed Mini with 43,315, 43,116, 41,281, and 38,964 registrations recorded respectively.)

Free insurance offer on new Polo
With the sixth-generation Polo already on sale in the UK from £13,855 (RRP OTR), Volkswagen has announced a free insurance offer on the new model, the first deliveries of which should arrive in January 2018. One year’s free comprehensive cover applies to qualifying customers aged between 18 and 80*, and customers can also receive a deposit contribution of £500 when they buy a new Polo with a Volkswagen Financial Services’ Solutions Personal Contract Plan** at 5.9 per cent APR representative.

While Volkswagen’s free insurance offer for the new Polo provides a great incentive for car buyers, it’s essential not to overlook the importance of securing one’s life. Life insurance plays a crucial role in ensuring financial protection for individuals and their families, offering peace of mind beyond the realm of automotive concerns. As prospective Polo owners explore the comprehensive cover provided for their vehicles, it’s also an opportune moment to consider the broader spectrum of insurance needs. To gain a better understanding of available options, individuals can explore LIFE INSURANCE QUOTES that align with their specific requirements, providing a holistic approach to safeguarding both assets and loved ones. Planning for the future encompasses not only the safety of your car but also the well-being of your loved ones.

The new Polo has also been added to the list of models included in Volkswagen’s Scrappage Upgrade scheme. Owners of diesel vehicles registered before 2010 that comply with pre-Euro 5*** emissions legislation will qualify for the scrappage upgrade. The vehicles can be traded-in to benefit from incentives ranging from £1,800 to £6,000 against the new Polo and other VWs and have been owned by the customer for at least six months. Orders must also be placed by 31 December 2017.

For more details on the Volkswagen Scrappage Upgrade scheme, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk/scrappage.

Polo Vivo number one in South Africa
Elsewhere last month, the Polo surrendered its second most popular car status in South Africa, slipping to fourth spot with 1,950 examples registered. With 2,851 cars registered, the entry-level Polo Vivo held onto its number one position. Based on the revised fourth-generation Polo sold in Europe from 2005 to 2009, the Vivo has dominated the South African new car sales charts since it was introduced in 2009, when it took over from the fondly remembered Citi Golf as Volkswagen South Africa’s lowest-priced model.

*One year’s insurance included at no extra cost from Volkswagen Insurance is available on new Polo models ordered from 3 October 2017 to 2 January 2018 and registered by 31 March 2018 for drivers aged 18-80 (GTI is 25 and over). Drivers under 18 are not eligible. Excludes Northern Ireland. Drivers aged 18-24 are required to share their driving style data with a telematics product. Other eligibility criteria apply. Go to www.insurewithvolkswagen.co.uk/polo for full terms and conditions. This offer may be extended, changed or removed at any point. Volkswagen Motor Insurance from Volkswagen Financial Services is arranged and administered by Carrot Risk Technologies Limited.

**At the end of the agreement there are three options: i) pay the optional final payment and own the vehicle; ii) return the vehicle: subject to excess mileage and fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. Subject to Status. 18+. T&Cs and exclusions apply. Indemnities may be required. Offer available when ordered by 02/01/18 from participating Retailers. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Accurate at time of publication 07/11/2017. Freepost Volkswagen Financial Services.

***Euro emissions standards: the ‘Euro 1’ standard was introduced in 1992 to help reduce vehicle emissions. Progressively more stringent Euro standards have been implemented since then – helping to lower emissions still further – with Euro 5 being introduced in 2009/2010. ‘Euro 6’, the standard that all new petrol and diesel cars must meet, is currently the toughest yet.

The new Volkswagen Polo has been awarded the highest safety rating from Euro NCAP, in the latest round of results released by the car safety body. Both it and the new T-Roc compact SUV achieved a five-star rating due to their myriad safety and protection systems. Even the entry-level new Polo models are equipped with six airbags and an automatic post-collision braking system.

‘Democratising safety for decades’
Both new Volkswagens topped the listings in the Euro NCAP key test areas: ‘Adult Occupant’, ‘Child Occupant’, ‘Pedestrian’ and ‘Safety Assist’ (assistance systems). ‘Volkswagen has been democratising safety for decades. The outstanding Euro NCAP ratings for the Polo and T-Roc demonstrate once again how we are making maximum safety available to the drivers of mini and compact models as well,’ said Dr Frank Welsch, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Development.

During the tests, Euro NCAP examined the loads to which adult occupants are subjected in various accident scenarios. The new Polo scored 96 per cent (out of a maximum of 100) in its class and also received an impressive rating in the more challenging side-impact test. Euro NCAP commented that ‘the protection of all critical body areas is good; and the Polo attained maximum points’ in relation to the the side barrier and side pole crash tests.

2017 Volkswagen Polo: Euro NCAP test

2017 Volkswagen Polo: Euro NCAP test

2017 Volkswagen Polo: Euro NCAP test

2017 Volkswagen Polo: Euro NCAP test

Top figure in its segment
The Polo scored 85 per cent – the top figure it its segment – when it came to child occupant protection. It also boasted high figures in the pedestrian protection test – 76 per cent – and in the ‘Safety Assist’ assistance systems category (59 per cent). The full sixth-generation Polo Euro NCAP ratings can be seen here, and come after the latest small Volkswagen also scored top marks in similar Latin NCAP tests.

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is an international and independent consortium of governments and non-governmental organisations. The mission of Euro NCAP is to provide automobile buyers with information on the safety of the most popular vehicles sold in Europe in a timely manner.

When the Volkswagen Polo was first introduced in 1975, it was very much a car for Europe. Only really with the third-generation car of 1994 did the Polo start to become a global player, and although US success has always evaded it due to its non-availability there, over the past 20 years or so, it has gained worldwide notoriety.

First made in Germany at Volkswagen’s home Wolfsburg factory, the Polo is now built in Brazil, China, India, Spain as well as South Africa. And so, with the unveiling of the all-new sixth-generation model, it was obvious there may be versions for local markets. The first to arrive is the Novo Polo for Brazil.

Looking almost identical to the all-new Polo for Europe, the South American sixth-generation Polo, the car is based on the same MQB ‘A0’ platform, and is essentially the same car. That means it shares the European model’s much roomier cabin and larger dimensions, as well as the 94mm increase in wheelbase (now 2,564mm), although the Brazilian car strangely gains 4mm in length. This may well be due to the slightly restyled bumpers.

2017 Volkswagen Polo (Brazil)

2017 Volkswagen Polo (Brazil)

2017 Volkswagen Polo (Brazil)

Unique front end
The Novo Polo boasts a unique front end, which differs from the European new Polo. Designed after consultation with customer clinics, there is a larger ‘mouth’. The Novo Polo’s lower bumper grille is bigger than that on its European counterpart, with the numberplate hung from a black bar which forms the top part of the aperture, a feature not seen on the European new Polo.

While in some markets, the new Polo is available with a 20-strong colour palette, the Brazilian Novo Polo has seven shades to choose from: Black Ninja (!), Blue Night, Platinum Gray, Tornado Red, Sirius Silver, Silver Tungsten, and White Crystal.

The interior of the South American Polo is identical to the European car, though, with the new dashpad sweeping across the main part of the dashboard and bleeding into the front door panels. There’s the same horizontal axis instruments, too, and a suite of 6.5 and 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment systems. The same second-generation 1,440 x 540 pixel Active Info Display system features as an option, too. One notable difference is the addition of a smartphone holder on the top of the dashboard – with an input for USB charging – which will be useful to cars fitted without satellite navigation.

2017 Volkswagen Polo (Brazil)

2017 Volkswagen Polo (Brazil)

2017 Volkswagen Polo (Brazil)

Polo, Polo MSI, Comfortline 200 TSI and Highline 200 TSI
Trim levels largely follow those in Europe and the rest of the world. The range starts with the Polo (1.0) and Polo MSI (1.6), the equivalent of entry-level Trendline models elsewhere. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, electric windows all-round, an on-board computer, and remote central locking. Optional ‘Connect’ and ‘Safety’ packages include luxuries such as a multifunction steering wheel, ‘Composition Media’ infotainment upgrade, 15-inch ‘Viper’ alloy wheels and electronic stability control.

Much of the optional packages on the 1.0 and 1.6 make up the specification of the Comfortline Novo Polos, which also gain electric mirrors, front fog lights, and rear parking sensors. The ‘Tech I’ optional pack includes automatic cruise control, automatic dimming rear view mirror and wipers, automatic headlights with ‘coming home’ function, front parking sensors, gear shift paddles, keyless entry and engine start/stop button, and 16-inch Avalanche’ alloy wheels.

The ‘Tech II’ package meanwhile offers a chilled glovebox, ‘Climatronic’ digital air conditioning, fatigue detector, luggage compartment storage system, a multifunction leather steering wheel, rear-view camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system and gloss black interior accents. Safety upgrades include an automatic post-collision braking system.

As for drivers seeking more enhanced driving experience and a well-equipped vehicle, the Polo lineup offers a range of trim levels that cater to various preferences, much like its counterparts in Europe and around the world. However, for those looking for even more technological enhancements, there’s valuable information about dash cam for car enthusiasts who prioritize safety and security, providing an additional layer of protection on the road. With a variety of trim levels and optional packages, the Polo range ensures that drivers can find the perfect fit for their driving needs and preferences.

The Highline sits at the top of the Novo Polo range, and includes most of the optional kit offered on the Comfortline as standard. Options include synthetic leather seats, while the ‘Tech High’ package includes a ‘shark’ radio aerial, and the ‘Discover Media’ infotainment system. Additionally, the ‘Technology’ package adds the Active Info Display system and 17-inch ‘Razor’ alloy wheels.

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With an all-new platform, the sixth-generation Polo marks the biggest change for the model since the switch from the second to third-generation car twenty-three years ago. The largest and most technologically advanced Polo ever, Rich Gooding finds that the car’s traditional strengths haven’t been forgotten

Over 14 million Polos have been sold over the past 42 years, so the sixth-generation model is big news for Volkswagen. The second biggest-selling VW in the UK, the fifth-generation car has remained popular throughout its eight-year life with a staggering 4.2 million examples sold. The new model has a very tough act to follow, but with a state-of-the-art chassis, a raft of technical changes, and armed with a vibrant and contemporary colour palette, the latest version of VW’s small car has been equipped with some of the best tools for the job.

Longest and largest Polo yet
First things first. The latest SEAT Ibiza may have debuted it, but the sixth-generation Polo finally gets the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Matrix (‘MQB’) platform in its smallest ‘A0’ size. That means an increase in wheelbase by 94mm (now 2,564mm), while at just over four metres, the newest Polo is the longest and largest yet.

The new Polo has a very tough act to follow, but with a state-of-the-art chassis, a raft of technical changes, and armed with a vibrant and contemporary colour palette, the latest small Volkswagen has been equipped with the best tools for the job

Width is up by 69mm to 1,751mm, while wider 1,525m front and 1,505mm rear tracks give the new car a four-square stance. Arguably the most impressive figure is the increase in luggage space: now 351 litres, an amazing 25 per cent (70 litres) larger than before, and only 29 litres down on big brother Golf. Indeed, much has been made of the fact that the latest Polo is a big as the fourth-generation version of VW’s biggest-selling model.

The MQB platform brings many benefits – not least the technology, which we’ll come on to later – including an improved silhouette and a more dynamic look. In our eyes, there was little wrong with the neat looks of the outgoing car, and although the new model follows the well-trodden ‘evolution not revolution’ path, it does manage to look both refreshed and rejuvenated, as well as more youthful, which reflects Volkswagen’s new focus on style and technology to lure in younger buyers.

Confident stance
We were fans of the broad ‘shoulders’ of the fifth-generation Polo, and on the new car they are even more defined. That’s thanks in part to Volkswagen’s new ‘Tornado’ line which starts on the front wing and extends the whole length of the car, finishing at the new tail lights. In profile, the new Polo’s overall look is similar to what went before, but shorter overhangs give the car a confident and more dynamic stance. It’s up front where perhaps the biggest changes occur.

The bonnet is more curved than on the fifth-generation Polo, and the four creases extend down to the bonnet ‘brow’, a body-coloured ‘extension’ which sits in-between the headlights spanning the front grille. We’re not quite sold on this feature yet, but like the way the chrome strip (red on the GTI) extends into the headlights. When optioned, this becomes the LED headlamp, also doubling as the turn signal – very clever and a high-class, ‘big car’ touch. At the rear, the tail lights are similar to before in overall shape, but sharper graphics ensure they are more distinctive under the cover of darkness.

2017 Volkswagen Polo

2017 Volkswagen Polo

2017 Volkswagen Polo

Second generation of Active Info Display
Thanks to the MQB underpinnings, there are more ‘big car’ features, too. A whole suite of safety systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection and Front Assist monitoring systems. The new Polo also debuts the second generation of Volkswagen’s ‘Active Info Display’ colour digital instrument panel.

The 10.5-inch high-resolution 133dpi/1,280 x 480-pixel display really does look stunning and adds a luxurious touch to what is – despite the well-documented dimension increases – let’s not forget, still a small car. It can be configured in various views to prioritise driving information, navigation or assistance functions. Infotainment system data can also be displayed, and, although it’s not standard kit on lower-rung cars, it’s only a £325-£475 option on selected models. It’s a proper ‘big car’ option and a small car segment first.

Also impressive is the range of full-colour infotainment touchscreen systems which are arranged in the same horizontal sight line as the instrument panel. This sounds a very minor change, however, by grouping all the displays in a horizontal axis rather than a vertical one, it means the driver needs less time to view the required information.

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Volkswagen UK has opened the order books for its all-new Polo today, and has also released the first round of pricing. The sixth-generation car will be available from £13,855 OTR, and the range will expand to feature a seven-model range, including the 197bhp GTI and an enhanced-specification GTI+ trim.

We’ve covered the main technological developments of the new car here, but with more passenger space thanks to being based on VW’s ‘MQB’ platform, a new range of engines, a sharper design, as well as myriad safety and enhanced infotainment systems, the latest Polo is a thoroughly modern update of Volkswagen’s perennially popular small car. How popular? Over 1.4 million Polos have found UK homes since the first-generation Polo arrived in 1975.

Segment firsts
Always a standard-setter, segment firsts this time around include the debut of digital instruments in a compact car, as well as a new level of assistance systems in the small car sector. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, City Emergency Braking, and Pedestrian Monitoring technologies. In a move which does away with the 6.5-inch units available in other markets, there are also eight-inch glass-encased colour infotainment systems standard across the whole of the UK new Polo range.

The £13,855 1.0-litre S with 64bhp kicks off the UK range, the trims running S, SE, Beats, SEL, R-Line, GTI, and GTI+. The only prices released so far are those pertaining to the 1.0-litre MPI and TSI models, though we do know that the 1.5-litre ‘EVO’ engine with 147bhp and active cylinder management – which shuts down two cylinders under light load for increased efficiency and reduced emissions – will only be available in higher-specification R-Line trim. The lowest-priced diesel will be the SE 1.6-litre TDI with 79bhp, and both it and the more powerful 94bhp version have SCR catalytic converters.

Manual or DSG
The range-topping GTI and GTI+ models are powered by a 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 197bhp, which comes from the ‘EA888’ engine series, higher output version of which also make an appearance in the Golf GTI, Golf GTI Performance and Golf R. All new Polos have a stop-start system and regenerative braking, while cars with an output of 94bhp upwards can be ordered with a six or seven-speed DSG gearbox as an option to the five or six-speed manual gearbox which comes as standard.

Standard on both the GTI and GTI+, but a £115 option on other models, the Driving Profile Selection allows the choice of one of four programmes – ‘Eco’, ‘Sport’, ‘Normal’ and ‘Individual’ – which tailor the Polo’s character to the driver’s precise need and mood. In the ‘Eco’ driving mode, engine control, air conditioning and other auxiliary systems are regulated for optimal fuel efficiency. In DSG-equipped Polos, a coasting function can be used in the ‘Eco’ mode, while in ‘Sport’ mode, engine response and shift points of the DSG are configured to be more dynamic and, where fitted, tuning of the adjustable dampers is modified.

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