PoloDriver

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.

S, SE, Beats, SEL, R-Line, GTI and GTI+ trims
Equipment is high, whichever new Polo is chosen. The single S model has highlights such as air conditioning, auto headlights with LED daytime running lights, eight-inch ‘Composition Media’ infotainment system and Front Assist with pedestrian monitoring system. Moving up, SE cars gain 15-inch ‘Sassari’ alloy wheels, an alarm, ‘Car-Net App Connect’ smartphone connectivity system, and a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel.

Similarly to the outgoing car, the all-new Polo Beats gets a 300-watt sound system as standard, along with ‘Beats’ bonnet and roof decals, 16-inch ‘Torsby’ alloy wheels, front fog lights, front and rear carpet mats, a ‘Red Velvet’ dash pad, and 65 per cent-tinted windows from the B-pillar back. SEL models meanwhile gain 16-inch ‘Las Minas’ alloy rims, a ‘Discover Navigation’ infotainment upgrade, automatic wipers, 2-Zone climate control, a front centre armrest, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Sports-orientated R-Line-trimmed Polos are fitted with 16-inch ‘Sebring’ alloy wheels, LED rear lights, an R-Line body kit (front and rear bumpers and gloss black rear spoiler), and stainless steel pedals. If that’s not sporty enough, though, GTI cars boast 17-inch ‘Parker’ alloy wheels (the same design as the latest Golf GTI), red brake calipers, 15mm lower sports suspension, and Volkswagen’s XDS electronic differential. Finally, GTI+ models gain the Active Info Display digital instruments (a £325 to £475 option on other new Polos), adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, Light & Sight pack, and keyless entry with start-stop button.

Most customisable Polo ever
The sixth-generation Polo is the most customisable Polo ever. As well as a choice of 12 colours in the UK, there is also a choice of ‘Reef Blue’, ‘Energetic Orange’ and ‘Silver Silk’ dash pads for SE and SEL cars, depending on their external colour. Beats models get ‘Red Velvet’ dash pads as standard, while a ‘Deep Iron’ dash pad is a no-cost option on GTI and GTI+ models. A trio of ‘Black’, ‘Black roof’ and ‘Style’ packs are also available from £50 to £550. The standard no-cost paint colours are Urano Grey and Flash Red, while Black and Pure White are priced at £340. Metallic paint starts at £565.

For more details and information on the all-new Polo, together with brochures and pricing of the versions available to order from today – and to use Volkswagen’s online configurator – visit www.volkswagen.co.uk. The confirmed prices for the new Polo range so far are detailed below. We’ll bring you the full range of prices when they are released. The first UK-bound new Polo deliveries are expected in January 2018.

NEW VOLKSWAGEN POLO PRICES (UK, RRP OTR)

S
1.0 64bhp, 110g/km*, five-speed manual, 5dr: £13,855

SE
1.0 64bhp, 108g/km*, five-speed manual, 5dr: £14,630
1.0 TSI 94bhp, 101g/km*, five-speed manual, 5dr: £15,930
1.0 TSI 94bhp, 105g/km*, seven-speed DSG, 5dr: £17,280

Beats
1.0 64bhp, 110g/km*, five-speed manual, 5dr: £15,680
1.0 TSI 94bhp, 103g/km*, five-speed manual, 5dr: £16,980
1.0 TSI 94bhp, 107g/km*, seven-speed DSG, 5dr: £18,330

*Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions (Directive 93/116/EEC). This allows a direct comparison between different manufacturer models but may not represent the actual fuel consumption achieved in ‘real world’ driving conditions. More information is available on the Volkswagen website at www.volkswagen.co.uk and at www.dft.gov.uk/vca