New-look Volkswagen Polo unveiled
German supermini gets refreshed looks, more technology and level 2 autonomous driving
The homogonisation of VW’s cars continues with the announcement of a facelifted Polo, as the car gets the same LED light strip along the radiator grille as the ID, Golf and Arteon models.
During the unveiling, Volkswagen’s head of exterior design, Marvo Pavone, said the link with the wider family is key: “It’s very important to have this relationship with the Golf 8 design language - it makes the car clearly wider and easily recognisable.” The lighting strip is one element of a raft of styling changes on the car, as Volkswagen looks to push past the 18 million Polos sold in the model’s 45-year history.
Further changes run to LED headlights (now standard fit), new front and rear bumpers, redesigned tailgate and rear LED lights. The front LEDs are available with matrix headlights for the first time in the Polo, dubbed IQ.LIGHT by VW.
The car also uses the firm’s new boot lid signage, dominated by the large VW logo with Polo lettering underneath. The wheelbase remains the same but the facelifted version is slightly longer because of the reprofiled bumpers.
In addition to the styling alterations, the Polo is now available with Travel Assist as an option. This level two autonomous driving feature, first seen on the Passat, brings together adaptive cruise control and lane assist to allow partly automated driving at up to 130mph. A more regular version of lane assist is standard on the car.
Inside, the car gets the latest touchscreen infotainment system with a 6.5-inch screen as standard, offering all the latest connectivity options. A bigger 9.2-inch version is available as an option, while the new slider temperature control that sits lower down the centre console is borrowed from the Golf. A redesigned, standard-fit multi-function steering wheel is also part of the changes, while in the dash, an 8.0-inch digital instrument display greets the driver.
Engines remain the same as before. Delivering a range of power outputs from 79bhp to 108bhp, the all-petrol, three-cylinder line-up offers a choice of manual or dual-clutch transmissions. Official fuel economy figures will be released nearer to the car’s launch.
There are currently no plans to offer the car with an electrified powertrain. Volkswagen says it has the ID range to fill this role, pointing out that they are planning an electric model that will sit below the ID 3.
In the UK, the Polo will be available in Life, Style, R-Line specifications, matching the Golf’s line-up and replacing the old Match, SEL and R-Line trims. The Polo GTI will continue to be offered but the facelifted version won’t arrive in the UK until early 2022.
The Polo range goes on sale here in quarter three. Prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but it’s likely the car will have a small cost increase over the existing line up, with a starting price of about £17,500.
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