New VW Polo Coming to America
That’s right, VW will be getting into the ultra-competitive sub-compact segment in North America with the new VW Polo.
There is no word on which engine options will be offered but we wouldn’t be surprised to see one of the TDI engines (of which VW will produce three) offered. TDI models will range in power from 60 to 105 hp.
As for gasoline engines, the Polo will be offered worldwide with four different FSI engines. The U.S.-market is likely to see just one of these but possibly two. The most likely is the 1.2TSI, a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 105hp.
The next engine down from that is a naturally aspirated 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 90hp.
VW is planning to offer some of the higher-performance Polos with its new 7-speed DSG gearbox. Some models will also be offered with 17-inch wheels.
Look out Honda Fit!
GALLERY: 2010 VW Polo
Official release after the jump:
The new Polo is one of the safest cars worldwide;
Polo’s TDI and TSI engines noticeably reduce fuel costs
No other car in this class has such a mature and high-end image as
the new Polo. Comfort, quality and safety have all taken a
considerable leap forward. One example: the Polo was specifically
designed to attain the recently established, stricter and more
comprehensive, 5-star EuroNCAP rating. The higher structural
rigidity of the Polo’s bodyshell contributes to these results. In the
footwell area alone, intrusion – related to the car body’s deformation
strength in a frontal crash – was lowered by 50 percent! In the case of
a side impact, the intrusion value was reduced by 20 percent.
Standard equipment for safety
In addition, the European version of the Polo now being presented is
equipped with standard ESP electronic stabilization program with
Hill Hold Control, and it has a highly effective network of airbags on
board, including combined head-thorax airbags (integrated in the
front seatbacks), belt tensioners and belt force limiters plus seatbelt
warning indicator and head restraints that counteract the risk of
whiplash injury (both front seats), three rear head restraints and
Isofix child seat preparation.
Weight down, fuel consumption down
Despite significant improvements in all aspects of the car, it was
possible to reduce the Polo’s body weight by 7.5 percent. The
introduction of new TDI and TSI engines, as well as the 7-speed dual
clutch transmission (DSG), has resulted in considerably reduced fuel
consumption and emissions over a wide range of engine power
outputs. An excellent example here is the new 1.2 TSI. This turbo-
charged four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine produces 77
kW / 105 PS, yet it consumes just 5.5 liters of fuel per 100
kilometers (129 g/km CO2); this is 19 percent less than on the
equivalent model of the previous generation!
In total, seven different engines will be offered on the new Polo in its
first year – four gasoline and three diesel – spanning a power range
from 44 kW / 60 PS to 77 kW / 105 PS. Five of these engines are
entirely new or are being used for the first time in the Polo.
The new engines include all three TDIs (turbo-diesel direct-
injection); thanks to the implementation for the first time of common
rail technology in the Polo, these engines are both efficient and
refined. The potential in the new TDI engines is clearly evident in the
example of the Polo 1.6 TDI with 66 kW / 90 PS: when combined
with a “BlueMotion package”, its average fuel consumption of 3.8
liters per 100 kilometers and 96 g/km CO2 makes it the most fuel
efficient and lowest emitting five-seater diesel in the world. The
“BlueMotion package” may be combined with any of the three
equipment lines developed for the Polo. Available for selection here
are the base version “Trendline”, the mid-level “Comfortline” and the
top of the line “Highline”.
Individually combinable high-tech features
Options that Polo drivers will be able to order on their new
Volkswagen include static turning lights integrated in the front fog
lights, (from “Comfortline” up), side curtain airbags (head airbag
system for front and rear passengers), radio and radio-navigation
systems and integrated hands-free telephone systems. A panorama
sunroof and bi-xenon headlights will follow at a later time.
Market launch starts the end of June
Start of production of the five-door Polo is scheduled for the end of
March. This will be followed, starting in the last week in June, by the
market launch of the visually and technically advanced new edition of
the million unit bestseller in Germany. Just two weeks later, thanks to
an ambitious logistics plan, Volkswagen will begin selling the car
across mainland Europe, and soon Polo engines will be revving up
across all continents.
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