LA Preview: Volkswagen to Showcase Diesel Efficiency With 71-MPG Polo Blue Motion

One of Volkswagen’s premieres set for the LA Auto Show next week is the newly-launched Polo BlueMotion. Now VW has no plans to offer this European model in North America, but the automaker is using the debut to promote its message that diesel is an immediate solution to using less fuel, while continuing to test the U.S. market’s reaction to the sub-compact Polo, which fits in underneath the Golf in VW’s European lineup.

Offered with several different gasoline and diesel engines in Europe, the Polo BlueMotion is the most efficient of the bunch with a 75-hp 1.2-liter turbo-diesel engine that gets a incredible 71.3 mpg! Volkswagen claims that with a 12 gallon fuel tank, this diesel Polo can travel 847 miles.

The Polo is eventually set to reach North America, but not until 2012. And when it does arrive it is expected to be slightly larger with an elongated frame. VW’s biggest issue with importing the Polo is that due to the cost of shipping and manufacturing the vehicle in Europe, it might not be able to compete with sub-compact offerings, like those from Honda and Toyota. The German automaker’s reluctance to bring the Polo over so far does seem odd as Volkswagen practically pioneered the small car segment in the United States in the past. VW also risks fighting an up-hill battle in 2012 as most automakers already have sub-compact models on the markets and those who don’t, like Ford and Mazda, are about to introduce their new small cars (the Fiesta and Mazda2) at the LA Auto Show.

We’ll be sure to bring you any updates on the Polo for North America, with live coverage from the LA Auto Show starting December 2nd.