Volkswagen readies new Polo

Volkswagen’s Polo is set for an update with a range of new technologies and efficient engines, along with a makeover inside and out.

Chief among the changes for the Polo – over 14 million of which have been sold worldwide since its introduction in 1975 – is a range of new EU6-compliant engines offering fuel efficiency improvements of up to 21 per cent over the old units.

New three- and four-cylinder petrol engines lead the changes.  There are two 1-litre MPI units, with 60 PS or 75 PS and two 1.2-litre four-cylinder TSI engines with 90 PS or 110 PS. 

As before, a 1.4-litre TSI engine with cylinder deactivation (ACT) will be available, this time with power increased by 10 PS to 150 PS.  A range-topping Polo GTI with increased power will be available next year.

In the UK, the diesel-powered Polo BlueMotion is to be replaced with a new petrol-powered Polo BlueMotion TSI, which returns 68.9 mile/gal on the combined cycle and emits 94 g/km of CO₂.  This vehicle uses a new turbocharged three-cylinder 1-litre engine offering 90 PS.

Diesel power is provided for by two new three-cylinder 1.4-litre TDI engines (previously these were 1.2 and 1.6 litres), with 75 PS and 90 PS.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen brand Audi continues its downsizing engine policy. A new 1.4-litre TFSI engine slots in at the entry point to the Audi Q3 line-up as an alternative to the 140PS 2-litre TDI model, and shares its exclusively front-wheel-driven configuration.

Available in conjunction with SE and S line trim levels, it offers peak power of 150PS, delivered between 5,000 and 6,000 rev/min, and maximum torque of 250Nm from 1,750 to 3,000 rev/min. It can channel these through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.                                 ∎