By: IOL Motoring Staff
Sandton - Volkswagen's Polo has been given a mid-life makeover - including new TSI turbopetrol fours of 66kW and 81kW - as well as new trim, new lights front and rear, new safety kit and upmarket infotainment.
The big news is that the previous models' naturally-aspirated 1.4 and 1.6-litres have been ditched in favour of 1.2-litre TSI engines. The entry-level version - mated to a five-speed manual 'box - is tuned for 66kW at 4800 revs and 160Nm from 1400-3500rpm - at a quoted cost of 4.9 litres per 100km.
Volkswagen also quotes 0-100km/h in 10.8 seconds and 184km/h flat out.
Highline and CrossPolo derivatives come with an uprated version of the same engine (81kW at 5000 revs, 175Nm from 1500-4000rpm) hooked up to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, either of which, VW says, is good for 5.1 litres per 100km, as well as 0-100 in 9.3 seconds and 196km/h top end.
LOOKING SHARP
The front treatment is more three-dimensional and sportier with a larger lower air intake, new chrome trim and new headlights, while the rear end gets a wider number-plate cut-out and a clearer horizontal emphasis - oh, and new tail-lights, too.
Rims are now 15” alloy for the base models, 16-inchers for the Highline and 17” for the CrossPolo .
Four trim levels are offered - Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and CrossPolo - each with new automatic post-collision braking, that puts the brakes on after an impact in order to prevent knock-on collisions, and a new driver alert system, also a first for the Polo.
The flight deck gets a new three-spoked steering wheel, and a new instrument cluster, while the centre stack is topped by a second-generation modular sound system, above a revised aircon panel.
The Trendline sound system has a 5” monochrome touchscreen, four speakers and SD-card, as well as auxiliary ports.
Comfortline trim features a more sophisticated layout with colour touchscreen, two more speakers, CD player, MP3 functionality, SD-card input and USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
Comfortline pilots also enjoy leather trim on the multi-function steering wheel, handbrake lever and shift lever grip, electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, height-adjustable passenger seat, sliding drawers under the front seats, aluminium-look trim accents and storage pockets on the backs of the front seats.
The Highline rolls on 16” alloys and is decked out with a dark grey centre console, centre armrest and sports front seats, while the CrossPolo boasts leather trim with contrast stitching on a new steering wheel as well as the gear and handbrake levers.
PRICES
1.2 TSI 66kW Trendline - R188 300
1.2 TSI 66kW Comfortline - R209 700
1.2 TSI 81kW Highline - R233 300
1.2 TSI 81kW Highline DSG - R247 800
1.2 TSI 81kW CrossPolo - R241 000
The new Polo comes standard with a three-year or 120 000 warranty and a three-year or 45 000km service plan. Service intervals are 15 000km.