subject: An Established Brand In A VW Polo [print this page] Author: Karl Duncan Author: Karl Duncan
There is no doubt that the Volkswagen Polo is as established a car as the Beatles are to music or Hoover is to vacuum cleaners.Ever since the Mk1 appeared 34 years ago, the Polo has been synonymous with elegant styling, high reliability levels and practicality.Yes the Polo has never ripped your face off with its acceleration or gripped corners like it was on rails but none of this mattered to the millions of people who have owned a Polo over the years - it became as important a part of the average family as the dog. It wont be a surprise then that Volkswagen have a tough time of designing a new Polo model.They have the unenviable task of balancing what current customers like with refreshing the existing model.This leads us neatly onto the fifth incarnation of the Polo and therefore the fourth time Volkswagen has had to better the model that went before. The most recent Polo enters a hatchback market place brimming with funky city cars like the Ford Fiesta and Alfa Romeo Mito.Volkswagen can do funky as we've seen with the new Scirocco, but Polo owners have always demanded a level of class and restraint over showy curves and garish colour schemes.Therefore the new Polo ticks all these boxes.Don't get me wrong it far from boring to look at, with both the front and rear updated to continue the latest styling changes found on both the Golf and Scirocco.The front grill perfectly walks the tightrope between aggressive and sophistication, whilst the slight flaring of the wheel arches make the car seem wider and more poised than it is in reality. Please try to not interpret me wrong but to drive the Polo is a marked improvement on the old model which was the only area to really let it down.It's clear that the new version has inherited the genes from the much revised and lauded Golf and it's not just the driving experience which is handed down.The quality of materials used both on the exterior and interior outstrips that of its rivals.I'd go so far as to say if you were blindfolded before entering the cabin, you'd think you were in a executive saloon.There may not be the gadgets of a Mercedes S Class of course, but I defy you to find a quieter and sturdy cabin in motoring. Upon the launching of the new car in October the company expects the 1.4 litre petrol model to continue to be the most popular choice.The newest version is more frugal, more powerful and the car a tad faster.The difference isn't massive it must be noted and is only on a par with a Fiesta with a similar specification.Interestingly the Polo is now the same dimensions as the MkII Golf was when launched in the mid 80s.This means that the Polo is a viable option as a family car, with the interior being generously proportioned and is class leading once more. I can keep going on and on and tell you that it's practical, promises to be reliable and is priced towards the top end of the hatchback market, mainly because it's the best around.But from experience you already know this and that's why you'll most likely trade in your MkIV 1.4 and get the new model.Before you do though please consider the Polo Bluemotion. The Bluemotion produces 85bhp just like the standard car but returns a staggering 85.6mpg compared to 47.9mpg.CO2 emissions plummet from 139g/km to 87g/km.Therefore the Polo Bluemotion is the most economical car on the planet, beating even the new Toyota Prius that is due next year.Unlike the Prius though, the Bluemotion is 100% normal car with a three cylinder 1.2 litre turbo-diesel engine and no batteries. I have kept trying to find a downside to the blue version of the new VWPolo and have come up short.It drives as well as the standard 1.4 litre model, looks near identical (a small front spoiler and taller tires try and give the game away) and performs very well - not face rippingly fast but we've already established Polo drivers don't care for this.Expect the Bluemotion to start the wrong side of 14,000 which may cause concern until you factor in fuel savings and the lack of road tax you have to pay. I may not be a full pledged environmentalist, but when you can drive a car to within an inch of its life and still return more than 65mpg I guess I technically am compared to my fellow motorist.My bags are packed and I'm off to join Greenpeace on their boat.About the Author:
Want to learn *more* valuable information to get huge discounts on Volkswagen products without paying a penny? Check this out... http:// modifiedgolf.net
