As this is the entry-level VW for much of the world, the Spanish-built hatch will be available in a wide variety of trims with six engines. The fun ones will be the 1.6-liter TDI, which offers 104 HP and 170 lb-ft of torque, and the 1.2-liter TSI, which offers 104 HP and a non-diesel 129 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions for these include a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG — should we have ever let German industry retool?

NEW THREE-DOOR POLO UNVEILED AHEAD OF FRANKFURT SHOW
The new three-door Polo has been unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Drawing on the same clean, sharp lines adopted by the five-door model the new Polo three-door features a more aggressive stance, with a pronounced kink in the window line just above a sharp crease running the length of the car.  The overall effect is a cohesive, clutter-free design that makes the new Polo appear lower and wider than it really is.
The three-door model shares the same platform and dimensions as the five-door model and benefits from the same gains in quality, space, safety and refinement made over the outgoing model.
Built at Volkswagen's Pamplona production facility in Spain, the three-door model will start production in right-hand drive form in late October before the first deliveries start in early 2010. 

As with the five-door variant there will be four trim levels – S, SE, Moda and SEL. Prices for the S are estimated to start at around £9,400 while the top-spec SEL model will cost £14,000. 

Every Polo is fitted with four airbags, ABS, ESP and hydraulic brake assist as standard.  In addition, the Polo comes with a CD stereo, speed sensitive power steering and electric windows.

The SE trim level adds air-conditioning, 15-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker stereo with iPod connectivity and body-coloured door handles and mirrors.

In top-spec SEL trim the Polo is fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, leather trim on the steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake, a multifunction computer and tyre pressure warning indicator.

At launch the new Polo three-door will be available with a choice of six engines, four petrol and two diesel.  These are a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre engines with 60 or 70 PS and a 1.4-litre 85 PS; plus two 1.6-litre common rail TDI units producing 75 or 90 PS. All engines comply with Euro V emissions legislat ion.  A new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI unit will also be offered.

When you're driving a light vehicle like a Polo if you really want performance,you might as well remove the back seat. It's just extra weight. But what to replace it with? Clearly, a turbocharged motorcycle engine. And if you're going to go through the trouble to put a motor out back it's just another easy step to attach a chain-driven rear axle. It only makes sense. Finally, a VW concept wörth seeing.

[TMR Tuned]

VW has decided to commemorate the largest gathering of VW Polos and GTIs at Wörthersee with these flashed up "concept"vehicles. Unlike past years, which included the Golf W12 concept, VW is taking a conservative approach. Little more than a paint job and lowered suspension, these are pretty much just a way to get outlets like us to talk about the new VW Golf GTI and Polo GTI as they go to market. On that front, good job VW.

[Source: VW]

Rather than just bring the US a Euro-styled Polo, which has come a long way in 35 years, Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby believes we're all much too obese. Therefore, they're building us a bigger, more roomy set of Polos. Both will take dead aim at the Honda FIt and try to fill the $13K to $15K price-point below the Rabbit.

[Automotive News via AutoBlog]

Volkswagen Polo MkI

Years In Production: 1975 to 1981

Volkswagen Polo MkII

Years In Production: 1981 to 1994

Volkswagen Polo MkIII

Years In Production: 1994 to 2002

Volkswagen Polo MkIV

Years In Production: 2002 to 2009

Volkswagen Polo MkV

Years In Production: 2009 to Present

[Source: VW]

Photo Credit: Automobile Magazine

The 2010 VW Polo has been improved in many ways, but has managed to keep the weight down, significantly improving fuel efficiency. It will feature two new engines, a new TDI and a TSI, as well as a 7-speed DSG transmission. The new 1.2 liter (TSI) turbocharged four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine produces 105 horsepower and manages to travel 100 kilometers on only 5.5 liters of fuel; 19 percent less than the previous generation car.

Production ramps up for the little guy in June 2009 and we can only hope that Volkswagen will give us a 2010 VW Polo of our own. Here's to wishing!

VW Press Release:

No other car in this class has such a mature and high-end image as the new Volkswagen Polo. Comfort, quality and safety have all taken a considerable leap forward. One example: the Volkswagen Polo was specifically designed to attain the recently established, stricter and more comprehensive, 5-star EuroNCAP rating. The higher structural rigidity of the Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen Polo, these engines are both efficient and refined. The potential in the new TDI engines is clearly evident in the example of the Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 2009

Start of production of the five-door Volkswagen Polo is scheduled for the end of March 2009. 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 Volkswagen Polo engines will be revving up across all continents.

[via VW]

Seen here for the first time is an image of the brand-new set-to-be-unveiled-in-hours 5-door Volkswagen Polo revealed a little bit early on a billboard poster plastered on the side of the Geneva Palexpo center, the home of the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. We'll be seeing more in just under 24 hours, but for the moment, take a look at all...the...details...umm...

Well, I guess it looks like the new supermini-VW looks a wee bit bigger. We've been told to expect a car that's 3.95 metres (155.5 inches) long compared to the 3.92 metres (154.3 inches) of the previous generation. More details coming soon — just keep our Geneva Motor Show tag in your feed readers constantly updated! [via World Car Fans]

The advertisement, created by DDB Berlin, suggests the absurdity of the car's performance. However, the Persistence of Memory and its malleable watches suggest a non-absurdist interpretation of the relative nature of time. The car's fuel sipping nature isn't Dada, it's surreal. Despite our concern with the caption, there is no doubting the brilliance of the ad. The crying gas station attendant, the wilting gas tanker, the ants carrying fuel, the "shell" underneath the soft fuel gauge. Clever.

[Ads Of The World]

We were just lamenting to one of our comiserants about the lack of VW Polo GTI action in the US. We'd imagine Volkswagen could corner the market on performance subcompacts (or start one) if it brought the Polo GTI to the states. Of course, the business case may be dicey. But we'd imagine if the GTI came in at, say, $14,000 in top spec — that is, 150 hp (or 177 hp in its Cup version) — they'd sell like Filet-o-Fish sandwiches in Boston during Lent. Then we'd see ads like this running during "The Venture Brothers." – Mike Spinelli

[via Carscoop]

Related:
Volkswagen Launches Polo GTI Cup [internal]

...this comes right after VW solidified plans for its diesel sipping BlueMotion Polo (which can drive from Britain to the south coast of France on one tank). Maybe it's a pipe dream, but with the probable high cost of importing this sub-Fox auto wouldn't it be easier to justify the expense by mating it to an uber-efficient BlueMotion diesel? We're just saying. – Matt Hardigree

VW Plans New Compact Car - Daily Auto Insider [Car and Driver]

Related:
Go Blue! Volkswagen's Diesel-Sipping Polo Gets 72 mpg [internal]

Imagine Prius-smoking mileage figures for under 20 grand. That's the MO of Volkswagen's Polo Blue Motion — a hatch that can get around with a sparrow's mouthful of diesel. Introduced at the Geneva show earlier this year, the special Polo still can't touch the figures of V-dub's erstwhile Lupo 3L minicar, which could get 94 mpg, but sold poorly. Then again, the Polo's a real car, not just a prop for clowns. Thanks to aerodynamic tweaks and low-resistance tires, the Blue Motion can get 72.4 mpg from its 1.4-liter TDI engine — 10 mpg greater than the none-so-Blue version. All that and no stop-start function. With the US getting low-sulphur diesel this year, will we soon be rocking the 717-mile range? [UPDATE: Edmunds translated using British Imperial gallons, which are bizarrely larger than US gallons. The actual mileage is closer to 62 mpg. Not bad, but not quite "Prius-smoking." Thanks to Steve and Danny for the tip.]

Fuel Miser: Diesel Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion Hits 72 MPG [Edmunds]

Related:
Volkswagen Launches Polo GTI Cup [internal]

The spies were right on — the carmaker of the people is launching the people's racer for the street. The company released info this am about the Polo GTI Cup Edition, a roadgoing version of the company's ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup series car. It looks to be a perky chap, too: 180 metric horsepower (around 177 hp) from a 1.8-liter turbocharged five-valve four-cylinder — with a power-to-weight ratio of around 15 lbs per horsepower. Its top speed is listed at 140 mph, with zero-to-60 time of 7.5 seconds. It's also got significant body kittage, including a roof spoiler designed by Volkswagen Individual and front and rear skirts lifted from the ADAC Polo Cup racing car. Four-spoke 17" alloys hold 205/40ZR 17 tires. Inside, drivers rest astride the typical GTI interior accoutrements in interlagos plaid. Two-door and four-door versions will be available, starting at 22,425 euros. Never mind the exchange, there won't be a US equivalent.

Related:
Spy Photos: Volkswagen Polo GTi Cup [internal]

Well lookit here — the tiny hot-hatch-loving kids across the pond may have a new toy for the 'bahns and 'stradas. A new version of VW Motorsport's Polo GTI Cup may be afoot. Originally built in the late '80s, the supercharged Polo GT G40 Cup was a very limited edition homologation model for a single-make racing series. Now, as rumors have it, a new, special-edition Polo GTI in that vein, coming in 2007, will sport around 178 horsepower. Yes, Valencia, there is a Pap Noel.

Volkswagen Polo GTi CUP [Motorpasi n]

Related:
Volkswagen to Show Polo GTI in Tokyo; Ad Watch: Ich Bin Ein Baller; Polo GTI in Germany [internal]

In this alternate universe, a geeky white guy named "Peter" is the subject of intense team-recruitment among inner-city playground ballers. Na, wer bekommt Peter? (who gets Peter?), they argue. Who knew the 6 train crossed over into Boogie-Down Berlin? [Thanks to Stephan for the tip.]

Related:
Ad Watch: The VW Passat — Leading Cause Of Non-Hybrid Smug [internal]

We'd have bet our little sister that by now VW would have brought the Polo GTI to the US to challenge the Scion's dominance among young, sport-minded buyers (and by "little sister" we mean half a sawbuck). After all, the top-line Polo's got a 1.8-liter, 20 valve turbocharged four banger that produces in the neighborhood of 150 hp, leading toward a 0-to-62 mph time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 134 mph. (That's in range of a loaded Scion tC.) in the UK, it's hitting showrooms at a base price of 14,810, which (notwithstanding an exact exchange in currency value) would suggest a selling price in the US of around $15,000 to $16,000. Maybe next generation the business case will match the head case, or something like that.

Related:
Volkswagen to Show Polo GTI in Tokyo [internal]

With DCX and Volkswagen having finalized a minivan-collaboration deal earlier this month, there's now an eye toward a possible below-the-Caliber entry-level Dodge based on Volkswagen's Polo. Since the Caliber and its Compass sibling have slightly outgrown the small-car segment and moved into the netherworld between compact and midsize, Dodge is looking for something akin to its old Mitsubishi-built Colt to fill a niche many are predicting could again become a hot segment, and the Polo might just fit the bill.

Dodge's corporate parent is also in talks with Hyundai and Mitsubishi on such a vehicle, so at this point, the Polo platform's merely one option they have to choose from.. A decision should be handed down from the Desk of Dieter in the first half of the year, but the car could easily be built in VW's Puebla, Mexico plant, alongside a Polo sedan that's rumored for the US market.

A Dodge Polo? Only in America [AutoWeek]

Related:
VW-Chrysler Minivan Alliance Finalized: Details in Detroit [Internal]

It's been almost three months since news surfaced of talks between VW and Chrysler to jointly produce a minivan for the US market, but sources say a deal is imminent. Now, word is it'll be part of a wider-reaching alliance that could include a Dodge mashup with VW's Polo, and a sourcing partnership in which VW would supply engines to the US's nascent market for Europe's new emissions-compliant diesels (dependent on new regs to reduce the sulphur content of US-sold diesel). Expect a formal announcement, er, soon.

Related:
VW and DaimlerChrysler in Talks to Build a Joint Minivan for US Market; Volkswagen Polo Coming to the US?

Another week, another installment of Hecklerspray's Rubbish Cars We Love. This time our boy Chris Laverty takes on the second-generation Volkswagen Polo, a wee runabout that never made it to our shores, but boasted a ripping sixty horsepower and a freakin' tachometer, ferchrissakes. Sporting pretensions aside, we've always had a soft spot for these Polos, as our mom's friend in Ireland had one, bringing to mind thoughts of days spent herding sheep, flipping ATVs, riding around on tractors and losing shoes in the silage.

Rubbish Cars We Love: The Polo Mark 2 The Budget Golf

Related:
Hecklerspray on the Jaguar XJ

A quick-eyed, though sadly digicamless, tipster caught sight of a red, two-door VW Polo at Santa Monica VW on Santa Monica Blvd:

Sorry, no digital photo, but confirmed:

And not hidden, either — right next to the showroom ... In my history (parents owned vw/audi dealership) factory reps would show up in a new model, usually a pre-production or US-modified euro car. I'm putting $50 on a US Polo launch by early '07.

Related:
A Look At the New, Small Cars Coming to North America; Volkswagen to Show Polo GTI in Tokyo [internal]