2009 Volkswagen new Polo

Key Aspects: The New Polo – World Premiere at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

• Fifth generation Polo brings new dimension of quality to the supermini class

• Five new engines; TSI and Common Rail TDI in the Polo for the first time

• 3.8 liter fuel consumption and 96 g/km CO2 set new benchmark for five-seaters

• ESP is standard equipment; significantly improved crash properties

World premiere in Switzerland: Volkswagen is introducing the fifth generation of the Polo at the Geneva International Motor Show (March 5 to 15) – the new edition of one of the most influential German cars of our times. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management, Volkswagen Group: 'Through the combination of the car's design and technology, aligned with forthcoming market requirements, we have repeated our achievements in the recently launched new Golf in the class below. This takes us to an entirely new level of high customer value and efficiency among small cars and indeed at prices that are still affordable.'

The new Polo - Interior
Interior brings new level of quality to the class to the small car class; new cockpit in the five-seater has decidedly driver-oriented ergonomics

All Volkswagens are recognized for having intuitive user controls and excellent ergonomic properties – regardless of the proportions of their driver and passengers. These are clearly properties of the new Polo too. The entire interior was redesigned. Starting with the 'Comfortline', the surface of the instrument panel is upgraded by so-called slush technology (a high-end surface structure that is soft to the touch). The lower area of the cabin as well as the door inserts and interior trim panels may be ordered in either 'Anthracite' or 'Seashell'.

Driver-oriented ergonomics

Finally, the lowermost console level is home to the completely redesigned user controls for the ventilation or climate control system ('Climatic' is standard equipment starting on the Comfortline). Practical: The glove box can also be cooled in this case. Also integrated here are a sunglasses compartment, the deactivation switch for the front passenger's airbag and – if included as options – the switches for the tire monitoring indicator (air pressure monitoring) and an MP3 port. The vehicle service book is stored in a space-saving storage slot at the base of the glove box. Directly in front of the gearshift lever are a 12V outlet and an AÚX-IN socket for integrating another player.

White instrument backlighting


The instruments of the Polo were also redesigned; they now have white backlighting and are styled like those on the Golf. The fuel gauge is digital in the new generation Polo. Like the bezels for the air vents, the rotary light switch – still located on the left – gets a high-end metallic look from 'Comfortline' up.

Similar to other new models of the Volkswagen brand, new three-spoke steering wheels were also developed for the Polo. The top version sports a leather steering wheel that is somewhat more compact than on the Golf. An optional multifunctional steering wheel (with user controls in the left spoke) will be offered too. Making a decidedly ergonomic impression are the armrests in the door trim panels (with storage bin for a 1.5 liter bottle) and a front center armrest (folding with storage compartment) that can now be ordered on the Polo for the first time.

More space at all seating positions


The driver's seat, front passenger's seat and rear bench seat were all redesigned. More space is now offered at all five seating locations in the Polo. In particular, knee room in the rear is greater due to the growth of the interior length to 1,674 millimeters (+8 millimeters). Shoulder room in front (1,372 millimeters) is also increased by 22 millimeters. Thanks to these new dimensions, the new Polo offers an interior ambiance that is considerably more spacious. The Polo also proves to be very versatile: Folding the rear bench seat (with standard 60:40 split starting on the 'Comfortline') is very simple; the car then offers a level cargo surface due to the dual cargo floor that is standard equipment from the 'Comfortline' up. The dual cargo floor can be mounted at two different heights.

The new Polo - Chassis

Volkswagen has completely redesigned the Polo chassis with its McPherson strut type suspension in front and semi-independent suspension in the rear. Its track width was increased by 30 millimeters front and rear (giving new dimensions of 1,464 mm front, 1,456 mm rear). The result: enhanced vehicle dynamics.

Improved directional stability

In front, Volkswagen has integrated a completely redesigned McPherson strut type suspension with a thirty millimeter wider track width. The front wheels were moved five millimeters forward to achieve a greater caster angle, and this offers greater directional stability. Furthermore, new strut bushes are used on the Polo; on the one hand they are lighter, and they also improve ride comfort. Larger wheels can now be used as well, and this further improves comfort. At the same time, these wheels have a positive effect on driving performance. The Polo is being sold in Germany and in other markets with electronic stabilization program (ESP), including Hill Hold Control, as standard equipment. Overall braking system performance was adapted to the new generation Polo; among other elements, the 8.5 inch brake booster is being replaced by a higher performance 10 inch system.

To attain its five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test, the steering column – with its continuously variable height and reach adjustment – was completely redeveloped. This redesign resulted in reduced weight. The standard electro-hydraulic power steering was taken from the previous model and adapted to the new front suspension kinematics. Engineers came up with entirely new tuning of the steering system. Steering feel and responsiveness as well as the center point – which defines steering feel in the straight-line tracking position – now set new standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com)

The new Polo - Exterior

• Impressive design with clear, dynamic forms;

• fifth generation Polo shows its new Volkswagen family face

As soon as you see the Polo, you are struck by its self-assured proportions. The car's basic layout looks dynamic, while the design is clean and the overall appearance very purposeful. Better resolved surfaces, tight seams and extremely sharp panel edges in its side profile, engine hood and tailgate underscore the car's logical design concept. Above all, the gain in width leads to a very full, powerful image from every perspective.

Front end

The Volkswagen family face that has been specially adapted to the Polo – with its flat grille and band of headlights that has typified the brand ever since the Scirocco – emphasizes the new car's additional width. Moreover, it conveys an image of the car's very low center of gravity. Harmoniously integrated in this face are the Polo's body-colored bumpers beneath the black grille.

In a third horizontal line below this, there is another large air inlet that supplies the engine and brakes with ample air. At its sides, this black band incorporates the daytime running lights and fog lights with integrated turn indicators. The daytime running lights save up to 0.15 liter of fuel per 100 kilometers compared to conventional continuous running lights. Just a few centimeters above the road, the narrow body-colored front spoiler catches the eye.

Volkswagen offers the Polo with two or three different headlights, depending on selected options: the 'Trendline' base version is fitted with H4 headlights. H7 dual headlights are installed starting with the 'Comfortline'. The H7 headlights offer ten percent greater lighting power compared to headlights on the previous model. Also integrated in the headlights are the turn signal lights. Stylistically, outer and inner design features of the headlights with their different lighting elements join together with the lines of the radiator grille to form one unit.

Rear end

The rear of the car is characterized by geometric order and sportiness. The design cue from the headlights, with their line breaking off with an upward turn, is taken up again in the taillights. These also display a very distinctive night image and extend into the Polo's broad shoulder. Supported on these shoulders – in the area of the lateral 'character line' that can be seen from every perspective – is the roof section. Meanwhile, the tailgate extends right down to the bumper. Just as on the Golf, the Polo's tailgate is opened with the VW logo, which swivels up and acts as a handle. Standard equipment: a roof edge spoiler integrated in the tailgate.

The car's image is also exceptionally powerful from the rear. From this angle it becomes clear how the designers exploited the increased track width (+30 millimeters both front and rear) and stretched the outer wheels along a vertical plane right up to the wheel wells as though carved out with a knife. That is also why the Polo can easily accommodate very large wheel-tire combinations. The range of optional tire dimensions extends all the way to 215/40 R17.

Side profile

The lateral profile line is, among other things, dominated by the distinctively sporty front overhang and extremely short rear overhang, the clearly modeled 'character line' and low roof that slopes towards the rear. The prominent shoulder line also gives the vehicle a new lateral structure and underscores the generally more masculine appearance. Since the fourth generation, the five-door Polo has also sported what is known as a 'three window look'. This refers to the third side window integrated in the C pillar. This design characteristic is especially prominent on the new Polo. In the area of the A and C pillars, the lower window line also takes an upward sweep, a reference to the styling of the headlights and taillights. Also striking are the pronounced side skirts, whose shape offers aerodynamic benefits. The Polo's underbody is also optimized for optimal airflow. Also enhancing aerodynamic performance are the newly developed outside mirror housings, whose air resistance has been reduced by 20 percent compared to the previous model.

Source - Volkswagen

To the point: The new Polo
• The new Polo is one of the safest cars worldwide;

• Polo's TDI and TSI engines noticeably reduce fuel costs

Wolfsburg / Geneva, 02 March 2009 - No other car in this class has such a mature and high-end image as the new Polo. Comfort, quality and safety have all taken a considerable leap forward. One example: the Polo was specifically designed to attain the recently established, stricter and more comprehensive, 5-star EuroNCAP rating. The higher structural rigidity of the 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


Weight down, fuel consumption down


Despite significant improvements in all aspects of the car, it was possible to reduce the 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 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 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 Polo, these engines are both efficient and refined. The potential in the new TDI engines is clearly evident in the example of the 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 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 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

Source - Volkswagen