Better VW Polo also cheaper

Volkswagen Group Australia has released a heavily upgraded Polo, bringing a significant range of technical improvements – including class-leading safety and multi-media technologies and greater efficiency – for much less money.

Launched today from an introductory drive-away price of just $15,990 ($1000 less than the outgoing model, before on-road costs), the latest Polo is the first to be launched with drive-away pricing, and the first to be cheaper than its most direct Japanese and Korean rivals.

The unprecedented drive-away launch price undercuts the Polo's most direct five-door hatchback competitors, including the Hyundai i20 ($16,590 plus ORCs), Mazda2 ($15,790 plus ORCs) and Toyota Yaris (from $15,690 ORCs).

Both the i20 and Yaris are available in cheaper three-door form ($15,590 and $14,990 respectively, plus ORCs), and the superseded Polo is in run-out at $15,490 drive-away – down from $16,990 plus ORCs.

But the substantially cheaper pricing for the facelifted fifth-generation model is a clear indicator of Volkswagen's intentions in the competitive light-car segment, in which the Polo currently ranks ninth in sales behind the i20, Mazda2, Yaris, Kia Rio, Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta, Holden Barina and Hyundai Accent.

It also prepares Volkswagen's smallest model, following the discontinuation of the $13,990 up! micro-car, for a fight with the facelifted Yaris on sale next month, the redesigned Mazda2 that arrives in October and the all-new i20 due next year.

However, the $15,990 headline price applies only to the base model, with the automatic version costing as much as $2500 more ($18,490 drive-away) and prices reverting to a respective $16,290 and $18,790 plus ORCs after three months or while stocks last – $700 less than before.

As well, the Polo diesel has been dropped from the Australian line-up, leaving the updated range to comprise just two models, in line with Volkswagen's model range simplification strategy.

That means the end of the 1.6 TDI Comfortline auto and the no-show of a new 1.4-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel, which in Europe produces the same 66kW/230Nm but reduces fuel consumption to 3.4L/100km.

Nor will BlueMotion TSI and TDI, or BlueGT and CrossPolo variants of Volkswagen's second-biggest seller globally be offered here.

Meantime, the facelifted Polo GTI won't arrive until next year, but will come with more power (141kW) and, for the first time since 2010, the option of a manual transmission, potentially lowering its price from the current auto-only model's $29,540.

As well, two new high-tech options packages are unavailable in the base model, and $1500 extra on the new Polo flagship, bringing a host of luxury-car features to the light-car class for the first time.

Volkswagen says the options take-up rate on base Polos was previously less than five per cent, with a similar number of buyers opting for diesel power, which the new downsized turbo-petrol engine all but emulates in terms of torque and efficiency.

Included in the 'Driving Comfort' pack are Golf safety features like the Polo-first adaptive cruise control, front assist (above 30km/h) with city emergency brake (below 30km/h), driver fatigue detection (above 65km/h) and, finally, a reversing camera with static guidance.

The $1500 also includes climate-control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, coming/leaving home function, tyre pressure monitoring and automatic headlights and wipers.

The 'Sport' pack, meantime, includes 17x7.0-inch 'Mirabeau' alloy wheels with 215/40 R17 tyres, lower sports suspension, front fog lights with cornering function, tinted rear/side windows and tyre pressure monitoring.

Other advanced technologies like two-stage Sport Select variable suspension damping and LED headlights are offered in Europe's Polo but won't be available here – and nor will a factory satellite-navigation system.

However, all Australian Polos will be safer than ever, fitted as standard with a segment-first automatic post-collision braking system (multi-collision brake), plus six airbags including full-length curtains, traction/stability control, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, front seatbelt pretensioners and height adjustment, five three-point seatbelts and a rear fog light.

As such, local safety body ANCAP has awarded the 2014 Polo the same maximum five-star crash safety rating as Euro NCAP.

For now, the 2014 Polo is available in two distinctly different variants, with different petrol engines and equipment grades, both offered in manual and auto form and both fitted with an array of improvements.

Opening the range is the 66TSI Trendline, while the premium 81TSI Comfortline tops the range, priced at $18,290 (manual) and $20,290 (auto) plus ORCs – both $950 less than before. Drive-away pricing will be announced for the top-shelf Polo later this week.

The 66TSI Trendline replaces the previous entry-level 1.4 Trendline and is powered by a lower-output version of the previous mid-range 77TSI Comfortline's 77kW/175Nm 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, increasing power to 66kW (up 3kW) over 4400-5400rpm and torque to 160Nm (up 28Nm) over 1400-3500rpm.

The 81TSI has the same engine, but offers more power (81kW, this time over 4600-5600rpm) and 175Nm of torque – over a wider 1400-4000rpm.

Both Euro 5 emissions-compliant engines come with fuel-saving BlueMotion technologies including idle-stop and brake energy recuperation, but both run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.

The 66TSI is matched as standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while the 81TSI comes with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG auto is optional on both models.

Fuel consumption for all variants is just 4.8L/100km except the 81TSI manual (4.9L/100km) – making the petrol Polo up to 21 per cent more efficient and almost as frugal as the discontinued Polo 66TDI (4.6L/100km) – while CO2 emissions range from 109g/km in the 66TSI manual to 113g/km all 81TSIs.

As we've reported, after five years in production the fresh Polo also brings the latest Golf 7's electromechanical power steering that's both speed- and input-sensitive, as well as lighter, more compact and more direct in feel.

Cosmetically, bringing the Polo in line with the cleaner look of the latest Golf 7 are new headlights, a new grille and front bumper with larger openings and relocated daytime running lights, and new LED turn indicators in the wing mirrors.

Inside, the headline act is the Golf's 5.0-inch colour touch-screen infotainment system with AM/FM/CD/SD/MP3/WMA compatibility, six speakers, USB input and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.

But there's also fresh instrument graphics, a new centre console, new climate controls, a new flat-bottom three-spoke steering wheel and cruise control at base level.

The entry-level Trendline grade comes with 15x6.0-inch steel wheels with 185/60 R15 tyres, air-conditioning, height-adjustable driver's seat, gloss back interior highlights, power windows/mirrors, 60/40-split rear seatback, three cup-holders and two bottle-holders.

In addition, the 81TSI Comfortline offers alloy wheels with anti-theft nuts, chromed front bumper highlights, 'Comfort' cloth trim, a trip computer, a leather-clad steering wheel with brushed aluminium inserts and audio/phone/trip controls, leather-clad gearshifter and handbrake, height-adjustable front centre armrest with storage, front passenger seat height adjustment and reading light, illuminated front vanity lights, front seatback pockets and chromed interior highlights.

Standard range-wide carryover features include remote window opening/closing, four auto up/down power windows, internal headlight range adjustment, a chillable glovebox, variable-height luggage floor, heated wing mirrors, programmable two-stage unlocking and a 12-year corrosion warranty.

A full-size steel spare wheel is fitted and the range of optional accessories includes 15-, 16- and 17-inch alloys, a rear hatch spoiler, various body protectors, roof racks, bike carriers, luggage boxes, floor mats and a 480-Watt sound system.

Six exterior paint colours will be available including the flat Pure White and Cornflower Blue, the metallic Sunset Red, Pepper Grey and Reflex Silver, and the pearl-effect Deep Black – all fitted with black interior trim.

Globally, Volkswagen has sold nearly 14 million Polos over five generations, including about 721,000 last year alone. Australia's version, sales of which are up 11 per cent year-to-date, is built in South Africa.

Volkswagen Polo pricing (plus on-road costs):
66TSI Trendline – $16,290
66TSI Trendline (a) – $18,790
81TSI Comfortline – $18,290
81TSI Comfortline (a) – $20,790

Introductory drive-away pricing (first three months only):
66TSI Trendline – $15,990
66TSI Trendline (a) – $18,490
81TSI Comfortline models – TBA