New Volkswagen Polo at Geneva

And in sharp contrast to the worthy but far from exciting current car VW has tried to inject a bit of Scirocco glamour into its supermini.

GALLERY: Watch the new VW Polo in pictures

As promised the Scirocco’s ‘face’ is now appearing across the VW range, having already been adapted for the new Golf. And it brings a much more dynamic look to the new Polo too, the new compact VW tall, edgy and discreetly a lot more stylish than before.

 

There are hints of Skoda Fabia in its proportions, which should come as no surprise given that they share much in their construction. The Polo’s underpinnings are more closely related to the SEAT Ibiza though, this car using the updated platform that will underpin all VW group superminis from now on. 

 

So much for family resemblance though, because the new Polo is technically and in engineering terms a significant step up from either the SEAT or the Skoda. As it should be. Five of the seven engines are all-new, weight is down by an average of 7.5% and technology like VW’s seven-speed automated DSG gearbox will be available too.

 

All this benefits fuel consumption and emissions significantly, the champion in this respect being the new BlueMotion version with its hybrid beating 96g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg fuel consumption. Even non-BlueMotion versions of this all-new 1.6-litre common-rail TDI diesel manage 109g/km and 69.7mpg in outputs of 90hp or 105hp.

Petrol engines are versions of the existing 1.2-litre three-cylinder with 60hp or 70hp or an 85hp 1.4. Most interesting is the turbocharged 1.2 TSI with 105hp and boasting 129g/km CO2 and 51.4mpg. With the optional seven-speed DSG gearbox – also available on the 1.4 petrol and 90hp 1.6 TDI – it’ll be a punchy performer but frugal with it.

 

The new chassis has been much updated and, if the closely related Ibiza is anything to go by, should offer a much livelier and entertaining drive. Which it’ll need to, if it’s to go up against the Fiesta and refreshed Clio. Track is wider by 30mm, bushings have been uprated and steering geometry changed, all to improve stability.

Inside there’s a big focus on quality and more space for all. Like the Golf instruments are now white-lit for clarity and in typical VW fashion it’s all very functionally and ergonomically correct, if slightly lacking in flair. Soft-touch surfaces and discreet chrome trim and are a clear step up from SEAT and Skoda relatives though.

 

So, no surprises from the Polo beyond the fact VW managed to keep it hidden right up to the moment the covers came off. “No gimmicks” said VW’s Ulrich Hackenberg as he presented the car to the press, sensible innovation the name of the game. Which in the current climate is probably the way to play it.