AutoAlert : Reviews on the 2009/2010 Volkswagen Polo

Since its official debut in this Year's Geneva Motorshow, The Volkswagen Polo is poised to set a new benchmark in the supermini category in terms of terms of quality, efficient drive technologies as well as safety standards never seen before in the supermini category. According to the Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn,Volkswagen has gathered relevant elements that makes the Golf so successful to be incorporated into the fitth generation Polo.

The Polo is built with environment sustainability in mind according to Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg who is responsible for issues pertaining to technical development as a member of the Board of Management. He further added that: “As a 90-PS TDI with a BlueMotionTechnology package, the new Polo moves with 3.6 liter fuel consumption. Even our new 105-PS TSI only consumes 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers. We have succeeded in improving fuel economy between 8 and 20 percent over the entire gasoline engine lineup, and between 5 and 15 percent among the diesels. And that is really good.”

As far as safety is concern, this Polo is destined to grab all 5 stars in the recently established, stricter and more comprehensive EuroNCAP rating. To achieve this target, Volkswagen had improved the vehicle's structural rigidity which results in a 50% reduction in resistance to deformation in a frontal crash while the intrusion value was reduced by 20 percent. The host of standard passive and active safety feature available on the European spec Polo is listed below:

• ESP electronic stabilization program with Hill Hold Control
• 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
• Isofix preparation for child seats.
• side curtain airbags
  

Volkswagen also introduced 3 variants for customers to choose from starting from the entry level "Trendline", the midrange "Comfortline" and the flagship version "Highline". Volkswagen claims that equipment level found in the "Trendline" is already impressive and I find no reason not to agree with them when you have electro-hydraulic power steering, power windows in front, central locking, cargo area lighting and tie-down points, warning buzzer if lights are left on, height adjustment for driver’s seat, illuminated make-up mirrors in the sun visors and green tinted windows.

Despite all the improvements seen in the new Polo, the car is actually 7.5% lighter then its predecessor.With the new TDI and TSI engines driving the 2 front wheels via the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG) one will expect unparalleled levels of performance,refinement and fuel economy in the segment. Altogether there are 7 types of engines to choose from with the option of having Volkswagen's iconic "BlueMotion Technology package” thrown in as well. They are:

• 1.2 MPI with 44 kW / 60 PS
• 1.2 MPI with 51Kw/ 70PS
• 1.4 MPI with 63KW/85PS
• 1.6 TDI with 55kW/75PS
• 1.6 TDI with 66KW/90PS
• 1.6 TDI with 77KW/105PS

I managed to scout a few websites offering reviews on the new Polo so that you can have the pleasure of reading all of it here without much effort.

Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSi SE 5dr rating: 12 out of 20
£13,500
Driven June 2009 (click here to read more from Topgear)
The Volkswagen Polo was always the car you wanted if you found all the other superminis a bit too interesting. It was about the most coldly rational product out there. The Germans loved it.

Volkswagen Polo 2009 review (Click here to read more from Telegraph.co.uk)
The new Volkswagen Polo, due to be available from October 2009, is bigger but lighter with an improved drivetrain. The result is a spirited supermini.

By Erin Baker Published: 11:00AM BST 16 Jun 2009

Volkswagen Polo (click here to read more from AutoExpress)
Influence of the latest Golf is clear as German baby grows up in style.The Polo has been freshened up – and Auto Express can tell you whether it is a ‘hole’ lot better! British buyers love Volkswagen’s supermini

New VW Polo takes on Ford Fiesta (click here to read more from Yahoo Cars)
Why the comparison?
There are lots of superminis out there, but the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo are unquestionably the most recognised - and among the biggest sellers too