Hi-tech, upmarket VW Polo arrives in Oz

THE Volkswagen Group has launched the Wolfsburg-based model’s revised Polo vary – headlined by the 147kW/320Nm GTI variant – in Australia.

The agency has specified the sunshine hatchback to entice consumers (who would in any other case be available in the market for a small hatchback) to “purchase down” with out the necessity to compromise on options.

Nevertheless, the Polo’s notably larger normal specification displays in its steeper pricing – the whole line-up has gone up by between $5560 and $6460, relying on variant.

From an aesthetic perspective, the up to date Polo appears smarter and extra upmarket than its predecessor (additionally produced in VW’s South African meeting plant), because of revised bumpers and LED headlight clusters with daytime operating lights, in addition to two-part LED taillights.

Modifications to the German model’s sixth-generation gentle hatchback are far more obvious on the within, the place other than up to date trim, all variants now characteristic a Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster of least 8.0-inches in dimension, DAB+ digital radio, and wi-fi smartphone mirroring and charging – “options from extra senior passenger autos,” Volkswagen says.

The bottom Polo Life is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol that produces 70kW/175Nm when paired with a five-speed handbook gearbox ($25,250, plus on-road prices) or 85kW/200Nm with the seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission ($28,250 + ORCs).

Volkswagen claims mixed gas consumption of 5.4L/100km for each variations.

The entry-grade Polo’s specification is predicated on that of the outgoing Comfortline, however beefed as much as embrace computerized headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front-seat lumbar adjustment, cruise management, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 8.0-inch Composition Media touchscreen infotainment array, a entrance centre armrest and illuminated vainness mirrors.

The mid-range Polo Type ($31,250 +ORCs) rides on 16-inch alloys (versus the Life’s 15-inch rims) and is additional distinguished by entrance fog lights, an illuminated LED grille strip, IQ Gentle Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam and LED taillights with dynamic indicators.

Sports activities entrance seats, a ten.25-inch Digital Cockpit Professional instrument panel, dual-zone local weather management and LED inside ambient lighting are normal on the Type, together with the semi-autonomous Journey Help suite that features adaptive cruise management, aspect help and rear cross-traffic alert and computerized reverse parking help.

Lastly, the flagship Polo GTI is propelled by a 147kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with seven-speed DSG and mentioned to eat 6.5L/100km on the mixed cycle.

It appears suitably racy courtesy of its 18-inch alloys, GTI physique styling and purple brake calipers, whereas tartan inside trim and sports activities seats add to the range-topping Polo variant’s sense of event.

An 8.0-inch Uncover Media touchscreen infotainment array with built-in navigation and voice management, keyless entry with push-button begin and a safety alarm system completes the bundle.

For its meant viewers of driving fans, the Polo GTI options drive mode choice, adaptive dampers and paddle-shifters mounted on the sports activities steering wheel.

Metallic paint is normal on this variant, though premium metallic paint is obtainable for $300. On different Polo variants (Life and Type respectively), a metallic end is a $600 possibility, whereas a panoramic glass sunroof will be ordered for $1500.

On the Polo Life computerized, a Imaginative and prescient and Tech Bundle together with built-in navigation, 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Professional, voice management, journey help and adaptive cruise management is obtainable for $1700.

The Polo Type will be specified with a Sound and Tech Bundle that features built-in navigation, voice management, keyless entry and begin, and a 300W Beats premium audio with six audio system and digital eight-channel amplifier for $1900,

GTI consumers can improve with a $1500 Sound and Tech Bundle that comes with a Uncover Professional 9.2-inch navigation touchscreen array and Beats premium audio.

When it comes to normal security specification, all up to date Polo variants are outfitted with seven airbags together with centre entrance airbag, entrance help with pedestrian and bicycle owner monitoring, adaptive lane-keep help, parking sensors entrance and rear.

VW factors out that these options are upgrades over the outgoing Trendline variant’s normal security suite and extra to what got here on the pre-facelift Comfortline.

Practicality of the Polo GTI and Beats audio-equipped Polos has additionally been expanded, with boot quantity growing from 305 litres to match all different Polos at 351 litres.

“We have moved the Polo farther from the sticker-driven rat race into its most premium kind but,” mentioned Volkswagen Group Australia’s model director of passenger autos Michal Szaniecki.

“Already within the pre-updated kind, the sixth technology Polo asserted its technical superiority over perceived rivals as a result of its environment friendly turbo engines and MQB platform.

“With this mid-life improve, (our) entry vary is positioned to fulfill buyer necessities. Simply because the Golf 110TSI is provided and priced to replicate the truth that it has at all times executed most of its enterprise properly above the entry level, Polo prospects have usually chosen closely optioned variants.

“With normal Digital Cockpit, wi-fi charging and the supply of options from extra ‘senior’ Volkswagen passenger autos, the Polo vary shouldn’t be a lot a junior Golf or entry automobile to our broader passenger car showroom as a completely advanced vary in its personal proper,” he added.

All Volkswagen Polo variants are coated by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee and one 12 months’s roadside help.

2022 Volkswagen Polo pricing*: