|
|
CAP Blog > CAP Blog > Martin's Blog
|
|
Dec
16
Written by:
Martin Ward
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
This is the second Polo we have had on test from Volkswagen in the past month. The first was the Polo Mode, the model below the SE, and this had the 1.2 litre petrol engine that produces 60ps.
 This 1.6 litre TDI engine produces 75ps, goes from 0-62mph in 13.9 seconds and has a top speed of 106mph. It has a combined fuel consumption figure of 65.7 mpg. This diesel engine does feel quicker than the figures suggest as it will easily cruise on the motorway at 70mph and will hold this speed whilst driving up any incline on the motorway. Like all new Polo models, the cabin is very quiet with hardly any noise intrusion from the road, wind or the engine. It is very well insulated and until you have driven one, it is difficult to explain just how peaceful it is whilst inside the Polo.
This car is priced at £12,685 on the road but it does have a good level of specification including alloy wheels, semi-automatic air conditioning, radio with MP3 compatibility, front and rear electric windows and driver/passenger seat height adjustment, so it all adds up to a reasonable specification. The quality is probably the best in its sector, especially the interior, which has good fit and finish with some high quality materials used.
 This fifth generation five door Polo is built at the Uitenhage plant in South Africa, around 450 miles east of Cape Town. This plant was founded in 1946 under the name of South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors. In 1966, ten years after Volkswagen AG requested more capital, the factory’s name changed to Volkswagen of South Africa. In 1974 the factory became the sole property of Volkswagen and it currently employs around 5,500 people. The first car to be produced in Uitenhage was a Beetle on 31st August 1951. The three door version of the Polo will be built at Volkswagen’s factory in Pamplona, Spain. Volkswagen UK expect to sell around 37,000 new Polo models in 2010, with the SE accounting for around 50% of sales.
After now having driven the 1.2 litre petrol and the 1.6 litre TDI diesel, I have to say that my choice would have to be the 1.2 litre 60ps model, although a 70ps is available as well. The 1.6 litre TDI diesel easily cruises on the motorway and never runs out of power, whereas the 1.2 litre petrol does need to be worked and sometimes has to be dropped from 5th to 4th gear when driving up some hills but overall, the 1.2 litre is the one to have. It is especially useful around town where it has more than enough power and is almost as economical as the diesel but costs much less.
 The Polo has been a huge success for Volkswagen; not only in the UK, but around the world. The first Polo was launched in the UK in 1975 measuring at 3,505mm in length and was only available with one engine, which was a 900cc 40ps petrol engine. The Mk5 Polo measures at 3,970mm in length and is available with a choice of 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre petrol engines, and the 1.6 litre TDI diesel engine.
There is no doubt that the new Polo will continue to be another success for Volkswagen and when you compare price and specification with its main competitors, it has never looked better in terms of good value and has never been as competitive.
Tags:
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
