Volkswagen's photocopiers all working fine I see...
Ah yes, the clichéd introduction to any new generation of the Volkswagen Polo (and this is the sixth). Yes, yes, it wants to be just like its big brother the Golf, and Volkswagen isn't shy in trying to convince supermini buyers that the new car is closer than ever. In fact, it's considerably grown in size in all dimensions other than height (though the packaging engineers have magically liberated more headroom in spite of that) and the boot is much more spacious too.
That dashboard looks special.
Indeed, it does. The Polo hosts the debut of the next generation of Volkswagen's Active Info Display - i.e. a customisable digital screen in place of traditional analogue instruments. We expect it to be optional on nearly all models, but still, it looks great and gives the Polo a real USP in the class. In fact, the dashboard has been designed around it and the cool glass-covered touchscreen in the middle. Aside from those, buyers can specify a vast array of coloured and styled dashpads, two overall colour themes and 11 different seat covers.
Any other new tech?
Yes, Volkswagen will offer much of the active safety and driver assistance systems already seen in the Golf and Passat, including Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring as standard. Options include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Traffic Alert, plus semi-automatic Park Assist.
Ok, what about engines?
The UK pricing and line-up has yet to be confirmed, but internationally at least there will be 1.0- and 1.5-litre petrol engines ranging from 65hp to 150hp, most of them TSI turbocharged units, plus a 1.6-litre TDI diesel in two states of tune. Five- and six-speed manual gearboxes are standard depending on output and most engines can be paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission instead. Naturally, all versions will send power to their front wheels, including the GTI...
Wait what?! There's a GTI right away?
You betcha. And it's a cracking looking thing too (presumably the pics show the fully optioned up model with red-trimmed LED headlights and 18-inch rims). What's more, there's now a 200hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine up front, so it should give the likes of the new Ford Fiesta ST a real run for its money.
Lovely. When can I get one?
Before the end of 2017 apparently, following a public premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Shane O' Donoghue - 16 Jun 2017