Volkswagen unveils bigger and smarter Polo

The sixth-generation Polo will be larger and feature autonomous tech as standard, when it reaches showrooms in late 2017, Volkswagen has confirmed.  

Pricing for the new 2017 Volkswagen Polo will start in the region of £11,500 and all versions will get four-doors and automatic city braking as standard. The compact hatch will also be 94mm longer and 69mm wider than the outgoing car, while boot space is expanded by 25 per cent to 351 litres.

This means the new Polo will be one of the biggest cars in its class, with its larger boot outstripping both the Vauxhall Corsa (280 litres) and Ford Fiesta (292 litres) when the rear seats are in place. Head and leg room in the rear will also be better, which means the new Polo should be a fully-fledged four seater. 

Entry-level Polos will be powered by Volkswagen’s three-cylinder petrol with outputs ranging from 65PS – 115PS. The four-cylinder 1.4 petrol has been replaced with a 150PS turbocharged 1.5 with cylinder deactivation technology that will shut down half of the cylinders to save fuel when the engine is under light loads. A performance-focused GTI model will also be available, with a 2.0 TSI engine and 200PS. 

Diesel options will be limited to a single 1.6 TDI, with 80PS or 95PS. All of the diesels will be linked to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the more powerful petrols will be mated to a six-speed manual 'box. Volkswagen's latest seven-speed DSG will be available as an option. No CO2 or fuel economy figures have been released for any of the engines, but expect the three-cylinder units to officially nudge towards 70mpg.  

As well as more space and lower fuel costs, the new Polo will get the option of digital instruments and a computer display in place of the traditional needles and dials. This will allow the driver to customise the instrument binnacle, with navigation directions and maps. Volkswagen is also promising 'limitless' customisation options, with 14 body and 13 dashboard colours, along with the option of 14-inch, 15-inch or 16-inch wheels. Full LED headlights will also be available. 

Semi-autonomous tech will be fitted as standard, with Front Assist allowing the car to automatically apply the brakes if it detects a potential low-speed impact. Adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection should also make it to the options list, along with rear traffic alerts that will warn the driver of approaching cars when reversing.  

Unlike its predecessor, the new Polo will not get a three-door option instead it will be offered as four-door hatch only, with prices expected to mirror the structure of the old car. That means £11,500 will secure the entry-level Polo in S trim, while the Match and Beats editions will start in the region of £13,000. The range-topping GTI will most likely cost £20,000.