Polo here in February

3 January 2002: Volkswagen’s new Polo is expected to be launched here in late February 2002.

Built on the Fabia platform, and therefore already on a winner against the background of that car’s success, it has taken design themes from the smaller Lupo, especially in the front end - except that it has four round front lights instead of two.

The new Polo will be available with an entry level 1.2-litre three-cylinder 12-valve engine, moving on to a 1.4-litre 75bhp petrol unit with either manual or automatic transmission, as well as three diesel engines. These will be a 64bhp 1.9, a 75bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre and a 1.9 100bhp turbo engine. Three more petrol options will be added by the end of 2002.

New Polo drivers will be seated higher up than in the current model and the steering wheel will be adjustable for both rake and reach, that latter a first for the Polo.

It’s a similar type of power steering to that which has been available for several years on the Opel Corsa and the Fiat Punto, electrically operated and therefore not drawing power from the engine - which helps save fuel.

The new Polo significantly ups the safety ante against its predecessor and will have four airbags instead of two. It also comes with a massively improved suspension compared to the previous model.

Another welcome feature is that when the wipers are turned on, the rear wiper starts to work as soon as you put the car into reverse gear. Something we’ve had for a while on more expensive cars and showing how technology filters down the hierarchy. And the boot is a bit bigger than before.

The new Polo will be available in E, S or SE trim options. Sport versions will also be available. Prices and full specification for Ireland have not yet been made available. TW

January 2002