8/27/2009
New Car; 2010 Volkswagen Polo 3-Door
Volkswagen is getting ready to officially launch the three-door version of its new subcompact Polo, a diesel version of which gets 70 mpg.
Keep in mind VW's admission that the Polo or a Polo-sized vehicle might make its way to the U.S. market, so we could ultimately see a version of this frugal hatchback on U.S. soil.
The three-door Polo sports more modern styling than the model it replaces, falling in line with VW's new design language that we've already seen on the upcoming Golf. Longer doors are part of the three-door Polo package yet the five-door shares the same length, width, and height. Compared to the Ford Fiesta (three- or five-door), the Polo is 0.8 in. longer, 1.6 in. narrower, and 0.2 in. shorter.
A total of seven engines will be offered on the three- and five-door Polo: three diesels, three gas and, sometime early in 2010, a 1.2L diesel BlueMotion oriented toward efficiency. Interestingly, on a car that sits near the bottom of VW's European lineup (above the Fox), a seven-speed DSG transmission will be offered. We'd love to try the 103-hp direct-injection turbo four paired with the DSG, but even if that combination makes it to the U.S., it might price itself far above its intended competition.
Thanks to: Motor Trend